What Happens When You Cut Out Carbs

In the world of dieting, the word “carbs” has become almost criminal, so it’s only natural that you may think eliminating carbs from your diet completely is the easiest way to shed unwanted pounds. But, it could actually do more harm than good. “The body converts carbs to glucose, an energy source the liver uses to help fuel muscles and boost concentration. If
 you aren’t eating enough carbs, cutting back on them can result in a lack of energy, headaches and moodiness,” says Traci D. Mitchell, health and fitness coach and author of The Belly Burn Plan.

You’ll probably be tired…
“Getting too few carbohydrates, about 20 grams a day or less, can result in ketosis, where you are basically getting your energy from ketone bodies in the blood, not the usual glucose source,” Mitchell explains. “Ketones are created to break down fat for energy when there isn’t enough glucose in our liver to keep the body running optimally.” While this sounds great to someone who wants to lose weight, the side effects of this condition—bad breath, headaches and fatigue—aren’t pleasant.

Your metabolism will slow down + you will start storing fat…
Cutting out all carbs can have a negative impact on metabolism. “We receive energy from our metabolism, which is fueled by proteins, carbs and fat that we eat. Most of our metabolic energy is provided by carbs in a process called glycolysis (the breaking down of glucose),” holistic celebrity nutritionist Nilli Grutman says. “By not eating carbs, glycolysis slows down and ceases to burn energy, making the body turn more energy into fat after carbs are consumed.”

And serious side effects could happen…
Ever done a fast? It sounds scientific, but it’s likely that the ketones in your blood increased and you went into a state of ketosis—which is just a step away from something pretty scary. “If carbohydrates are limited for too long, acid levels in the blood can rise, creating ketoacidosis, a very serious condition that can result in death,” says Mitchell.