While
protein often gets the spotlight amongst athletes and regular gym goers, carbs get a bad rap – being a feared food in
many alternate diets e.g. Atkins, Keto, etc.
But are they good or bad? And is it
possible that you’re not getting enough carbohydrates in your diet?
The Better Health Channel
describes carbohydrates as an
essential part of a well-balanced diet and healthy body. Discover why you need
carbohydrates in your diet and the signs you’re not consuming enough.
Why Do We Need Carbs in Our Diets?
Carbs
play a key role in fueling vital organs, such as the brain, central nervous
system and kidneys. Low-carb diets can be helpful for short-term weight loss,
but getting enough carbs is crucial for fueling our body for digestion, metabolism
and energy, so be careful of cutting your supply too low.
Diets
overly high in protein and low in carbs can be detrimental to your long-term health.
And before you reach for that pizza, it’s important to know that not all carbs
are created equally. Complex carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes, quinoa,
barley or brown rice provide our bodies with fibre and starch.
Simple
carbs, on the other hand, include sugars found in foods such as dairy, honey
and fruit. Carbohydrates control blood glucose, which is key in weight
management.
Go
for wholefoods and high-quality carbohydrates to get the energy you need, while
maintaining a healthy weight.
Signs You’re Not Eating Enough
Carbohydrates
In
the short-term, low carb diets can help you lose weight, as it restricts your
energy (kilojoules), but they can negatively impact your health in the long
run. Some telltale symptoms you might not be getting enough carbs include:
- Feeling bloated
- Tiredness
- Struggling to concentrate at work
- Irregular digestion
Learn
to be more in touch with your health and make smarter eating decisions by watching
out for these signs our bodies give us every day.
Long-Term Effects of a Low Carb Diet
Initial
weight loss from a low carb diet is mostly water, not body fat. Since your body
isn’t getting carbs from food, it needs to pull from glycogen, and to eat 1g of
glycogen, 3g of water is needed. This is why a lot of the initial weight loss
is considered 'water weight'.
In
the long-term, low carb diets can end up causing a range of health problems,
such as:
- Weight gain
- Dieting problems (i.e. a cycle of
gaining and losing weight)
- Bowel problems
- High cholesterol
- Kidney problems
- Osteoporosis.
Unsure
if your nutrition plan is working? Learn the signs to lookout for.
Ways to Incorporate More Carbs Into Your Diet
For
a healthy diet that’s rich in carbohydrates, here are some Better Health daily dietary guidelines to get you started:
- 6
serves of grains (for most adults)
- 2
serves of fruit
- 5
serves of vegetables for women and x 6 for men
- 2.5
serves of milk, yoghurt, cheese or alternatives for most adults
- 2-3
serves of meat or meat alternatives
As
a general rule of thumb, it’s best to get your carbs from unprocessed and
unrefined sources (e.g. wholegrains and fruit), rather than refined and
processed sources (e.g. cakes and sweets).
Get a Meal Plan that
Works for You
We
all need a helping hand sometimes. Our professional personal training staff can
help guide you on your nutrition journey and find you some healthy solutions to
meet your fitness goals. Get in touch with us today to have a chat about your
nutrition and lifestyle.