Why do some people don’t eat much carbs when losing weight?

Sparkle097

???

kommodevaran

Low carb is great for many people, but lots more think it's the only way to lose weight.

VictorSmashes

The idea is that carbs are a source of calories that our bodies can use readily. Carbs are long or small sugars which our bodies break down in chemical processes and convert into energy-creating molecules. This process is much faster than with fats or proteins (both of which are also converted to energy-creating molecules).

Theoretically we can even become addicted to them. Have you ever gone off carbs, eat something with carbs, and then all you crave is carb-loaded foods (pasta, pizza, doughnuts, a sandwich, etc.)? Well the thought comes from the fact that our bodies use carbs so readily so we crave the "easy energy."

Then, once we've filled up, our bodies convert it into glycogen, and after a long time of eating too many carbs, the body starts converting carbs into fat.

Carbs are not the devil, but getting our calories from proteins and fats is generally deemed healthier.

(Tried my best to use my organic chemistry knowledge...)

Caralarma

Because they're misinformed

deannalfisher

LullabyLu2016 wrote: »

The idea is that carbs are a source of calories that our bodies can use readily. Carbs are long or small sugars which our bodies break down in chemical processes and convert into energy-creating molecules. This process is much faster than with fats or proteins (both of which are also converted to energy-creating molecules).

Theoretically we can even become addicted to them. Have you ever gone off carbs, eat something with carbs, and then all you crave is carb-loaded foods (pasta, pizza, doughnuts, a sandwich, etc.)? Well the thought comes from the fact that our bodies use carbs so readily so we crave the "easy energy."

Then, once we've filled up, our bodies convert it into glycogen, and after a long time of eating too many carbs CALORIES, the body starts converting carbs CALORIES into fat.

Carbs are not the devil, but getting our calories from proteins and fats is generally deemed healthier.

(Tried my best to use my organic chemistry knowledge...)

FIFY...carbs aren't converted to fat when eaten in excess...calories are

jjpptt2

Generally 1 of 2 reasons...

1. They are under the impression that they have to restrict/cut out carbs in order to lose weight. This is wrong, or at the very least, REALLY INCOMPLETE advice that often comes from magazine headlines, TV "doctors", or people looking to make money off of diet plans/advice.
2. They realize that to lose weight they have to manage/restrict calories, and they choose to do so by cutting back on carbs based on their own dietary preferences (i.e. they'd rather cut carbs and keep fats and/or protein).

MagnumOpus1

They think it's needed in order to loose weight or they do so to control their appetite.

It's not needed to loose weight. You loose weight by being in a calorie deficit.

PAV8888

Once I lost my fear of carbs I discovered that I can moderate most carbs quite easily.

While losing weight more rapidly during my first year on MFP I ate a slightly lower percentage of carbs (44%) instead of my subsequent steady 53% over the next three years.

This is because I prioritized protein, fiber, and fat targets by gram, and in that order, leaving carbs to fall where they may while achieving my caloric goals.

Since my caloric goals were lower, that left less room for carbs as a percentage!

I do still have some trouble moderating caloric sources that combine carbs and fats in a hyper palatable bundle. I indulge often, but do have to keep an eye on things and invest will power to moderate when I do so. (I'm talking baked goods and candy bars -- no problem over eating these if I don't pay attention )

But baked potatoes are also starches (carbs) and combined with a 0% Greek yogurt instead of butter or sour cream, or topped with some chili they make a solid and usually satisfying meal.

mojo4717

Me personally... Because carbs= sugar and my body is refusing to process sugar now and the diet I’m on to sort out my blood sugar levels, makes my body burn fat if it doesn’t have sugar .

AnvilHead

Because it's a huge fad right now (along with intermittent fasting) and people mistakenly believe that weight loss is faster on a low-carb diet. Which has repeatedly been scientifically disproved.

AlabasterVerve

You have to cut back somewhere - sugar, starches and grains are low hanging fruit.

MagnumOpus1

AlabasterVerve wrote: »

You have to cut back somewhere - sugar, starches and grains are low hanging fruit.

Hmm. Not if your workout is physically demanding. But yeah, no/light exercise doesn't require much carbs.

AlabasterVerve

MagnumOpus1 wrote: »

AlabasterVerve wrote: »

You have to cut back somewhere - sugar, starches and grains are low hanging fruit.

Hmm. Not if your workout is physically demanding. But yeah, no/light exercise doesn't require much carbs.

Maybe if you're an elite athlete but whether you eat carbs or not your glycogen stores aren't empty. Eat whatever diet you prefer, train and you'll adjust and progress - humans are remarkably adaptive.

MagnumOpus1

AlabasterVerve wrote: »

MagnumOpus1 wrote: »

AlabasterVerve wrote: »

You have to cut back somewhere - sugar, starches and grains are low hanging fruit.

Hmm. Not if your workout is physically demanding. But yeah, no/light exercise doesn't require much carbs.

Maybe if you're an elite athlete but whether you eat carbs or not your glycogen stores aren't empty. Eat whatever diet you prefer, train and you'll adjust and progress - humans are remarkably adaptive.

We are adaptable but only a handful of people can train hard 4 times a week with cardio included eating low carbs. You won't last long then eventually regress. But doing something lighter, yes.

AlabasterVerve

MagnumOpus1 wrote: »

AlabasterVerve wrote: »

MagnumOpus1 wrote: »

AlabasterVerve wrote: »

You have to cut back somewhere - sugar, starches and grains are low hanging fruit.

Hmm. Not if your workout is physically demanding. But yeah, no/light exercise doesn't require much carbs.

Maybe if you're an elite athlete but whether you eat carbs or not your glycogen stores aren't empty. Eat whatever diet you prefer, train and you'll adjust and progress - humans are remarkably adaptive.

We are adaptable but no one is training hard 4 times a week with cardio included eating low carbs. You won't last long then eventually regress. But doing something lighter, yes.

That is where you're wrong but don't take my word for it - google - it's amazing what people are capable of.

VictorSmashes

deannalfisher wrote: »

FIFY...carbs aren't converted to fat when eaten in excess...calories are

I'm not sure what "FIFY" means but the rest is not true. "Calories" are a unit of measurement of energy, while "carbs" are a physical thing (molecules). I did mention I was an organic chemistry student and I have some semblance (albeit not the best) of an idea of what I'm talking about.

AnvilHead

VictorSmashes wrote: »

deannalfisher wrote: »

FIFY...carbs aren't converted to fat when eaten in excess...calories are

I'm not sure what "FIFY" means but the rest is not true. "Calories" are a unit of measurement of energy, while "carbs" are a physical thing (molecules). I did mention I was an organic chemistry student and I have some semblance (albeit not the best) of an idea of what I'm talking about.

Then hopefully you also understand which macronutrient is most easily converted to fat.
(Hint: fat)

De novo lipogenesis only happens under situations of massive, sustained carb overfeeds - far beyond what the average human on a non-ketogenic diet eats on a daily basis.


And hopefully you also understand that there is no net fat storage while in a caloric deficit, regardless of the macronutrient composition of your diet.

kimny72

VictorSmashes wrote: »

deannalfisher wrote: »

FIFY...carbs aren't converted to fat when eaten in excess...calories are

I'm not sure what "FIFY" means but the rest is not true. "Calories" are a unit of measurement of energy, while "carbs" are a physical thing (molecules). I did mention I was an organic chemistry student and I have some semblance (albeit not the best) of an idea of what I'm talking about.

FIFY = Fixed It For You
If you are in a calorie surplus, any food you eat, regardless of it's macro ratio, will be stored as fat. If you are in a calorie deficit, there is nothing to store as fat, regardless of what specific food you've eaten.

And I haven't seen anything credible to suggest that eating carbs is not as healthy as eating protein and fat, do you have any sources for that? Check out the Blue Zones.

OP, low carb is popular right now, so many people assume it's "best". The people it works well for are generally more satiated by fats than carbs, so they can more easily keep to their calorie deficit. There are also some medical conditions that there is some anecdotal at least suggestion that a lower carb diet may help.

OldAssDude

I think when you exercise you burn mainly carbs and some fats. At lower intensity you will burn a higher percentage of fat, and higher intensity you will burn a lower percentage of fats. But still mainly carbs.

So I think the more you exercise, the more carbs you need to fuel your workouts.

If you don't exercise, I don't think you need that many carbs.

AnnPT77

Because people have preferences. Some are smart preferences, and some aren't.

Which ones are smart (or not) is pretty individual - other than proper calories, and well-balanced nutrition, which we all need.

The trick is to figure out your preferences.

MagnumOpus1

AlabasterVerve wrote: »

MagnumOpus1 wrote: »

AlabasterVerve wrote: »

MagnumOpus1 wrote: »

AlabasterVerve wrote: »

You have to cut back somewhere - sugar, starches and grains are low hanging fruit.

Hmm. Not if your workout is physically demanding. But yeah, no/light exercise doesn't require much carbs.

Maybe if you're an elite athlete but whether you eat carbs or not your glycogen stores aren't empty. Eat whatever diet you prefer, train and you'll adjust and progress - humans are remarkably adaptive.

We are adaptable but no one is training hard 4 times a week with cardio included eating low carbs. You won't last long then eventually regress. But doing something lighter, yes.

That is where you're wrong but don't take my word for it - google - it's amazing what people are capable of.

Corrected my comment. Some are capable, most aren't. Plus I personally have no reason to not eat carbohydrates.