Are carbs really that bad?

kyleekay10
kyleekay10 Posts: 1,812 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I spent some time looking at my diary today, and I eat a "lot" of carbs almost every day. I tend to eat either whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, or the "garden variety" pasta at dinner each night. My protein bars have a lot of carbs, as do my Herbalife shakes. I've still lost weight doing this, and aside from feeling maybe a little bloated (depending on how much sodium is in my "carb-y" items) I've been fine during my weight loss journey.

Does anyone else eat relatively carb-heavy with no significant issues? I guess I just don't understand all the carb-shaming that happens. I recognize that some people have to eat low carb due to medical issues, but if those issues aren't present, what's the big deal? Just curious about everyone's opinion on this. :smile:
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Replies

  • Minks_esposa
    Minks_esposa Posts: 54
    In the diet world there always seems to be the need to find the "enemy". A lot of people try to demonize fat, carbs, protein, etc. Lately it seems that a lot of people are making a big fuss about sugar. yada yada. IMO carbs are good and yummy lol. I can't do low carb because I have hypoglycemia and I need carbs to raise my blood sugar into the normal range. I tend to eat about 100-200g of carbs a day. I usually go by how I feel and can definitely tell when I need carbs. If you are losing then you are doing something right :) What I focus on is eating at a deficit and this includes a balanced diet consisting of everything in moderation. Just keep doing what you're doing.
  • britelite3169
    britelite3169 Posts: 18 Member
    Everything has its place. Just moderate..My friend will not eat carbs at all and swears by it. I just think its unhealthy but it works for him so who am I to say??
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    Carbs are definitely NOT bad. You seem to have a handle on it and are staying away from the refined stuff with little to offer.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Carbs aren't the devil...they're just a macro-nutrient. That said, most people who have more of a "standard American diet" could stand to cut those carbs back some as the SAD tends to be generally high in refined/highly processed carbs and added sugars.

    Another issue is that overweight individuals can be insulin sensitive, even if they're not full blown resistant...this makes losing weight more challenging. Also, rather sedentary individuals can substantially benefit from a lower carb diet as they simply don't move enough to burn through those carbs...active individuals don't really need to worry about it so much. Also, increasing activity can help in RE to insulin sensitivity, etc.

    My advice is to generally eat a well balanced diet...make sure you're getting your requisite protein and healthy fats as well as you vitamins and minerals through food. If your carb intake is interfering with any of that then it's probably too many carbs and you need to balance things out.
  • uthatswho
    uthatswho Posts: 34
    I'm so naive. Thought on Atkins dieters were carb haters.
  • MarioLozano16
    MarioLozano16 Posts: 319 Member
    Carbs are the bodies main energy source
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    Short answer? No.
    Long answer? noooooooope.
  • Mguilmot
    Mguilmot Posts: 232 Member
    I'm on 70+% carbs every day. No they are not bad. :-)
  • ehorn625
    ehorn625 Posts: 144
    Do what works for you. I do a low carb because once I start, I can't stop! But I do eat fruit - not all carbs are "bad" Just the processed crap!
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Carbs aren't the devil...they're just a macro-nutrient. That said, most people who have more of a "standard American diet" could stand to cut those carbs back some as the SAD tends to be generally high in refined/highly processed carbs and added sugars.

    Another issue is that overweight individuals can be insulin sensitive, even if they're not full blown resistant...this makes losing weight more challenging. Also, rather sedentary individuals can substantially benefit from a lower carb diet as they simply don't move enough to burn through those carbs...active individuals don't really need to worry about it so much. Also, increasing activity can help in RE to insulin sensitivity, etc.

    My advice is to generally eat a well balanced diet...make sure you're getting your requisite protein and healthy fats as well as you vitamins and minerals through food. If your carb intake is interfering with any of that then it's probably too many carbs and you need to balance things out.

    This!^
  • lharri0209
    lharri0209 Posts: 128 Member
    Carbs are only bad in excess. I don't like it when people try to totally cut something out of their meal plans. To be honest, it is just setting them up for failure in the end. If you are losing weight, continue with what has worked best for you. Good luck on your journey and you are looking great!
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    atkinscomic.gif
  • JulesAlloggio
    JulesAlloggio Posts: 480 Member
    yes they are!!

    don't eat them!! LOL

    totally kidding by the way =)
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    Carbs are awesome.
  • action_figure
    action_figure Posts: 511 Member
    I spent some time looking at my diary today, and I eat a "lot" of carbs almost every day. I tend to eat either whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, or the "garden variety" pasta at dinner each night. My protein bars have a lot of carbs, as do my Herbalife shakes. I've still lost weight doing this, and aside from feeling maybe a little bloated (depending on how much sodium is in my "carb-y" items) I've been fine during my weight loss journey.

    Does anyone else eat relatively carb-heavy with no significant issues? I guess I just don't understand all the carb-shaming that happens. I recognize that some people have to eat low carb due to medical issues, but if those issues aren't present, what's the big deal? Just curious about everyone's opinion on this. :smile:

    I try not to eat a load of sugar, but I think there are tremendously good vitamins and fiber in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, so I don't sweat it. I lost 90 pounds several years ago doing a low carb diet, but I had a definite "Diet" mindset due to the restrictive nature of it and I kept none off. I've lost 131 this time and I don't really have a diet mindset. This is just how I eat now.
  • AmykinsCatfood
    AmykinsCatfood Posts: 599 Member
    Looked into it today, and I'm not vouching for it's accuracy but I read that as long as you eat 100-150 grams of carbs a day, you are actually eating a "Low Carb Diet." I glanced at your diary and your goal is 177.. it's not that big of a stretch from 150 to 177, I would say you're actually moderately low on your carb consumption and wouldn't worry about it.
  • hookilau
    hookilau Posts: 3,134 Member
    I can't handle carbs :blushing: , neither can 3 out of the 4 people in my immediate family. However, the 4th of us, thrives on them. We're all a little different and genetics plays a big part.

    I say, if it works for you, keep at it...if not, work on it :drinker:

    Speaking for myself, I'm definitely bitter about following a healthy diet that included 'healthy whole grains' (thank you USDA) for so long, only to find out that I'm one of the people who doesn't do well on them to the tune of IR and finally T2D.

    Once upon a time we both (DH & I) having heard all the hype about Atkins and carb restriction & thought it was a load of BS...everything in moderation etc. :blushing: Come to find out that Diabetes isn't brought on by a poor diet & sedentary lifestyle (neither of which applied to me) as I always heard, but genetics plays the main role in whether or not you will develop it.

    The shame of becoming diabetic (because people thought, and still think that it's brought on by sloth) kept all the people in my family from telling each other and so I had NO IDEA my risk was so high that it was only a matter of time. :frown:

    I guess what I'm trying to say is I wish I hadn't dismissed the idea of carb restriction in the first place and questioned more, rather than listening to sound bites.:ohwell:
  • TheEffort
    TheEffort Posts: 1,028 Member
    IMO - carbs are not bad...finding the balance is the key.
  • BarbieAS
    BarbieAS Posts: 1,414 Member
    I don't even track carbs. My diary displays fat, protein, fiber, and sodium.

    I set my fat and protein goals at the low end of the recommended ranges (0.3g/lb of body weight for fat and 0.8g/lb of lean body mass for protein), which then gives me a bare minimum of what what I want to achieve and allows some wiggle room when/if I earn exercise calories that increase those macros. I consider fat and calories to be goals to hit, protein and fiber to be goals to exceed (though I rarely do on protein...le sigh, working on it), and sodium to be a max.

    I rely on my food choices to do the rest. I try to stick to complex carbs/fruit when I eat them, and try to stick to poly- or mono-unsaturated fats. It's not all or nothing, by any means, just a general mentality focused on making smarter choices - ones that will provide more micronutrients, more health benefits, and keep me fuller and more satisfied. But you bet your bippy I have a bagel or a bowl of ice cream sometimes, lol.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Carbs are delicious. You just got to make the distinction between 'good' and 'bad' carbs (whole grains vs white processed stuff, refined sugars vs fruit sugar etc).

    The main thing really is that MFP's default setting for carbs is too high. It's better to eat more protein and less carbs.
  • spammarino
    spammarino Posts: 34 Member
    Carbs get a bad rap because they can be bad in excess when they turn into fat storage. Processed carbs can also spike your insulin level causing craving. You seem to be on the right track with the whole grain and your diet in general so I wouldn't worry about it. Its all about moderation and proper ratios with your protein and fat calories.
  • gamerkiwi
    gamerkiwi Posts: 93 Member
    Carby foods are often high calorie and not too filling, and it is easy to go overboard on them. The same goes for fat.

    Just make sure you're not having too many calories.
  • snazzyjazzy21
    snazzyjazzy21 Posts: 1,298 Member
    No carbs are great. I can eat 350g a day and have no adverse effects. It's all down to your body and how it reacts.
  • cedder1
    cedder1 Posts: 139 Member
    Let me tell you I exercise 5-6 times a week and when I cut carbs in my diet, I had NO energy whatsoever. I could almost fall asleep at work! It's all about choosing the right type of carb. i.e. whole grain bread over a can of soda!!!!!
  • husseycd
    husseycd Posts: 814 Member
    I used to be a carboholic and maintained a healthy weight. However, I found I was always hungry, or I craved a lot of sweets. I cut the carbs, lost 10 lbs and have less digestive issues (bloat and gas).

    So, I don't think carbs are the devil (or specifically wheat/grain), but I'm glad I cut them out of my diet 90% of the time. I feel a lot better and am leaner and am no longer constantly hungry.
  • MelissaPhippsFeagins
    MelissaPhippsFeagins Posts: 8,063 Member
    I have the mother of all carb related illnesses : celiac disease. The carbs you eat were killing me and not so slowly. My stored iron levels were so low that I needed blood transfusions. My intestines still aren't healed after nearly two years GF, but things are moving in the right direction.
    Having said that, I am eating a baked sweet potato for dinner so I obviously don't think carbs are bad. I try to avoid added sugar most of the time and of course I avoid gluten which does limit my carb intake somewhat. GF breads mostly have more added sugar than I want to eat and store bought GF desserts are a weight disaster. My daughter likes to bake so she makes lower sugar GF goodies for me which I freeze and eat occasionally. Moderation is the key for me.
  • conniemaxwell5
    conniemaxwell5 Posts: 943 Member
    I'm around 50% carbs or a litle more most days and I've lost 50 pounds. I eat whole grains and a lot of fruit and vegetables.
  • southerndream24
    southerndream24 Posts: 303 Member
    Don't understand the demonizing carbs get. Carbs are fuel. I could never train the way I do on a low-carb diet. If I don't get enough carbs I feel like crap.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Carbs are essential
  • jrniven
    jrniven Posts: 74 Member
    I have been eating pretty low carb most of the week. At the end of the week I feel like crap. I do however load up on carbs on saturdays the night before heavy leg sunday. Carbs are fantastic. I am just trying lower carb as a experiment the last few weeks to melt off this last bit of fat. To be perfectly honest I don't really see much difference but I do feel the lack of carbs in the gym.

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