Is low carb still worth it?

Mudakon

So I've been on MFP for about a year now, i've lost approx. 160 pounds with a strict low carb diet and regular exercise. But now i have the problem that i can't keep up low carb anymore i started to live way more healthy which kind of created a love for fruit in me, so everytime i actually get into low carb again it lasts like 2-5 days and i can't contain myself anymore from eating fruit.

So im wondering if it's even worth it? I can probably loose weight without low carb as well so should i try and stay on low carb or just a caloric deficit?

Mr_Bad_Example

When was low carb ever worth it?

soccerkon26

I guess it all depends on personal opinion, but for me I want to be able to enjoy life as much as possible while making better eating choices. For me, that includes carbs! I look forward to eating an orange every day because they are so sweet! So to me they're worth it.

Congrats on your weight loss! Good luck

Triavalon

In my understanding, low carb is more about eliminating highly processed and refined carbs with no other attributes such as pasta, candies, or flours. My advice is that fruit is probably better for you since it has water, nutrients, and fiber to balance the sugars, but you might want to maintain a low carb lifestyle in other aspects. Just tried to avoid canned fruit, fruit juice, and pre-made fruit salads (in a cup or otherwise), because those things tend to be loaded with extra sugar and/or have their fiber and nutrients removed.

That being said, a calorie deficit will almost always make you lose weight, low carb is just a certain way of making sure you drop calories while maintaining proper fat and protein levels. Fats are used for more than energy and proteins are for muscles, so many people cut carbs because their only use is in energy and energy storage.

NormInv

Low carb/no carb diets do work, but like you said come at a price. You can get quicker results with low/no carbs but you can still get results by including carbs

jdevergillo7

Mudakon wrote: »

So I've been on MFP for about a year now, i've lost approx. 160 pounds with a strict low carb diet and regular exercise. But now i have the problem that i can't keep up low carb anymore i started to live way more healthy which kind of created a love for fruit in me, so everytime i actually get into low carb again it lasts like 2-5 days and i can't contain myself anymore from eating fruit.

So im wondering if it's even worth it? I can probably loose weight without low carb as well so should i try and stay on low carb or just a caloric deficit?

Congrats on that weight loss! If you want fruit eat them I believe in anything in moderation and why deprive yourself on something you love ESP if it's nutritious and yummy!

Christine_72

I've tried doing low carb many times. But the two things that send me over and which I love is milk and fruit.
For me, it's not worth it, especially when it starts to become an unenjoyable chore...

gothchiq

Nah, I would say I doubt you have any need for low carb diets. I do what I guess you might call "medium carb" lol. You know the oldskool 4 food groups deal? I still eat like that. It makes me feel my best and be the most satisfied.

auddii

It sounds like it's not going to be sustainable for you long term. Perhaps try upping your carbs gradually until you reach a level that allows you to eat the food you enjoy and still helps you reach your goals. For weight loss, eat below your calorie goal.

Lounmoun

Mudakon wrote: »

So im wondering if it's even worth it? I can probably loose weight without low carb as well so should i try and stay on low carb or just a caloric deficit?

I think it is best to eat in a way you can enjoy and keep up. If you are having trouble staying with low carb diet maybe it is time to just focus on your calorie deficit and eat what you like.
I would eat some fruit every day and just fit it into your calories.

JimFsfitnesspal

I do a "Paleo diet" that allows for 100 carbs a day and encourages ALL the fruits and vegetables you want.

Other than that and carbs and sugars are a drug that you CHOOSE to not ingest.

Mudakon

Wow those are alot of answers, but thanks to everyone, atleast now i don't have to feel horrible anymore for breaking my diet and can just enjoy going to the gym with actual energy

Thanks everyone.

Project2015

it is not so much about being low carb [which i eat 120-150grams a day] as it is about eating THE RIGHT CARBS, pizza dough obviously is a no, cake a no, etc. Oats, banana, sweet potatoes, vegetables, brown rice, i can go on these are the carbs you needs to have. without carbohydrates your body will eventually feed off of your protein/muscle cells and you will be skinny but still end up with a high body fat percentage, or you'll just be screwed and be eating your muscle away and not getting any gains that you need. i eat a low carb diet because i have a medical issue/digestion issue. that's MY reasoning behind it. But I use a ton of paleo recipes for dinners and desserts and they're delicious. But lets be real i love sweet potatoes, nothings worth giving those up ;]

JimFsfitnesspal

One thing for me as I am building muscle is allowing more carbs on the days where I am doing heavy lifting. This allows me to hit big weights and gain muscle and therefore lose stacks of fat. On cardio days I limit carbs.

obscuremusicreference

JimFsfitnesspal wrote: »

I do a "Paleo diet" that allows for 100 carbs a day and encourages ALL the fruits and vegetables you want.

Other than that and carbs and sugars are a drug that you CHOOSE to not ingest.

Wait, carbs are a drug? Can you tell me more?

Christine_72

obscuremusicreference wrote: »

JimFsfitnesspal wrote: »

I do a "Paleo diet" that allows for 100 carbs a day and encourages ALL the fruits and vegetables you want.

Other than that and carbs and sugars are a drug that you CHOOSE to not ingest.

Wait, carbs are a drug? Can you tell me more?

I know, for me.... the more carbs I eat during the day the more I want. If I eat a big plate of pasta, I'm hungry/craving something again an hour later...

Rockmaker

I just started the low carb diet for the first time, so I don't know much about it. But you lost a lot of weight going low carb, so it looks like it's worth it. I think you should add some of the fruit you crave. With your huge accomplishments in weight loss you would be able to quickly diagnose if it's working or not. Life isn't something you will enjoy latter once you get to someplace you want to be at. We have to enjoy it today, so I say eat that orange today and have faith that your instincts will make it work.

JacquiH73

Complex carbs are what you want to eat (whole grains, fruits, and veg), simple carbs you want to avoid, white flour, white rice, refined sugars and starches.

I consider low carb diets to be fad diets and there's no real scientific evidence to show what the long-term effects on health are by following a low carb/high protein diet plan. The studies just aren't out there and most studies are brief. Only a series of long-term study of the effect on health by eating low carb that is conducted for 10 years or more would convince me that such a diet was healthy.

Fortunately there have been long term studies on plant-based nutrition and that's why I try to stick with the guidelines suggested by the National Academy of Sciences and National Institutes of Health rather than going by some protein, saturated fat, and cholesterol rich fad diet.

Psychgrrl

I do a "moderate carb" diet. I focus more on getting more protein than on carbs specifically, but there is less room for them at the end of the day. I avoid white/simple carbs and added sugar. But I do choose veggies, and my tart cherry juice for recovery. Plus some berries on occasion, and grapefruit juice. I don't do much dairy, I choose unsweetened soy milk instead. I always try to trade up for protein and/or less sugar. My dark chocolate is sweetened with stevia instead of sugar.

I eat beans, gave up most grains. It works for me. I don't feel deprived. If I do, I eat something.

alsultan086

I once did the Atkin's diet for about a month. For those that are not familiar it is a type of low carb diet. I got results i never believed i could achieve. But like you said I'm struggling to maintain weight let alone stiking to this type of diet. It's like i have this uncontrolable compulsion for sweets in these recent months. That is just my experience.

EmmaFitzwilliam

I congratulate you on lasting this long. For myself, I decided going in that I wasn't going to do anything I considered not sustainable for me.

SLLRunner

Mudakon wrote: »

So I've been on MFP for about a year now, i've lost approx. 160 pounds with a strict low carb diet and regular exercise. But now i have the problem that i can't keep up low carb anymore i started to live way more healthy which kind of created a love for fruit in me, so everytime i actually get into low carb again it lasts like 2-5 days and i can't contain myself anymore from eating fruit.

So im wondering if it's even worth it? I can probably loose weight without low carb as well so should i try and stay on low carb or just a caloric deficit?

Congratulations on telling 160 pounds goodbye!

I am all for sustainable diets and truly believe that no one way of eating is right for everyone. We all have our preferences and need to find what works best for us.

That said, it sounds to me like low carb simply is not working for your anymore and you might need to revise your eating plan. If you are still working on losing weight, it will not matter what diet you choose because the only thing it takes to lose weight is to eat in a calorie deficit.

I encourage you to plan that wonderful fruit, and all foods you love, into your diet plan, all the while making sure you meet your calorie goals.

Good luck!

SLLRunner

JimFsfitnesspal wrote: »

Other than that and carbs and sugars are a drug that you CHOOSE to not ingest.

Carbs and sugars are not drugs. You eat some carbs and sugar, otherwise you would be dead. Both are necessary to life and provide much needed energy.

SergeantSausage

Mr_Bad_Example wrote: »

When was low carb ever worth it?

^^^ This guy ^^^

MoiAussi93

Are you talking low carb in general, or ketosis specifically? You can eat fruit on MOST low carb diets...depending on how low you are keeping carbs. I eat low carb and usually eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, and often two of those are fruit. But I am NOT in ketosis. If you are just talking about staying somewhere in the 50 - 150 grams of net carbs a day, that is still part of the low carb universe. You absolutely can eat fruit, and probably even more than I do depending on the rest of your diet.

That being said, if you don't think it is sustainable for you, find a plan that is. I just suggest you make any changes gradually to give yourself time to find the right balance and form good habits. You can keep the same basic diet and just add in a little more fruit. You don't need to abandon what has been working for you completely.

I prefer low carb for many reasons, but mainly because I feel much better in general, have more energy, feel fuller on less calories, and don't get cravings on it. But it isn't for everyone.

tennisdude2004

Mr_Bad_Example wrote: »

When was low carb ever worth it?

^^^^^^Really??

160lb's ago for the OP.

tennisdude2004

Mudakon wrote: »

So I've been on MFP for about a year now, i've lost approx. 160 pounds with a strict low carb diet and regular exercise. But now i have the problem that i can't keep up low carb anymore i started to live way more healthy which kind of created a love for fruit in me, so everytime i actually get into low carb again it lasts like 2-5 days and i can't contain myself anymore from eating fruit.

So im wondering if it's even worth it? I can probably loose weight without low carb as well so should i try and stay on low carb or just a caloric deficit?

Well done on your success so far.

Throughout life your tastes and eating habits will change. If you love your fruit now then eat fruit.

If you are struggling to stay low carb now, compared to the year just gone, then maybe it's time to move on and do something else.

As long as you are in a calorie deficit you will lose weight. I would say though you are probably going to find it a bit trickier losing the last bit of weight compared to the impressive 160 you've already lost (so you may need to be even stricter with yourself) - although that would be the same for a restricted carb diet or calorie counting/moderation (a restricted everything diet).

More power to your elbow.

Sued0nim

For me no Low Carb was never worth it because I lost the weight then put it on again quickly when I crashed and burned

For you .. 160lbs down .. way to go!

I would slowly increase my carbs .. bear in mind that you will put on water weight as you do so and not be afraid of this (could be up to 10lbs). Maybe go up a specified gramme amount per day .. weigh weekly and be patient .. until you find your sweet spot

for me low carb never worked long-term .. for you you can work towards a calorie defecit programme including all food groups from a great starting point .. I eat a diet that's 50-60% carbs and it works for me

maccarossi1

What actually counts as low carb? I eat minimal amounts of carbs at the moment (between 80-150g a day) and find it works for me really well. Still have days where I have more than that obviously if I have a few beers or something but 95% of the time I keep it low-ish.

sijomial

"Paleo diet that allows for 100 carbs a day and encourages ALL the fruits and vegetables you want."
That makes no sense - so if all the fruits and vegetables you want comes to more than "100 carbs", then what?

"Other than that and carbs and sugars are a drug that you CHOOSE to not ingest."
This makes even less sense than the first statement! The carbs in fruits and vegetables aren't drugs as long as you stay under a random daily allowance but if you get to 101 do they also become drugs?

PrimroseFlower

I tried low carb for about a month after Christmas. I don't even know if I did it right because I only lost about five pounds. I then rationalized that maybe this wasn't such a good idea since I was skipping healthy fruits and veggies just to stay at 5% carbs per day. Also, my school gives us fruit, so I had an abundance of oranges, apples, and melon all going to waste. So yes, I know low carb can promote weight loss, but at what cost. I think healthier balanced choices win every time. and ps, if I see another rotisserie chicken, I may gag.