Eat that bread and you're a goner. And don't you dare touch that apple, not unless you want to bloat up like a balloon!

At least that's what some people would like you to believe. The bottom line is that carbohydrates will not kill you, nor are they solely responsible for the obesity problem facing our country -- at least not directly. The obesity epidemic has been creeping up on us ever since our lives shifted toward less movement and more consumption of calorie-dense convenience foods.

The problem is that foods like breads, pastas and cereals have gotten a bad rep. Sure over-consumption of them can cause problems, but over-consumption of anything has its health threats. I recommend limiting foods that offer little nutritional value like white bread, rolls and donuts if you are looking to cut back on calories you don't need.

However, completely eliminating all carbohydrates for the rest of your life may be more than difficult. many years will you be able to tolerate eating a hamburger without a bun? It's no way to live.

What you can do if you are limiting carbohydrates is make sure the carbohydrates you do consume are nutrient-rich. Keep foods such as wheat bread, high fiber cereals and fruits and vegetables in your diet.

Yes, certain carbohydrates have a reputation of spiking blood sugar levels, which will make you hungrier faster, but the aforementioned carbohydrates are high in fiber and actually help to curb your appetite.

In the same way, a "no-carb" diet is extremely lacking in the fiber department and causes food to sit in your colon for longer than usual. This can result in problems like constipation and increased risk for colon cancer.

Another problem associated with a no-carbohydrate diet is that your body must find those extra calories by eating more fat and protein. But high protein foods, depending on the source, are often high in fat and cholesterol. I don't need to lecture you about heart disease: It's the No. 1 killer in America.

In addition to the heart, a diet extremely high in protein is very taxing on the kidneys.

If the kidneys are destroyed, harmful toxins build up in the body, fluid retention occurs and damages the body's ability to make red blood cells. You could end up relying on a machine to replace the work your kidneys used to do.

Last but not least, very low-carbohydrate diets can make day-to-day functioning difficult. If you are consuming very few carbohydrates, your body will not be able to store much fuel. This makes exercising very difficult.

Additionally, your brain runs on blood sugar and you may have a harder time thinking without a steady supply.

My main message is not to destroy "low-carb" diets, because not everyone metabolizes food the same way. However, health threats can occur if they are continued long-term or taken to extremes.

If any diet eliminates whole food groups from your consumption, it is neither healthy nor safe. If you do choose to limit carbohydrates, remember to eat foods high in fiber, vitamins and minerals. But consuming absolutely no carbs is no answer to a weight problem.