Documentary on BBC 1: The Truth About Carbs

June 6 by in Diabetes, Dr. David Unwin, Low carb & high fat, Movies, The obesity epidemic

Vegetarian keto

If you live in the UK or have access to BBC 1, why not check out the documentary that is airing tonight? The documentary is called The Truth About Carbs and features presenter Xand van Tulken, a medical doctor who, despite his love of carbs, says he is determined to find out whether they really do cause health problems.

The team will be looking at some of the health conditions that may be linked to carb consumption, as well as looking at the effect of different foods on blood sugar levels and examining some possible hacks to make carb-containing foods less damaging.

You will probably recognise a familiar face: Dr. David Unwin from our Low carb for doctors course teamed up with the programme to trial a healthy eating plan that teaches participants to be smart with their carbs.

The documentary will air on BBC 1 this evening, Wednesday 6th June, at 8:00pm UK time and will be available here shortly after broadcast for BBC online users in the UK.

Read more here:

BBC online: The Truth About Carbs documentary >

Diet Doctor resources

Low carb for beginners

Low carb recipes

Take the free 2-week challenge

How to reverse type 2 diabetes

Other low carb documentaries

Cereal Killers
1:00:07
What if you could – in fact – break records without eating massive amounts of carbs?
Fat Chance
1:05:43
Is it possible to ride a pushbike across the Australian continent (2,100 miles) without eating carbs?
Run on Fat – Cereal Killers 2
1:01:17
The great follow up to the Cereal Killers movie. What if everything you knew about sports nutrition was wrong?
Statin Nation
1:02:45
Statin Nation exposes the exaggerations and the misleading, almost criminal, marketing of daily drugs to people who don’t need them.
My Big Fat Diet
42:31
What would happen if an entire town of First Nation people went back to eating the way they used to? A high-fat low-carb diet based on real food?
Carb-Loaded
1:14:40
This may be the best (and funniest) low-carb movie ever. At least it's a strong contender.
The Big Fat Fix
1:19:34
Donal O'Neill and Dr. Aseem Malhotra star in this excellent documentary about the failed low-fat ideas of the past and how to really get healthy.
Statin Nation II
1:15:35
Is high cholesterol the main cause of heart disease? The follow up to the success Statin Nation.
Fat Head director's cut
1:46:20
This movie follows stand-up comedian Tom Naughton as he tries to lose weight on a fast-food diet, to prove Morgan “Super Size Me” Spurlock wrong.
The Widowmaker
1:35:25
More than 700,000 Americans die of heart disease each year. Could a simple heart scan have saved many of these lives?

Other videos with Dr. David Unwin

Is there scientific evidence for low carb?
04:38
Is there any evidence for the low-carb approach? Before we had drugs for type 2 diabetes, low carb was the accepted way to treat diabetes.
Side effects and how to handle them
03:45
Dr. Unwin discusses common side effects when patients switch to a low-carb or keto diet.
Treating patients with low carb – workshop for doctors
33:29
In this video Dr. Campbell Murdoch and Dr. David Unwin hold a workshop for other doctors.
Who are the best patients?
03:46
Who would be the best candidates to try the low-carb approach with? Dr. Unwin talks about the golden opportunities, alternatives to lifelong medication.
Can low carb make it fun to be a doctor?
36:47
Dr. Unwin about getting his patients off medications and making a true difference in their lives using low carb.
What about cholesterol?
04:14
Dr. Unwin discusses cholesterol on a low-carb diet. This includes common improvements and the rare case when patients' cholesterol increases significantly.
Explaining low carb in a simple way
07:23
How do you make low carb simple for patients? Dr. Unwin explains that carbs break down into surprising amounts of sugar in the body.
Blood-pressure medications
05:28
Dr. Unwin discusses things doctors should have in mind when it comes to low carb and blood-pressure medications.
Polite intros to discuss obesity
03:16
How can you discuss obesity with your patients in a respectful manner? Many doctors feel uncomfortable bringing up the topic of weight as they are afraid of being rude. So how should you do it?
Motivating people to change their lives
51:45
How do you help and motivate people to start and stay on a low-carb diet?
How to motivate people
12:33
Explaining the benefits of eating a to patients is very important. But it is equally important to make sure that they are motivated to make the switch and stick to the plan.
Baseline tests and screening
10:35
Dr. Unwin discusses good measurements for feedback to patients, for example getting a baseline weight, waist circumference, blood pressure and various metabolic measurements.
How many teaspoons of sugar are in your food?
05:07
How many teaspoons of sugar are in your food?
Helping people with type 2 diabetes
32:31
How Dr. Unwin transformed his practice into helping patients with type 2 diabetes reverse their disease using low carb.
Diabetes medications
05:52
Dr. Unwin on things doctors should have in mind when it comes to low carb and diabetes medications.
Low carb in other situations
02:24
In part 3, Dr. Unwin discusses other diseases than type 2 diabetes where low carb can be the solution.
Common problems and trouble shooting
05:41
Dr. Unwin discusses useful strategies for patients who are not losing as much weight as anticipated.
Low carb for doctors – introduction
03:52
Are you a doctor or do you know a doctor? Are you interested in low carb? Then this great new free course – low carb for doctors – could be something for you to watch or share!

50 comments

Top comments

Marie wall
June 6 40
Can I get any recipes with the ingredients recommended by the programme ?

Read more →
Marie Wall
June 6 15
I’m very interested in any recipes which instruct me on what carbs to use on food

Replies: #46, #51

Read more →

All comments

1
Ann Carter
June 6 4
Found this really interesting, and basically good common sense. The rinsing of mouth with high carb drink was a fascinating aspect.

Love these programs.
2
Marie wall
June 6 40
Can I get any recipes with the ingredients recommended by the programme ?
3
Marie Wall
June 6 15
I’m very interested in any recipes which instruct me on what carbs to use on food

Replies: #46, #51
4
Gill
June 6 6
Will we have access to to eating plan?
Found the program very interesting.
5
Ben cowell
June 6 4
Very interesting,I’m really interested in low carb eating,shame you didn’t tell us at the end of the programme where we can find the recipes featured
1 comment removed
7
Linda Lees
June 6 1
I have been looking for the recipes featured on the programme. I hope they will be made available as many seem to be saying they want them too.
8
Nicola
June 6 2
Wow! Very insightful! Is there a recommended book with an easy plan to follow with menu ideas and shopping lists to integrate this as a family lifestyle?
9
Vivienne Pennington
June 6 1
Recipes would be good.
10
Tom Campbell
June 6 2
Brilliant program hope recipes available sooner rather than later
11
Hilary
June 6
Great programme. Will there be any info. about the recipes used tonight.
12
Karen
June 6 3
What an eye opener! Please can you publish a low carb plan in line with the programme.
13
Fran
June 6
I thought this was a great programme and really want to do the low carb diet as seen by the people from Kirkby but there’s nothing to say where you can get the recipes and food choices etc.
14
david
June 6 1
very good program. why has no one given us this info before// recipes on line please.
15
Sue wood
June 6
Brilliant I'd love some help will recipe sheets and what did the group follow??
16
Tracy
June 6
Excellent programme and way forward to lose weight, how do I access?
17
Jane
June 6
Please can you provide lists of food that we can eat?
18
Barbara
June 6 1
Please publish the advice and recipes so that we can properly understand them. Really interesting programme.
19
Vicki
June 6
Informative prog - can we have the recipes please!
20
Julie
June 6
Brilliant programme. I have been yo-yo dieting for years so will try this new eating plan so please publish the plan and recipes. And thank you - hopefully the NHS and all GPs will get on board with this.
1 comment removed
22
Emer Parkinson
June 6 2
Really enjoyed programme - how can I get full guidance on diet to begin implementing
23
david
June 6
Excellent but now need the recipes
24
Sylvia Underwood
June 6 2
Where can we print off the diet please. It looks an excellent healthy eating plan .
25
Steve Molyneux
June 6 1
Recipes are at the top of this page...brilliant programme
26
Susan Reeves
June 6
A real eye opener, excellent programme,
27
Nina
June 6
Disappointed no recipes. My husband is now worrying what to have for breakfast.

Reply: #29
28
Angie Blankley
June 6
Would like some recipe ideas
29
Reply to comment #27 by Nina
Susan
June 6 4
Lots of recipes for breakfast etc on this website. I have been eating low carb for over a year (lost about 70lbs) and when eating breakfast have variations with following ingredients, scrambled eggs, mushroom or other vegetable omelettes, bacon, avocados, sometimes smoked salmon or kippers or occasionally full fat Greek yoghurt with seeds/nuts/ berries. all these good low carb options.
30
Beverley
June 6 1
Would like to see some recipes please
31
Nicola
June 6 2
How can you do this diet if your vegan if I can’t have beans etc where do I get enough protein from
32
Roger smith
June 6
lol what carbs are good for you. What a joke. Seriously it's 2018, come up with something better BBC.
33
Pamela Hughes
June 7 1
Look on Dr David Unwin for more details of the low carb diet. The foods are pictorial with information but for recipes you can have a two week free trial.
34
Nichola
June 7 3
Come on people - see blue banner at the top, click on the menu bars/stripes and look for recipes and meal plans. Don't give up at the first hurdle.
35
Anna
June 7 1
For those after some of the recipes, Dr Van Tulleken has a book 'How to Lose Weight Well'. He also has some fun extra hacks here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy3pW-g9d58&t=10s
36
Birgit
June 7 1
Having now my own +2 years experience on my LowCarb journey, I know that I do best if I keep my total carbs on an average of 20g/day or lower.
I still have the exceptional fruit or other source of quick carbs, but to increase the average is not an option for me.
At the beginning of my diet change my body didn't tolerate any fruit or vegetable at all.
In the meantime I was able to reintroduce mainly vegetables to my diet, but it is still not more than 200g on a day.
Even this quantity is apparently sufficient to help stabilize my digestion.
I watched the film yesterday, but I have mixed feelings about it.
While it probably makes many people change their diet in the right direction, it might make some people to add (back) more carbs than their body can tolerate in the attempt to add more resistant starch to their diet.
37
Kim Gajraj Team Diet Doctor
June 7
Hi everyone! I have added some links to some of the best places to get started with low carb on our site. You can find them by scrolling up this post to the heading "Diet Doctor resources". You can also use the top menu to navigate the site.
38
Francoise
June 7 2
I watched the program too yesterday evening. On the whole, I thought its message on choosing non-starchy carbs and higly processed carbs was a step in the right direction. The message on resistant starch was confusing. Also, no mention of increasing fat intake and explaining the good vs, the bad fats. Dr. Xand van Duken mentioned in the beginning of the program that he had increased his fat intake, but no further reference or explanation followed. Also, no mention of the dangers of sugar. His taking a bite of some sugary treat was inappropriate in my opinion.

The highlight of the program came at the end when a number of volunteers adopting a lchf diet formulated by the office of Dr. Unwin spectacularly improved their vital health markers putting into remission the type 2 diabetis from a number of participants. Even Dr. van Duken was floored by the results. Good job Dr. Unwin and co.!
39
Francoise
June 7 1
To Nicola on doing lchf when adopting a vegan lifestyle.

In my opinion, it depends on how insulin resistant you are. If you have a higher treshold than most people, you shoukd be able to eat a higher number of carbs coming from legumes which also represent your protein intake.

The Diet Doctor website provides a number of vegan meal plans. I suggest you take a look at their content for both information and inspiration.

Good luck.
40
James
June 7
I haven't watched the documentary yet, but I highly recommend this Ted talk. A researcher and his team tested how insulin spikes differently in people. Ice cream for one person is highly unhealthy, but can be k for another. While white rice could potentially spike insulin for the person who can eat ice cream just fine. We are all different and can eat different foods. If this is because of bacteria, genetics, a blend or other factors remain to be seen.

https://youtu.be/0z03xkwFbw4
41
Betty
June 7
I cannot watch the movie "The Truth About Carbs"/ Bummer!

Reply: #52
42
Steve
June 7
So if reheating starchy foods is the way to go then surely this is a big boost for ready-meals containing carbohydrate foods. Why not tell folk to eat microwave meals??
43
Lee Goodwin
June 7 1
Just like food companies like Heinz and Nestles and other promote the high carb diets and then promote the slim fast and weight watchers
has a connection between the high prices of diabetic drugs been looked into if the fix can be diet. I find it remarkable to see such an honest and great program has been aired on the BBC

i well put together and really interesting program loved it
44
Lisa
June 8
Dr Unwin has encouraged me to turn my life around.
I was boarder line diabetic with blood sugars of 45.
I have embraced the low carb low sugar healthy eating plan, this is not a diet but making small changes to what I eat with huge results.
My blood sugars are now 37 and I've lost well over 3 stones and dropped nearly 4 dress sizes.
The results are amazing and I'm feeling great. If I can do it anyone can, small changes with huge healthy results.
So go on and make them small changes.
I can't thank or praise Dr Unwin enough he has turned my health around and with that I thank you Dr Unwin.
45
Paul
June 8
A list of carbs we should aim for so I would just buy those foods would be helpfull.
46
Reply to comment #3 by Marie Wall
Terri
June 8
Check out my new blog at http://girlsgoneprimal.com. I have a few recipes you can try. I’m adding new ones each week!
1 comment removed
48
Carly
June 13
I wonder if this documentary will leave people more confused actually, there wasn't much mention of increasing fat and it feels awful to be low fat and low carb, people will give up too easily. Saying all that I was pleasantly surprised for a BBC documentary, I can't count how many times I've rolled my eyes because some other celebrity chef is trying to solve the obesity pandemic yet pushes the same old failing nutritional deadlines. Flogging a dead horse comes to mind.
49
Elbert
June 14
The truth about carb will not play outside UK, Send help Please?
E Dickey eddeewon@gmail.com
50
Kelly
June 20
Is there anyway you can get this on Dietdoctor.com? Wish we could see it in the US
51
Reply to comment #3 by Marie Wall
Sue
July 7
The recipes are on the BBC website, follow the links from the programme.
52
Reply to comment #41 by Betty
Diane
July 20
it's available here: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6layky
53
Asmat
August 5
There aren't 19 or so cubes of sugar in either a bowl of rice or a Jacket potatoe as they showed in this show Amount of sugar in 100 gm rice is about 0.1g. The only problem with white starchy food is that they raise blood sugar levels a bit too quickly.

Leave a reply Cancel reply