Carbohydrates have gotten a bad rap over the last few years. Unfortunately, most of the reasons are unjustified. Granted, your simple carbohydrates (i.e. sugar) are not a good source of nutrition but they are giving a bad name to your friends the complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are food such as pasta, bread, potatoes, fruit, etc.  Below I will systematically explain to you why carbohydrates are indeed your friends.

  1. The only source of fuel that your brain is able to use is carbohydrate.  Without a steady supply of carbohydrate in your diet, you can guarantee that your brain will not function as well.
  2. Fat burns in the flame of carbohydrate. This is an expression learned in physiology. Simply stated, the body is unable to process or metabolize fat without carbohydrate being present.
  3. Carbohydrate and protein are exactly the same in relation to the amount of calories found, in equal amounts, of each food. Both carbohydrate and protein possess 4 calories per gram. Fat possesses 9 calories per gram and alcohol possesses 7 calories per gram.
  4. Carbohydrate is stored in your muscles. It is there to provide energy for you to do work. Without carbohydrate present in your muscles you will feel lethargic and weak.
  5. When your blood  sugar is low, your brain will trigger your body to go into scavenger mode. You will feel hungry and crave foods that will raise your blood sugar quickly (candy, cookies and other sweets). This will often lead to binge eating and will quickly sabotage your weight-loss strategy.