Carbs have earned themselves a bad reputation, especially for people looking to shed weight. But are they as bad as they are made to be, especially for people in the world of sports and high physical activity? Let us look at all the facts and settle this debate once and for all.

Here are all the details:

Momentmal/Pixabay. Carbs give us energy, but can also make us gain weight.

Carbs are the energy givers of all the nutrients. But they are also avoided by most due to their tendency to cause weight gain and have thus earned a bad rep. So, are they really that bad?

Carbs are a great source of sustainable energy and since sportsmen exert themselves physically to a large extent, they need large amounts of energy to sustain themselves. To perform to the max and to ensure that the body is able to regain its strength after performing strenuous exercise, carbohydrates should be included in the diet of a high-performing sportsman.

The way carbs work in the body is by breaking into smaller molecules, called glucose, which is then stored in muscles, the liver and is consumed as a fuel for the body, especially when a person requires high levels of energy during physical activity.

Steven Lelham/Unsplash. Athletes should have a balanced diet as they need lots of energy.

It is often heard that athletes resort to a high-protein, low-carb diet to build muscles and to stay lean and fit. However, these two things do not work well together: the ability of the body to burn fat and consuming a high-carb diet are not one and the same thing. As a matter of fact, burning fat goes well with eating carbs, especially when you have a highly active lifestyle.

zuzyusa/Pixabay. People looking to shed weight often resort to low-carb, high-fat diets.

Are Carbs Really That Bad?

The problem with a low-carb, high-fat diet is that the weight lost with this type of diet is easily gained back. Weight loss through a low-carb diet is not sustainable, and can, in fact, cause a number of health issues, resulting in a weak immune system and compromised gut health.

Athletes need a high amount of energy to perform well and sustain their active lifestyle and so, they resort to a carbohydrate-rich diet. Tricking your body into using fats as a source of energy is not advisable, as it weakens the body greatly.

Whatever the needs are, every person requires a balanced, fulfilling, and nutritious diet to have a sound body and a well-functioning brain.