Are Carbs Really That Bad For You?

May 17, 2022

This week we continue our three-part series on macro nutrients, which means, we are going to have an honest conversation about carbohydrates. Carbs are very demonized these days so I mean this in a nice way… they are so important and their importance needs to stop being overlooked.

Last week, we came out and we talked about protein. As I mentioned macro nutrients are the three nutrients that your body needs the most to function at its best. They are protein, carbohydrates and fat.

Today we’re going to talk about carbohydrates and the ways they benefit your health.

What Is a Carbohydrate?

Carbohydrates are one of three macro nutrients. In fact, they are your body’s primary source of fuel.

  • Your body uses carbohydrates to give you energy to:
  • Get out of bed in the morning
  • Walk down the street
  • Walk to your car and drive to work
  • Function during the day

Therefore, carbs are extremely important.

Are Carbs Really That Bad For You?

However, carbs have become very demonized throughout society these days. With all of the diet trends out there, keto, Atkins, low-carb, etc. they have gained a pretty negative reputation.

What’s missing from the context of a lot of these diet situations is what types of carbs were REMOVED when someone goes on a low-carb diet. Chances are… they removed processed carbs and replaced them with healthier options. In turn, this would result in weight loss, feeling better, improved health, etc.

Approaching a low-carb diet means removing your body’s primary source of energy in finding a replacement for it. Therefore, these diets make it hard to fuel your body. There is a new level of exhaustion during the first few days of a low-carb diet, some people even equate it to the flu.

Who wants to feel like that?

Carbohydrates Are Necessary

Our bodies are meant to use carbs as energy to fuel them. Instead of looking at carbohydrates as a bad thing, we need to look at the healthier options for carbs. This means focusing on increasing whole foods while lowering the processed carbs.

Anything that’s in your pantry that comes in a box and has a whole list of ingredients next to it probably is not necessarily a great source of carbs.

However, there are plenty of good sources of carbohydrates.

  • Dairy
  • Whole grains
  • Vegetables
  • Fruits
  • Lentils,
  • Dairy alternatives
  • Beans

The important thing is to be eating the right carbs for your body, not what the rest of society thinks you should eat.

What are your favorites?

ABOUT ME

Hey There, I’m Kristin! I coach women to make small changes in their daily nutrition to become the best version of themselves.

Are Carbs Really That Bad For Your Health?