You’ve decided to ditch the diet regimen and take charge of your health. Congratulations! Now it’s time to tackle the issue of weight loss, and you’ve decided to make a giant leap by incorporating a low-carb lifestyle. That’s fantastic, and we’re here to help with the next question: How much carbs should I eat to lose weight?
What are carbs?
You may be familiar with the term “carbohydrate,” which are found in foods like vegetables, fruits, and grains. These are often referred to as the “simple carbohydrate,” as they are simple for the body to process. When you eat these types of carbohydrates, it gives you energy because your body quickly turns them into glucose, which is a type of sugar. Your body then uses this sugar for energy, usually within minutes to hours after the meal.
What is low-carb lifestyle?
If you’re not familiar, a low-carb lifestyle is one in which you reduce your daily carb intake, while still allowing yourself a level of carbohydrates that provide essential nutrients for the body. For example, organic brown rice is a good source of carbohydrates and nutrients, but it has less than half the carbs of white rice and also contains vitamins D and B.
By cutting back on the carbohydrates, you’re helping your body to adapt to its new “low-carb” state. This way, you’re not depriving yourself of energy, as you would if you drastically cut back on carbs. Your body will thank you for the low-carb lifestyle, and so will your brain, thanks to all that sugar you’re no longer eating! If you want to lose weight, then the low-carb lifestyle is the way forward. It’s a common misconception that you have to be on a diet to lose weight. You don’t! All you need to do is change how you eat.
How Many Carbs Should I Eat Each Day To Lose Weight?
Now that you’re aware of the benefits of a low-carb diet, it’s time to figure out how much carbs you should eat each day to lose weight. It depends on your individual needs. To start with, you should aim to have at least five small meals each day, with three to four days per week consisting of mostly low-carb foods. This way, you’ll keep your energy levels up and prevent yourself from becoming overly hungry, which might lead to increased food consumption and weight gain. It’s also important to remember that what you eat affects your hormones, which ultimately influence your weight. So even though you want to lose weight, you need to keep an eye on what you’re putting into your body.
What Is The Best Time To Eat Carbs For Weight Loss?
In addition to how many carbs you should eat each day, you need to consider the best time to eat those carbs to lose weight. This is a crucial point to make, as you should never attempt to lose weight by depriving yourself of food. Instead, you should eat the right food at the right time, in the right amount, to achieve your desired results. There are specific circumstances under which it’s best to eat carbs for weight loss:
- When you wake up
- After a workout
- After a big meal
- When you’re fasting
- After alcohol consumption
Let’s take a closer look at each of these circumstances and when it’s best to eat carbs to lose weight.
When You Wake Up
When you wake up, your body needs energy to function properly. As you sleep, your body produces melatonin, a hormone which helps promote sleep. However, too much melatonin can cause you to sleep through the day, resulting in lower energy levels. This might explain why you’re usually tired when you wake up. When this happens, you should eat something immediately to prevent yourself from being sluggish during the day. Some recommend eating breakfast within 30 minutes of waking up, so your body can utilize the food quickly and get back on track after a long night’s sleep. You should particularly avoid eating anything with carbohydrates at this time, as these will be immediately converted into glucose, which results in an energy burst followed by a crash. Instead, eat protein-rich foods to restore your energy levels and prevent future crashes.
After A Workout
After working out, your muscles need energy to restore and repair themselves. As you sleep, your body produces a substance called cytokines, which are proteins that help regulate the body’s immune system. During sleep, the body’s natural repair process occurs and any damage is corrected. This results in muscles that are more vibrant and flexible than before your workout. This is why you should always eat after a workout and why you should never skip meals after working out. This is also when your body produces testosterone, which helps to boost your libido and energy levels. So one of the best times to eat carbs is after a workout, so your body can restore and rebuild itself. You can also enjoy a snack at this time, as long as it’s healthy. Avoid eating any kind of junk food, as these will cause a sudden burst of energy followed by a crash, similar to what happens when you eat carbs at other times of the day. But eating carbs after a workout helps to prevent these energy crashes, so make sure you include these in your diet plan.
After A Big Meals
After eating a large meal, your body immediately begins to process all of the food consumed, resulting in a sudden energy surge. This is why you often feel fuller after a big meal and why it’s best to eat several small meals throughout the day. When you eat a big meal, your body needs time to process all of the food consumed, so wait at least two to three hours before you eat again. This way, you’re sure that your body has had enough time to use the food for energy and won’t experience another crash. Also, try to avoid large meals at night, as these may cause you to sleep longer than usual and affect your daytime energy levels. Instead, eat smaller meals closer to bedtime, as the hormone ghrelin, which induces sleep, is at its peak levels right before you go to sleep. This is also why it’s beneficial to fast intermittently throughout the day, as your body will use the food for energy during this time, while still preserving nutrients for future meals. You should avoid eating carbs at this time, as these will result in an immediate wake-up call followed by a decline in energy. This is why it’s important to time your meals right after working out and after big meals, especially at night, as these will cause your body to produce ghrelin, which promotes sleep.
When You’re Fasting
When you’re fasting, your body shuts down all processes, leaving it open to starvation and damage. During fasting, your body does not produce any insulin, which normally helps to regulate blood sugar. As a result, your blood sugar levels drop, leaving you low on energy. To raise your energy levels during a fast, you should eat small frequent meals, or snacks, as often as possible. Make sure you contact your physician or dietician to assess how long you should be fasting for and how to raise your energy levels. Eating carbs during a fast may also help, as these will be processed into glucose, which can be used as a source of energy by the body.
After Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol has a considerable effect on the body, causing it to use more calories even when at rest. This is why it’s best to eat carbs shortly after drinking alcohol, as the effect of the alcohol will be reduced as your body processes the food. However, this also depends on the type of alcohol you consume. If you drink clear liquor, then this would be best incorporated into your diet plan, as it has few calories and no carbohydrates. These would be quickly converted into glucose and contribute towards the energy burst followed by a crash. Instead, eat protein-rich foods or carbohydrates soon after consuming beer, as these will help restore your energy levels quickly. Additionally, eating carbs after alcohol consumption may help to reduce the damage done by the alcohol, as the effects of the alcohol are lessened by eating carbohydrates. This is why it’s important to monitor how much alcohol you consume in relation to your carb intake, as too much alcohol can harm your overall health, especially if you drink to excess regularly.