Find out which foods contain carbs and get your low-carb diet questions answered by a nutrition expert.
There is no standard definition for a low-carb diet.
The Dietary Guidelines recommend that 45-65 percent of calories come from carbohydrates.
So any diet with carb intake less than 45 percent of total calories is considered a low-carb diet.
What are carbs?
Carbohydrates are one of three macronutrients in our diets.
The other two are protein and fats.
Carbs are the preferred source of energy for our brains and our bodies.
Carbohydrates are found in fruits, grains, vegetables, dairy and foods with sugar.
Are carbs bad?
This is such a common misconception that people have about carbs.
There are a wide range of healthy foods that contain carbs.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for those foods in your diet.
Will carbs make me fat?
Eating too much of anything will likely lead to weight gain.
Carbs seem to get blamed for causing weight gain more than most other foods.
That means you’re more likely to overeat them, which can lead to weight gain.
Rather than restrict carbs, choose healthier ones more often.
Will carbs make me sleepy?
It depends when you’re eating and how much you’re eating.
People can feel sleepier after eating a big meal, especially one that’s high in carbs.
Carbohydrates make tryptophan (an amino acid) more available and can make you feel a bit drowsy.
Will carbs make my muscles bigger?
Not on their own, no.
You’ll need to do strength training exercisesconsistently and eat a healthy well-balanced diet to gain muscle mass.
Which foods have carbs?
Which foods don’t?
Foods that have carbs:
Foods that do not have carbs:
Will carbs constipate me?
All depends on the throw in of carbohydrate you’re eating.
Carbs with fiber in it will help your digestive system work more efficiently.
Slowly add fiber-rich foods to your diet and drink lots of water if you’re feeling backed up.
Where do carbs go in your body?
Your body will break down your carbs into sugars.
Since our bodies run off of glucose, carbs become our first source of energy.
Once broken down, these sugars enter our bloodstream which then fuels our brain, muscles and other organs.
This will help prevent those sugar spikes and energy crashes.
How many carbs should I eat in a day?
The Dietary Guidelines recommends between 45-65% of your daily calorie intake should be carbs.
If you have diabetes, you should go over your carb goals with a Registered Dietitian.
It’s also good to keep in mind the throw in of carbs you are consuming.
Which carbs are good for people with diabetes?
People with diabetes should still eat carbohydrates.
Remember that all carbs are broken down into simple sugar (glucose).
I’m way over on carbs, what do I do?
First things firstdon’t feel guilty.
That’s completely normal.
Everyone overeats from time to time.
Simply taking a walk after indulging in a good amount of carbs will help lower your blood sugar levels.
you’re able to also try these12 healthy ways to lower your blood sugar.
Is it dangerous to mix fats and carbs?
I still don’t understand where this myth comes from.
You should actually be combining food groups to help regulate blood levels and sustain energy longer.
I’m on a low-carb diet and I’m not losing weight.
Most of us correlate eating fewer carbs with losing weight.
When you cut carbs drastically, your body may say, “Hey, wait a minute.”
This is our body’s natural way of preserving itself.
If I am looking for a low-carb snack what should I reach for?
Read your nutrition labels.
There are lots of healthy snacks that are naturally low in carbs.
Here’s some otherhealthy low-carb snack ideas if you have diabetes.
