Are Carbs Bad? Myth of the Month
Myth of the Month: Carbs = Bad
This month, I am starting a new segment that I like to call “Myth of the Month”. Every month I will be highlighting a different “nutrition myth” that may be falsely portrayed by the media or social discussion.
Let’s discuss everyone’s best friend, carbohydrates, and the myth that carbs are “bad” and cause weight gain. Have you ever heard that carbs are bad for you and that you should just “cut them out of your diet” completely if you want to truly lose weight? I know I have heard that more times than you can count! I am here to tell you that carbohydrates are not all bad!!
Carbs are Energy
Carbohydrates consist of sugars, starches and fibers. Carbs give us ENERGY. That is their main function in the body. Food is broken down in the body and turned into sugar which in turn gives us energy. While I agree too much of anything isn’t good, your body needs carbohydrates to function properly. Our brain requires sugar to function properly. Carbs can be broken down into two categories: complex and simple. Complex carbs are foods that take your body longer to break down such as oatmeal, whole grains, fruits and veggies. Simple carbs are quite literally what they sound like… simple for your body to break down. These are the types of foods that include candy, sugar, syrups, soft drinks. Simple sugars can be used if you need a “quick” burst of energy before a workout.
Diet Guidelines
The Dietary Guidelines for Healthy Americans recommends carbs make up about 45-65% of your daily intake. This number is based on how much you weigh and many other factors such as different conditions that require lower carbohydrate diets. Keep in mind that while excess carbohydrates may cause weight gain, it is still important to consume carbohydrates every single day.
Many people believe you need to cut carbohydrates out completely to lose weight. This is a myth!! Even the “keto diet” was made for children who suffer from seizure disorders and was never meant for people who are trying to lose weight. Carbohydrates benefit us by giving us energy, brain function, helping with our glycogen stores in the liver and muscle, which aid in muscle growth, digestion and even sleep! So next time someone tries to tell you carbs are not important, think about this monthly myth and eat your carbohydrates!!
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