Carbs Aren’t The Enemy
I’m sure we have all heard at least one person tell you that “carbs are bad for you”. Carbohydrates get a bad rap and it’s one of the most popular nutrition myths. But what if I told you you’re thinking about carbs all wrong?
Carbohydrates are in fact our bodies main source of energy. We need a certain amount to fuel all of our metabolic processes, including breathing, digesting and thinking. The recommended intake of carbohydrates per day is 120 grams. Any less can cause a lack of glucose to the brain which can cause irreversible damage.
There are two types of carbohydrates, the good (complex carbs) and the bad (simple carbs)…
Good carbohydrates such as whole grains, dairy, fruits and vegetables, have longer chains of carbon molecules, so it takes longer for your body to break them down, which means we experience a more steady-state infusion of sugar into our bloodstream that supplies longer lasting energy.
When can carbs be the problem?
Cake, white bread, sugary cereal, donuts… sure they sound amazing but these types of bad carbohydrates (simple carbs) don’t have much nutritional value to them. They are made up of short chains of carbon molecules that require little breakdown and go directly into the bloodstream and cause a blood sugar spike.
Of course, if you are overeating carbohydrates and are in a calorie surplus (eating more calories than you burn) then yes they can cause weight gain, just like fat and protein!
So.. good news for all you carb hating people out there, cutting some carbohydrates (but definitely not all) can be a viable fat loss decision, IF it helps you to eat less!!
Do carbs after dark increase fat storage?
Carbohydrates are not processed any differently just because its later on in the day. Again, carbohydrates will only cause weight gain if they cause you to over eat.
In fact, Carbohydrates can actually help to aid sleep because they help produce serotonin (the happy hormone) which produces melatonin (the sleepy hormone).
Ever felt really happy and then really sleepy after eating carbs? Me too!
The bottom line
Removing all carbohydrates from your diet isn’t a good move. Instead, eat the good kinds (complex carbs) in moderation. If you eat healthy carbohydrates, as part of a balanced diet that includes protein and fat, your body will function the way it should.
