Do Carbs Make You Fat
in Fit on the Side Healthy Living

Do Carbs Make You Fat

Do carbs make you fat? I can’t believe how many misconceptions still exist around weight gain. It honestly makes me want to scream when I hear people tell me they are avoiding carbs. First of all, I don’t even know what that means since carbs are pretty much everywhere, second, unless you have an allergy or intolerance, it’s actually a bad idea to eliminate an entire food group. If you aren’t eating a balanced diet then you are missing out on vital nutrients that your body needs to function optimally.

First, what are carbohydrates? They are one of the three macro-nutrients, along with fat and protein that are found in our food. Most of the foods we eat are made up of two or all three of these macro-nutrients.

Additionally, there are three different carbohydrates which are found in our food: fiber, starch and sugar.

I think that the reason for all of these statements is that, in general, the fitness industry tries to funnel everybody into one mold. The truth is that an athlete has a very different set of food requirements than someone leading a sedentary lifestyle. For someone who doesn’t exercise, eating as little as 100-125 grams of carbohydrates a day might be enough and while that’s very little it certainly isn’t nothing. When I was dancing full time, I was eating somewhere around three times that amount and it was easy to keep the weight off.

do carbs make you fat

 

DO CARBS MAKE YOU FAT

They are everywhere.  Like I said before carbs are in many unexpected foods. Fruits and vegetables make up a large part of a healthy, well balanced diet and they contain carbohydrates. I don’t think there is a single dietitian, doctor or health professional who would tell you not to  eat them.

They curb your hunger & fill you up. Now I’m not talking about cupcakes and highly processed muffins which just leave you feeling hungry and jittery after a couple of hours, I’m referring to carbs that are whole grains and rich with fiber. Since they absorb slowly into your bloodstream they help regulate your insulin levels (this means that your energy levels aren’t spiking and crashing) thus keeping you fuller for longer. In addition, they release your satiety hormones which curb those I-have-to-eat-now, cravings.

They make our bodies function. It’s all about balance and restricting carbs is not a long term solution. Our bodies crave and need carbs to function, limiting or even eliminating them will slow down your metabolism. They fuel anaerobic activity, which is anything from lifting weights to simply doing regular chores around the house.

They speed up your metabolism. Yes that’s right, resistant starches will help speed up your metabolism. What is a resistant starch? It’s a type of starch (most carbs are starches) that doesn’t get fully digested as it passes through your system and acts like a soluble fiber. As it passes through it releases fatty acids which in turn encourage fat burning. There’s a whole post worth of information about the benefits of fatty acids, but basically they help to preserve your muscle mass which in turn keeps your metabolism in gear.

They help fight illness. Keeping your system functioning optimally and eating healthy will help keep your weight in check and your blood sugar level. This in turn is your fighting chance against developing illnesses such as, Type 2 Diabetes.

I believe that when people say “carbs are bad” what they are really referring to is consuming copious amounts of sugar, which is very common in North American society. So before you jump on that bandwagon, take some time to really assess what you are eating and how much. If you find you are gaining weight, it’s probably because you are eating too much.

READ: HOW TO ACTUALLY LOSE WEIGHT

 

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE PLEASE SHARE IT

AND JOIN MY FREE LIBRARY

 

blogger

You Might Also Like

How To Keep Gym Clothes Fresh

Urban Hiking The New Workout

20 Minute Workout By FitWise

Your Must Do Morning Workout

Why Should You Meditate

How To Workout And Not Hurt

Best Low Impact Workouts

European Travel Italy

Home Gym Must Haves

Wrist Exercises For Bloggers

Get Fit The Easy Way

How To Make A Short Workout Count

How To Love Your Body

Why You Have To Focus While Exercising

How To Choose The Best Running Shoes

Benefits Of Walking

September Ab Challenge Week Four

Everyone Can Learn To Love Exercise

5 Day Workout Plan Part 2

Fitness Fanatics Shopping Guide

How To Feel Like You Are On Vacation Everyday

September Ab Challenge Week Two

Staying Fit When You Have No Time

What Happens To Your Body When You Stop Exercising

At Home Quickstart Workout

How To Incorporate Pilates Into Everyday

Best Recipes For Food Sensitivities

How To Feel Confident When Working Out

The Truth About Protein Shakes

How To Workout In The Heat

Post Workout Beauty Hacks

Ballet Inspired Leg Workout

How To Cut 500 Calories A Day Without Exercise

Are you Over Exercising

Best Complimentary Activity For Your Workout.

Why You Should Try Meditation

Just Go To The Gym

How To Be Healthy Without Trying

Best Wrist Exercises For Writers

Must Do Morning Stretches

Best Travel Workout

How To Stop Exercise Procrastination

Beginners Guide To Gym Equipment Part 1

Hit The Gym In Style

Why Should Women Lift Weights

Why You Need Fitness Goals

Thyroid And Focus

How Creativity Can Improve Your Health

All About Your Knees

The Only Diet You Need Is Balance

Best Warmup For Your Workout

Should You Exercise When You Are Sick

What Is Pilates

Underactive Thyroid And Weight Loss

How To Work With A Personal Trainer

The Importance Of Stretching In Style

Best Stretches Pre And Post Swim

High Impact VS Low Impact

How To Keep Your Diet On Track

No Gym Arm Workout

Run Better With These Easy Tips

Exercise And Your Skin

Why You Need To Cool Down Post Workout

Diet And Fitness Tips You Need To Ignore

What To Do When You Plateau

8 Ways To Learn To Love Running

Pocket Fitness Guides

7 Times It Is Okay To Skip A Workout

Best Exercises For A Desk Job

What To Eat Before A Party

How To Deal With Gaining Weight

How To Increase Your Bust Size

How To Start Running

How To Make Exercise A Habit

What To Look For In A Smoothie

All About Pilates

How Breathing Can Improve Your Workout

Losing Weight In 2017

How To Know If You Are Exercising Too Much

Morning Stretches True North Fitness Guide

5 Stretches To Do Before Bed

Succeed At Working Out

How To Treat Sore Muscles

September Ab Challenge Week One

Ultimate Foot Guide And How To Relieve Foot Pain

Diet And Exercise After 40

How To Alleviate Back Pain

How To Incorporate Exercise Into Everyday

What You Should Know About Fitness

Shoulder Stretches

Tips On Getting And Staying Fit In 2016

Which Activities Count As Exercise

Natural Energy Drinks

Easy At Home Workout

5 Best Abdominal Exercises

Fitness Terms You Should Know

Best Arm Exercises For Summer 2015

How To Eat Healthy Without Trying

Is being thin enough

4 Ways To Turn Your Walk Into A Workout

How To Lose Weight For Good

Never Have Motion Sickness Again

The Importance Of Cross Training

Best Stretches For Runners

How To Buy The Best Running Shoes

Diet Foods To Avoid

When You Don’t Have Time To Workout

How To Relieve Joint Pain

7 Healthy Morning Habits for Looking And Feeling Your Best

How To Stay Healthy In Winter

Running Outdoors in Winter

What To Do Post Workout

Do I Really Need To Workout

How To Strengthen Your Bones

Is Training Harder Better

Ultimate Weight Loss Guide

Muscle Imbalances And Upper Body Pain

How To Ease Sciatic Pain

Easy Ways To Be A Healthier You

Traveling With A Sensitive Stomach

Why Your Gym Clothes Matter

How To Feel Good About Your Body

Your Guide To Killer Abs

How Important Is A Warmup

How To Maximize Your Gym Time

September Ab Challenge Week Three

Theraband Workout

Foods That Reduce Stress

Lean Greens Review

5 Day Workout Plan Part 1

Best Exercises If You Hate Exercise

How To Increase Your Endurance

Which Style Of Yoga Is Best For You

Stretching Mistakes You Might Be Making

How To Wear Athleisure

Best Stretches To Relieve Shoulder Tension

Can Food Really Burn Fat

Best Post Flight Stretches

How To Feel Beautiful On The Inside and Outside

Your Ultimate Running Guide

How To Pick The Best Running Shoes

Exercise Tips For Beginners

How To Boost Your Metabolism

How To Detox Your Body Naturally

Treadmill Running Charts

How To Deal With A Bad Workout

Yoga VS Pilates Which One Is For You

Why Is Exercise So Important

Why You Are Doing Your Ab Workout All Wrong

Fitness Myths Debunked

Everything You Need To Be A Runner

A Fool Proof Easy Way To Lose Weight

Top 10 Songs For The Gym

Summer Health And Beauty

Why You Are Not Losing Weight

Best Exercises If You Do Manual Labour

Can I Lose Weight And Still Eat Sweets

How To Deal With Muscle Cramps

Great Metabolism Myths

Best Foods To Give You Energy

How To Buy Workout Clothes

Why Not Drinking Enough Water Can Make You Fat

Eat Healthy Without Changing Your Entire Diet

Muscle Imbalance And Back Pain

Foot And Ankle Exercises

Free Weights VS Machines

Best Gifts For The Fitness Lover

How To Speed Up Weight Loss

Why Is Sitting Too Much So Bad

Health Fitness And My Thyroid

Working Out After 40

Muscle Pain VS Injury

How To Stay Healthy For The Holidays

How Much Weight Can You Lose In A Month

Why Exercise Makes You Happy

Working Out Diet And Your Period

How To Come Back After An Injury

How To Feel Confident About Your Diet

Get Fit While Watching TV

What Is Your Perfect Workout

Killer Abs Ball Workout

How To Always Start Your Day Off Right

How To Be A Better Athlete

Why Do We Focus On Weight

Best Exercises For a Toned Back

The BS Around Diets

Easy Stretches For Stress Relief

10 Easy Ways To Get More Fit

Why Your Workout Suddenly Feels Hard

How To Improve Your Posture

Talk Fitness With An Expert

Stay Fit And Healthy For The Holidays

Why You Should Take A Dance Class Now

FitWise Straight Talk About Getting Fit And Healthy

Best Exercises If You Are On Your Feet All Day

How To Stay Healthy While Traveling

How To Increase Flexibility

When To Listen To Your Body

Top 5 Fitness Posts of 2015

Is CrossFit Right For You

Why Exercise Is Good For Your Skin

What To Eat Pre And Post Workout

Tips For Getting Back To The Gym

Best Headphones For Working Out

Pros And Cons Of The Elliptical

The Truth About Abs

How To Workout In The Morning

Best Stretches For Relaxation

How To Deal With Bloating

Toning VS Bulking Up

What Is The Deal With All These Diets

Best Exercises To Tone Your Glutes

Eat Carbs And Lose Weight

How To Choose A Personal Trainer

Frequently Asked Fitness Questions

What If I Hate The Gym

The Truth About Weight Loss

Why Do I Need To Stretch My Calves

How To Counteract Sitting All Day

6 Tips To Stop Bloating

Learn To Run For 30 Minutes

Hip Strengthening Exercises

Is Running Bad For Your Knees

Best Stretches If You Sit At A Desk All Day

11 Most Common Workout Mistakes

Cold Weather And Muscle Pain

Sports Drinks VS Water

5 Cardio Myths Debunked

How To Maintain Weight Loss

Your Workout Motivation

Cute Workout Gear For Every Body Shape

6 Best Exercises For Runners

How To Get A Shapely Butt

Staying fit when it is cold outside

October Fashion Beauty And Fitness Picks

How To Get Your Diet Back On Track

Killer Foam Roller Ab Workout

The Basics Of Hip Stretches

Caffeine And Working Out

Why What You Wear To The Gym Matters

How To Be Healthy While Traveling

My Gym Bag Essentials

Ballet For Fitness: Is Back In Style

How To Curb Emotional Eating

How To Maintain Your Weight

5 Daily Habits That Hurt Your Health

Your At Home Workout Routine

How To Prevent Common Running Injuries

How To Become A Runner

How To Workout When It’s Hot

Why You Shouldn’t Weigh Yourself

Staying Creative In Isolation

How to Stick With Your Diet When No One Wants You To

How To Have Energy After Lunch

Health Resolutions You Can Keep Without Trying

A Beginners Guide To Gym Equipment Part 2

How To Easily Get Fit And Healthy

Tips On Working Out In Summer Months

FitWise A Sneak Peek

Your Summer Fitness Guide

How To Actually Lose Weight

Muscle Imbalance And Knee Pain

Dealing With Knee Pain

Live Like You Are On Vacation

September Ab Challenge Recap

20 Minute Workout From FitWise

Should I Use A Heart Rate Monitor

Losing Weight In Your 40s

Eat Carbs And Sweets And Still Lose Weight

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close