Eat Carbs and Still Lose Weight?

 Eat Carbs and Still Lose Weight?

Carb-cutting is one of the most common diet recommendations I encounter. But there are a lot of myths surrounding carbs and weight loss.

In this article, I'll break down the truths and myths about cutting carbs and give you my final answer on this popular weight loss method. It's not quite as simple as you may think!

What are Carbohydrates?

It's important to keep in mind that carbohydrates are essential for normal bodily functions, particularly when it comes to energy production. Without carbohydrates of any kind, your body will have to rely on other energy systems that are less efficient for most daily activities.

Carbohydrates fall into 2 categories: simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates are the worst option when trying to lose weight, as they cause immediate spikes in bloods sugar that fall quickly, leaving you hungry and craving more. Complex carbs, on the other hand, are converted to glycogen and either produce a more sustained source of energy or are stored for later use.

Complex carbohydrates are better for you in general, particularly vegetable-based options like spinach, leafy greens, barley, and whole grains. These examples are also more nutritionally rich, so they'll support your overall health and wellbeing.

Carbohydrates and Weight Loss

Carbohydrates definitely play a direct role in your weight loss efforts. The problem is, bad carbs like breads, pastas, and starches are high in calories and more likely to be deposited as fat in your body. Good carbs, like those found in vegetables, are better for you and will improve your weight loss efforts.

Eat Carbs and Still Lose Weight

The bottom line is that you should not remove all carbs from your diet. Instead, cut down on your carbohydrate intake. The daily recommended intake for carbohydrates is 300 grams, but cutting things down to around 50 grams per day can significantly improve your weight loss efforts. And when you do eat carbs, make sure they're healthy choices (for example, whole grain vs. white bread).

Research has also shown that low-carb diets are more effective for people with poor insulin sensitivities. If you're already at a decent weight and just want to tone up, you're probably okay in this regard. But if you struggle with insulin sensitivity issues, then a low-carb diet is appropriate for your needs.

Either way, there's no doubt that cutting down carbs will improve your weight loss efforts and help you shed some of that extra body weight. But there's no need to cut out carbs altogether. Go with healthy, nutritional options and eat them around your workouts. These will ensure optimal calorie expenditure.

Getting the Low-Carb Diet Right

Since you're cutting down on carbs, this is the perfect time to also increase your protein intake. Protein will not only support lean muscle growth, it will also boost your metabolism and get you burning more fat and calories. Protein is the perfect carb replacement!