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There are a few physiological facts about dietary carbohydrates that were largely ignored throughout the low-fat era. First, the body greedily converts dietary carbohydrates into massive stores of adipose tissue, so indeed you'll be able to readily become fat by eating carbs. Second, gorging on the refined carbohydrates discovered in these new healthy snacks causes big spikes in insulin levels (insulin being a key factor in converting excess carbohydrates to fat). When the insulin levels suddenly drop a couple of hours later, that drop produces insatiable hunger. So, two or 3 hours after enjoying a fat-free Pop-Tart or a Snackwell cupcake, one is ripping the cubboards open to come across another carbohydrate fix. By thus inducing a continuous-snacking mode, the new high-carb snack foods increased overall caloric intake far beyond the calories listed on their labels. Third, diets high in refined carbohydrates boost triglyceride levels, reduce HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) levels, and in general create lipid profiles that are quite damaging to the arteries.
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