HOW DO I MANAGE CARBS FOR WEIGHT LOSS?
QWhy do we need carbs and how do I manage them for weight loss?
AWe need a certain amount of carbohydrates in our diet for normal physiological functions such as keeping our eyes moist, keeping thyroid levels healthy, keeping LDL cholesterol in check and providing better and deep restorative sleep.
While low-carb diets appear to be popular, in my opinion a good diet is one where you don’t put on the weight you lost once you end the diet.
I’ve noticed in my clinical practice that 80 per cent of those who are looking to lose excess weight respond better to a low-carb diet. Sometimes people take this too seriously and go really low on carbs when they adopt the ketogenic diet or the Atkins diet. But very often, those who go on such diets and lose a lot of weight also quickly put on the same – and in some cases more – weight in a short period of time.
Bad breath, severe constipation and feeling emotionally deprived are some of the immediate side effects of going on such low-carb diets. And while you will definitely see your body weight drop, over a period of time, these low-carb diets begin to get to you. They are not sustainable. Eventually, people get frustrated and just go back to eating ‘normally’, which is when the weight comes back with a vengeance.
In my opinion, eating clean carbs, such as white rice and sweet potatoes, is an absolute must. If you are looking for extreme weight loss, have about 100g of clean carbs every 3-5 days and stay on a high-fat, high-protein diet.
But if you want a more sustainable approach, I would recommend you include around 100g of cooked, clean starches daily.