What's the deal with Carbs?

CiCi924

So, I've heard conflicting information about carbs from various sources, and I wanted to get some other opinions.
I eat around 100g of carbs a day, sometimes closer to 150g. Is it necessary to cut carbs for weight loss? Both my dad and my brother are eating almost no carbs in their diets, and my brother, who's trying to lose weight to enlist in the Air Force, has lost close to 30 lbs the past few months. My dad has also lost a lot of weight, but he also goes to the gym 5 days a week for a couple hours, so I'm sure that helps a lot too.

So anyway, what are you guys' opinions on carbs/cutting carbs?

Tabitha_Faye

Restricting carbs for weight loss is a diet; only temporary. If you're striving for a lifestyle change and results that will last, eat your carbs!

thinklivebefree

Don't cut carbs!

Hunnib23

Carbs are not bad, your body actually NEEDS carbs for energy. Just beware, carbs/sugars you find in natural foods, like fruits, are used by your body differently then carbs found in cookies. This link breaks it down pretty simple:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/carbohydrates.html

training2bme

Carbs are not bad. They are your body and your brain's main source for fuel. The amount you eat may be too high, the body only stores 190 g, the rest is stored as fat in your adipose tissue. Also, the source of the carbs determines the good/bad. Are your carbs coming from whole foods, such as whole wheat breat (not fortified or enriched), potatoes. yams, fruits and vegetables? Or are they coming from refined sources such as white bread/rice, etc?

CiCi924

Thanks guys

It's mostly refined stuff unfortunately. Perhaps I should watch where my carbs come from as opposed to restricting them.

eazy_

Does not matter what you eat, only matters that you eat at a deficit.

neanderthin

Carb consumption is a gov't conspiracy to keep people fat and unhealthy, don't believe people that say they're fine......they're in on it too.:bigsmile:

therasca1queen

I've lost a significant amount of weight, several times, by limiting carbs. I've gained significant amounts of weight, several times, by paying no attention and hoeing down into pasta, rice, bread. Completely anecdotal, but lower carbs (less than 20g/meal) and higher protein (100g/day) is currently what works for me. (Well, combined with eating at a calorie deficit).

I absolutely believe it's necessary to limit carb intake for weightloss (and probably maintenance but I don't know about maintaining yet).

*My carb intake tends to come from veges and fruit.

Wetcoaster

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RonnieLodge

So, I've heard conflicting information about carbs from various sources, and I wanted to get some other opinions.
I eat around 100g of carbs a day, sometimes closer to 150g. Is it necessary to cut carbs for weight loss? Both my dad and my brother are eating almost no carbs in their diets, and my brother, who's trying to lose weight to enlist in the Air Force, has lost close to 30 lbs the past few months. My dad has also lost a lot of weight, but he also goes to the gym 5 days a week for a couple hours, so I'm sure that helps a lot too.

So anyway, what are you guys' opinions on carbs/cutting carbs?

It is not necessary to cut carbs for weight loss, although fat and protein will take longer to digest and make you feel less hungry.

Some people find them to be a trigger/something they don't really have an 'off' switch for (hellooo eating a whole cake/loaf of bread/family bags of candy/boxes of chocolates) so abstinence works better than attempts at moderation.

Refined sugars, pasta, bread & baked goods, potatoes - whenever I eat these things within 30mins I get abdominal pains, bloating, lethargy and will often fall asleep. Within a couple of days I also seem to have pimples come up too.

So I personally feel better when I am avoiding carbs.

ayalowich

Does not matter what you eat, only matters that you eat at a deficit.

That is an oversimplification and really not entirely true. Eat only junk and eventually your body will demand more and more calories and any short term gains get whittled away. Not to mention that if you eat a lot of bad foods it is going to effect a lot of things including athletic performance, stamina, skin etc..

EricMurano

Make sure you get enough carbs! I wouldn't recommend cutting carbs to extreme low levels unless your have issues like diabetes and your doctor is telling you to!

I think 'carbs' get a bad rap because foods like rice, bread and pasta are more 'calorie dense' than you think. It's easy to eat a bowl of pasta and not think anything of it until you find out how many calories that pasta contained.

An extremely low carb diet is just a low calorie diet without an important macro nutrient.

mmipanda

redladywitch

I actually (albeit only with part time success) try to limit my carbs to no more than 40 grams per meal or snack. This is due to some medical conditions. My carbs are set at 40% which works out very well for me. Sometimes I change this around.

Keep learning about setting your macros. You can also speak with a registered dietitian or your doctor for the safest advice.

I wish you the best! Don't give up...

EricMurano

HAH! I totally missed the "what's the deal"

stephicozar

I've been on a carb-restricted diet for 3 months now under the supervision of a dietician, and regular blood tests and checks with my GP. I have Insulin Resistance (insulin was 53 when I started) and PCOS, diagnosed when I was 22 (7 years ago). I

I lost a good 15kg (33lbs) of fat from limiting my calories to <1000 and carbs to <40g and my insulin level is now down to 15 (normal is up to 14 so I'm nearly there!) and the PCOS symptoms have lessened significantly.

So with my specific health problems (and support from health professionals), the low carb approach worked for me. That isn't to say that I didn't often feel hungry, tired, dizzy etc! I have now upped my goals significantly and am still losing weight (much slower but its coming off) at around 80-90g carbs from fruit and veg (and nutella.... :blushing: ).

I'm hoping that as my hormones etc start to be less whacko I'll be able to adjust these levels as time goes on and weight comes off, but like I said, I'm doing all this with a nutritionist/dietician and my doctor and an exercise physiologist and physiotherapist (I have arthritis in my spine and ankle).

While on the low carb diet, I was only walking for my exercise. Now that I'm starting pilates and some strength training in addition to being able to walk much further and faster since losing some weight, I'm going to need the extra energy that carbs provide, so I'll be upping them again.

Obviously with my health problems and family history of diabetes, carbs ARE my enemy but that just means moderation, healthy carbs, and getting plenty of exercise.

eazy_

Does not matter what you eat, only matters that you eat at a deficit.

That is an oversimplification and really not entirely true. Eat only junk and eventually your body will demand more and more calories and any short term gains get whittled away. Not to mention that if you eat a lot of bad foods it is going to effect a lot of things including athletic performance, stamina, skin etc..

The original question was do you need to cut carbs to lose weight. The answer to that question is no.

You simply need to eat at a calorie deficit.

I never suggested eating junk.

What is not true about the statement: if you eat at a deficit you will lose weight?

Iwishyouwell

You're not going to find a lot of sound information, or support, on MFP for low carbing. I did it for years, loved the way it made me look and feel. I don't restrict carbs anymore per say, but I intuitively now veer toward a lower carb way of eating most days and I love it.

But it's probably best you do a search for one of the low carb or even paleo boards to get more info and support for this kind of program. All you're going to get here is largely people telling you that you "need" lots of carbs for energy (wrong) or that it's impossible to stick to long term (also wrong).

And its also great for some, and a nightmare for others.

And NO, it is not "necessary" to cut carbs to lose weight. Though some people who have difficulties controlling carbs find that low carbing allows them to eat to satisfaction, without binging, which helps them lose weight in the long run.

ronrstaats

Restricting carbs for weight loss is a diet; only temporary. If you're striving for a lifestyle change and results that will last, eat your carbs!

After 2.5 years of low carb how much longer do I have for it to temporary?

joaniegray

I have lost 35 pounds in past year, 5 more till goal. It's been slow but easy and I do watch the carbs. My biggest weaknesss was always bread, so I try to only have one whole wheat slice a day, perhaps a ww small tortilla at lunch, that kind of thing. Sweet potato at dinner. But because I do love my carbs, i never wish to feel deprived by eliminating them altogether. My favourite breakfast is a poached egg on toast, keeps me full till lunch, and i eat a lot of fruits and veggies. .
But if you want to lose fast, cutting carbs seems to provide a faster weight loss.

ndj1979

calorie deficit is what you need for weight loss.

eat in a calorie deficit, hit macros, work out move/more - these are the keys to success.

You can eat carbs and be in a deficit and lose weight..

you can cut carbs and be in a surplus and gain weight..

80% healthy
20% whatever you want = ice cream, cookies, pizza…

ndj1979

Does not matter what you eat, only matters that you eat at a deficit.

That is an oversimplification and really not entirely true. Eat only junk and eventually your body will demand more and more calories and any short term gains get whittled away. Not to mention that if you eat a lot of bad foods it is going to effect a lot of things including athletic performance, stamina, skin etc..

you can eat twinkles, be in a deficit, and lose weight…people have done it...

wheird

Does not matter what you eat, only matters that you eat at a deficit.

That is an oversimplification and really not entirely true. Eat only junk and eventually your body will demand more and more calories and any short term gains get whittled away. Not to mention that if you eat a lot of bad foods it is going to effect a lot of things including athletic performance, stamina, skin etc..

I eat fast food 2-3 meals most days and I have great skin, losing weight, gaining strength, and have a great sense of well being.

wheird

You're not going to find a lot of sound information, or support, on MFP for low carbing. I did it for years, loved the way it made me look and feel. I don't restrict carbs anymore per say, but I intuitively now veer toward a lower carb way of eating most days and I love it.

But it's probably best you do a search for one of the low carb or even paleo boards to get more info and support for this kind of program. All you're going to get here is largely people telling you that you "need" lots of carbs for energy (wrong) or that it's impossible to stick to long term (also wrong).

And its also great for some, and a nightmare for others.

And NO, it is not "necessary" to cut carbs to lose weight. Though some people who have difficulties controlling carbs find that low carbing allows them to eat to satisfaction, without binging, which helps them lose weight in the long run.

There is plenty of information and I support it if you need to do it to adhere to your diet.

RllyGudTweetr

Provided you're getting adequate protein and are eating at a deficit, your carb intake is fundamentally inconsequential to your weight loss success. Exercising will certainly improve your success in that capacity.

CiCi924

Haha yess! I was waiting for someone to do that XD

CiCi924

Thank you everybody! I appreciate all of your experiences and advice!

TomfromNY

Cutting starches (bread, rice, potatoes, etc...) and sugar will make it much easier to lose weight. Non-starchy vegetables contain carbs and they are fine. A little bit of fruit is fine because it has some fiber in it (don't drink juice if you are trying to lose weight).

I went from 227->187 in about 5 months by following the above and eating lots of eggs, non-starchy vegetables, meat, fish, olive oil, butter, and a little bit of cheese and full-fat yogurt.

JohnDowding

You'll continue to get conflicting information :-) I got a lot out of reading "Why we get fat" by Gary Taubes. That was what convinced me to go restrict carbs (I'm currently eating 75-100g per day). It doesn't feel at all like a white-knuckle diet to me, but a permanent life style change that will be easy to maintain.

wheird

I love magical fiber.