Energy Loss
It’s important to note that carbohydrates function as the primary source of energy for the body, so when you cut out this food group in the name of weight loss you’re actually putting yourself at risk for a major crash that can impede on your day to day function. “Carbohydrates are our bodies' primary energy source because it is the easiest and most accessible form of fuel for our cells - we want to work with our body instead of against it,” explains Schroeder. “Cutting carbs too low not only hinders your energy levels and physical performance, it also creates a brain fog - your brain needs energy to function and perform optimally too so if you do not have enough (130 g minimum) then your work, school, focus, etc will suffer.”
It can be easy to let the weight loss mindset take over and sacrifice foods you enjoy to achieve your goals, but this plan of action can have some long-lasting consequences on your energy levels and brain function without actually offering sustainable weight loss results. While you may experience some changes in your body initially after removing the calories from carbs, the weight loss will soon plateau and you even put your metabolism at risk when taking this course of action.
“Sure, people who drastically cut carbs from their diet generally do see a drop in their weight, however how many of those people have ever been able to sustain it?” asks Schroeder. “Eating extremely low carbs is not sustainable (or enjoyable) long-term so as soon as you reintroduce carbs to your diet, you will likely gain the weight back (and for a lot of people, plus some).”
Weight loss is best achieved by making sustainable changes to your lifestyle that you will be able to stick to in the long term, and removing entire food groups is unlikely to be easy to stick to in the coming months, particularly if you’re struggling with brain fog and a noticeable lack of energy.
“Most fad diets and low carb diets are not sustainable. What happens when you are at your friend's birthday party and want a piece of cake? What happens when you are out on date night and want a glass of wine? What happens when you are taking your kids out for pizza?” notes Schroeder. Within these situations you want to offer yourself the grace to enjoy food and the moments that come with it, so finding a way to integrate these items into your diet while still largely eating healthy foods will be a better choice long term for your weight loss success.
Carbohydrates are not bad for your body, and in fact they are essential for keeping you energized and feeling great throughout the day. While there are certainly some options which are healthier than others, there is no reason to entirely cut this food group out of your eating plan, even as you work to lose weight. This will ultimately create an unhealthy mindset around food that will not be sustainable over time, and will likely take the fun and enjoyment out of eating the things you love.
“Choosing mostly healthy, complex carbs (like whole grains and starchy vegetables) is a sure-fire way to get lots of nutrients, energy, and fiber,” suggests Schroeder of how to keep a healthy balance in your diet. Although you shouldn’t be living on processed snacks and dessert each day, keeping carbs in your diet can still allow you to see positive changes in your body without upending your life.