Do Carbs Make You Fat?

The short answer is yes, carbs CAN make you fat and are the downfall of many.

However, carbs are a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle and proper weight management. It is when we use them incorrectly that carbohydrates make us fat. If you are trying to lose weight or don't want to put on more, the chances are, you will need to eliminate many of the carbohydrates from your diet and replace them with new ones. To see how Carbohydrates make you fat, it helps to understand a little more about them.

Why Carbohydrates Are Important

Carbohydrates

• Are our primary source of body energy/fuel
• Are stored in our muscles for exercise and general physical activity
• Provide us with essential vitamins, minerals and fiber

Without Carbohydrates

• You are depriving yourself of an energy source
• Fatigue will set in easily and you will not function correctly

How Do Carbohydrates Work

• When we eat carbohydrates, our body breaks it down to make glucose
• Glucose can be
            o Used as an immediate energy source
            o Stored in muscles for energy (glucogen)
            o Converted to fat

How Carbohydrates Make You Fat

Too Many Calories

As with all foods, if you take in more calories from your carbohydrates then you burn, you will put on fat. Carbohydrates are an energy source and crucial to the body for functioning and creation of glucose. The problem is, if we have too much of this glucose already stored as glycogen, any excess will be converted to fat.

No Exercise

If you do not engage in sufficient physical activity, the chances that your carbohydrate intake will result in fat increases dramatically. There is no point in providing your body with large amounts of fuel if it is not going to use it.

The Right Types Of Carbohydrates

• Carbohydrates fall into 2 groups, simple and complex carbohydrates
• Though Carbohydrates are essential for us to function, most people incorporate too many simple carbohydrates and not enough complex carbohydrates into their diets
• The contribution towards fat by simple carbohydrates is most severe, while the nutritional value of complex carbohydrates help you manage and lose weight in a number of ways

Simple Carbhohydrates

• Are digested rapidly
            o As they are digested quickly, they satisfy you for only a short amount of time, leaving you hungrier more often
• Release energy quickly
            o The rapid release causes glucose levels to spike, which then drop resulting in a short lived energy boost
• Are usually high in fat
• Are low in fiber and other essential vitamins and minerals that complex carbohydrates contain

Complex Carbohydrates

• Are digested slowly
            o Keeping you satisfied for a longer amount of time, warding off hunger
• Release energy slowly
            o Don't result in an energy spike but a more subtle, continuous release of energy
            o Won't result in fatigue or sluggish feelings
• Generally low in fat and high in fiber and other essential vitamins and minerals

Foods To Avoid\Replace\Cut Down
Sugar
Cakes
Chocolate
Potatoes
Sweet biscuits
Ice-cream
Candy\Sweets

Foods to Eat\Incorporate\Add
Bread (preferably brown\whole grains)
Rice (preferably brown)
Pasta (preferably wholegrain)
Fruit
Vegetables
Nuts
Seeds
Carbohydrates