What are carbs?
Carbs are a one of the three macronutrients. You can eat them or drink them and they are made up of sugar, fiber, and/or starch.
Why do we need them?
Carbs provide our entire body with energy — and store energy for emergencies. They help create cells, build muscle, recover from training, aid in digestion, control cholesterol, and more. OH, AND YES, DIAGNOSIS ASIDE, CARBS ARE NEEDED FOR THESE FUNCTIONS! We use them constantly.
Now that we know that, why is it that when we start our new “diet” we cut them out? Why do we ask our body to work harder for results that require carbs?
Confused? Me too!
I really enjoy watching my clients face their carb and/or fat fears. When they face those fears and include carbs in their Mariah Method regimen, they end up getting the results they want and have more energy with less stress while doing so.
It all comes down to where we are getting our carbs.
There are two different types of carbs: simple and complex.
Simple carbs are mostly sugar — white flour, white rice, some fruits, juices, candy etc. — and they are easily digested and instantly absorbed. They give you short spurts of energy, which is a great way to stay energized (such as while running in a marathon!)
Complex carbs are fibers and starch — whole grains and wheats, legumes, potatoes, fiber rich fruits etc. — and they aid in digestion, help with cholesterol, aid in recovery, and more. These are the carbs that get stored and give you an energy baseline, so to speak.
Goals
My goal for you is that you graciously let this sink in, and maybe the next time you go to “diet,” you revisit this blog before cutting out any macronutrients. If you do end up cutting them out, don’t get mad at yourself when you eventually “give in,” You will always crave carbs because your body always needs them, diagnosis aside.
And obviously hit me up to be your nutritionist ?
– Mariah
