The latest fad to have gained unprecedented popularity is the “no-carb diet”. Something that suddenly everyone with an intent to lose weight, seems to be talking about. While a no-carb diet does contribute significantly to reduction in your body weight, it also comes with its fair share of undesirable consequences. So no carb? Think again.

What are carbohydrates and what’s its job?

Carbohydrates are large organic compounds occurring in foods and living tissues, including sugars, starch, and cellulose. They contain hydrogen and oxygen in the same ratio as water (2:1), and typically break down to release energy in the animal body. In short, you can call it the energy capsule.

So what happens when you drastically reduce your carbohydrate intake?

Weakness, primarily. There’s a sudden cutdown in your body’s energy supplies and the immediate repercussion is fatigue. Your car needs fuel to run. Same with your body.

Other side-effects include headache, muscle cramps, skin rash, constipation and so on. If followed by a person in their developmental years (read: teens), it does more harm than good.

“Carbohydrates are macronutrients, meaning they are one of the three main ways the body obtains energy, or calories,” according to Utah-based registered dietitian Paige Smathers. The American Diabetes Association notes that carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy. They are called carbohydrates because, at the chemical level, they contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

Foods where you can find carbs

Carbohydrates are the sugars, starches and fibres found in fruits, grains, vegetables and milk products. Though often maligned in trendy diets, carbohydrates — one of the basic food groups — are important to a healthy diet. The complex carbs, found mainly in fibre, are associated with low cholesterol levels and lower risk of diabetes too!

Nutrition experts recommend consuming at least 282 grams of carbohydrates per day, to be acquired from sources like complex whole grains (brown rice, sweet potatoes, wheat bread, chapati etc.). Simple carbs sources like candy, soda, sweets etc. aren’t that simple to break down. Strange, but it’s the complex carbs (sources: fruits and dairy products) that’s the healthier one.

How it helps in weight management

Complex carbs keep you full for longer periods of time, because your body takes time to break them down. No brainer! If you are full, there would obviously be less intake of food.

Don’t follow trends blindly if weight loss is your goal. Switch to safer steps and alternatives to lose weight like an Ayurvedic drink – Get Slim Juice. Remember, even much-slandered Carbohydrate is essential for your body – in moderation, like everything else.