Sunday, July 29, 2012

Carbs, calories, and fats oh my!

I'm sure we've all heard these three words everywhere, and people often associate them with such negative connotations. Today's media likes to make a spectacle of these words by promoting "low carb", "low calorie", and "low fat" foods and diets and essentially telling the public that these three will be the demise of your figure. 


 
yahoo.com

Don't blindly listen to these ads and anti-carbs/calories/fats trends. Maybe these three will seem less menacing if you really understand what they are and what they do for the body. 


Let's start with calories. People often mistaken calories are an indication of fat. By definition, a calorie is the amount of energy needed to raise 1 gram of water up 1 degree Celsius. Calories are a measurement of energy, not fat or weight. Knowing that, foods that are considered low calories are not always the best option for your lifestyle. Those who live a very active lifestyle, such as athletes, need the daily recommended 2000 calories/a day or even more so. 


Calories provide you with the energy you need to carry out your daily activities, including different biological processes your body needs to thrive. Calories are really your best friend, it's the other nutrients you have to watch out for. 


Next up is carbs. Carbohydrates are simply molecules consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (hydrated carbons essentially). Glucose are long chains of carbohydrates. Carbs are mainly found in starchy foods like potatoes, breads, rice, etc. These molecules carry with it 4 calories/gram and are highly essential to the body. Most people get the impression that carbs are our enemy, which is only half true. 

Too much of a good thing is definitely a very wise concept to grasp in nutrition. Carbs, in moderation, is vital for the body's main functions. The metabolizes carbs, fats, and protein in that order. Carbs are the body's first and main source of energy, which is why it breaks it down first. Without a steady supply of carbs, the body breaks down fats (which are stored carbs). 


glucosanol.com


When people engage in diets with low carbs and low fats, the body is forced to break down proteins as its next energy source. The main supply of proteins in the body are your lean muscle tissues. When the body breaks down your lean muscle for an energy source, it's going to cause severe problems. These lean muscle tissues include the tissues that line your stomach, liver, and even the heart. That's why the once-popular Atkins diet grew wildly unpopular; it caused too many health issues because of the lean muscle breakdown. 


A modest amount of carbs and fats in your everyday diet will prevent your body from breaking down lean muscle and will keep your metabolism steady and may even raise it to break down foods faster. Don't be afraid to indulge in carbs and fats, it won't harm you unless it's in large quantities. And even in large amounts, certain types of fats are very good for the body.


Fats are broken down into saturated and unsaturated fats. Saturated fats are naturally produced in the body, so when you consume it in your diet it knows how to break it down. Unsaturated fats, on the other hand, are processed and are much more difficult to break down in the body. 


Balance is really the key.  Be choosy about what fats and carbs you eat and remember portion control, that way you won't need to sacrifice your favorites!

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