When beginning a weight reduction journey, several people question which issue is more imperative to resolve, carbohydrates or fats. Some diets promote cutting carbohydrates, while others include cutting fats. In reality, the truth is more balanced. Carbohydrates and fats both perform important functions and weight loss is a matter of how you utilize both.
Let’s start with the most basic structure.
What Are Carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates helps energize the body and serve as the main source of energy. Carbohydrates help power your brain, muscles and your daily functions.
What Kind Of Carbs Are There?
- Healthy Carbs: beans, vegetables, whole grains, fruits,
- Unhealthy Carbs: soda, pastries, sugary snacks, white bread
Those who eat healthy carbs gain more fiber which assists with digestion and helps you feel satiated. Unhealthy carbs cause very fast digestion which can cause hunger, overeating and rapid spikes in blood sugar.
What Are Fats?
Fats provide long lasting energy, help create hormones, and help with nutrient absorption.
What Kinds of Fats Are There?
- Healthy Fats: nuts, seeds, fatty fish, avocado, olive oil
- Unhealthy Fats: processed foods, deep fried foods, trans fats
When consumed, healthy fats provide hunger control and promote satiety. Unhealthy fats however, can add large amounts of calories and increase the likelihood of several health risks.
Carbs and Weight Loss
The issue is not the carbs themselves; the issue is the refined sugary carbs.
Healthy carbs fuels your body.
- Carbs help with the following:
- Digestion
- Cramps
- Energizing workouts
- Fatigue
- Low energy
Sticking to a diet
Fats and Weight Loss
Healthy fats are not the enemy. They are calorie-dense, but in moderation, they can support weight loss.
Healthy fats help with:
- Appetite control
- Meal satification
- Fuller for longer
Eating too much, though, healthy fats can slow your weight loss.
Which Is Better for Weight Loss
Neither carbs nor fats are the reason. What matters is calories, food quality and balance.
The best is:
- Healthy fats not processed
- Complex carbs, not refined
- Portions controlled
- Balancing carbs and fats, and protein
Whole foods are not a food group. That is the best.
Finding The Right Balance For Weight Loss
The balanced plate for weight loss is composed of:
- Lean Proteins e.g. chicken, fish, eggs, beans
- Healthy carbs like whole vegetables and grains.
- Healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, and avocado.
This balance supports and energizes the body and promotes success in the weight loss journey.
Conclusion
Healthy and wise food choices allow the consumption of both fats and carbs. The other option is to eliminate one of the groups. Balance, portion control, and food-wise quality are the main factors to considered for a weight loss journey. Carbs quickly fuel the body, and healthy fats promote feelings of satiety.
The main takeaway is not to completely eliminate carbs or fats. Eating these in the right way is more important and will result in sustaining weight loss and keeping it longterm.
