Four physical signs you need to eat more carbs

Thank you, Leslie McCoy, Fitness Instructor, for sharing this.

Our bodies need carbs to function optimally. There is no good reason to drastically reduce or remove carbs from your diet. Carbohydrates are one of three macronutrients, alongside fat and protein, which make up all our foods. They're found in various quantities in foods from pasta and bread to oats and bananas. Cutting out or cutting down on carbs is often thought to be a way to lose weight. But not only is this a myth— it can harm your health. Limiting consumption of highly processed foods like cookies and chips is usually beneficial. Dietary requirements vary from person to person but making half your plate fruits and vegetables is advised which are generally primarily made up of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are a primary source of fuel that gives our muscles and brain the energy that it needs to move and think.

4 signs you're not eating enough carbs:

1. Lack of energy

Carbs are the body's main source of fuel, so if you reduce your carb intake significantly, you'll likely notice a depletion of your energy levels. Our body can use other sources of fuel (such as fat), although carbohydrates are able to provide a more rapid source of energy to enable us to function optimally.

2. Brain fog

The brain requires glucose, which is broken down from carbs, to function optimally. When you haven't consumed enough carbs, you may find yourself in a bad mood and struggle to concentrate. Consuming carbs alongside protein helps to support the production of tryptophan, which is then converted into serotonin, also known as the happy hormone.

3. Less energy for workouts

The body stores carbohydrates as glycogen in the liver and muscles. This is used for energy and beneficial for exercise. If you haven't consumed enough carbs, your performance will hit a ceiling, and you may suffer from muscle loss and "exercise flu" where you feel out of it, your body aches, and your head hurts.

4. Difficulty recovering from workouts

Not only are carbs beneficial for fueling exercise, but they aid recovery from workouts.

After we exercise, our body needs to replenish its glycogen stores that have been depleted during a workout, and therefore it's recommended to consume carbohydrates alongside protein to support recovery and enable you to feel at your best before your next workout. If your body doesn't recover efficiently, you may have muscle pain for longer after your workout, have less energy when you next hit the gym, and make slower progress.