What Is The Best Time To Consume Carbohydrates And Take Care Of The Figure?

It has become a fairly widespread idea that carbohydrates are one of those food groups that we must be more careful with if we want to lose weight or stay in shape. Based on this, different myths and beliefs about various ways of eating foods high in carbohydrates have become popular, which, apparently, would help to take care of the figure.

Although this idea has some valid points, we must be careful not to eradicate carbohydrates from our diet. These have an extremely important function in the functioning of our body.

It is essential to understand that above all, the body works and health is maintained thanks to a balanced, complete diet based on real food. Eliminating a certain group of foods for their properties is not only useless when it comes to losing weight or caring for the figure, but it can also lead to health problems.

Here’s how to treat carbohydrate foods based on professional opinions.

What are carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are one of the main types of nutrients and the main source of energy for our body. Its function is to provide our body with fuel to carry out a large part of its functions, including brain and neurological activity.

Likewise, when we exercise or body work, our body obtains that energy in large part from carbohydrates, followed by the energy provided by fats.

Carbohydrates are divided into so-called simple and complex depending on their chemical structure. Simple carbohydrates are those that include the sugar that is naturally found in products such as fruit, vegetables, milk and their derivatives. This sugar is not bad, and it is necessary for the proper functioning of our body

For their part, complex carbohydrates are those that are included in whole grain breads and cereals, vegetables rich in starch (starch) and legumes. Many of the complex carbohydrates are a good source of fiber.

Where do you get carbohydrates from?

They are obtained mainly from foods such  as:

• Bread
• Pasta
• Sweet foods
• Rice
• Potatoes or potatoes
• The fruits
• Cereals such as oatmeal.

The following carbohydrate-rich foods are also high in starches. Many are also high in fiber. These are beans, kidney beans, peas and chickpeas among others. Also vegetables rich in starch, such as potatoes, corn, or parsnip. Or whole grains, like brown rice, oats, barley, and quinoa.

As can be seen, carbohydrates are an element present in many healthy foods that it is good to consume regularly. So why do they have such a bad reputation?

What happens is that in many other products, many added sugars are included during food processing and refining. This is how popular processed foods are created, which are not good for health because they are high in “empty calories”. As the professionals at MedlinePlus point out, eating too many carbohydrates in the form of ultra-processed, high-starch, or sugary foods can cause an increase in total calories, which can lead to weight gain and subsequent problems.

Therefore, in order to follow a good, balanced diet and take care of our figure, what you have to do is not stop eating carbohydrates or limit them to a time slot but rather eliminate the consumption of products that include added sugars; do not consume ultra-processed products.

In any case, before starting any type of diet, it is best to go to a specialist who will recommend which diet is the most appropriate for our specific case. We are different and each of us may need a differentiated treatment.

Do you want to lose weight or maintain your figure? Attentive

A fairly common mistake among people who want to lose weight or maintain their figure is to stop eating for long periods of time during the day. Not only does this not actually help you lose weight, it can lead to health problems over time.

Health professionals indicate that the idea of ​​drastically cutting carbohydrates or going a long time without eating doesn’t really do much for weight loss or calorie burning.

In addition, carbohydrates play an especially necessary and beneficial role for people who exercise at high intensity. Studies show that consuming them 30 minutes to 4 hours after a workout can help restore your glycogen stores.

Suddenly eliminating or radically limiting your carbohydrate intake (carbohydrates found in good foods, not those found in processed foods), can cause ketosis. Ketosis occurs when the body uses fat for energy because food does not provide enough carbohydrates for the body to use for energy.

And then is there a period of time where it is better to consume them?

The time when we should consume more carbohydrates can be determined by our physical activity. The popular belief that we hear that it is not advisable to consume them at night, is due more to the fact that, in general, most of us do most of our physical activities during the day.

In those morning hours of exercise, our body burns most of the carbohydrates that we eat. Therefore, carbohydrate foods are consumed during the morning.

Now, keep in mind that there is not really the best time to consume carbohydrates. Good diets are not based on the time of day when food is eaten but on the fact that these foods are of quality.

In fact, research published in the European Journal of Nutrition determined that diets low in “empty calories” and added sugars, but providing more “good” carbohydrates are just as effective for fat loss whether these foods are included in greater amounts at lunch or dinner. 

The key is in balance, good food and good lifestyle habits.  

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