The simple answer is: carbohydrates are necessary for energy. Energy comes in three forms: protein, carbohydrate, and fat. All three are essential to maintaining a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. For example, the body uses fat to absorb many of its vitamins and minerals. Protein, on the other hand, is essential for building and repairing new muscle tissue. Without it, you would be susceptible to weakness and injury. So what about carbohydrates?
When carbohydrates are absorbed into your body, they are broken down and converted into something called ‘glycogen’. This glycogen is the main source of fuel for your body, both while you exercise and when you lead your average lifestyle. Glycogen is very accessible to your body, it is easily converted into energy. In comparison, fats and proteins require more energy for the energy they contain to be released; Think of it like paying taxes on your body’s fuel! Fats are generally burned during long-term activities that require little energy. This is why members of the Atkins diet find it difficult to do something really exhilarating. At the same time, if you use all of your protein for energy, you can’t use it to repair your muscles. This is the key answer to ‘why do we need carbohydrates’.
What about simple carbohydrates? Carbohydrates come in two forms: complex (found in bread, potatoes, rice, etc.) and simple (found in fruits, candy, and chocolate). Simple carbohydrates are as necessary in your diet as complex ones, you just don’t want to depend on them for sustained energy throughout the day. The times when you need them most are before and after exercise, to stimulate your body and quickly recover it afterwards. Simple carbohydrates are also helpful in giving your metabolism a quick boost in the early afternoon. Just be sure to choose fruits over sweets!
Lastly, carbohydrates are essential for your growth and well-being as they combine with valuable vitamins and minerals that cannot be easily obtained elsewhere. For example, the only way to get dietary fiber naturally is by eating fruits, vegetables, and legumes, which are all carbohydrate-containing foods.
So why do we need carbohydrates? Simply put, they are your best source to provide your daily energy, you need them as a quick source of energy, and they come along with vital nutrients to allow for the recovery of your healthy development. They are an essential part of a balanced diet!
