Do You Really Need Carbs?

Carbohydrates are classed as a non-essential macronutrient, unlike fat and protein which are essential to the body. 

But does this mean we don't need them at all, in the real world? 

But the general viewpoint I carry is that it's generally in your interests to keep your carbohydrates as high as you are able to, whilst enabling progress in the right direction. Obviously, this will differ from one individual to the next.

Here's why . . .

1. Carbohydrates help stimulate your thyroid which governs your metabolic rate. If you reduce/remove them to a point, then you're metabolism will eventually slow down. This makes burning fat far more complex.

2. If you drop carbohydrates out of your diet you run the risk of really becoming too sensitive to them when you reintroduce them, meaning you're left in a position where its a very gradual process to re-add them. 

3. Carbohydrates help keep your muscle bellies looking fuller and harder, you often find when those who reduce/remove carbs in excess go to look flat, soft and lacking in fullness.

4. Carbohydrates are a very good, easily usable energy source which are what your body needs when it is training hard. Yes it can create glucose from protein/fat, but this is a longer process. If you can get the energy you need, easily from carbohydrates then its crazy not to in my opinion. 

5. Carbohydrates, when used in a properly structured diet help improve satiety which is crucial to enjoying the lifestyle you live. With my online clients I always strive to make them enjoy the food they eat, this is key to helping them make this a life long lifestyle commitment. 

There's many more, but these are the core reasons why I feel you should never reduce your carbohydrates beyond a certain point, unless you absolutely have to! 

I feel if someone thinks they have to remove carbs to get lean, something is wrong in their diet and training which needs reviewing generally speaking.

Don't misinterpret this as me saying you never have to reduce carbs, or for acute periods it can make sense to drop them low. This is broadly speaking.