When it comes to serious weight loss efforts a lot of people are under the impression that carbohydrates are the enemy. Diets such as South Beach, Atkins, Whole30, Paleo and Keto all push for a different macronutrient balance. A central component of those diets requires dieters do cut back on their carb intake.
Therefore, many dieters dump carbohydrates in favor of protein and fats in their weight loss efforts. The trouble with that type of strategy is that there are many health benefits found in carb-containing foods. While it is certainly true that restricting carbohydrates to a certain extent can help you to lose some of the weight, cutting too many carbs can do more harm than good.
Long-Term Weight Loss Efforts
Among the challenges your weight loss efforts can face if you cut too many carbs is rebounding weight. You will likely lose some initial weight because carbs hold more water than other macronutrients. Therefore, you’ll temporarily decrease your water weight. That said, when you slash carbs for an extended time, your body will function differently.
As it is not sustainable to avoid carbs for the rest of your life, even when you’re dedicated to your weight loss efforts, as soon as you start eating carbohydrates again – even a reasonable amount – you’ll find the weight packing back on again. The vast majority of dieters can’t cut carbs and keep them gone for a lifetime.
Nutrition in Your Weight Loss Efforts
Carbohydrates are very important to overall healthy, particularly for women. Low-carb diets may provide a short term weight loss opportunity, but if this eating habit is maintained, it could be to the detriment of good overall health.
After all, carbohydrates are a source of fuel for the body, they are important to training recovery, they support thyroid function, they help you to get a better sleep at night, they support the mood and the function of the brain, they are frequently found in foods high in essential nutrients and fiber, they keep stress and sex hormones balanced and they may actually have their own advantageous weight loss benefits.
Exercise for Your Weight Loss Efforts
If you plan to exercise as a component of your weight loss efforts, particularly if you plan to do high intensity workouts, carbs will be a vital source of fuel for your body. Without them, you won’t perform as well and you won’t recover as quickly.
