Introducing Brittany Hampton, our guest blogger this month! Brittany is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who has been dropping her amazing knowledge on SLAM moms for years! Today she weighs in on carbs, and why we gotta eat them to fuel our bodies!
It seems that carbohydrates are always a trendy topic. It was just today I had a client say to me “but if I don’t eat carbs I will lose weight, right?”. Carbs are not the enemy, we are. We live in a culture where a serving size of pasta is enough to feed a family and coffee shops offer beverages that really could be called dessert. No wonder carbs have gotten a bad rap. The intake of good quality carbohydrates has diminished while simpler starches have become more common in the American diet. In doing so, a diet culture has immersed where it is so common to restrict carbs only to over indulge later, which thus can lead to weight gain and unwanted results.
Why we need carbs:
- They are one of the main sources of energy and calories for our body
- The “good” ones are rich in fiber which aid in digestion
- Our brain relies on glucose to function at it’s best, which is a huge component of carbohydrates
- They can support better quality sleep
- When combined with protein, they can help muscle recovery
- The impact of carbs can regulate hormones and improve mood
Eat more of these:
- Quinoa
- Brown rice
- Farro
- Whole wheat pasta
- Sweet potatoes
- Oats
- Fruit
- Beans
Eat less of these:
- Cakes, cookies, brownies, (basically desserts)
- White bread
- White pasta
- Soda, juices
- Cereals
Keep in mind there is a place for simple carbs (think applesauce versus donuts) and if you are looking for immediate energy on training days, this would be the time.
When planning your meals, they should look balanced in that you have a lean protein, a great amount of veggies, and, you guessed it—a “healthy” carbohydrate.
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