People just need to Carb & Calorie the F*#@ Up!

Carbs (glucose) are both the body and brain's preferred source of fuel. Too much fat interferes with carb metabolism.

I keep telling people to carb up, lower your fat intake, and be sure to get enough calories and when they do they all report feeling and thinking better.

Athletes carbo-load for extra energy. They don't FAT-load!

I hope the rest of the people around here who aren't really improving would try switching to a sufficient calorie high-carb/lower-fat diet just for a couple of weeks to see if it makes a difference. What do you have to lose?


For reference, the macronutrient ratios (Carb %/Protein %/Fat %) for differing diets:

- High-carb/low-fat = 80-10-10
- "The Zone" = 40-30-30
- Low-carb = 10-30-60


"[Carbohydrates] are the most important source of energy for your body. Your digestive system changes carbohydrates into glucose (blood sugar). Your body uses this Sugar for energy for your cells, tissues and organs."
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/carbohydrates.html



"Despite their bad rap, carbohydrates are vital to your health for a number of reasons. Your body uses carbohydrates as its main fuel source."
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/carbohydrates/MY01458/NSECTIONGROUP=2



"Carbohydrate is arguably the most important source of energy for athletes. Carbohydrate has other specific functions in the body including fueling the central nervous system (CNS) and brain."
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/sportsnutrition/a/Carbohydrates.htm



"What foods boost performance on difficult learning tasks and tests? Some swear by protein-rich eggs and sausage, but according to recent brain research, potatoes, bread and other low-fat carbohydrates are a better bet. The key ingredient is glucose, which boosts people's cognitive performance.
So, what's the best vehicle for a healthy dose of glucose? Definitely not a chocolate bar, says Gold, because fat stalls the energizing effects of glucose."
http://www.apa.org/monitor/mar00/brainbox3.aspx



An official calorie guide:

Gender: Age = Calories per day to be active

Female: 14-18 = 2,400
Female: 19-30 = 2,400
Female: 31-50 = 2,200
Female: 51+ = 2,000 - 2,200

Male: 14-18 = 2,800 - 3,200
Male: 19-30 = 3,000
Male: 31-50 = 2,800 - 3,000
Male: 51+ = 2,400 - 2,800

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/healthy-weight-bas...
Tweet