Serious bone to pick (Diet Fads)

TomfromNY

How did the Inuit living 400 years ago survive if carbohydrates are needed for metabolic functions? The had virtually none in their diets for most of the year and maybe a few berries, grasses, and roots in the summer season.

Inuit people live in harsh climates where fat is used as protection not as a supplement to their daily diet. Carbohydrates are needed for many metabolic functions. Carbohydrates don't make you fat if that's why you are avoiding them.

Also, you don't NEED carbs in the diet, your body functions fine without them, it's just that it'll negatively effect your work capacity in the gym, and I personally like low-carb diets since I feel more full on them.

Um, actually you do. Your brain and nervous system needs the supply of glucose from the carbs in order to survive. Carbs aren't always in the form of bread and pasta like people think of when they hear the word. They're in fruits and vegetables too.

I wonder how the Inuit people in the Arctic regions of North America lived on a diet consisting of 50-75% fat and 35-40% of protein with virtually no carbohydrates?

TomfromNY

Just because they didn't have carbohydrates didn't mean it was optimal... Cut out all your carbohydrates and tell me how you feel. For the final stretch of my last prep I was on 175 carbs for 3 months working out hard and doing cardio 6 days a week. I felt like a zombie.

You said we need carbs to function properly. The traditional Inuit diet had virtually no carbs and they were functioning pretty well in order to survive in an inhospitable climate. Perhaps if you had a diet of raw seals, whale, walrus, and fish (approx 70% fat, 30% protein) your last prep wouldn't have been as difficult. The Inuits who spent all day hunting were probably working just as hard and they felt fine.

ndj1979

Just because they didn't have carbohydrates didn't mean it was optimal... Cut out all your carbohydrates and tell me how you feel. For the final stretch of my last prep I was on 175 carbs for 3 months working out hard and doing cardio 6 days a week. I felt like a zombie.

You said we need carbs to function properly. The traditional Inuit diet had virtually no carbs and they were functioning pretty well in order to survive in an inhospitable climate. Perhaps if you had a diet of raw seals, whale, walrus, and fish (approx 70% fat, 30% protein) your last prep wouldn't have been as difficult. The Inuits who spent all day hunting were probably working just as hard and they felt fine.

if that is what I would have to eat to have success at low carb, I will just eat the carbs…

KyaniBody

I would love to see someone get shredded on 70% fat every day.... Your argument is invalid for weight loss. You are trying to argue that you don't need carbs to function. Please go to a ZERO carb diet and tell me how you feel.

Go ahead and do zero carbs if you want. Like I said this is my advice. Don't follow it if you don't want to. I will get shredded off eating carbs. You can go zero carbs, makes no difference to me.

shaynepoole

You do need carbs in your daily diet as a Type 2 diabetic, I've learned everything has carbs - so I prefer to get my carbs from vegetables/fruit and milk instead of processed food - I just keep the limit of all carbs around 135 per day

enipla

Bump

KyaniBody

Bump

MelodyandBarbells

There may be people asking about Weight watchers, Gluten-free or Low Carb around here but I do not really see the pervasiveness of fad diets you mentioned on this forum. These are almost always instantly discredited, with users pointing those asking for help about these diets to the tried and true caloric deficit. Maybe I just don't read enough posts!

Bounce2

LOLZ welcome to MFP :flowerforyou:

SuperCrsa

Bumpity Bump, this is great! Thanks for taking the time..

Sabine_Stroehm

Just because they didn't have carbohydrates didn't mean it was optimal... Cut out all your carbohydrates and tell me how you feel. For the final stretch of my last prep I was on 175 carbs for 3 months working out hard and doing cardio 6 days a week. I felt like a zombie.

You felt like a zombie on 175 carbs?

ndj1979

There may be people asking about Weight watchers, Gluten-free or Low Carb around here but I do not really see the pervasiveness of fad diets you mentioned on this forum. These are almost always instantly discredited, with users pointing those asking for help about these diets to the tried and true caloric deficit. Maybe I just don't read enough posts!

you have not been here long enough ..stick around and you will see posts about raspberry ketones, diet pills, cleanses, 7 day juice fasts/water fasts, etc….trust me.

ndj1979

Just because they didn't have carbohydrates didn't mean it was optimal... Cut out all your carbohydrates and tell me how you feel. For the final stretch of my last prep I was on 175 carbs for 3 months working out hard and doing cardio 6 days a week. I felt like a zombie.

You felt like a zombie on 175 carbs?

I think OP means int terms of gym performance….

Sabine_Stroehm

Just because they didn't have carbohydrates didn't mean it was optimal... Cut out all your carbohydrates and tell me how you feel. For the final stretch of my last prep I was on 175 carbs for 3 months working out hard and doing cardio 6 days a week. I felt like a zombie.

You felt like a zombie on 175 carbs?

I think OP means int terms of gym performance….

I understand that.

MissBabyJane

Thank you!

Iron_Feline

Soild post. Nice op:flowerforyou:

And lol at the special snowflakes arguing against this solid advice. :laugh:

FindingMyPerfection

Soild post. Nice op:flowerforyou:

And lol at the special snowflakes arguing against this solid advice. :laugh:

This is such a funny saying, since water freezes in a specific and consistent geometric pattern.

EvgeniZyntx

#6 You don't have to eat every 2-3 hours. It's a myth. I was saying though if you diet for long periods of time and get to low BF% levels like competitors do you are ravenously hungry and can't wait to eat.

Supplements I recommend for everyone is a superior multivitamin and fish oil. If any Dr. tells you not to take them please fire them unless their is some allergic reaction/rare one off.

I would recommend a liquid multivitamin as your body can absorb up to 98% of it vs only 3%-20% in pill form. Moreover, liquid vitamins bypass digestive processing and go directly into the bloodstream within minutes.

I also prefer high quality fish oil products that are mercury free. Those are just my recommendations.

Ah, the bro-product pitch. Way to soft sell, bro.

The truth is that excipients and co-eating affect absorption more than form. There is no "bypassing digestion".

broox80

Keeping this bumped!! Too good of info not to!!!

KyaniBody

Sabine have you ever been to an extremely low BF%? I don't mean it as a personal attack just a question. The reason I say that is when you get extremely low and you have been dieting for 6-7 months like I do your body does NOT feel optimal.

Just because they didn't have carbohydrates didn't mean it was optimal... Cut out all your carbohydrates and tell me how you feel. For the final stretch of my last prep I was on 175 carbs for 3 months working out hard and doing cardio 6 days a week. I felt like a zombie.

You felt like a zombie on 175 carbs?

I think OP means int terms of gym performance….

I understand that.

DopeItUp

Hey, a "newbie" with solid information, right on!

As someone who has been here a couple years, there are plenty of us who are constantly parroting most of the points in your post but they generally get drowned out by the 300 Dr. Oz diets posted a day. I think it's just human nature, people want to believe that there is a magic quick fix and will constantly be seeking it out.

Anyway, welcome, and visit http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/10067-eat-train-progress- when you get a moment. You'll probably find more like-minded people there.

Edit: I just noticed you're here to sell crap, that's -100000 bro points. But still a solid post.

just_Jennie1

I would recommend a liquid multivitamin as your body can absorb up to 98% of it vs only 3%-20% in pill form. Moreover, liquid vitamins bypass digestive processing and go directly into the bloodstream within minutes.

It's not the format of the vitamins that depends on how much your body absorbs rather the quality of the vitamins.

Liquid vitamins are fine if one has trouble swallowing pills but it's not absorbed any faster in liquid form vs. pill form.

jkwolly

I honestly love most of this post! Except for one quick thing...

May I honestly ask why not to focus on sodium at all? I understand if you're hovering around average levels to not worry since your body requires sodium, but I noticed some days you are upwards of 5000+mg for your daily intake. Can that not be harmful in the long run?

All my sources I have been relating to recommend trying to lower sodium intake, especially for women as osteoporosis can be a common side effect among the high blood pressure that's normally mentioned:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/sodium/index-eng.php

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2782060/?report=abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2643195/


May I see some sources as to where you know there won't be a harmful impact in the long run?

kelsosu

Thoroughly enjoyed this post. As a college student, I'm surrounded by people thinking if they eat only 1000 calories a day, cut out carbs entirely, etc. that they'll meet their fitness goals. Very refreshing to see someone else shedding a little insight on the matter!

jangier

AGREE 100% - no magic bullets or pills and why bother making yourself sick starving yourself skinny! Pure commitment, dedication, and the right foods in a much better path!

KyaniBody

What are you talking about I am just here to sell stuff? if someone wants to message me about what I recommend that is their business. I in no way shape or form even mentioned a certain product just two essential product types that EVERYONE can benefit from...

Hey, a "newbie" with solid information, right on!

As someone who has been here a couple years, there are plenty of us who are constantly parroting most of the points in your post but they generally get drowned out by the 300 Dr. Oz diets posted a day. I think it's just human nature, people want to believe that there is a magic quick fix and will constantly be seeking it out.

Anyway, welcome, and visit http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/10067-eat-train-progress- when you get a moment. You'll probably find more like-minded people there.

Edit: I just noticed you're here to sell crap, that's -100000 bro points. But still a solid post.

KyaniBody

I agree that quailty of the vitamins is crucial.

I would recommend a liquid multivitamin as your body can absorb up to 98% of it vs only 3%-20% in pill form. Moreover, liquid vitamins bypass digestive processing and go directly into the bloodstream within minutes.

It's not the format of the vitamins that depends on how much your body absorbs rather the quality of the vitamins.

Liquid vitamins are fine if one has trouble swallowing pills but it's not absorbed any faster in liquid form vs. pill form.

Sabine_Stroehm

Sabine have you ever been to an extremely low BF%? I don't mean it as a personal attack just a question. The reason I say that is when you get extremely low and you have been dieting for 6-7 months like I do your body does NOT feel optimal.

Just because they didn't have carbohydrates didn't mean it was optimal... Cut out all your carbohydrates and tell me how you feel. For the final stretch of my last prep I was on 175 carbs for 3 months working out hard and doing cardio 6 days a week. I felt like a zombie.

You felt like a zombie on 175 carbs?

I think OP means int terms of gym performance….

I understand that.

So it's not about carbs it's about being at a low BF. That was my only question.
I've been low, but not silly low, no. (Menstruation being important and all)

punkrockprincess23

great post!

klaff411

Good afternoon all,

First off I want to give you a disclaimer. These are my thoughts and beliefs. I am a natural bodybuilder and have literally hundreds of friends who are natural pro competitors. Females and Males.

I am sitting here reading a lot of your posts and I am disgusted. Here are some bullet points I want to touch on. Just a heads up I am a If It Fits Your Macros dieter. I get shredded off of weighing everything I eat. I do NOT eat fish and vegetables all day long..

#1 STOP STARVING YOURSELVES. You are absolutely ruining your metabolism. Do you ever wonder why you drop in weight so fast in the beginning and then all of a sudden you stop and can't lose anymore weight? Guess what! Since you starved yourself your body now needs one of two things to drop more weight. You either need to cut calories every more, or up your physical activity. Unless you are extremely obese you should be losing 1-2 pounds a week. When you take a slow approach and preserve more lean muscle mass you will be able to burn more calories at rest then if you starved yourself. Take a slower approach and enjoy more calories! When you are at your target weight you will be able to maintain that weight while eating more food.

#2 STOP CUTTING OUT A WHOLE MACRO NUTRIENT! We all need protein, fat and CARBS to function correctly. Bread, sugar, sodium etc are not the problem. Everything needs to be within limitations though. For example, I currently am losing weight on 220g Protein, 225g Carbs and 50g of fat. I highly suggest you track your food and weigh it. Far too often I have found food labels to be incorrect. Example it says 50 chips = 28 grams. When I actually weigh it out, 25 chips equal the 1 serving size. Carbs and Fat aren't the devil. Everything is within limitations.

#3 Females you need more protein! No you will not get big and bulky. You will put on quality lean muscle mass. Eat 1g of protein per pound of body weight. Generally females struggle with getting an ample amount of protein every day.

#4 You don't need to do 2 hours of cardio a day. Please incorporate free weight training as well. Once again you will not get big and bulky ladies.

#5 there is no magic pill or quick approach. This is a complete lifestyle change. Yes there will be times when you are hungry and want to give up. Don't quit on yourself. Stop thinking other people have more will power etc then you. We all have a choice and can make the same decisions.

#6 Do not STRESS over meal frequency. You do not need to eat every 2-3 hours... The further in your diet though your metabolism will be on fire and you will want to eat every 2-3 hours though

#7 Do not STRESS over eating late at night. It DOES NOT matter what you eat later at night. Once again hit your targets. Calories in vs Calories out

#8 Drink plenty of water. This boosts your metabolism and helps keep you fuller feeling.

#9 Prepare your food in advanced so you don't give yourself an excuse to fail. Yes you will be tired, no you won't want to do it. Guess what? DO IT!

#10 Don't worry about Sodium and Sugar. Follow the 4 things I told you to track and you will be fine.

#11 I would definitely take supplements. If you want some recommendations let me know.

I am not a Dr. and do not work with certain illnesses etc. I am however a Personal Trainer and Specialist in Performance Nutrition. These are just my recommendations. I follow these same principals and a lot of my Professional bodybuilders follow the same.

Here is to a better you!

I will leave you with a quote. "If it's important to you, you will find a way. If not, you will find and excuse."

. I'm sorry but you cannot cast this as supreme advice for everyone. I do Keto which cuts out my carbs, it works for me very well. Those of us who suffer from eating disorders don't appreciate being told what we are doing is wrong if it works for us. There is no one way approach.

We're not all made equal. If I ate 225 carbs a day, I would balloon up in weeks. I realize your some kind of PT. The tone of your post is what makes me want to throttle you, not the information, which on a whole is quite good.