Karatay says: Diet allows some carbohydrates

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

“I would like to underline one point to avoid misunderstanding: the Karatay Diet does not prohibit carbohydrates altogether. The Karatay Diet advocates low glycemic index carbohydrate foods, such as dried nuts and fruits. It advocates ‘legumes’ as well, which are very well known with their healthy low glycemic index carbohydrates. In the menus given in this series, these healthy carbohydrates are already present. All fresh vegetables and fresh onions included in the menus are carbohydrates as well. Eggs, feta cheese, dried apricots and walnuts contain healthy carbohydrates as well.

Only, the Karatay Diet does not advocate pure refined starches, which are all but refined flours. The reason is simple. Refined carbohydrates raise blood glucose-sugar very rapidly once absorbed, and this immediately affects the secretion of a great amount of insulin hormones. This mechanism is a basic factor for ‘hypoglycemic attacks’ and a foundation of the well known insulin resistance.

The Karatay Diet is an anti-hyperinsulinemic diet and it allows whole grains in limited amounts. On the whole, however, the Karatay Diet advises eating bulgur instead.”