Have you been turned off to carbs by the Atkins Diet or by the countless claims that eating carbohydrates make you fat? If so, you probably cringe at the sight of the above picture and have made a personal pact with yourself to avoid the bread and pasta aisles at the grocery store. Being a huge advocate for "moderation", I have found it difficult to completely remove carbohydrates from my diet but never have had a complete understanding as to why or why not I might need this macro-nutrient on a daily basis.
It wasn't until I was introduced to cell metabolism in my Personal Training studies this week that I fully understood.
Carbohydrates are a necessity in energy production within the body. Not consuming enough will leave an average individual feeling lethargic and an athlete fighting for fuel to complete his / her workout.
Where people get themselves into trouble when it comes to carbohydrate intake is eating the WRONG types of carbs. Ideally, consumed carbohydrates should come from natural, not refined, sources such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy and legumes. The carbs from these items are full of vitamins, minerals and fibers that are necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
So maybe avoiding the bread and pasta aisles weren't completely the wrong choices, but don't let that fear of carbs stop you from visiting the fruit and vegetable stands at your local markets!
To get more information about the importance of carbohydrates, check out this article from Foodnetwork.com
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