Are Carbs Bad?

 In short and adamantly, no, carbs are not bad! A common misconception is that carbs are bad for you and or that carbs cause weight/ fat gain. Nothing could be further from the truth. Carbohydrate consumption is necessary and not to mention very important. Keto, Atkins, Paleo and all the low or no carb diets and products out there these days might have you believe otherwise.
Let me clear a few things up for you. Your body digests certain types of nutrients differently, using them for all sorts of bodily functions such as building muscle, transporting nutrients, fueling various organs or muscles, or storing energy as fat for later use. There are two basic types of nutrients: macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are the structural and energy-giving caloric components of our foods that most of us are familiar with. They include: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. There are four calories in a gram of protein or carbohydrates and there are nine calories in a gram of fat. Micronutrients are the vitamins, minerals, trace elements, phytochemicals, and antioxidants that are also essential for good health. By the way, micronutrients do not contain calories. You need both macronutrients and micronutrients to function at an optimal level.
When you eat carbohydrates, they get converted into glucose (blood sugar) in your system which is then used to provide your body with energy. Vegetables, fruit, and whole grains are all quality sources of carbohydrates. You definitely want to watch out for “bad” carbohydrates such as processed carbs in junk food and refined grains.
The RDA recommends that 45 percent to 65 percent of your diet should include carbohydrates. The amount of carbohydrates that you should be consuming depends on your body size as well as your activity level. Intake is also dependent on dietary fat and protein intake. The majority of your carb intake should be coming from vegetables and fruits but that’s not to say that you can’t or shouldn’t also include whole grains in your diet. Higher amounts of carbohydrates are needed with increased muscle mass and increased physical activity levels. However, excessive carbohydrate consumption that results in a caloric surplus can end up being stored for future use as fat or glycogen. A slower carbohydrate breakdown from lower glycemic carbohydrates is better for satiety, blood sugar, and body composition. These carbohydrates are found in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains. Rapid digestion of simpler, higher-glycemic carbohydrates is beneficial during the pre- and post-workout periods. Keep in mind these ranges and recommendations are a suggestion based on current research. At the end of the day, it’s your right and responsibility to listen to what your body is telling you. If you feel like you need more or less of any nutrient, then by all means do it! So, if you’ve been avoiding carbs to lose weight fear no more, my friends! Science says that carbs are indeed very good for you so eat up and enjoy!
You can expect SOF to go above and beyond to help you reach your goals in 2018. We will provide you with the knowledge, accountability and motivation that you need to get results as quickly as possible. We know the journey is a challenging one and we are here to keep you motivated and inspired. We strive for authenticity and excellence in everything that we do. We develop long lasting and loyal relationships with our clients and they stay with us because in addition to getting good results, they are treated like family!
If you are interested in more information, please visit http://www,sofhealthandwellness.com or you can reach me directly at 661-713-7576 and James@sofhealthandwellness.com.