A group of climbers brought Granola Gourmet 4Real Energy Bars to eat for their meals and snacks during their climb and extreme adventure. purba-ray.com

Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world, the highest point on Earth located on the crest of the Great Himalayas of southern Asia that lies on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

“When you’re climbing mountains or traveling anywhere, it’s hard to find something nourishing, good for you, and something that tastes good. Granola Gourmet bars are perfect! They helped get us up to Kala Pattar, Mt. Everest 18,700 Ft! Thank you, Granola Gourmet! We love you!”

~ Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel & Brigitte Pascual ~ Mt. Everest Climbers (as pictured L to R)

Eating refined carbohydrates like bagels may stimulate brain regions involved in reward and cravings, research suggests.

Fresh research adds weight to the notion that certain foods (think empty carbs like bagels and sweet treats) can lead to more intense hunger and overeating.

Fast-digesting carbohydrates can stimulate regions of the brain involved in cravings and addiction, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Prior studies have shown that highly desirable foods, perhaps a cheesecake or pie, can trigger pleasure centers in the brain. But what’s new about this research is that it shows that even when people are unaware of what they’re eating, the intake of fast-digesting carbs can activate parts of the brain associated with pleasure, reward and addiction.

To evaluate this, Dr. David Ludwig, director of the obesity prevention center at Boston Children’s Hospital, and his colleagues conducted brain scans in 12 overweight men after they consumed two different kinds of test milkshakes.

Both milkshakes had the same number of calories and similar ingredients, but one contained more fast-digesting carbs and the other was made of slower-digesting carbohydrates. Theconcept here is that so-called high-glycemic index foods such as sugar and highly processed breads move through the body faster than low-glycemic index foods such as fruit and whole grains.

After the participants drank the rapidly digesting carb shake, their blood sugar spiked and then crashed four hours later. And it’s at this point that researchers documented activation of a part of the brain called the nucleus accumbens, a small area that is involved in emotions and addiction. Ludwig told The Salt: “The scans showed intense activation in brain regions involved in addictive behavior.”

The idea that certain foods may be addictive is controversial. Some scientists think it’s overstating the matter. And clearly it’s not settled as to whether activity in these brain regions would be seen widely in the population, or perhaps only among those who are overweight or prone to overeating.

As Dr. Robert Lustig, a professor of clinical pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, points out, this research can’t tell us if there’s a cause and effect relationship between eating certain foods and triggering brain responses, or if those responses lead to overeating and obesity.

“[The study] doesn’t tell you if this is the reason they got obese,” says Lustig, “or if this is what happens once you’re already obese.”

Nonetheless, Lustig told The Salt that he thinks this study offers another bit of evidence that “this phenomenon is real.” He has been a leading voice in suggesting that sugar is the cause of obesity and other health problems.

Increasingly, the concept of food addiction is gaining attention from researchers. There’s a body of work exploring the connection, says Nicole Avena, a neuroscientist at the University of Florida who studies food and the brain.

This study, she says, adds to the growing literature that suggests that high-sugar foods can affect the brain “in ways that can alter reward processing and potentially fuel overeating.”

by ALLISON AUBREY

What an amazing story. Very inspiring. A diabetic physician recounts his bias in treating a diabetic patient and how he overcame it when he was diagnosed with diabetes.

http://www.ted.com/talks/peter_attia_what_if_we_re_wrong_about_diabetes.html

As a young surgeon, Peter Attia felt contempt for a patient with diabetes. She was overweight, he thought, and thus responsible for the fact that she needed a foot amputation. But years later, Attia received an unpleasant medical surprise that led him to wonder: is our understanding of diabetes right? Could the precursors to diabetes cause obesity, and not the other way around? A look at how assumptions may be leading us to wage the wrong medical war.

Both a surgeon and a self-experimenter, Peter Attia hopes to ease the diabetes epidemic by challenging what we think we know and improving the scientific rigor in nutrition and obesity research.

1. YOU EAT SUGAR

• You like it, you crave it
• It has addictive properties

2. BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS SPIKE

• Dopamine is released in the brain= addiction
• Mass insulin secreted to drop blood sugar levels

3. BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS FALL RAPIDLY

• High insulin levels cause immediate fat storage
• Body craves the lost sugar “high”

4. HUNGER & CRAVINGS

• Low blood sugar levels cause increased appetite and cravings
• This cycle is repeated

It is not only sugar that causes these cravings; it is also high glycemic foods whether they are salty, savory or sweet that causes our blood sugar to spike and cause these cravings.

Granola Gourmet Energy Bars are low glycemic and don’t cause these cravings and perpetual cycle.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general informational purposes only. Granola Gourmet does not treat, cure or prevent diabetes or any disease, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!

Jodie R.

Meenakshi N.

Say S.

Kirk M.

______________________________________________________

Win a Granola Gourmet 4Real Variety Pack!

Become our fan on facebook and tell us your favorite Granola Gourmet product on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/GranolaGourmet.  The winners will be announced on our blog March 11,2013.

• “Like” our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/GranolaGourmet
• Tell us on our facebook page your favorite Granola Gourmet product.

(Variety Pack details)

Must be 18 years old to enter and a resident of the U.S.   All contest winners will be announced on our blog March 11^th.  

A carbohydrate is an organic entity that contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, which together form sugar molecules.  There are three main types of carbohydrates – sugars, starches and fiber.

The carbohydrates are the main energy source for our bodies.

What makes carbohydrates good or bad?

BAD CARBS

Refined and processed carbohydrates are considered BAD, as they are absorbed quickly by the human digestive system, and cause blood sugar level spikes, which in turn forces your body to store the excess sugar as fat.

Refined sugar- what 60g of carbs in a blueberry muffin do to you?

1. Insulin levels in your blood sugar SPIKE.

2. Carbs are turned into fat cells.

3. The body stores the fat cells, you get fatter.

BAD CARBS include: white bread, rice, potatoes, corn, soft drinks, pasta, cereals, refined sugar…

GOOD CARBS

Carbohydrates full of fiber are considered GOOD, as they are absorbed gradually into the human body, without causing spikes in blood sugar levels.

100g of blueberries have 14g of carbs.

1. Insulin in your blood levels are LOW.

2. Carbs are NOT converted into fat cells. Body burns the carbs.

3. The body doesn’t burn the fat cells. You LOSE weight.

GOOD CARBS include: Dairy, Legumes, Lentils, Green Vegetables, Beans, Berries, Lemons…

What is Glycemic Index

Glycemic Index (GI) of a food indicates how much does eating this food affect the glucose levels in your blood.  Eating carbohydrates with low glycemic index, increases insulin and blood sugar gradually, which is good. Foods with high GI cause surge in sugar blood levels and insulin which in turn causes the excessive glucose to be stored as fat.

Choosing between good carbs & bad carbs can really make a difference.  Which would you choose?

For more information and to check out a picture graph, follow the link & scroll down the page.  /science-nutrition/

(Sources: HarvardSchool of Public Health: The Nutrition Source & Inforgraphic design by Low Carb Foods)

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general informational purposes only. Granola Gourmet does not treat, cure or prevent diabetes or any disease, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Eating healthy is good for everyone; when you have Diabetes, it is crucial. Diabetics are twice as likely to develop live threatening diseases then non – diabetics. When you are diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes, it’s life changing.

For die-hard food junkies, the only thing you think about is all the food that you’ll have to give up. While it’s a given that you will have to make changes, it can be a positive experience; you’ll discover a whole new world of food options.

Snacking is something everyone does, whether it is during work hours or relaxing in front of the Television. By simply substitution unhealthy junk food for Granola Gourmet energy bars will satisfy your snack craving.

Many think that Granola bars & Energy Bars are all healthy.  That is not true.  Many have a high fat, sugar and sodium content.  It is really important to know how to read the labels to make sure you have a healthy bar so you aren’t eating an adult candy bar.

A low GI diet can really make a difference for people with diabetes and those at risk of developing it. The ingredients in a Granola Gourmet energy bars meet the criteria of a low GI diet. Our ingredients include:  Organic whole grain oats, almonds, organic flaxseeds and organic sunflower seeds.

It is always important to maintain good communication and regular visits to your doctor for proper advice and diagnosis.  If you have pre- diabetes, or diabetes, it is good to have a diet plan created to fit your specific needs by consulting with your endocrinologist and with a dietitian who is a certified diabetes educator.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general informational purposes only. Granola Gourmet does not treat, cure or prevent diabetes or any disease, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Life in our society today is very fast paced. We wake up, and after hitting the snooze button half a dozen times, take a shower and gulp a cup of coffee, and get the kids off to school. Then it’s out the door we go; to our jobs or to run errands or whatever the plans are for the day.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day however it is also the most skipped meal. You figure you can grab a doughnut or pastry and have a healthy lunch, but lets face it, how often does that happen?

When you don’t eat right, your abusing your body; you not giving yourself the nutrients you need to stay healthy. Over time, it will take its toll on your body.

•  Lack of energy
•  Inability to focus
•  Weight gain

These are just some of the effects of not eating right, and if you have diabetes, it can be life threatening.

People with diabetes do not produce enough of the hormone insulin to convert glucose to energy efficiently. People with Type 1 diabetes produce no insulin and must take it by injection or via a pump. Those with Type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin so must control their blood sugar through diet, exercise and insulin or oral medication, if needed. Type 2 diabetes may be preventable by maintaining a healthy weight and making wise food choices, however if it is going to work properly, then you have to follow a healthy diet, its just that simple.

Granola Gourmet offers energy bars for those who just don’t have enough time to sit down and eat breakfast.

The energy bars are made with all natural ingredients and are low on the Glycemic Index (GI). What this means is that instead of getting the rush of energy that you get when you eat junk food, (and yes, danish and doughnuts are a type of junk food) and then all of a sudden the energy is gone and your exhausted, when you eat a Granola Gourmet energy bar, the glucose is released into your blood slowly so your energy level remains constant.

You don’t have to skip breakfast.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general informational purposes only. Granola Gourmet does not treat, cure or prevent diabetes or any disease, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

When you’re on a budget, every penny counts; trying to stay on a low carb diet can be challenging however when you know the basics, you can create wonderful meals. Choosing foods like eggs, beans and tuna can be the base for fantastic meals.

Although eggs contain saturated fat, the protein and other nutrients far outweigh negative effects. There are virtually millions of things you can do with eggs; they are extremely versatile and cost next to nothing.

Beans are another food that is versatile and inexpensive and a big highlight is that they are high in fiber. Canned or dried beans can be added to soups and salads or they can be ground up to make incredible dips. Chili is another favorite that you can use beans for however it is important to watch what ingredients that you add; you want to keep it low carb. Black beans, kidney beans, navy beans and pinto beans are the most chosen beans because their carb count is about fifteen grams per half cup and the cost is just pennies per serving.

We all know that fish is one of the best things to eat; they contain lean protein and omega 3 fatty acids that contribute to good heart health. You can use it in many different ways and in many different recipes to create incredible culinary delights that will please even the fussiest eater. You can use it to top salads, or add light mayo to make an excellent tuna sandwich on whole grain bread.  It is important that you choose canned tuna in water and not oil; tuna in oil may contain unhealthy fat and be higher in carbs.

Veggies, veggies, veggies! There are so many different kinds of vegetable that are low or no carbs at all; they contribute to good heart health and have so many different health benefits. There has been a long-standing debate as to what is better; fresh or frozen.

Without a doubt fresh vegetable yield a bounty of nutrients, vitamins and minerals; however, unless you live on a farm and pick your vegetables daily, you may be shocked to find vegetable loose some of  their nutritious value as soon as they are picked. There is no telling how long they sit in the grocery store; while vegetables that are meant to be frozen have the same nutrients vitamins and minerals, are picked cleaned and frozen right from the field usually within twenty four hours of being harvested.

While fresh vegetable can be expensive, frozen vegetables are usual reasonably priced; however when it comes to using them, each has its advantages.

Which ever you choose, vegetables such as green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts and spinach are low carb and can be added to salads, pasta dishes, and they can be eaten as snacks and a multitude of other dishes.

When you choose to eat a healthier diet, you choose the foods that you like and learn to prepare them in different ways. You fall into a routine and enjoy finding new ways to create healthy dishes.

Every once in a while, you still want to go out, have a quiet relaxing evening out with friends or family. You want to stay with your healthy diet, and choosing a restaurant that serves healthy food can be a little frustrating.

Unless the restaurant you choose is a health food restaurant, you’re going to find that your favorite restaurants are not specifically low fat, sugar, carb, sodium & calorie. You really have to look at the menu and choose healthy options. Even fast food restaurants now offer a healthy menu selection.

Burgers in a fast food restaurant or in a fine dining restaurant can have as much as 1800 calories, and huge amounts of artery clogging fat; these same restaurants offer healthy green salads low cal dressing. Its all in your approach, you can enjoy dining out, and keeping to your healthy lifestyle.

When you’re in a sit down restaurant, a brief description of what the dish contains is on the menu; if your still not sure, ask the waitperson how the dish is prepared. A good restaurant will train their waitstaff to answer questions like these. You can also ask the waitperson to substitute foods in the dish for healthier options; most restaurants will do this.

You can also choose the salad bar as your main dish, this way you are controlling what is on your plate.  Most salad dressings are loaded with calories and fats, so make sure it is the low calorie dressing, or you can just use some vinegar or lemon juice on your salad. You can choose the healthiest vegetables in the bar.

Most restaurants offer a bread basket when you are seated; you can ask the waitperson if they have a whole grain bread basket or choose not to eat what is there.  Instead of putting butter on the bread, either enjoy it plain, or just put balsamic vinegar on it or a mix of a tiny amount of olive oil with the vinegar.  It is delicious. When the bread basket arrives many people aren’t able to just eat the one, so you can ask them to just bring you one roll, or not to bring any to the table.

It is recommended that you do not go to all you can eat buffets because you will be tempted to try all of the delectable treats on the table; it is also recommended that you do not order the specials on menus as most specials will contain all the ingredients you are trying to stay away from.

It is best not to go when you are extremely hungry, that also leads to quick and bad food choices.  Having a half or a whole Granola Gourmet Energy Bar will help you curb your appetite enough so you will not feel like eating everything in site at the restaurant.

Any restaurant can be a healthy one; it is up to you to make healthy menu choices. You should not have to sacrifice a night out because you want to stay on your healthy diet. You can go out and have fun, give yourself the night off from cooking and enjoy healthy eating and let someone else do all the work!