diet

When our bodies digest food, there are many hormones and chemicals that the body must deal with. Everything we eat converts to blood glucose, and one of three things happens: it is burned right away, converted to glycogen and stored in the muscles for later use, and converted to fat to be stored for longer periods of time. One of the most important factors in the digestive process is how much insulin is released, because insulin is what decides which nutrients to burn, and which to store in the body. In those who have higher blood sugar levels in their bodies, more insulin is released, and more food is stored as fat. But, in diabetics, there is not enough insulin released by the pancreas, which makes dealing with blood sugar quite difficult for the body.

Everyone needs protein in different amounts to be healthy. A common misconception that many people have is that vegetarians and vegans do not get enough protein in their diets. Plant foods have protein in adequate, but not excessive, amounts. While vegans and vegetarians generally get enough protein in their diet, they have to be careful that they get enough of the right kind.

Not that long ago, the biggest diet fad was the Atkins diet, at the time thought to be the saving grace of the diet industry. People could still eat their bacon and eggs in the mornings; they just had to skip the toast and the juice on the side. They could still have their bacon cheeseburgers, they just had to skip the buns, the ketchup, and the French fries. Unfortunately, they also had to skip the dill pickles that go so deliciously with these foods. But, how effective could a diet that suggested eating burgers with bacon and cheese really be? And, how long could a human body continue to go without complex carbohydrates without developing serious problems?