Are carbs really bad for weight loss? 5 myths about carbs debunked

Carbs have always been portrayed as the ‘arch-enemy’ for weight loss. You’ll get plenty of advice about carbs when you plan to lose some weight. When you start a weight loss program, you immediately wage war on carbs cutting all kinds of foods including our favourite potato, pasta, and bread. But what is the truth- should you avoid carbs? Are carbs really bad for weight loss?

What are carbs or carbohydrates?

In essence, carbohydrates are one of the three macronutrients (Carbohydrates, protein, fats), i.e., they are one of the three main ways the body obtains energy. Carbohydrates are the preferred source of fuel for the body. All our daily activities are fuelled by the energy we obtain from carbohydrates. Our body cannot produce macronutrients on its own, all macronutrients must be obtained through diet. This means you need to consume carbs for maintaining your health and productivity. Thus, carbohydrates play a vital role in our overall health.

5 myths about carbs and weight loss debunked!

Myth #1: Carbs make you fat

This is one of the top myths about diet and weight loss. Most people believe carbs make them put on weight. But the fact is that the high fibre content in carbs help you maintain or even lose weight! It gives you the energy to do your daily activities. Carbohydrates are a part of a healthy diet. You need to consume 130-150 grams of carbs per day to be healthy. Anything more than this means you’re overeating and anything less than this means you’re not eating enough.

Myth #2: Protein > carbs

Of course, proteins are important for your body. they are crucial if you’re trying to build muscles. But it doesn’t mean that protein is more important than carbs. In fact, both protein and carbs are micronutrients that are essential for our body. They work together to process sugar that keeps your glucose levels in check. No one nutrient is better than the other. All of them are crucial for the proper functioning of our body.

Read more:How eating fat can help you burn fat?

Myth #3: Carbs make you feel sluggish

While this may be true for some people, it is not the case for everyone. The sluggish and bloated feeling you get after a meal is not entirely due to the carbohydrate content in the food. The quantity of food you ate and the salt content in the food also plays a major role in this. Yes, you might feel bloated if you eat a whole bowl of pasta, but the right kind of carbs with high-fibre content will only make you feel satiated.

Myth #4: Low carb diets are the best

There is proof that suggests that low carb diets are the best way to lose weight. As mentioned before, carbs are your body’s preferred source of energy and you need a sufficient amount of carbs in your diet. They provide Vitamin B, fibre, antioxidants, and iron to your body. If you have limited your carbohydrates intake and experienced weight loss, it is most likely a result of calorie restriction and loss of water weight, no from the low carb diet. So, instead of limiting carbs for weight loss, try having a balanced meal.

Myth #5: All carbs are equal and they’re unhealthy.

This is one of the biggest myths about carbs out there. Not all kinds of carbs are unhealthy. There are two kinds of carbs- refined and unrefined. If you want to completely cut carbs from your diet, that must be the refined carbs. Refined carbs are processed to strip down all nutrient content and they are called ‘empty carbs’. Unrefined carbs, on the other hand, are rich in fibre and vitamins. They are essential for breaking down sugar into energy effectively.

Most people think that the key to shedding weight faster is to cut out carbs from their diet. When it comes to weight loss and carbs, there are a lot of myths floating around. Thus, these are the 5 common myths about carbs and the truth behind them.