Many people think eating carbohydrates is the sole reason for weight gain, and therefore, they decide to abide by a low-carb diet or cut carbs out of their diet entirely. I’m here to tell you those people are so wrong. Cutting out carbs is bad for your health, and here’s why:
1. Our bodies need carbs.Carbohydrates are one of the three main essential nutrients for our body (the other two being fat and protein), and we need carbs to function. Carbohydrates are how we get our energy, and if you cut out carbs or don’t eat enough of them, your body won’t get the necessary energy needed to make it through the day. This lack of energy can lead to fatigue, stress and depression. Now, I’m not saying you should devour a bowl of pasta and French fries for every meal either. Our body needs to maintain a balanced diet between the three nutrients. According to the Group Health Center, about 50 to 60 percent of our diet should be from carbs, 12 to 20 percent from protein and 30 percent from fat. Although we do need carbs, try to choose from the “healthy carbs” — brown rice, multigrain bread, fruit and beans — and avoid the “bad carbs” — soda, candy and sweetened pastries.
2. Your body will crave carbs anyway. No matter how hard you may try, you cannot conquer your inner craving for carbs. When that internal beast is unleashed, you will most likely binge eat. Maintaining a low-carb or no-carb diet is very hard to do as well (if you have that willpower, props to you!), but cutting out the carbs will only make you want more. When you give in, you’ll give in (a.k.a. one Oreo cookie becomes the whole box).Carbs help you feel full, and by eliminating them, you will feel hungry, and your body will feel terrible. Your body will start looking to pacify this hunger through other sources like breaking down your muscles. We all have a sweet tooth, and it’s necessary to reward yourself on occasion to avoid binge eating. Instead, stick to eating healthy carbs in moderation to satisfy those cravings.
3. Low-carb diets can actually make you gain weight. The stress you will feel from your low carb diet can trigger the production of hormones that increase your appetite and make you even more bloated. Eliminating carbs can prohibit muscle gains, so all that time you spent at the gym in between classes will be for nothing.
No matter how appealing these “fad” diets may seem in the short run, cutting out carbs will not lead to the weight loss you desire in the long run. Enjoy what you eat, and eat in moderation. Stick to a balanced, healthy diet and exercise often, collegiettes!