What’s your favourite carb as part of a fitness lifestyle?

2

Replies

  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    edited August 2019
    tlpina82 wrote: »
    Are the English people saying bread while people in USA are not? Does that mean something?

    We have a new symptom: "BREADPHOBIA" hehehehehehehe

    I just am not that into bread. I'm kind of so-so on rice too, and don't like any cereal type breakfast foods other than cooked oats.

    Pickiness aside, I don't understand why one would choose a "carb" (I guess starchy side is meant) or why any particular one is better than others for fitness.

    I might pick corn as my favorite, but only during corn season when it's fresh. Potatoes and pasta are great. Lentils are great, black beans are great, but really depends on what else I'm eating. There are lots of interesting grains too. If I had to pick only one as my usual staple, potatoes.

    I'd pick fruit over any starchy side if we could only have one or the other, but happily life requires no such choices.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    Phirrgus wrote: »
    Phirrgus wrote: »
    I never thought about a favorite carb, but bread and pasta would be near the top of the list. Just had 2 big plates of spaghetti and garlic bread last night matter of fact :p

    Don't make me cry. :sad: 100 carbs doesn't allow for spaghetti and garlic bread.

    I might need to plan that into my next high day.

    You're still on that?! I wouldn't mind having the level of strength you do @quiksylver296 , but if having it means no spaghetti I guess I'll have to be content where I'm at :p

    Again, not still. I ate what I wanted on vacation.
  • lalalacroix
    lalalacroix Posts: 834 Member
    Favorite carb for fitness?

    Well fitness is very important to me and I eat a lot of carbs so... my answer is oats, grains like millet and quinoa, black beans and bananas. I also love the sun dried tomato wheat thins with hummus.
  • ceiswyn
    ceiswyn Posts: 2,256 Member
    edited August 2019
    Interesting to hear couscous being described as a pasta, love an Italians thoughts on that!

    Some good thoughts here for sure.

    I don't think couscous is a pasta, exactly, but it is made from exactly the same ingredient and has the same nutritional profile.

    So I would be interested to know why you think that durum wheat made into small pellets is in some way better for fitness than durum wheat made into spirals, bows, noodles etc.
  • nighthawk584
    nighthawk584 Posts: 2,024 Member
    edited August 2019
    My problem with "unhealthy" carbs, is my will power is tested to the extreme. Take pasta for instance, I could eat 10 servings at one time no problem. Same with bread. or bag of chips etc....(working on willpower is part of my journey to goal and beyond.) I'm getting better though..started out with 50 carbs a day and now average around 125-150 net , mostly from fruits and non starch veggies. I stay much more satisfied in that range.
  • Luke_rabbit
    Luke_rabbit Posts: 1,031 Member
    Fruits: cherries, nectarines, apples, blueberries, avocado, eggplant/aubergine

    Vegetables: Swiss chard, arugula/rocket, kale, spinach, cabbage, carrots, parsnips, jicama, sweet potatoes/yams, sugar snap peas, corn, pretty much all legumes/beans/pulses

    Grains: just about all whole grain breads, pasta, rice, oatmeal, etc.

  • cyndit1
    cyndit1 Posts: 170 Member
    I am a distance runner and every night before a race or long run my go to food is pizza. one slice. Maybe its in my head but it doesn't give me stomach problems before or during my runs and I always feel fueled. I have been running distance 11 years and its always been pizza for me.
  • NovusDies
    NovusDies Posts: 8,940 Member
    According to an MFP report the carb I consume the most often is black coffee. I guess whoever entered it rounded it up to 1 gram per 8 ounces. I log 32 whether I drink that much or not because I just copy it from day to day.


  • HereToLose50
    HereToLose50 Posts: 154 Member
    edited August 2019
    Rice is the most filling so I eat less of it. It doesn't leave me with a heavy feeling the next day.

    I can eat way too much pasta and bread lol

    Editing to add: When I'm hiking, I like to have orange slices with me. I've tried all kinds of things for fuel and did the best with them.
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    hmmm, my go-to startchy carbs are farro and barley - i will eat rice but i prefer their textures; frosted mini-wheats for my go-to cereal of choice - but unlike @quiksylver296 i eat 350-450g of carbs a day (just had to rub it in)
  • apullum
    apullum Posts: 4,838 Member
    NovusDies wrote: »
    According to an MFP report the carb I consume the most often is black coffee. I guess whoever entered it rounded it up to 1 gram per 8 ounces. I log 32 whether I drink that much or not because I just copy it from day to day.


    32 ounces, right? Not 32 coffees??
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    edited August 2019
    My problem with "unhealthy" carbs, is my will power is tested to the extreme. Take pasta for instance, I could eat 10 servings at one time no problem.

    I couldn't (plain pasta I can't imagine eating at all, and when you add lots of other filling things 10 servings would be a gigantic volume). IMO, a dish with pasta can be extremely nutrient dense (or not) and the calories are going to depend on lots of things besides the pasta itself.

    I find one serving of pasta, plus some kind of meat or beans (shrimp is a great low cal addition) and lots of veg to be filling, pretty voluminous, and nothing I could imagine thinking of as "unhealthy."

    Same with pasta with the meat sauce I make, which is usually lean ground beef, tomatoes, and lots of different veg, depending on what's around the house.
  • nighthawk584
    nighthawk584 Posts: 2,024 Member
    edited August 2019
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    My problem with "unhealthy" carbs, is my will power is tested to the extreme. Take pasta for instance, I could eat 10 servings at one time no problem.

    I couldn't, and also a dish with pasta can be extremely nutrient dense (or not) and the calories are going to depend on lots of things besides the pasta itself.

    I find one serving of pasta, plus some kind of meat or beans (shrimp is a great low cal addition) and lots of veg to be filling, pretty voluminous, and nothing I could imagine thinking of as "unhealthy."

    Same with pasta with the meat sauce I make, which is usually lean ground beef, tomatoes, and lots of different veg, depending on what's around the house.

    Well, glad you can control it but I was overeating to extreme and gorged myself sick. Everyone is different on how they handle food.
  • nighthawk584
    nighthawk584 Posts: 2,024 Member
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    My problem with "unhealthy" carbs, is my will power is tested to the extreme. Take pasta for instance, I could eat 10 servings at one time no problem.

    I couldn't, and also a dish with pasta can be extremely nutrient dense (or not) and the calories are going to depend on lots of things besides the pasta itself.

    I find one serving of pasta, plus some kind of meat or beans (shrimp is a great low cal addition) and lots of veg to be filling, pretty voluminous, and nothing I could imagine thinking of as "unhealthy."

    Same with pasta with the meat sauce I make, which is usually lean ground beef, tomatoes, and lots of different veg, depending on what's around the house.

    Well, glad you can control it but I was overeating to extreme and gorged myself sick.

    maybe because you have equated pasta to being bad unhealthy and bad for you and mentally that is alluring and you want to eat more of it...the taste of the forbidden...

    Maybe, but it has helped me lose over 60 lbs staying away from it :)
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    edited August 2019
    hmmm, my go-to startchy carbs are farro and barley - i will eat rice but i prefer their textures; frosted mini-wheats for my go-to cereal of choice - but unlike @quiksylver296 i eat 350-450g of carbs a day (just had to rub it in)

    Ouch. (And I do love frosted mini-wheats, with almond milk! Yum!)

    :D
  • NovusDies
    NovusDies Posts: 8,940 Member
    apullum wrote: »
    NovusDies wrote: »
    According to an MFP report the carb I consume the most often is black coffee. I guess whoever entered it rounded it up to 1 gram per 8 ounces. I log 32 whether I drink that much or not because I just copy it from day to day.


    32 ounces, right? Not 32 coffees??

    What is the problem with 32 coffees? That is only 256 calories.



  • sedj241
    sedj241 Posts: 36 Member
    M&M's and snickers bars! Great carbs.
  • LyndaBSS
    LyndaBSS Posts: 6,964 Member
    Multigrain bread toast.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    It’s hard because if fitness wasn’t a thing, pasta would be top for me but if taking fitness into consideration, I’ve gotta say that couscous is incredibly versatile and works with so many things!

    Anyone agree or have other thoughts?

    I can't agree with the sentiment that you can't eat pasta but you can eat couscous - which is pasta as well.....
    Had an interesting conversation with someone who insisted, for no apparent reason, it was made from cauliflower and not durum wheat semolina flour. Didn't seem convinced when I got him to read the label.
    It is very versatile though and featured heavily on a recent camping trip as it's so quick and easy to prepare.
    (One of my favourite couscous dishes is salmon, flavoured couscous, chorizo, spring onion, sundried tomatoes all cooked together in a parcel.)

    I enjoy all the starchy carbs, with a very high calorie allowance (boosted by my exercise) there's no reason for me to avoid them as part of my everyday diet. Personally I find starchy carbs the most satiating, far more so than protein or fat. Lost 4lbs in the build up to a recent big event eating a lot of carbs. Depends on the dish which carbs goes best.

    For fuelling long bikes rides a big portion of carby breakfast cereal (muesli or granola) is my breakfast of choice but during the ride itself I'm prioritising simple carbs - I don't enjoy sports energy drinks but they are very convenient and effective.
  • Phirrgus
    Phirrgus Posts: 1,894 Member
    hmmm, my go-to startchy carbs are farro and barley - i will eat rice but i prefer their textures; frosted mini-wheats for my go-to cereal of choice - but unlike @quiksylver296 i eat 350-450g of carbs a day (just had to rub it in)

    oEHLqdC.gif
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    Phirrgus wrote: »
    hmmm, my go-to startchy carbs are farro and barley - i will eat rice but i prefer their textures; frosted mini-wheats for my go-to cereal of choice - but unlike @quiksylver296 i eat 350-450g of carbs a day (just had to rub it in)

    oEHLqdC.gif

    trust me - i've done the 100g carbs or less when i do a fat loss cycle - i'm quite content where i am right now buti know after Tri season that will happena gain
  • ceiswyn
    ceiswyn Posts: 2,256 Member
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    My problem with "unhealthy" carbs, is my will power is tested to the extreme. Take pasta for instance, I could eat 10 servings at one time no problem.

    I couldn't, and also a dish with pasta can be extremely nutrient dense (or not) and the calories are going to depend on lots of things besides the pasta itself.

    I find one serving of pasta, plus some kind of meat or beans (shrimp is a great low cal addition) and lots of veg to be filling, pretty voluminous, and nothing I could imagine thinking of as "unhealthy."

    Same with pasta with the meat sauce I make, which is usually lean ground beef, tomatoes, and lots of different veg, depending on what's around the house.

    Well, glad you can control it but I was overeating to extreme and gorged myself sick. Everyone is different on how they handle food.

    But you don't gorge yourself the same way on the same thing in couscous form? Interesting! What do you think is the difference? Is it mouth-feel? Different sauces?
  • nighthawk584
    nighthawk584 Posts: 2,024 Member
    ceiswyn wrote: »
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    My problem with "unhealthy" carbs, is my will power is tested to the extreme. Take pasta for instance, I could eat 10 servings at one time no problem.

    I couldn't, and also a dish with pasta can be extremely nutrient dense (or not) and the calories are going to depend on lots of things besides the pasta itself.

    I find one serving of pasta, plus some kind of meat or beans (shrimp is a great low cal addition) and lots of veg to be filling, pretty voluminous, and nothing I could imagine thinking of as "unhealthy."

    Same with pasta with the meat sauce I make, which is usually lean ground beef, tomatoes, and lots of different veg, depending on what's around the house.

    Well, glad you can control it but I was overeating to extreme and gorged myself sick. Everyone is different on how they handle food.

    But you don't gorge yourself the same way on the same thing in couscous form? Interesting! What do you think is the difference? Is it mouth-feel? Different sauces?

    I don't eat couscous , don't even know what it is. haha
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    ceiswyn wrote: »
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    My problem with "unhealthy" carbs, is my will power is tested to the extreme. Take pasta for instance, I could eat 10 servings at one time no problem.

    I couldn't, and also a dish with pasta can be extremely nutrient dense (or not) and the calories are going to depend on lots of things besides the pasta itself.

    I find one serving of pasta, plus some kind of meat or beans (shrimp is a great low cal addition) and lots of veg to be filling, pretty voluminous, and nothing I could imagine thinking of as "unhealthy."

    Same with pasta with the meat sauce I make, which is usually lean ground beef, tomatoes, and lots of different veg, depending on what's around the house.

    Well, glad you can control it but I was overeating to extreme and gorged myself sick. Everyone is different on how they handle food.

    But you don't gorge yourself the same way on the same thing in couscous form? Interesting! What do you think is the difference? Is it mouth-feel? Different sauces?

    couscous was the OP not Nighthawk (i had to go back and check)
  • VioletRojo
    VioletRojo Posts: 597 Member
    It's a toss-up between rice, potatoes, my homemade ravioli, and homemade pizza.
  • Phirrgus
    Phirrgus Posts: 1,894 Member
    Phirrgus wrote: »
    hmmm, my go-to startchy carbs are farro and barley - i will eat rice but i prefer their textures; frosted mini-wheats for my go-to cereal of choice - but unlike @quiksylver296 i eat 350-450g of carbs a day (just had to rub it in)

    oEHLqdC.gif

    trust me - i've done the 100g carbs or less when i do a fat loss cycle - i'm quite content where i am right now buti know after Tri season that will happena gain

    Same here - I saw the "Rub it in" and felt bad for quik lol. I know she loves her carbs :)
  • ceiswyn
    ceiswyn Posts: 2,256 Member
    ceiswyn wrote: »
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    My problem with "unhealthy" carbs, is my will power is tested to the extreme. Take pasta for instance, I could eat 10 servings at one time no problem.

    I couldn't, and also a dish with pasta can be extremely nutrient dense (or not) and the calories are going to depend on lots of things besides the pasta itself.

    I find one serving of pasta, plus some kind of meat or beans (shrimp is a great low cal addition) and lots of veg to be filling, pretty voluminous, and nothing I could imagine thinking of as "unhealthy."

    Same with pasta with the meat sauce I make, which is usually lean ground beef, tomatoes, and lots of different veg, depending on what's around the house.

    Well, glad you can control it but I was overeating to extreme and gorged myself sick. Everyone is different on how they handle food.

    But you don't gorge yourself the same way on the same thing in couscous form? Interesting! What do you think is the difference? Is it mouth-feel? Different sauces?

    couscous was the OP not Nighthawk (i had to go back and check)

    Whoops, sorry - clearly my favourite carb at this point should be caffeinated ;)
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    edited August 2019
    Phirrgus wrote: »
    Phirrgus wrote: »
    hmmm, my go-to startchy carbs are farro and barley - i will eat rice but i prefer their textures; frosted mini-wheats for my go-to cereal of choice - but unlike @quiksylver296 i eat 350-450g of carbs a day (just had to rub it in)

    oEHLqdC.gif

    trust me - i've done the 100g carbs or less when i do a fat loss cycle - i'm quite content where i am right now buti know after Tri season that will happena gain

    Same here - I saw the "Rub it in" and felt bad for quik lol. I know she loves her carbs :)

    i'll love them for her...they'll be well taken care of ;)

    :laugh:

    That's the nice thing about calorie cycling. I get 200 grams twice a week. I just have to plan a bit.

    And just wait until bulking season!
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