One of the golden rules of weight loss is to reduce your carb intake. Many diets even recommend cutting carbs altogether.
The problem is, our bodies need healthy, complex carbohydrates”aka, whole grains, fruit and vegetables”so when were not getting enough of them (or any!) youll start to experience several unpleasant symptoms. If youre suffering from any of the following, its time to consider whether youve cut back too far on carbs.
Youre craving junk food. Carbohydrates fuel our bodies, so when youre not getting enough of them, youll experience strong cravings as your body hunts for energy. This will make it extremely hard to resist caving into junk food cravings.
Youre tired and cant think straight. Carbs provide the glucose necessary to fuel your body, so if youre not getting enough of them, youre probably feeling fatigued. You also may be experiencing brain fog due to a lack of glucose in your neuro pathways.
Youre having a lot of headaches. Cutting back too much on carbs sends your blood sugar plummeting. A common side effect of low blood sugar is headaches as your brain tries to restore sugar levels on its own. These are often dull, throbbing headaches located in the temples.
Youre feeling bloated. If youre not getting enough carbs, youre not getting enough fiber either. This can lead to bloating as your GI tract stops running smoothly.
Youre frequently cold. When your body is running low on carbs, the hormones that control temperature regulation in your body are often thrown off track. This could be why youre finding it impossible to warm up.
Youre moody. A classic sign that someone is on a low-carb diet is frequent irritability. Once again, a lack of glucose is the culprit. As the hunger hormone goes into overdrive, it impacts other hormones negatively…like the ones that keep you calm.
So keep in mind that including the right kind of carbs in your diet (fiber-rich whole grains, fruits and veggies) are essential to your overall health and well-being. Focus on cutting out sugar and white flour instead, and youll be on your way to a healthy, balanced diet.
Published with permission from RISMedia.