Carbs vs. Sugar Intake

It’s no secret… An excess of sugary carbs aren’t the best when you’re trying to slim down and define your muscles. While some carbs are OK and completely necessary as an energy source, too much can completely stall your goals and progress. The key here is the type of carbs your ingesting into your body.

When mindfully eating, “good carbs” are those that get absorbed slowly and avoid spikes in blood sugar levels. Examples of good carbs include whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans. On the other hand, bad carbs include baked goods, white bread, and simple sugars and syrups.

Something important to keep in mind is that just like calories, not all carbs are created equal. Complex carbs– such as oatmeal, whole wheat bread, and sweet potatoes– can fuel your body and workouts and keep you full and focused on your goals. Other carbs, like sugary baked goods and candies, have little nutritional value and will spike your blood sugar instead of providing you with a lasting energy source.

When choosing what carbohydrates you are going to put in your body, look for complex carbs vs. simple sugars and carbohydrates. Any carb that also has protein and fiber is a likely a good source, such as steel cut oats, beans, legumes, and fruits and vegetables.

So how many carbs should a man or woman have per day from sugar? According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the maximum amount of added sugars you should eat in a day are 150 calories per day, or 37.5 grams for males, 100 calories per day or 25 grams for women.

Those recommended numbers are less than you probably thought… And there’s more where that came from! For more tips and nutritional guidance, come chat with our personal trainers in durham at our durham gym so we can help you meet your goals!