How Important Are Carbs In Your Diet? | Health

We continue our series with professional trainer Justin Rundle. Today we're talking about the importance of carbohydrates in your diet. Their benefit is often misunderstood. Carbs are an essential part of your diet and Justin lets us know why.

Power Food Group: The Benefits of Complex Carbohydrates

Annually, there is some new fad diet promoting rapid weight loss. Generally these diets sacrifice a macronutrient food group in order to provide optimal weight loss. Usually carbohydrates are cut. However, without carbs, one’s body can experience bouts of low energy, unstable blood sugar, muscle breakdown, slow digestion and a weakened immune system. It’s unfortunate that such a vital staple to our nutrition has received a bad rap from diets such as Atkins, which provided followers with quick weight loss but unmanageable results.

If one only knew that he could experience faster weight loss from body fat, better performance with daily physical activity and an overall boost in energy just by having the appropriate types of carbs, I imagine she wouldn’t think twice about a low-carb diet. So, if you want to feel and look your best, follow these simple guidelines to ensure dieting success for any goal!

Too much of any good thing is not good. Too much of a carb, especially simple carbs will promote fat storage. So, go to www.livestrong.com and use their My Plate program to establish a calorie allowance and goal. This program will track your daily food journals and even tell you how many carbs, fats and protein you should have throughout the day.

Stick to complex carbs that are high in fiber and actually make your body work to break them down. Foods such as oats, whole grains, brown rice, yams, fruit and vegetables will provide your body with adequate carbohydrates. If managed well, you’ll promote your metabolism to burn body fat.

Timing is key. There are a number of ways you can have your carbs. Most importantly, just don’t go without! A generalized and simple solution is to have your allotted carb calories divided into five to six portions to have with your five to six daily meals. Another great way to go is to carb cycle. Look into Chris Powell’s Choose to Lose, for one of the ultimate guides to a healthy lifestyle. This is the trainer referred to by Dr. Oz. Powell also stars in “Extreme Makeover--Weight Loss Edition.”

For additional advice, don’t hesitate to contact us through our Facebook page, Rundle Performance Training or on twitter @JRUNFITPROoCOM. You can also reach us through our website www.jrunfitpro.com.