So ever since "Jordy's Fitness 7 Day Guide" was released, I have been receiving a lot of emails asking questions about everything health and fitness related so I have decided to start a "Q&A" series. This first question is all about which is worse; calories, fats or carbs? Which of the three should I stay away from most? It's a tricky and complicated topic but I have tried to make the answer quite simple.
Question:
Hi Jordy!
I've just finished your small online book and good job (:
Looks great and there's plenty of tips and tricks there too!
I just wanted to ask, what is worse? Calories, Fat or
Carbs? Some items have plenty of fat but no carbs vice versa, what most
contributes to weight gain? Or what can help keep the weight off? Do you know?
Thankyou!
- Helena
Hi Helena,
Really good question!
Well firstly protein, fats and carbs are what actually makes up calories (aka energy on food labels) so the real question is which are better out of protein, carbs and fats.
I don't believe that any of the three out of protein, fats and carbs are "bad" or that there is one "worse than the other" but the perfect balance of the three really depends on your bio-individuality and how your body breaks down types of foods. The best way to figure out your perfect balance is to write down everything you eat and how you feel afterwards; if you're worried about weight like you mentioned then also weigh yourself and see how different types of diets (high carb, low fat/high protein etc.) impact how you feel and your weight.
However, the universal "perfect balance" is often said to be 50% protein, 30% carbs and 20% fats. That is also the diet that works for me but I would be crazy to say that it works for everyone as each persons body has individual needs and digests foods differently to the next person.
Really good question!
Well firstly protein, fats and carbs are what actually makes up calories (aka energy on food labels) so the real question is which are better out of protein, carbs and fats.
I don't believe that any of the three out of protein, fats and carbs are "bad" or that there is one "worse than the other" but the perfect balance of the three really depends on your bio-individuality and how your body breaks down types of foods. The best way to figure out your perfect balance is to write down everything you eat and how you feel afterwards; if you're worried about weight like you mentioned then also weigh yourself and see how different types of diets (high carb, low fat/high protein etc.) impact how you feel and your weight.
However, the universal "perfect balance" is often said to be 50% protein, 30% carbs and 20% fats. That is also the diet that works for me but I would be crazy to say that it works for everyone as each persons body has individual needs and digests foods differently to the next person.
Protein
Protein can be found in many sources and often where you get your protein from can impact on the other aspects of fats and carbs. So just keep in mind that the protein you get from red meat also contains a fair amount of saturated fats while the protein you get from nuts and beans only contain natural fats.
Protein can be found in many sources and often where you get your protein from can impact on the other aspects of fats and carbs. So just keep in mind that the protein you get from red meat also contains a fair amount of saturated fats while the protein you get from nuts and beans only contain natural fats.
Fats
Something to consider is that all fats are different; there's the "good fats" which are usually unsaturated and that you get from olive oil, nuts, avocados and such but there are also some healthy fats that are saturated such as coconut oil. There are also "bad fats" which are the saturated/trans kind that are either man made and added to food or come from animal products.
Carbs
Another thing to keep in mind is that carbohydrates are different as well! If you didn't know already, "sugar" is actually another word for carbohydrate so you have to be really careful with where you get yours carbs from. There's the types of carbs you get from fruit, vegetables and whole grains that are the "good carbs" because they are natural and unrefined sugars while there are also the carbs you get from cake and biscuits which are the "bad carbs" because they are refined sugars.
Something to consider is that all fats are different; there's the "good fats" which are usually unsaturated and that you get from olive oil, nuts, avocados and such but there are also some healthy fats that are saturated such as coconut oil. There are also "bad fats" which are the saturated/trans kind that are either man made and added to food or come from animal products.
Carbs
Another thing to keep in mind is that carbohydrates are different as well! If you didn't know already, "sugar" is actually another word for carbohydrate so you have to be really careful with where you get yours carbs from. There's the types of carbs you get from fruit, vegetables and whole grains that are the "good carbs" because they are natural and unrefined sugars while there are also the carbs you get from cake and biscuits which are the "bad carbs" because they are refined sugars.
Neither protein, fats or carbs make you gain weight; excess calories do! Whether you get those calories from avocados or cake. While calories can be important, eating healthily is even more crucial so make sure that the foods that fill your daily calories are nutritious and full of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants that are going to nourish your body.
So I hope that this made some sense but basically how protein, carbs and fats affect a body differs between individuals and it's up to you to figure out your perfect balance. Until you figure that out though, a rough outline to follow is more protein, some carbs and some fats.
So I hope that this made some sense but basically how protein, carbs and fats affect a body differs between individuals and it's up to you to figure out your perfect balance. Until you figure that out though, a rough outline to follow is more protein, some carbs and some fats.
Jordy x
If any of you have questions regarding health and fitness,
please send them to mail@jordysfitness.com
Jordy's Fitness 7 Day Guide
please send them to mail@jordysfitness.com
Jordy's Fitness 7 Day Guide
