Gold's Gym Saipan

For the month of July we will be blogging about nutrition.

Is it more important to count calories or carbs?

It is important to regulate both carbs and calories when designing your nutrition plan. According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine a carbohydrate intake of between 50-70% (of your daily calories) is recommended for most moderately active adults. This will provide sufficient food volume and the fuel necessary for energy and productive workouts. At the end of the day however, it is the total amount of calories consumed vs. the total number of calories burned that will determine whether you lose or gain weight.
There are many popular diets today which prohibit or severely restrict carbohydrate consumption. While a drastic reduction of calories (by restricting carbs) will result in temporary weight loss, this is not the long-term solution. Carbs are a primary source of energy for all bodily functions, including exercise. If energy is not available, you're workouts will surely suffer. You will fatigue faster and have considerably less strength and endurance.
Complex carbs, in particular, provide a feeling of fullness and contribute to the satiety value of other foods. To stick to any nutritional plan for any length of time, you need to feel satisfied. Feelings of hunger can and will lead to poor food choices and overeating. The majority of your carbohydrates should come from complex sources.
Carbs play an important role in your overall nutritional profile. While weight loss, or gain, is dependent on calories consumed regardless of their source, carbs should make up the highest percentage of your macro-nutrient calories.