Tips for Balancing Carbohydrates with Proteins

At Lifestyle Health Retreats, we understand that there is a good deal of confusion when it comes to the benefits and limitations of both carbohydrates and proteins.

Many people think that eating huge amounts of carbohydrates will make one obese. The truth however is that carbohydrates are essential in making you gain or lose weight. Carbohydrates are metabolic primers and they are needed in order to burn fat.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are one of the best sources of energy for the body. The muscles, the brain and the complete nervous system particularly need them.

Carbohydrates are broken further into glucose, which is used by the body to release energy. Excess glucose will change into glycogen and then be kept in the muscles as surplus energy. It may happen if the body has higher glycogen than it can store. In that event, it will be converted into fat. Many dieters stay away from carbs for this reason. But if you do, it will make you very tired. Ultimately it may lead to anorexia and ill health.

There are two forms of carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are higher in calories. They are present in huge quantities in refined sugar and are found in sweet-tasting food including fruits. They are not nutritious and lack vitamins and minerals. They turn to glucose very fast and enter the bloodstream. This gives one a quick shot of energy. (This is called a ‘sugar fix’.) Consumed regularly, simple carbohydrates will make one gain weight and grow obese. For this reason, simple carbohydrates are called ’empty calories’. (There are four calories in every gram of carbohydrates).

On the other hand, complex carbohydrates are found to be beneficial. They are highly nutritious and lesser in fat. Veggies and whole grain products are in this category. They are digested at a much slower rate.

Proteins

The body’s tissues, cells and organs are made up of protein only. Right? The outermost layers of the nails and skin are also largely of protein. Right, again. Protein builds repairs and takes care of the body’s tissues.

Protein produces antibodies. If you want to know what antibodies are, they form a part of the immune system which fights off infection. Protein also produces haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is also part of the RBC of blood that carries oxygen straight from the lungs to the other parts of the body. That is not all. Protein helps the muscles grow. It increases strength. This in turn accelerates athletic performance. Athletes munching on bars of protein is not a rare sight.

The intake of protein which is necessary for you depends on your weight and the key to success is knowing how to balance both carbs and proteins healthily.

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