Carbohydrates are one of the most significant sources of energy for our bodies, and let's face it – they are also usually combined with the most tempting foods. However, over the years they have received bad PR: if we want to lose weight, we are pushed to give them up because past studies have shown that reducing carbohydrates prevents bloating in the body.
But carbs have a bad reputation because if consumed in a healthy way, they matter. Certainly if you choose to eat whole carbohydrates, such as those found in oats and beans, for example. Not processed carbohydrates, as in cakes, white bread and sweets.
Wholemeal bread. Much healthier, Photo: Getty Images
"Carbohydrates are a very important source of energy for the human body. They provide fuel for our nervous system, organs in the body, brain and muscle tissue," British dietitian Megan Hilbert explained in an interview with The Sun. "Carbohydrates are important for many functions in the body, such as providing energy to the brain, which needs 20% of the energy a person needs per day. Carbohydrates are also a fast source of energy during exercise, and they also help provide energy to the body's cells."
The expert also noted that carbohydrates play a significant role in building our muscle tissues. "Maintaining carbohydrate intake helps prevent muscle breakdown. If before and after a workout we don't provide our body with energy sources, there is a danger that it will break down muscle tissues and use them as an energy source," she warned.
Beyond the importance of carbohydrates, according to the dietitian, several signs may indicate that our body is lacking carbohydrates and that the diet needs to be changed:
You get annoyed easily
You suddenly have a short fuse and have no patience for anything? Well, there's a good chance that it's due to a lack of carbs and that they should be added to your diet. "Our brains run on carbohydrates. Therefore, one of the signs of their lack is nervousness. This shows that the brain doesn't have enough energy," Hilbert explained. "It's also a classic sign of low blood sugar. In this situation, I recommend adding oatmeal for breakfast, brown rice at lunchtime, and sweet potatoes for dinner."
Angry Man // Photo illustration: Getty Images
You're often cold – and the people around you aren't
Everyone around is comfortable and warm, but are you cold? According to Hilbert, "There is a chance that this is a low function of the thyroid gland responsible for regulating body temperature. This is due to the avoidance of carbohydrates and the energy produced from them."
Having trouble exercising?
Carbohydrates provide a person with a significant and important source of energy for the body during training. "If you can't train as much as you'd like, if you get tired quickly during your workout, it's probably a sign that you have a lack of energy in your body. Here, it's important to note that consuming carbs before a workout will boost your body's energy sources," notes Hilbert, who advises consuming a carb and small protein bar before a workout – and a similar one afterward. "You can eat cream cheese on an oat pyrrhea, for example, or a protein shake with oatmeal and berries," she suggests.
Working out in the gym,
You experience difficulty thinking or feeling brain fog
If you forget a lot of things and you find that during your work you have to struggle to think, then according to the expert, this is a significant sign of carbohydrate deficiency. "Studies show that people who eat low-carb diets perform worse on memory tests. Fortunately, this situation disappears as soon as carbs are added to our food."
Your digestion is irregular
Hilbert explains that the fiber in carbohydrates, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes, helps our digestive system, keeps it healthy and prevents constipation. "If you're having trouble with your digestive system, you should think about increasing the whole carbs you consume," she noted.
Can't lose weight?
Your weight loss efforts aren't working? Feel like your body is fighting your diet? This is because your body reacts to your drastic cut in carbohydrates. "If we dramatically cut back on our carbohydrate intake, the body will sometimes develop a backlash in the form of producing its own energy sources and even producing fat reserves from the energy it produces to avoid hunger later on," Hilbert said. Therefore, according to her, in order to lose weight, we must avoid drastically reducing our carbohydrate intake.
It's all about it, Photo: Getty Images/Hemera
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