7 Signs Your Body Needs More Carbs

How to know when you’re not eating enough carbs

Contrary to popular belief, carbohydrates aren’t evil. In fact, your body requires complex carbs to keep in tip-top shape. Unfortunately, a lot of people avoid eating carbs because they think they’ll cause them to gain weight. In actuality, carbs are the body’s preferred source of energy, especially whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Aren’t sure if you’re getting enough carbs? Here are seven signs your body needs more carbs:

1. It’s harder to get through a workout

If you don’t eat enough carbs, you might notice that it’s harder to get through a workout. Before working out, you should eat a snack that’s loaded with healthy carbs.

2. You’re experiencing brain fog

Your brain needs carbs to be able to function. When you cut out carbs, your blood sugar dips, causing headaches, irritability, and lack of focus. You might also experience mood swings.

3. You think about pasta nonstop

Thinking a lot about carbs is a sign that you’re not getting enough of them. People tend to crave carbs when they’re not eating them. Adding more carbs into your diet will help to curb those cravings.

4. You’re losing muscle mass

When you exercise super hard without loading up on carbs first, your body begins to burn muscle to fuel those harder workouts. You might notice that you’re losing muscle and gaining fat.

5. Your breath smells bad

Your body begins to go into ketosis after following a low-carb diet for a while. This is when your body burns fat instead of carbs for energy. One sign of ketosis is terrible breath.

6. You’re constipated

Complex carbs are filled with fiber, which helps keep you full and makes sure you stay regular. Without enough fiber, you might end up constipated. Be sure that you’re eating a lot of fiber-rich vegetables and drinking a lot of water.

7. You feel cold

Temperature is controlled by hormones in the hypothalamus, which is the same region of the brain that controls hunger and satiety. When you’re running low on carbs, these hormones are thrown out of whack, causing you to feel cold.

Don’t restrict yourself

When it comes to staying fit and losing weight, don’t give up carbs entirely. Complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables, are a crucial part of any healthy, well-balanced diet. Pay attention to your body and fuel up the right way!