I don't think carbs are bad!

wilson10102018

MySweetLavinia wrote: »

Does it really matter what each of us thinks of carbs (or fat, or protein?) Eat whatever diet suits you, works for you and contributes most to your health. I don't understand why it even matters what others think of it.

Part of successful dieting is peer acceptance and esteem. There are a very small number of self-actualizing persons in the world, mostly of the genius or kook variety, who do not care what others think. One can wish it not so, but then one would be wrong. Fat shaming and virtue signalling is the ubiquitous characteristic of this millennium. And, there is no greater virtue to signal than an abhorrence for carbs . . . unless it is for "processed foods."

georgieamber2

vegan here... I eat probably more carbs than the average person and lost over a stone in the process. Just eat healthy and train consistently🤷‍♀️

Annie_01

wilson10102018 wrote: »

MySweetLavinia wrote: »

Does it really matter what each of us thinks of carbs (or fat, or protein?) Eat whatever diet suits you, works for you and contributes most to your health. I don't understand why it even matters what others think of it.

Part of successful dieting is peer acceptance and esteem. There are a very small number of self-actualizing persons in the world, mostly of the genius or kook variety, who do not care what others think. One can wish it not so, but then one would be wrong. Fat shaming and virtue signalling is the ubiquitous characteristic of this millennium. And, there is no greater virtue to signal than an abhorrence for carbs . . . unless it is for "processed foods."

Well...I'm not a genius so all that leaves is a kook. I honestly don't care what others think of my diet and how I do it...unless someone wants to buy my groceries, cook my food and then clean up afterwards...I don't care what they think nor do I care what others are eating or when they choose to eat it.

People seem to have turned eating and food in to a status symbol and/or a religion/cult as if eating or not eating a certain food type somehow makes them "better", more "moral" and somehow a "special snowflake".

My only concerns of other people's diet are...they are able to achieve their goals...they are healthy(the people)...they enjoy the foods that they are eating and feel good about what they have achieved. Other than that it is not my place to pass judgment. I just hope that I never get to the point that I am tearing down someone else just to build myself up especially by using what someone else eats.

If you enjoy carbs, sugar, fats, meat...or if you don't I think it is pretty cool when one can sit down at night and eat their meal and walk away having enjoyed it. Food should be enjoyed not used to vilify others.

amorfati601070

My diet is probably like 75% carbs.

AnnPT77

Lost 50ish pounds eating 150-200 carbs every day, going from obese to a healthy weight, from high LDL/triglycerides to solidly normal, from high blood pressure to low-normal, from low HDL to high HDL, at age 59-60, while severely hypothyroid (treated).

Carbs are not the devil. For some people, they can be an appetite trigger; for some, they cause issues with a medical condition they have. Those people benefit from limiting carbs. The rest of us should be fine.

That said, protein is very important for good health. I'd encourage you to strive to hit the MFP minimum, or the USDA mininimum, which should be minimally adequate. Personally, I prefer to eat more than the USDA recommendation, feeling that it is on the low side for those losing weight, quite active, aging, or vegetarian (which I am). But that's a personal preference/belief. Getting enough (like the USDA recommended level as a minimum) is a good health strategy, and worth working toward. There are plenty of non-meat sources (I haven't eaten meat, at least not intentionally , in almost 45 years).

lemurcat2

MySweetLavinia wrote: »

Does it really matter what each of us thinks of carbs (or fat, or protein?) Eat whatever diet suits you, works for you and contributes most to your health. I don't understand why it even matters what others think of it.

If someone is constantly hearing that eating carbs is somehow bad -- and that's entirely possible these days depending on what you read and look at on the internet and who your social group is -- seeking reassurance is not unusual or odd.

dewd2

MySweetLavinia wrote: »

Does it really matter what each of us thinks of carbs (or fat, or protein?) Eat whatever diet suits you, works for you and contributes most to your health. I don't understand why it even matters what others think of it.

Because as you've seen in this thread there are always folks who come in preaching some nonsense as if it is fact when in reality they are just repeating something they read on some blog or book designed only to take their money. If this is not challenged and corrected, others will read it and believe it too. Next thing you know sugar causes everything from diabetes to obesity. This is simply not true.

Now please excuse me as I am heading out to get a HUGE *kitten* chocolate milkshake full of sugar and fat. Mmmmmmmm...

sherrymerlot

I've followed the lifestyle and diet of low-carbers for about seven years. Unless you really need to be on VLC (ketogenic) for health conditions or because you have T2 diabetes or you are pre-diabetic, I see no reason to go to 50 grams or less of carbs daily.

I am female and I have seen the stories of women who just didn't feel well on VLC. Beware. They truly ruined their health for a period of time because they prolonged the keto, way past the point of having "low carb flu." One must listen to the body. Some people do great on keto!

Our family doesn't have a history of T2 diabetes or much obesity. I kind of follow in that way genetically, as I have always stayed within a pretty healthy weight.

I am lower carb (probably have 30% complex carbohydrates in my eating plan at this moment), which for me, means about 70-90 grams of carbs per day. Years ago, I used to eat a lot of bread, and I no longer do that, or pasta. It took over my diet and crowded out vital nutrients.

I would not mind going to 100-120 grams of carbs per day once I reach my weight loss goal, which is modest. I actually prefer my diet having 50% well-chosen fats, because they are delicious! I refuse to do without my creme fraiche!

Raghead

But they also eat large amounts of fish!!!

wilson10102018 wrote: »

Rice is carbs. The healthiest populations eat mass quantities of rice. Pure carbs.

blubell0422

I do reduce carbs BUT processed carbs. I eat rice and potato and vegetables and fruit. But I won't eat cake or anything with sugar in. I eat porridge for breakfast but I won't eat other breakfast cereals. Before I started this I really craved processed carby food. Now I don't. If I tried to lose weight by just reducing calories and still carried on eating pizza but in smaller portions I would fail because that would make me crave more. I also majorly hold water when I have processed carbs. Rice for example doesn't have that effect on me.

dreygo66

I am a type II diabetic and was taking 4 types of medication. I went on the Keto diet and now my A1C is down from 8.3 to 5.7 and off of 2 of the 4 medications. I have been on the Keto diet for 10 months now and it works for me. I limit my carbs to non-starchy vegetables and no fruit. I have substituted cauliflower for potatoes and rice. For me, eating fewer carbs (Keto) is what works for me.

fuzzylop_

Raghead wrote: »

But they also eat large amounts of fish!!!

Which ones specifically? For example, okinawans didn't really eat much rice or fish (sweet potatoes were their main carb source, and fish was aprox 1-2% of daily calories).