The short answer is – no! The longer answer is somewhat longer and more complex. When I say ‘no’ it is because there are essential fats and essential proteins that the body cannot make, so they have to come from our diet. There are no ‘essential’ carbohydrates. Carbohydrates provide glucose which is used by the cells of the body for energy. However glucose does not need to come from the food we eat, we can actually make glucose through a process called gluconeogenesis (which literally translates as ‘gluco’ – glucose, ‘neo’ – new, ‘genesis’ – creation i.e. the creation of new glucose). Do we need glucose?  Yes - certain cells do (red blood cells and certain parts of the brain), and they can use this newly made glucose. All the…...