Low carb vs regular CICO?

firecrackrbaby

Is there any noticeable difference in weight loss if sticking to low carb vs pure CICO? Assuming calorie intake is the same on both.

CarvedTones

No. I go over 200 grams quite often. I lost over 65 pounds, now in maintenance. the biggest question is what mix keeps you from getting hungry or not feeling deprived of things you like. Also, at least hit minimum RDAs on all macros.

cwolfman13

CICO isn't a method...it's an energy balance equation. All diets work the same way...you consume fewer calories than you are expending. If the calories are the same, the results will be the same barring certain medical conditions.

If you do low carb, you will initially drop more water weight due to the fact that 1g of carbohydrate holds onto 4g of water...but after the initial water loss, rates of loss are the same over the long term.

fuzzylop72

Assuming both calories and protein are controlled for, no.

WinoGelato

Whether you are gaining, losing, or maintaining weight - "pure" CICO is in play, whatever that means.

CICO isn't a method and it doesn't mean counting calories or eat whatever you want as long as you are in a deficit. It is simply an energy balance equation, and even if you follow a low carb diet, CICO still applies to you.

AnvilHead

No.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/16685046/

eeblet

I will say that eating a higher ratio of fat and protein has given me more energy. I was on weight watchers for a few years and dropped 70 pounds but then plateaued, so now I'm here.

Diatonic12

I did keto/paleo/primal/low carb/no carb for well over a year. I tanked my thyroid and watched my hair circle the shower drain. Somedays, I would reach back and handfuls the size of SOS pads would fall out. I won't repeat that cycle again. I added good carbs and all of the food groups back in. My hair is coming back. I feel better, too.

tennisdude2004

firecrackrbaby wrote: »

Is there any noticeable difference in weight loss if sticking to low carb vs pure CICO? Assuming calorie intake is the same on both.

low carb is pure CICO.

If you mean is there any noticeable difference to low carb and calorie counting/moderation, assuming calorie intake is the same on both? then no, there will likely be no noticeable difference.

If both are done correctly both can be health and successful. Its all about stickability and finding what works for you.

sgt1372

firecrackrbaby wrote: »

Is there any noticeable difference in weight loss if sticking to low carb vs pure CICO? Assuming calorie intake is the same on both.

False dichotomy.

You will do CICO regardless of the nature of your diet - low carb or whatever.

If you are doing low carb, you will just have a lower CI from carbs and more from protein and fat

CI is just the total caloric intske intake based on how much you ingest of the 3 macros.

It's not rocket science.

nvmomketo

I find that I lose very slightly faster on a very low carb diet than I do at the same caloric level at a higher carb level, but I have some insulin resistance so that could be why.

I perceive losing weight while lowcarb to be easier than when higher carb because of how it affects my body... And quite common.

nooshi713

I have tried low carb before but once I ate carbs again, initial rapid weight loss came back so I assume it was just water weight. I couldn't do and wouldnt want to do low carb long term. My favorite food group is fruit. Counting calories works if one sticks with it.

fb47

As everyone said, CICO is not a diet, whatever diet you choose, CICO will always be in play unless you have some hormone thing that prevents you from losing weight (which is a rare condition).

nvmomketo

fb47 wrote: »

As everyone said, CICO is not a diet, whatever diet you choose, CICO will always be in play unless you have some hormone thing that prevents you from losing weight (which is a rare condition).

I think even then, CICO is still in play, it's just that the CO will be affected ( made smaller).

happytree923

The only solid reason to reduce carbs is if you have insulin resistance or diabetes and have been given medical advice to so. Otherwise it’s just about what is easier for you. I never experienced the magic appetite supppressant effects low carb is supposed to have when I tried it. I find carbs very satisfying and my wallet is a lot happier when I’m not using meat as my main source of calories.

whosshe

I reduce my carb intake if I want a good pick me up on the scale (or pick me down?) lol because I don't hold onto much water after a couple days of low carb. Other than that if you're doing low carb to lose weight and are successfully losing weight you are "doing" CICO. There's kind of no way around that.

For me there is a difference in "weight" loss but not in fat loss. As soon as I up my carb intake the water weight comes back lol but hey, it's nice to see the scale go down a couple pounds for a couple days.