The researchers evaluated the amounts of carbohydrates, fats and protein consumed by 10,014 adult men and women.

For purposes of this study, adults were considered high-carb eaters if carbohydrates made up 55 percent or more of their total daily calories. These carbohydrates came from such foods as bread, pasta, rice, fruits and vegetables. In other words, they were complex carbohydrates eaten throughout the day not simple carbohydrates such as sugar, candy, cakes, and similar carbohydrates. Ironically, this is the same percentage carb intake (55%) was suggested by Dr. Tindall for professional athletes in his book “Nutrition Made Simple” and the same amount that he recommends for MyHealthandFitness members.

Advertisement: Amazon (click on photo for more info)

More individuals in the high-carb group had a Body Mass Index, or BMI, score closer to recommended targets than did survey participants who consumed fewer carbs. A BMI score can indicate whether an individual’s weight is normal, under, or obese.

For the average person who consumes 2,000 Calories per day, 55% carb intake would be equal to 275 grams of carbohydrates. Dividing intake over 5 meals would allow consumption of 55 grams of carbs per meal. Ingesting complex carbohydrates throughout the day is particularly beneficial since fats “burn in a carbohydrate flame.”