STOP BEING SO SCARED OF CARBS!!!

People are always shocked and in disbelief when I tell them how many carbs I eat! I get so many comments on social media of people telling me that I eat too many carbs. And here I am having a super flat stomach (sorry bragging) and feeling hyped about my health! I can't be wrong because my body is proof!

Everybody is so scared of carbs - I used to be scared of carbs too. Today the majority of my calorie intake is from carbs (40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat)! I eat around 200g of carbs every day! I eat rice, pasta, potatoes- all that and I have lost 17 lbs doing so! 

I used to eat only around 1400 calories- now I eat 2000 calories! You know what I think? I used to sabotage my own metabolism by not eating enough! Now my metabolism is running on SPEED! 

✅I lost 17 lbs 

✅I gained 3 lbs skeletal muscle mass

✅My BMI went down from 25.3 (overweight) to 22.5 (normal)

✅Body Fat % down from 35.5 to 25.2

✅Visceral Fat Level (abdominal) down from 12 to 7

Carbs often get a bad rap, but the truth is: they’re essential to a well-balanced diet and play an important role for muscle growth. I am on a high protein diet for over 500 days and I have lost 17 lbs. My focus is to reach my protein goal but 40% of my calorie intake are from carbs. 

Let's get real though: All carbs are not equal!

There are GOOD (complex) and BAD (simple) carbs. 

BAD: Simple carbs are made up of shorter chains of molecules, so they’re easier to digest than complex carbs. After eating a simple carb, you’ll experience a spike in your blood sugar levels followed by a short-lasting energy surge.

GOOD: Complex carbs, on the other hand, take a little more effort to digest. As a result, complex carbs will raise your blood glucose levels for more extended periods of time, giving you a longer-lasting energy source. These food sources are more nutrient-dense than simple carbs. They often contain many vital micronutrients that help support overall health.

To make it clear: I do NOT eat sugar, white bread, candy, cereal or pastries or drink soda (all simple carbs). I mean, I do have a snack/dessert sometimes- maybe once a week that contains sugar. But I do not eat it daily and get only sugar from things that contain sugar like sauces, vinaigrettes. 

I do eat complex carbs: quinoa, barley, legumes, potatoes, whole grains, oats, beans, rice but also pasta. 

If you are on a high protein diet, you NEED carbs to get enough energy.

Some people think they would do better on a high protein diet if they avoid carbs, but there is no need for that and actually you are going to slow your metabolism down. Because where should your body get any energy from that? Your body needs either carbs to make energy or fat (if you are on keto) or of course you minimize your calorie intake drastically (I don't recommend this. Not healthy. Not sustainable). 

So make a choice: what is easier for you? Skip the carbs and eat high amounts of fat (keto) or eat carbs but limit fat (high-protein diet). Personally for me the choice is clear! I was on keto 10 year ago and it worked too! But I find it wasn't sustainable because in the long run you will start to crave those carbs. A high protein diet on the other hand is - at least for me- very sustainable. I don't crave anything as I feel satisfied and I eat from all the food groups: protein, carbs and fat (limited). 

However, from my experience keto works FASTER, so if I would have to lose a lot of weight, I would probably first go on keto and then later switch to a high protein diet. A high protein diet works very slowly, but therefore the weight you lose, you can keep off!!! For me it is life changing.

Again: I have gained 3 lbs skeletal muscle mass and my body fat is down from 35.5 to 25.2%. I lift weights 3x a week and carbs are ESSENTIAL. Any bodybuilder can tell you that carbs are important for muscle growth.

So, if you eat a well-balanced diet and also some workout (move your body ladies, walking, swimming, dancing, bicycling or maybe get a trampoline but most importantly try to include weights!) you CAN eat carbs and lose weight- even during perimenopause! I am the proof!!!

Read here how to start a high protein diet!