Don’t give up carbs
Of late, carbohydrates have been getting a bad rep. By eating more processed, less filling carbs, we're consuming more calories than needed -- calories we don't necessarily burn. That second serving of rice, those extra French fries with a large soft drink and all that.
Are all carbs bad though? When trying to lose weight, should we just give up carbs? To get to the answer, let's consider what the so-called low-carb diets do.
Low-carb diets are not optimal for muscle growth. It's due to the glycogen stores in the muscles. When muscles have a limited storage of glycogen, they have less energy and less ability to stop protein breakdown.
Fat loss, however, is where low-carb diets work. Switching to a low-carb diet means you're consuming fewer calories and fewer calories equate to weight loss. Foods like rice and bread are easy to make, cheap and convenient. Many of us don't seem to eat them in moderation or burn off the extra calories. This lifestyle contributes to fat gain and the difficulty in losing it. Lowering the intake of refined carbs is not only healthy but is also one of the quickest ways to cut calories and lose weight.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
Carbs alone don't cause weight gain, excess calories do. If you're not physically active but would like to lose weight, cut back on white rice, white flour, refined sugar. This, however, doesn't mean you have to give up carbs altogether.
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