I have written previously on this site about ways to cut belly fat, as well as the benefits of cutting carbs to lose weight, but I don’t think I fully explained the link between the two. There was some overlap in those topics – obviously, if you are losing weight after cutting your carb intake, some of it will be coming from your belly.
But what is the direct link between these two? Luckily, some diet experts have weighed in recently on this very subject to provide information on who closely these two weight loss topics are related.
Does Cutting Carbs Help You Lose Fat Off Your Belly?
Many different things factor into gaining weight around your waistline, such as your sleep habits and stress level, but there is no doubt that your carbohydrate intake has something to do with it as well. I was browsing the news today for what is happening in the world of dieting and came across this interview on popsugar.com where they spoke with Gabby Geerts, a registered dietician at Green Chef, about the correlation between carbs and belly fat.
As explained by Geerts, when we eat carbs, these are processed by the body as the primary source of energy after being broken down into glucose. However, when we eat too many carbs, more than is necessary to provide our body energy, these carbs are than converted into fat instead of glucose.
Another way that carbohydrates influence our belly fat is through the insulin hormone. Insulin, which transports glucose throughout the body for energy, is not as effective when we consume too many carbs. The more carbs that you eat, the more insulin you’ll need for the transport of glucose. This is a condition that is known as inulin resistance, and when there is less efficiency in this hormone, more of the carbs we consume will become fat stores.
Diet Tips for Carb Cutting
If you are gaining some weight around the waistline and think that carbohydrates may be the culprit, based on the information above, it is time to take a hard look at your diet. However, this does not mean that you need to cut carbs altogether. There are “good” carbs (also called “simple”) and “bad” carbs (also called “complex”). Simple carbs tend to come from sugary food and drinks (think snack food like candy, potato chips, and soda), while complex carbs come from whole-food sources like whole grains and vegetables.
Also, in addition to watching your carb intake, be sure to add healthy fats and lean protein to your diet. These two groups can slow down the absorption of the carbs. This, in turn, leads to better regulation of your blood sugar (glucose) levels.
For an extra boost, another way to speed up weight loss, particularly in troublesome areas like your belly, hips, buttocks, and thighs, is to add a dietary supplement that boosts your metabolism. One such pill that I highly recommend is PhenQ (reviewed here: dietpillreviews.com/brands/phenq). This diet pill increases your metabolism, curbs your appetite, and gives you energy so you are better able to stick to your diet and exercise routine.
About Shaun Hudson
Shaun Hudson loves sports, being outdoors, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. After many unsuccessful attempts to lose weight, he finally was able to drop 25 pounds and keep it off. The secret? He kept a journal of his activity, diet, and daily life. That journal changed his life, and has since evolved into this website. Read his full bio.