We hear it time and time again, “cut out carbs to lose weight.” Sure, you may drop some pounds in the short term, but is this diet sustainable? Not so much.
After you get out of your new zero entry shower – take a seat and read up on why you don’t need to cut out carbs to lose weight.
Let’s dive in!
1. Carbs = Energy
Carbohydrates (carbs) are one of the most important players when it comes to our energy levels. This is often why you’ll see weightlifters consume a high-carb meal both before and after a workout. Runners will grab a banana before a long run. Athletes know the energy from carbohydrates are vital for them to have a good workout.
Experts confirm that carbs are the main source of energy when it comes to humans. If you’re looking to lose weight, cutting them out can derail your success if you are constantly fatigued.
2. Choose Carbs Wisely
While carbs are an important part of your diet, you do want to make sure you select foods that make sense for your weight loss goals. Carbs get such a bad reputation because people usually consume carbs that aren’t optimal for your health or they overconsume.
You want to stay away from “bad” carbs and opt for “good” carbs when it comes to the food you’re consuming.
“Bad” Carbs
- White bread
- Pasta (most pastas!)
- Pastries
- Cereal
- Pizza
“Good” Carbs
- Vegetables
- Fruit
- Oats
- Brown Rice
- Quinoa
3. The Rundown on Macronutrients
Macronutrients (macros) are our body’s main source of energy, and we need more of them compared to other nutrients to run as efficiently as possible. Fats, protein, and carbohydrates are our macronutrients. All 3 are necessary for our health.
Carbohydrates play a big role in the world of macronutrients. These macros make up anywhere from 45% to 65% of our caloric intake each day. This is for good reason as carbohydrates are fast acting in our bodies when compared to fats and protein.
4. Balanced Diet
A balanced diet contains an adequate amount of all 3 macronutrients: protein, fat, and carbohydrates. If you’re looking to lose weight, you want to be cautious about manipulating your body’s needs. This could (and oftentimes does) backfire leading to more weight gain in the long run.
There are plenty of macronutrient calculators online for you to experiment with to see what your optimal intake of carbs should be each day. While limiting carbs a little isn’t damaging, you want to stay away from eliminating an entire, important food group.
5. Get Creative with Carbs
Now that you know a bit more about “good” carbs and “bad” carbs, it’s time to get creative with it! Good carbs, like vegetables, are a great way to help you lose weight. This has to do with them being less calorie dense. In essence, you can eat more but consume less calories. That’s a win-win.
If the thought of cutting out pasta scares you, opt for veggie noodles. If you love your pizza, consider a cauliflower or sweet potato crust. These little swaps will make a big difference in the long run – and still allow you to consume dishes that you love.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
