Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred energy source, especially during high-intensity physical activities. When you consume carbs, your body converts them into glucose, which fuels your muscles, brain, and central nervous system. Glucose is stored in your muscles and liver as glycogen, which is essential for sustained energy, particularly during exercise.

Restricting carbohydrates too much can deplete glycogen stores, leading to fatigue, impaired performance, and even muscle breakdown. For those who exercise regularly, carbohydrates are critical for recovery and long-term performance.

As the holiday season approaches, there's a common narrative that many of us have heard: "Beware of holiday weight gain." From Thanksgiving to Christmas, we’re bombarded with warnings about overeating and the idea that a single indulgent meal could unravel months of progress. But is holiday weight gain really as inevitable as it seems? And more importantly, does one large meal truly have the power to make the number on the scale skyrocket?