If there is one principal a lot of fad diets are built around it is that carbs are bad. Carbs make you fat and should be at the very least restricted, if not caste into the fires of Mordor never to return. Low-carb diets are incredibly popular, and their demonization has primarily been linked to the fact that sugars are classed as a carbohydrate. Sugars should definitely be restricted, but to blanket ban carbohydrates, as a result, is short-sighted and detrimental. So what is the truth about carbohydrates? Does cutting them out equal fat loss? Are they essential, or can you do without them? And why should you test for food intolerance before changing your diet?
Do Carbs Make You Fat?
In short, no. But don’t stop reading there. As any nutrition expert will tell you, eating more calories than you burn is what makes you fat. The temptation is there to think that it is more complicated than that, but it simply isn’t. So, why are carbs demonized? The blame most likely lies with one particular branch of carbohydrate: the simple carbohydrate.
Simple carbs are bad for many reasons. First of all, they contain little to no dietary fiber, which means that they don’t support digestive processes. Secondly, they are quickly digested. This means that if they aren’t used immediately, they’re converted to glucose and stored for later use as body fat. Thirdly, they only keep you full for a short amount of time, which can lead to overeating. In contrast, complex carbohydrates take longer to digest, which means you have more time to utilize them. They also keep you fuller for longer.
So no, carbs in themselves don’t make you fat.
Do You Need Carbs?
Carbs are your body’s preferred source of fuel. Your body breaks carbohydrates down into glucose which is then absorbed into the bloodstream where it is transported around the body to be put to use in the various processes it performs to keep you alive. Your body will also store excess glucose as glycogen to be used when dietary carbohydrates aren’t available. This means your body can survive longer before it breaks down muscle tissue for fuel.
It is also an essential source of fiber, which helps promote a healthy digestive system. This also helps protect against various diseases, including diabetes and bowel cancer. You should look to include complex, fiber-rich carbs in your diet to enjoy the benefits. But, before you add any new foods to your diet, you should consider a test for food intolerance.
Test For Food Intolerance
Before adding any new foods to your diet, you should test for food intolerance. Food intolerance symptoms include bloating, fatigue, diarrhea, and headaches. A test for food intolerance helps you avoid putting foods into your body that could cause you problems down the line. Find a test for food intolerance to suit your budget here.
