Are you ready to hear something that most dietitians and nutritionists don’t say? I love carbs! I eat a lot of carbs every day, and I have a healthy metabolism and weight.
I believe that eating carbohydrates is essential for hormone health, a healthy weight, and the enjoyment of food.
Why I Love Carbs
Did you know that all foods, except fats and animal proteins, contain carbohydrates? Your body is designed to digest carbohydrates healthfully.
In fact, carbohydrates are the preferred energy source! Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are the three major energy sources for the body. Of the three, carbohydrates require the least energy to be used as fuel.
Imagine fueling your house. Do you choose the most expensive, least effective energy source, or do you choose an energy source that is cost-effective and efficient?
Carbohydrates are the most cost-effective and energy-efficient fuel for the body. Carbohydrates are converted into blood sugar (glucose) most readily and with the least cellular energy. In fact, the brain and red blood cells’ primary energy source is glucose.
Do Carbs Cause Weight Gain?
You may be thinking, “If carbohydrates are good to eat, why do most diets recommend a low-carb diet for weight loss? Why do I gain weight when I eat carbohydrates?” I propose that carbohydrates are not the problem. It’s how people eat carbohydrates that can become an issue.
Do carbs cause weight gain? The answer is not as simple as yes or no. Blood sugar balance is key. Blood sugar spikes can cause weight gain. If a person has continuous blood sugar spikes, they will gain weight.
The concern is that if carbohydrates cause blood sugar spikes, they must cause weight gain. This is partially true. Regular, large blood sugar spikes can lead to weight gain and metabolic disorders, including pre-diabetes and diabetes.
Remember, it is the regular blood sugar spikes that cause weight gain. Blood sugar balance is important. Our body tightly controls blood sugar levels. If blood sugar drops too low, it can cause dizziness, fatigue, shaking, and irritability.
High blood sugar can cause fatigue, lethargy, and weight gain. The key is balance.
Take Away
I teach my clients how to balance blood sugar for a healthy weight, metabolism, and hormones. Instead of giving up carbohydrates, I can show you how to eat them in a way that supports blood sugar balance. In this mini blog series, I’ll walk you through how to balance your blood sugar.
Learn the first step you can take to balance your blood sugar!