A few years ago, this was a much more relevant topic than it is today. The Atkins and South Beach Diets were all the rage. Don’t get me wrong, they are still prevalent in today’s dieting world, just not as hyped. They are what we like to call Fad Diets. Quick fixes. And that’s exactly what they are, quick fixes. While yes you do lose weight initially on these types of diets, there is an eventual backlash. I mean, how long can we go on eating all meat and cheese? No fruits? No breads or grains? You’ll eventually crash and dive headfirst into a pile of cupcakes. Definitely not a healthy alternative to dieting. A better solution: moderation.

What I mean is, don’t cut out the carbs!! According to a great article on Sparknotes carbohydrates have 6 important functions in the body:

1. Providing energy and regulation of blood glucose (waking you up!)
2. Sparing the use of proteins for energy (so you can build that muscle!!)
3. Breakdown of fatty acids
4. Flavor and sweetners (helps your taste buds out)
5. Biological recognition processes (helping the liver breakdown proteins)
6. Dietary Fiber (digestive health)

Also, for those bodybuilders and gals/guys trying to build muscle mass, carbohydrates are one of the most important food components that you can eat not only all day, but post-workout. Consuming fast digesting carbs/sugar/glucose, such as gummy bears or jelly beans, following an intense workout help to replenish glycogen stores (stored carbohydrates in the muscles) and initiate insulin secretions and spikes. Basically, it aids in repairing your muscles and increasing your blood flow. For me, following every workout, I not only consume a peanut butter protein shake but I also eat either 2 slices of white bread or a bowl of cereal with some sugar in it (such as Fiber One’s Frosted Mini Wheats).

However, if you do choose to follow a quick fix/fad diet, please do so with caution. Carbohydrates are incredibly important. Get your carb fix in the morning so that your metabolism kick starts and your body has all day to process them. Keep in mind also that while I am a proponent of consuming carbs, and you’re on one of the diets mentioned above, night carb eating is not recommended. That means limit your pasta. Don’t eat that yummy slice of garlic bread. Nope, no cake for you! (If you simply must eat carbs at night, eat this instead, Ezekiel Bread. It’s amazing and so healthy!) At night, our metabolism slows down when we sleep. Those carbs will turn into fat stores. That 6 pack that you so desperately want will disappear…and who wants that??