Maintaining weight but eating too many "bad" carbs
jrwms714
Posts: 421 Member
I have been maintaining my weight for 2.5 years. It has been relatively easy, and healthy eating is just a natural for me. However, for the past few weeks, I have set up my carb craving again ... I totally am addicted. When they talk about that carb addiction, my name is right there in the definition! I am maintaining my same weight; I log and I count and my exercise is still the same. I have not gained more than a lb. if that. But I find myself eating more things like white bread and cookies and it is daily. It may be only 1 cookie or only 1 small pita, but I know it is setting me off. Advice, anyone?
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Replies
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If you're maintaining and meeting your calorie goals I don't see it as a problem. Just my opinion.11
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Switch to whole grains instead of white flour, perhaps?2
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If you're maintaining your weight I don't see a problem...there's nothing inherently unhealthy about having a cookie or two in an otherwise healthy and balanced diet...it's not like it cancels out the broccoli you ate or something.
For the bread, just get a nice sour dough...delicious and good for your gut bacteria.
Also, cookies are carbs AND fat...quite a bit of fat actually....7 -
I have been maintaining my weight for 2.5 years. It has been relatively easy, and healthy eating is just a natural for me. However, for the past few weeks, I have set up my carb craving again ... I totally am addicted. When they talk about that carb addiction, my name is right there in the definition! I am maintaining my same weight; I log and I count and my exercise is still the same. I have not gained more than a lb. if that. But I find myself eating more things like white bread and cookies and it is daily. It may be only 1 cookie or only 1 small pita, but I know it is setting me off. Advice, anyone?
Whoever it is talking about a "carb addiction" I would just ignore them because that's not actually a thing... carbohydrates are a macronutrient and they are present in a number of foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, as well as baked goods in combination with other ingredients. You can't be addicted to the "carbs" in white bread and cookies without also being addicted to the carbs in a banana or broccoli.
Unless you have a medical reason to restrict carbs, or difficulty moderating your intake of them, I wouldn't be concerned about eating them within your calorie allotment.11 -
If you are maintaining your weight I can't see what the problem is...6
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Carbs are not inherently "bad." I also don't see a problem.8
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Simple carbs, to me, when not whole grain, are simply sugar or convert to sugar. They aren't the same as complex carbs, which I generally try to eat. I do believe that there is sugar addiction and, for me, at least, it is real and my consumption of this stuff continues because of it. It is good to hear you say that if I am counting it in, I am probably fine. But I guess I was not really clear. I apologize. What I didn't say is that sugar, in any form, is something I have always avoided because I just don't find it fits with my healthy eating. I usually am very strict about whole grains only, so this is out of character for me. And it seems to be continuing, even tho' it's a few weeks.1
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If it's only one cookie or one pita and it all fits in your goals how is it setting you off? Are you experiencing intense cravings or hunger after? If not then I also don't see an issue, I love white bread and cookies, always fit them into my day7
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No carbs are bad. Most of them are delicious though.10
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Seriously, one a day is not "setting you off"...unless it leads to binging, which you don't mention, so I'm assuming you really do only eat the one. I'm failing to see the problem unless the problem is your strict diet saying it is wrong.. Maybe change your goal to include a treat? If you really think it is that bad, you would not do it anymore...4
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Another carb fan here. Enjoy them!
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Why are you eating more of these "bad" carbs? What set you off?2
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Not sure what set me off and yes, it really is only one although on very rare days it could be one of each: a cookie, a pita, and maybe a half of a bagel. But generally it's only one. I am fairly sure I'm very sensitive to sugar and sugar conversions because even that little amount causes me to want more of the same the next day. I am always well within my calorie and weight ranges, but I just don't like how I feel afterwards. I am logy, plus I want another/more the next day. And to me, that's craving. My regular diet is similar to vegan but isn't quite that strict. It is really how I like to eat. It does include treats, but they have not been sugary things until now. I don't even really like them. My treats are generally whole grain carbs or a larger portion of something similar that I usually eat, like maybe four slices of a veggie pizza, no cheese, whole grain crust instead of two. But I think the others are becoming a habit I don't want. I read somewhere that to "get off" sugar, avoid it completely for three days. I may try that.1
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Why worry about it if you haven't started regaining? Carbs in itself would not be the cause of regain, eating more than you move would be the cause. If you are craving something, and have the wiggle room in your calorie goals to stay in maintence, then eat it! Enjoy your pizza, pitas and your cookies too!4
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Well I've been cramming Cuccidati into my face as fast as I can lately but its no big deal. I totally understand the whole "ate a lot of refined carbs and now can't stop" mentality. I don't usually get legit out of control but I do often take more that I would rationally like to. I try to avoid keeping a lot of refined carbohydrates lying around because 1. they are hyperpalatable to me and 2. they are easy to overeat without inducing satiety. That being said I don't think I'm addicted just that I have more trouble regulating foods that fit this description than others. My only suggestion is to avoid the temptation by removing them from your field of view. Out of sight out of mind does work if you can get over the initial temptation.2
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No such thing as 'bad' carbs in my opinion. Sure, multi-grain/whole grain is supposedly good for you but it's all energy for the body. I guess if you are diabetic or diagnosed as getting close to being diabetic then yea, cut them down along with sugar but otherwise pfffft.2
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Simple carbs, to me, when not whole grain, are simply sugar or convert to sugar. They aren't the same as complex carbs, which I generally try to eat. I do believe that there is sugar addiction and, for me, at least, it is real and my consumption of this stuff continues because of it. It is good to hear you say that if I am counting it in, I am probably fine. But I guess I was not really clear. I apologize. What I didn't say is that sugar, in any form, is something I have always avoided because I just don't find it fits with my healthy eating. I usually am very strict about whole grains only, so this is out of character for me. And it seems to be continuing, even tho' it's a few weeks.
Virtually all carbs convert to sugar. Complex carbs are just longer chains of sugars, which take longer to be metabolized, but in the end they're still converted to the simple sugars they're composed of.
If you're maintaining your weight and have no medical issues that mandate monitoring your sugar intake, there's nothing wrong with simple carbs/sugars in moderation in your diet. Simple sugars (in the proper context/dosage) fit perfectly fine with "healthy eating".5 -
Carbs aren't the problem.7
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I have been maintaining my weight for 2.5 years. It has been relatively easy, and healthy eating is just a natural for me. However, for the past few weeks, I have set up my carb craving again ... I totally am addicted. When they talk about that carb addiction, my name is right there in the definition! I am maintaining my same weight; I log and I count and my exercise is still the same. I have not gained more than a lb. if that. But I find myself eating more things like white bread and cookies and it is daily. It may be only 1 cookie or only 1 small pita, but I know it is setting me off. Advice, anyone?
There is nothing inherently harmful about carbs.
There are medical reasons to avoid them (diabetes, and the cravings triggered cause you to eat enough carbs that you are skipping other essential nutrients in order to stay within your calorie limit, as two examples).
There are quality of life reasons to avoid them (because you don't like the way you feel when you eat carbs, and because you have identified carbs as a trigger for overeating - or similar things that make it harder to eat the way you want to, as two examples).
As to what to do about it - if you have decided (for whatever reasons) that simple carbs are incompatible with your life, don't start the cycle. Don't eat the cookie or small pita.
For me, sugar triggers cravings - as do certain fats (bacon, for one) - as does the lack of grain-based complex carbs in my diet. I just don't ever eat sugar or the fats I know cause cravings without being very intentional about it so that I can avoid blindly giving in to the cravings that will follow. Can't do anything about the lack of grain-based complex carbs, since grain-based complex carbs are incompatible with my metabolism (diabetes). So I always have to be conscious of cravings because I don't have the grain-based complex carbs I need to stave them off.
Not sure what else you're looking for - other than perhaps the argument that always follows when someone mentions carb addiction or "bad/wrong" carbs.1 -
It sounds like you need to exercise self control and not blame the food you are eating.10
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There is nothing inherently harmful about carbs.
There are medical reasons to avoid them (diabetes, and the cravings triggered cause you to eat enough carbs that you are skipping other essential nutrients in order to stay within your calorie limit, as two examples).
There are quality of life reasons to avoid them (because you don't like the way you feel when you eat carbs, and because you have identified carbs as a trigger for overeating - or similar things that make it harder to eat the way you want to, as two examples).
As to what to do about it - if you have decided (for whatever reasons) that simple carbs are incompatible with your life, don't start the cycle. Don't eat the cookie or small pita.
For me, sugar triggers cravings - as do certain fats (bacon, for one) - as does the lack of grain-based complex carbs in my diet. I just don't ever eat sugar or the fats I know cause cravings without being very intentional about it so that I can avoid blindly giving in to the cravings that will follow. Can't do anything about the lack of grain-based complex carbs, since grain-based complex carbs are incompatible with my metabolism (diabetes). So I always have to be conscious of cravings because I don't have the grain-based complex carbs I need to stave them off.
Not sure what else you're looking for - other than perhaps the argument that always follows when someone mentions carb addiction or "bad/wrong" carbs.[/quote]
This. Perfect. Exactly how/why I feel as I do. Don't start even with a little thing. And it's that simple, so thank you. Sometimes you just can't see the forest for the trees and I apparently wasn't anywhere near something this easy. Got it! Thanks so much!1 -
walI have been maintaining my weight for 2.5 years. It has been relatively easy, and healthy eating is just a natural for me. However, for the past few weeks, I have set up my carb craving again ... I totally am addicted. When they talk about that carb addiction, my name is right there in the definition! I am maintaining my same weight; I log and I count and my exercise is still the same. I have not gained more than a lb. if that. But I find myself eating more things like white bread and cookies and it is daily. It may be only 1 cookie or only 1 small pita, but I know it is setting me off. Advice, anyone?
If your life is better without certain foods, for health reasons or because you can't control yourself around those foods, then I would stop eating them. I can't buy Greek yogurt. If they are in the fridge I will eat all of them right now, ugh.
Maybe add some treats, new food, new spice, more fat like avocado or almonds, so you have something new to look forward to with your meals and snacks. Go for a walk! Set up a new goal so you have something else to think about.3 -
I understand that you want to moderate carbs to avoid carb cravings, but I'd also ask whether the carbs are driving down other macros lower than ideal for you. I'm asking this for two reasons:
- I found my evening carb cravings reduced (early in the loss process) if I got plenty of protein, especially at breakfast, but also through the day. Protein is more satiating for some people, fats for others, carbs for yet others; while, as you report, carbs make some people crave more carbs. So, cravings can happen for individuals for a lot of reasons. I wonder whether your eating more carbs, within your same calorie goal, could have driven out some other foods that are more satiating for you?
- It's all very well to say that "carbs are not evil" (and I agree they aren't), but if the carb calories are driving out protein, fats, higher-fiber, or more micronutrient-rich foods, your eating could be moving overall in a less nutritious direction, which (from your comments) I'd infer you wouldn't want.
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I understand that you want to moderate carbs to avoid carb cravings, but I'd also ask whether the carbs are driving down other macros lower than ideal for you. I'm asking this for two reasons:
- I found my evening carb cravings reduced (early in the loss process) if I got plenty of protein, especially at breakfast, but also through the day. Protein is more satiating for some people, fats for others, carbs for yet others; while, as you report, carbs make some people crave more carbs. So, cravings can happen for individuals for a lot of reasons. I wonder whether your eating more carbs, within your same calorie goal, could have driven out some other foods that are more satiating for you?i
- It's all very well to say that "carbs are not evil" (and I agree they aren't), but if the carb calories are driving out protein, fats, higher-fiber, or more micronutrient-rich foods, your eating could be moving overall in a less nutritious direction, which (from your comments) I'd infer you wouldn't want.
Your second point is exactly my concern. Thanks for putting it so well. Thank all of you for your help. I know what to do.1 -
The only bad carb is the carb not eaten...............ok that doesn't work as well but if you are only eating 1 serving per day I'd honestly not stress it. Calculate it in. Now if you are only eating cookies I'd take a hard look at what you are eating.1
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It's cold. I've been starving. Eating fatty protein has really helped me from shoving sugar and potatoes in my mouth. Good luck.1
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I swear with the onset of subzero temps and endless snowfall days my body is hyperphagic and wanting me to consider a several month hibernation. It's been hard to resist, but so far I'm maintaining. It's not just carbs I want, any food will do, but cookies and chocolate would be heaven. Logging all my intake is critical right now because I've had a few f***it days and I know where that will take me and I'm not going there.1
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I find that keeping those things in the house makes it always a temptation. Limit the amount of carbs you keep around until you kick the craving maybe!4
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I like the Sandwich Skinny and Flatout bread, helps me get my fiber in. I have one of them mostly everyday and don't have any problem.I have been maintaining my weight for 2.5 years. It has been relatively easy, and healthy eating is just a natural for me. However, for the past few weeks, I have set up my carb craving again ... I totally am addicted. When they talk about that carb addiction, my name is right there in the definition! I am maintaining my same weight; I log and I count and my exercise is still the same. I have not gained more than a lb. if that. But I find myself eating more things like white bread and cookies and it is daily. It may be only 1 cookie or only 1 small pita, but I know it is setting me off. Advice, anyone?
1
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