Why You Need To Eat Carbs

4/12/2018

Carbohydrates have gotten a bad rap the last few years so it’s important to look at why they’re part of a healthy diet. Carbs are great sources of energy-providing glucose. The best carbs are those that contain lots of fiber - fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Carbs you want to avoid are those that are refined or have had grains removed and sugar added. Think white bread, cookie, cakes.

Here are some reasons you don’t want to ditch carbs completely:

• Brainpower
Your brain runs on glucose - glucose comes from carbs. Remove carbs completely and you may have trouble remembering and learning since your brain won’t have enough glucose to function properly.

• Reduce Bloating
Good carbs contain fiber which helps keep you regular and eliminating waste efficiently.

• Mood Boosters
Most carbs contain tryptophan which creates serotonin in your brain and makes you feel full and content. Without it, you can feel hungry even after eating a 20oz steak and may have trouble shaking bad moods.

• Athletic Performance
Carbs are stored in your body as glycogen, which is a crucial factor in the duration and intensity of your physical activity. Without carbs, you don’t have much to run on and you’ll tire quickly.

• Muscle Mass
Without carbs, there is no glycogen to feed your muscles, so your body begins to use amino acid stores. This results in a decrease of muscle mass which then leads to metabolism issues.

• Weight Loss is Deceiving
The weight loss seen by eliminating carbs is due to the body not holding water that it normally would with carbs. Your scale may say you’re doing a good job, but you’re just getting dehydrated and losing muscle. Even then, the weight loss will taper off after 6 months.

SOURCES:
Why Carbohydrates Are Important for Your Diet
https://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/why-carbohydrates-are-important-for-your-diet.aspx

Why Are Carbs Important?
https://www.active.com/nutrition/articles/why-are-carbs-important

Why Carbs Are the Most Important of Macros
http://www.menshealth.co.uk/food-nutrition/why-carbs-are-the-most-important-of-macros

Effects of normal meals rich in carbohydrates or proteins on plasma tryptophan and tyrosine ratios
http://wurtmanlab.mit.edu/static/pdf/993.pdf

PHOTO CREDITS:
Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash

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Amanda is a mother of three (10, 7, and 5) and has been married for 14 years. My weight loss journey started July 17, 2008, one day after my daughter's first birthday. Tipping the scales at 235 pounds at 5'3, being an over weight, over tired, out of shape role model no longer appealed to me and I knew it was time for a change. Three pregnancies later, I had lost a total of 105 pounds. I had run 2 marathons and dozens of half marathons. Something was missing. I was thin, but I wasn't fit. I wasn't healthy. I could feel it in my insides. I was 136 pounds and a size 8. Something didn't add up. I got my certification in personal training, nutrition, weight management, and dove into supplementation and whole foods. 90 days later, I gained 10 pounds and lost two pants sizes (8 to a 4).

Continuing on this path, all of my clients wanted to know how I was doing it. I always dreamed of creating a business that truly added value to people and improved their health. My husband, Grant, and I decided it was time to take that leap.

December 9, 2016, Simply Prepped Meals was born. Based around the mission of providing whole food based nutrition to people's doorsteps, we set out to create a new idea that fast food didn't have to be expensive or bad for you. Six months later, we built our permanent location in Cynthiana, IN. Then, January 2, 2018, we entered into a partnership with the YMCA of Southern Indiana to continue spreading the word of meal prep and eating with purpose.

Amanda coaches individually as well as continues to drive their business. Any questions about personal coaching can be directed to her at amanda@simplypreppedmeals.com

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