Not All Carbs Are Created Equal

Everyone is searching for the easiest way possible to attain fast weight loss, especially if you need to look your best for a special event. Consuming the right balance of macronutrients to support a healthy lifestyle and make it easier to maintain your target weight for life is a great start. Balancing the percentages of macronutrients you consume is an effective weight management tool. It's not healthy or sustainable to eat your balance of carbohydrates as cookies or candy every day.

• CARBOHYDRATES - Although it is true that carbohydrates are a main source of energy and are vital for physical activity, there are two different sources of carbs: simple and complex. Slow carbohydrates like green vegetables, ancient grains and legumes provide a much slower release of glucose into the bloodstream, which supplies energy to your cells that lasts longer.
• FAT - Healthy fats provide essential nutrients that your body needs and help to keep your hormone levels in balance for healthy food processing. Stay away from trans fats as they will not help you reach or maintain your fitness goals. Fat often gets a bad rap because it is the most calorie dense macronutrient but consumption of healthy fats is important for normal body functions like hormone production or good nerve health.
• PROTEIN - Protein is especially important as you age. It ties to development of lean muscle mass and satiety in terms of controlling your appetite. Protein deficiency can contribute to muscle wasting, joint discomfort, weight gain or weight loss resistance. Protein has the greatest metabolic benefit (calorie for calorie) for losing weight.

Fixating on a number needed to maintain a calorie deficit can become stressful and lends itself to a self-defeating attitude if you fail to lose weight as expected. Managing the nutritional value of the food on your plate automatically puts you on the right track. You will find that certain macronutrient ratios can fill you up on fewer calories while prolonging feelings of satiety. That's because stable blood sugar and stable energy levels can help your resist the urge to overeat or snack on junk food.