It's not the carbs guys it is the simple lack of exercise and combination of high calorie processed foods.
In the 1960's people were not constantly sitting in front of a television or computer while consuming high calories. People were more active. Foods were not as processed as they are now.
A large soda was 12 ounces not 32 ounces. A burger was not as big. Serving sizes were smaller. People were actually cooking meals and sitting at the dinner table not nuking stuff.
I grew up in the 1970s and my mom would tell us to get outside and play. It is tough to get my kids to do that when there is so much effortless entertainment inside like the iPad,xbox,wii, etc.
And there are many medications available today that will keep your body going that back then you would be forced to change your diet and exercise. Cholesterol medications, blood pressure meds, and other medications that thwart some situations where your body is telling you it is hurting and needs attention.
Carbs are good in moderation if your active. They offer sustained energy. But if your not active then your body will not convert them.
I agree with this,to a point.When the FDA dietary food guidelines came out in the 1960's pushing carbs the graph of wt gain immediately went on a huge upward trend,It looks very similar to the national debt charts after we went off the silver standard.Parabolic rise but in the early 70's we were still pretty active kids.
For sure all the change in sugar and activity later,and the rise of fast food is a major major player.IMO.
Loved the oiling of North America,fascinating.
As for research,nurses are really good researchers.From the getgo I knew a brilliant nurse who was just freaking out over the cholesterol guidelines and meds,she had reams and reams of research,would wear out a printer every three months.So I heard a lot from her,and low and behold,she was right,just 20-30 years ahead of our times.
I think why RNs are such good health researchers is they dont have a financial dog in the fight,and instead many are hugely altruistic people who really believe that the nurses duty is to act as patient advocates and flat out call it as it is,agendas and consequences be damned.
Bread and carbs are nothing new. They have been around before the 1960's. People do not really follow the guidelines they follow the trends IMHO. Again portion sizes and activity levels are the key here.
More unhealthy snacking. Larger sodas loaded with sugar and less activity with more and more television being watched is the trend that I see.
The first microwave hit the homes in 1967 and then things got worse. Quick snacks that normally would take 30 minutes to make were ready in 5 minutes.
And fast food started getting really big in the 1960's. Heck Burger King and Taco Bell were started in the 1950's. McDonalds started in 1948. So fast food is nothing new. But I guarantee at that time that they were using less processed ingredients and portion sizes were much smaller. But after the 1960's things were getting more processed.
I just get frustrated when I hear that "carbs" are the problem. Eliminating carbs is a easy way to lose weight because your body wants carbs. Without carbs your body will be forced into starvation mode and start using the fats in your body to make carbs. That is why diets that cut carbs work to reduce weight without exercise. But your body does not want to do this and there are other effects that can happen. And your body has a quick memory and will start storing that fat once carbs are re-introduced so some people have a tough time keeping to the diet.
My humble opinion is that the best way to lose weight is to eat healthy meals, control your portions, and get at least 30 minutes of cardio in a day and you will lose weight. It might not come off quickly but you will be able to manage it once you lose it.
We as a country have just become more and more lazy. Just less and less physical activity. And more consuming of food. Snacks, breakfast, lunch, dinner, late dinner, desserts, etc. We are natural hunter/gatherers but hunting for a snack in your fridge does not count
Buffets are just terrible! Sure it is a great value for a family but most people eat 3-4 servings at a buffet because they can! Then go home and sit in front of a television. All that then turns into fat and clogs their arteries.
Ok I am now done with my rant