The Low-Carb Bread Generation

America has a diet problem, which is no secret.  We've all read and listened to the reasons why, regarding our sedentary lifestyles and traditions of over-consumption.  And of course, there are those who have certain health conditions which stunt metabolism, etc. etc.  My question is: does mainstream America tackle these issues correctly?  Are weird diets the answer?  Is low-carb bread the answer?


No.  Bread is a carbohydrate-based product, so what the hell is low-carb bread made out of?  Air?  Granted, I am a relatively thin Atkins-hating person who loves bread and pasta.  This makes me a target for people who have issues losing weight: "Easy for you to say, Nick!"  I get it.  But, I can't even count how often most of these people neglect to eat REAL FOOD.  Which, of course, would require COOKING REAL FOOD.  As in, buying vegetables and cheeses and breads and meats and cooking them, rather than just opening a can with the word "Diet" stamped on it, or throwing a plastic pouch of nothing in the microwave.


One of the biggest problems, as I see it, is that a great majority of foods consumed in modern western civilization (okay, mostly just America) are synthesized, processed, and have a list of ingredients that could fill an encyclopedia.  Imagine how hard our bodies have to work to break down all those ingredients and preservatives and chemicals.


Another problem is American body image.  Just because someone isn't rail thin does not mean they aren't in good health.  If your body has a certain frame, you might not be meant to be rail thin even if you're in great health.  You don't need to be a freaky Calvin Klein model.  Yes, the modeling industry prefers to hire girls whose ribs jut through their T-shirts, but I will guarantee that most normal, straight guys are attracted to girls with some more curve to them.


Getting back to the point... our bodies are designed to process foods as they come from the earth.  Overcooked and over-processed foods are a phenomenon of our civilization, not a phenomenon that occurs in nature.


That being said, there are good things that don't occur in "nature" (and vice versa, of course).  Synthesized medicine doesn't occur in nature.  Would I advise a person not to ever take medicine?  Of course not - that's idiotic.  On the other hand, would I advise someone to pop pills all day long?  No, but I think that makes a reasonable analogy for American food consumption.  Even I don't have the patience to eat raw, organic superfoods all day long.  Still, I sure as hell wouldn't avoid them completely and eat nothing but processed, empty calorie garbage (even if it is low-calorie "Diet" garbage).

Multi-grain bread image from www.saidaonline.com

Maybe the answer to a healthy lifestyle, and to weight loss, is not low-carb bread.  Maybe it's whole wheat and mult-grain bread, made the real way, with carbs intact.  Perhaps the best thing to do is eat complex carbohydrate foods earlier in the day, or before physical activity.  It's possible that the best thing to do after eating a meal is anything but watching TV or taking a nap.


Obviously I'm not a doctor or a nutritionist.  So if you talk to either of them, by all means, ask them what they think.  See if they disagree with what I say.  And eat some real damn bread.