photo: pixabay
So for years I've been intrigued by notion of "Fat Adaptation," a concept advanced by Mark's Daily Apple and others. The idea is that by strategically restricting carbohydrates, you can reprogram your body to use fat as fuel instead of glycogen.
According to Mark:
If you’re fat adapted, the genes associated with lipid metabolism will be upregulated in your skeletal muscles. You will essentially reprogram your body.With that comes great benefits! Like more energy available during exercise and throughout the day, and an easier time burning fat and losing weight than if you are a "sugar burner."
However, most mainstream nutritional advice says almost the opposite: Watch the fat, eat more carbs. These experts claim you need a crapload of carbs for optimal nutrition, especially if you are doing something athletic.
And yeah, everyone agrees you need protein and that you should avoid refined and processed foods as much as possible and you should be eating plenty of produce. But as to what else you should be fueling with, the "Are Carbs Good or Are They Bad" debate rages on.
I got so tired of hearing the contradictions that I asked Tiffany Reiss what she thought. As regulars may recall, Tiffany is a smarty-pants professor type who knows a lot about exercise physiology. (Her bio is below).
So, is her answer simple and straightforward?
Hell no! Because it turns out it's a complicated question!
So those of you who like to geek out, here's Tiffany take on the whole "Should I restrict Carbs" question.
--Crabby