Low-carb diets, like many successful health and fitness strategies, sprouted from the bodybuilding world and are now part of mainstream America. Unfortunately, along the way the message and practice has been horribly misinterpreted. Bodybuilders decrease carbs, fat and calories, and increase protein intake gradually as they prepare for a contest. It isn't, however, an all or none principle. In other words, you need carbs for many reasons and would be unwise to abolish them from your diet entirely. The grapevine effect (along with multiple bogus "experts") has clouded the cyclical practice of this dieting strategy, and has branded all carbs as "the enemy." You needn't avoid carbs altogether, but like all things, moderation is the key. As a rule of thumb, get the majority of your carbohydrate intake from complex sources such as yams, vegetables and non-processed whole grains. Simple carbs are best utilized immediately prior to, during and after exercise to help aid and replenish energy stores.