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⏱️ Mano Minute (9/24): Do We Really Need Carbohydrates?

Published 10 days ago • 1 min read

⏱️ Mano Minute (9/24): Do We Really Need Carbohydrates?

Let’s tackle this by answering 3 of the most common carb questions.

1️⃣ Are carbs bad for you?
​No. Carbs are your body’s preferred fuel source. Your brain, muscles, and nervous system run on glucose, which comes from carbs.

2️⃣ When do we actually use carbs?

  • Everyday movement (walking the dog, doing chores) → mostly fat for fuel
  • Moderate exercise (jogging, cycling, lifting weights) → mix of carbs + fat
  • High-intensity workouts (sprints, HIIT, heavy lifting circuits) → mostly carbs

3️⃣ How many carbs should I eat?
​It depends on activity:
🚶‍♀️ Low activity (desk job, little exercise): Stick to fruits, veggies, and a small amount of whole grains
🏋️‍♂️ Moderate activity (3–5 workouts/week): Add more carbs around training (rice, oats, potatoes, fruit)
🏃 Endurance/high training (long runs, multiple workouts a day): Carbs are essential. They’re the difference between energy and burnout.

Takeaway: Carbs aren’t “good” or “bad.” They’re fuel. Eat them in proportion to how much you move.

Sources of Healthy Carbohydrates
​Stick to these healthy carbs to give your body energy and aid digestion.
​🍚 White/brown rice
🍞 Homemade bread/pasta
🌾 Quinoa
🥣 Rolled oats
🍠 Sweet potatoes
🫘 Beans (black, pinto, kidney, etc.)
🫛 Lentils/Chickpeas
🥦 Vegetables (broccoli, Brussel sprouts, carrots, etc.)
🍌 Fruit (banana, apples, dates, berries, etc.)
🍯 Honey (no added sugar)
🍁 Maple syrup (no added sugar)

⏱️ The Mano Minute

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Mano Minutes are short daily reads (1–2 minutes) on personal growth, nutrition, fitness, sleep, mental health, and more. Grounded, practical, and meant to meet you where you are. Written by Anthony Russomano, founder of Mano Wellness and dedicated to influencing healthy living through real, daily practice.

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