Carbs for Fat Loss
For those of you that are regular readers of my blog, you might have come to the conclusion that my last name is really Atkins and that I am totally anti-carb. And that I would suggest that you cut all carbs from your diet and only have you eat proteins and fats.
Is it true?
Yes and no.
I believe that most carb based products (notice I didn’t call them foods) come from suspect sources, are void of any nutritional value and serve no function in our diets except to fatten us up (and give us diabetes).
Exhibit A
So, what do you think I would suggest be the first thing that you cut back on in your diet if you wanted to lose weight (and get healthier)?
That’s right! Carbs!
If you want to lose weight, in a healthy way, carbs are the first thing that I would suggest you cut back on in you diet.
And just to clarify by carbs I mean processed sugars and starches. I recommend that you eat as many fruits and vegetables as you can stand and then eat some more. Your body needs protein, fats and fruits and vegetables to function properly and can live perfectly well (and for a loooong time) without carbs.
But some people take this whole low carb thing a little to far. Even when I am on my low carb meal plan I still eat a few servings a day to keep my body energized and out of ketosis. I even suggest that every now and again that you have a cheat meal (or day for that matter) that is very high in carbs to keep your fat lose efforts on track.
Here are 6 more reasons why you need to eat (at least some) carbs:
1.) Makes you happy. No you don’t need Prozac, you need some carbs. Not eating enough carbs can make you cranky and nobody likes you when you are cranky. Eat up. Just make them healthy and don’t over do it. Polish off a bag of jelly beans may make you happier while you are doing it but doing so will probably make you crankier later when you are fat and diabetic.
Speaking of anti-depressants.
2.) Gives you energy. Having trouble training as hard as you would like (or should). Eating some carbs, especially before your workouts, will give your muscles the fuel they need to kill it in the gym. The harder you train the more calories you burn. The more calories you burn the more fat you lose. And no, the fat loss program is not even remotely hard enough. Try intervals for fat loss.
Some bunny can use some carbs.
3.) Raises your I.Q. If only it where that easy. It has been shown by those (apparently carb eating) smarties in white lab coats that not eating carbs literally makes you dumber. Not eating enough carbs impairs brain function and reduces your ability to concentrate. And if your brain isn’t up to snuff, you can forget making the right food choices.
I am not sure if this would be a for or against.
4.) Revs your metabolism. After you killed it in the gym give your muscles some carbs post workout to keep them revved for as long as possible. The longer they stay revved the more fat you burn doing nothing.
5.) Hunger. You can’t lose weight if you keep devouring everything that crosses your path because you are starving. Prevent this from happening by eating some slow digesting carbs like oatmeal which keep you satisfied longer than junk food (most carbs) ever could.
Just say no to hunger. Say no the those guys while you are at it as well.
6.) Speeds recovery. Your body needs carbs after a workout to help repair your muscles, make you stronger and get itself ready for your next workout. So make sure you eat a (small) meal within 1 hour after you finish working out. Oh, make sure you throw in some protein as well.
Eating healthy carbs after a workout will make for a “speedy delivery” of nutrients to your muscles for a speedy recovery.
When are the best times to have your carbs?
I would suggest if your are on a fat loss diet to limit your carbs to breakfast and before and after you workouts.
Don’t need to lose weight?
Have them when ever you want. Just keep them healthy.
Your friend and trainer,
Paul F. Sweatt
Posted by Paul | in Nutrition | No Comments
