Is it really important to avoid carbs intake at night to lose weight?

 

Weight loss is a tricky task. You have to make smart food choices if you want to shed unwanted fat from your body quickly. Weight loss diet should be full of fiber, protein, minerals, and micronutrients. But there is one thing people are always advised to cut back, especially later in the evening and that is carbohydrates. Carbs intake has gained a bad reputation as it is believed that eating carbs can make you gain weight. But is it really true? Let’s find out.

The common misconception

When we say carbs, the first thing that comes to everybody’s mind is bread, pasta, and chapati. But carbs do not consist of only these three food items. Some amount of carbs are even present in fruits, vegetables, and nuts. So, not all types of carbs are unhealthy and lead to weight gain.

In general, there are two types of carbs- Bad carbs/refined carbs or good carbs. Bad carbs contain some amount of sugar, which quickly spike your blood sugar level and can ruin your weight loss effort. But complex carbs are good when you are trying to shed kilos as they keep you fuller for a longer period of time and you eat less unhealthy food items.

Why eating carb in the evening is considered bad

It is believed that if you consume carbs closer to your bedtime, you get less time to burn them off and when you fall asleep, these carbs are converted to fat. But this is just a myth. Carbs are not converted to fat, they are converted to glycogen, which is stored in the muscles. The glycogen is later converted into energy by the body.

It is not necessary to cut down on good carbs from your diet, it is actually the refined carbs that you should avoid later in the evening. Eating complex carbs at night keeps you fuller for a longer period of time. Also, it is not only about carbs, but excessive consumption of any food can lead to weight gain. You have to be careful about the quantity. So, if you cut down the carb intake at night and still your portion size is large, you will not be able to lose weight.

The best time to eat carbs

If taken at the right time, carbs can help repair your muscles and fill you with energy. So, it is good to eat carbs after your workout session. This will help you to repair micro-damage that happens when you work out. So, whether you exercise in the evening or in the morning, have some carbs post-workout session for best results.