One component of a medical weight loss plan is monitoring the calories you consume, especially from carbohydrates. And some people do find success with cutting out carbs almost entirely! But for most of us, that isn’t really the best plan. In fact, if you notice any of these following things happening, you might need to increase your carb consumption a bit.
You don’t feel satisfied after meals. The foods that contain carbohydrates also help us to feel more full after a meal. This can be important because the last thing you want to do is walk away from the dinner table still feeling hungry! Dissatisfaction with your eating plan, along with cravings, will make it so much harder to follow your medical weight loss plan. It is better to feel satisfied and prevent that temptation.
You’re constipated. If you’ve gone low-carb, you’re probably eating a diet low in fiber too. Women need about 25 grams of fiber each day, and men need at least 30 grams. If you’re not eating enough fresh produce and whole grains, you might suffer from constipation. Fiber is also important for heart health and preventing certain types of cancer.
You run out of fuel during workouts. If you can’t make it through your workout without feeling as though you’re low on energy, it could be due to a lack of glycogen. Carbohydrates are stored as glycogen, which gives us energy for daily activities and exercise.
You feel grumpy. Too many or too few carbohydrates in the diet can lead to blood sugar fluctuations, which can often manifest as grumpiness and fatigue. So if you’re feeling more grouchy than usual, take a closer look at your eating plan.
A good medical weight loss plan will balance nutrients in a way that works for your body, gives you enough energy for exercise, and helps you to feel satisfied between meals. If you’re having trouble with your meal plan, do give us a call so that we can review your strategy.
