Why do people say low carb is unhealthy???/ I feel good

misti017

I'm so confused by this. Because honestly it's the only way I can lose weight. And it's weird but I always have swollen ankles and hands, but when I eat low carb, I don't have swelling so you'd think it was good for you? But then I get scared because people say its unhealthy for your heart. What is yall's opinion?

ThickMcRunFast

Its just a way to create a calorie deficit. It depends on your goals and preferences. Its no more healthy or unhealthy than any other ways of creating a calorie deficit. Most reasonable people's problems come in when someone starts making claims of how low-carb the 'best' or 'only' way to lose weight. Basically if it fits your lifestyle and you are ok with eating that way forever, have at it. The part that starts to get 'unhealthy' is the demonizing of an entire food group. Carbs don't make people fat, excessive consumption of calories does.

If you feel good, are getting proper nutrition, and can meet your long-term goals, then have at it.

If you love bread and pasta, and want to run marathons, its probably not the best way to go.

misti017

Thanks! Good advise! by the way - your stomach is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess the difference in my diet and others that are low carb, is I still eat all vegetables and fruits that I want. I stay away from white potatoes and corn. But I truly do feel better then when I just cut calories. I lift heavy so need my energy and too much calorie restriction zaps my energy. I eat 1800+ calories a day and I'm only 5"3"

78Phoenix

I think it's the high-protein part of this diet that concerns people. When people think they can eat all the red meat and cheese that they want, then heart disease, etc., can become concerning.

marina80498

Given the number of diets out there, and the fact that every one of them has at least some success stories, it is reasonable to assume that metabolism differs from person to person such that they all work, at least for someone, just maybe not for you (or me). Our bodies process each type of food in different ways, and each part of the food pyramid is needed to fit a specific need. If something is missing or way out of whack, we start doing things like storing calories for a rainy day (as fat), or breaking down muscle (to get amino acids for more important things). So as my Grandmother said before she passed away at 103. "all things in moderation, including moderation."

That said, if you are experiencing swelling when you eat carbs, consider the possibility of carbohydrate intolerance induced edema. (Big words for swelling). Self-diagnosed gluten intolerance is rampant and I do not want to encourage you in that direction, but maybe test some gluten free carbs, like quinoa which gives you extra protein too, for a few weeks and see if it is different experience. If yes, then you may want to see a doctor for testing for celiac disease (a real and testable condition) or just self-medicate with different carbs. It is possible to make a souffle with nut flowers, so it does not have to mean the end of life. (PS, I am a glutton for gluten, with no ill effects).

ThickMcRunFast

Thanks! Good advise! by the way - your stomach is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess the difference in my diet and others that are low carb, is I still eat all vegetables and fruits that I want. I stay away from white potatoes and corn. But I truly do feel better then when I just cut calories. I lift heavy so need my energy and too much calorie restriction zaps my energy. I eat 1800+ calories a day and I'm only 5"3"

Thanks! You're looking quite fine yourself!

Sounds fine, and low carb can mean different things to different people. Some take "low carb" to mean ketosis, for others its below 100g a day. Shoot, for me a 'low carb' day would be 200g.

the 'unhealthiness" can be more mental - when people start thinking that 'bread will kill you' because they heard it on Dr. Oz. If you love carbs, but then try to over-restrict them because you heard that carbs are evil, you eventually end up binging on carbs, then hating yourself, restricting again, and starting the cycle over. That isn't a going to lead anywhere positive

However, if the mentality is "I like eating this way, but if I have a day where I want more carbs, no biggie, I'll just work it in", then it's all good.

neanderthin

And you look good too. :flowerforyou:

EddieHaskell97

Because most people don't understand it, nor do they care to. They'll also confuse ketosis with ketoacidosis, which are as different as lightning and a lightning bug. They're so stuck in their way to lose weight or be healthy, that anything else triggers a fight or flight response. I do grow weary of being told that "two months in ketosis will kill you," when I'm certainly not dead (three times over).

I'm like you in that I eat fruit and veggies, but I stay away from all processed carbs and sugars. I do ketosis under my doctor's supervision, and he says his only concern is that I get enough vitamins, which I do.

As @Thick says, it's just a means to calorie reduction, and ketosis really does suppress my appetite. I say live and let live, 'haters gonna' 'hate, just keep doing what you're doing. You're rocking it!

neanderthin

Its just a way to create a calorie deficit. It depends on your goals and preferences. Its no more healthy or unhealthy than any other ways of creating a calorie deficit. Most reasonable people's problems come in when someone starts making claims of how low-carb the 'best' or 'only' way to lose weight. Basically if it fits your lifestyle and you are ok with eating that way forever, have at it. The part that starts to get 'unhealthy' is the demonizing of an entire food group. Carbs don't make people fat, excessive consumption of calories does.

If you feel good, are getting proper nutrition, and can meet your long-term goals, then have at it.

If you love bread and pasta, and want to run marathons, its probably not the best way to go.

QFT and you look good too.:happy:

misti017

Wow EddieHaskel! Thanks, your results have been amazing! My cardiologist is also aware that I am low carbing and is fully supportive of that. I eat between 20g to 40g of carbs a day. Thanks for all the great advice everyone, I don't know why it was bothering me, but I feel better now

KANGOOJUMPS

carbs are great, I do 2 to 3 hours cardio a day, 7 DAYS A WEEK,
I need that fuel

jasonpclement

small populations of people do react poorly to carbs.

There is also a self fullfilling prophecy of low carb as well though. If you restrict your carbs heavily, then engage in eating high carbs, you will bloat for a day or day(s) or..however long after.

However once your body adjusts (and for most it doesnt take long) to regular carb consumption, this effect largely goes away.

The same is true for scale weight. Many folks cut the carbs, lose the water, and see the scale move down. Then eat the carbs, suck up the water, and see the scale move up.

I'm not saying any of the above is true for you, but just expressing some of the mind games low carb diets play on folks. Best of luck in the future, and keep up the hard work!

ab_1203

I dont think its unhealthy but you can lose weight eating carbs the same exact same way you do on keto, its all about the calorie deficit. Carbs also taste nice and give you quick energy for workouts. I dont see the point of depriving yourself from carbs. Everything is good in moderation.

cwolfman13

I've never heard it called unhealthy...unnecessary for the vast majority? yes, but I've never heard anyone comment on it being unhealthy.

I eat around 200 - 250 grams of carbs per day...most of which come from fruit, vegetables, nuts, legumes, potatoes, etc..but I'm not afraid of some pasta or white rice or whatever either. I'm perfectly healthy and very fit. I've tried low carb before an dhad a great deal of difficulty meeting my fitness goals, so it doesn't work for me...

An employee of mine is in ketosis and other than stinking up the joint he seems perfectly healthy and doesn't seem to be suffering other than when I bring spaghetti for lunch.

Keliandra

I eat lower carb (90g), and like you, its the only way I can lose weight (and for me, control my blood sugar!) I eat a LOT of veggies, an 8oz salad of baby greens, spinach, radishes, celery, flat peas, carrots, cucumber and blueberries every day, and a whole, low glycemic fruit a couple times a week.. I even eat corn sometimes! I don't touch flour, potatoes, rice, pasta, or high fructose corn syrup. I eat about a half pound of meat a day, split into two meals, and 2-4 oz of cheese. I also eat 2 eggs every day.

My indulgences are a single Ghiradelli chocolate for dessert and 3 tablespoons of Nestle Coffee-mate Creme Brulee Liquid Coffee Creamer with 10oz of coffee when I wake up. Sometimes, I'll even make a faux mousse out of sugar free pudding mix, with half whole milk and half heavy cream. yum!

Not every meal plan, diet or way of eating will work for everyone. We are not clones and there is no one size fits all (or even most). Unfortunately, people that hate on you for eating low carb (or not low enough carb) or red meat, or any meat at all will continue to surround us. They cannot conceive, deep down in their core, that there is no "one TRUE way" and that we are all different.

So next time, smile at the hater and say "it works for me. I'm happy that what you are doing works for you."

Vive la diference!

butterfli7o

Honestly, just do what works for you. If you are a healthy person, there shouldn't be an issue.

holly55555

In my opinion, it works really well, but personally, it makes me feel sick and is impossible for me to stick to.

You lose weight, but the second you go back to eating carbs, you gain it all back. Unless you have A LOT of weight to lose, it just doesn't seem worth it. You'd have to eat that way for the rest of your life.

I just think it's easier to eat healthy all around and maintain that forever.

fast_eddie_72

I'm not trying to eat "low carb", but lately been making an effort to at least TRY to hit my protein goal. Doing that and staying under my calorie goal sure makes for a fairly low carb diet, at least compared to how I used to eat.

OverDoIt

PLEASE READ !!!
Everyone responds differently to different foods. Find what works for you and stick with it. Low carbs are just fine, however when I cut carbs back my wife says I get very grumpy. You own your body, it is the only thing you really "own" in this world. You know it better than anyone. Judging by your photo, you are in top shape. You made it this far, you are on the right path. Pat yourself on the back.

rileysowner

I don't know that I have seen people saying it is unhealthy, except those who think low fat is the way to go. I think many people say it is unnecessary for most people. Apparently it is helpful for you.

rocknlotsofrolls

I'm not trying to eat "low carb", but lately been making an effort to at least TRY to hit my protein goal. Doing that and staying under my calorie goal sure makes for a fairly low carb diet, at least compared to how I used to eat.

You sound like me. I'm also trying to up my protein so it naturally means that I am eating less carbs, cause I'm trying to stay in my calorie range. If I'm eating 120grams of protein, it doesn't leave much room for carbs.

LauRoxx

Everyone's body is different and these differences effect the metabolism. Personally when I did low carb I didn't get the drop in energy that everyone described, but unfortunately the effect on me was that I was mentally very hazy and sluggish, moreover i didn't lose any weight.

People always say that any diet that drastically cuts any one food group (or macro in this case) is bad but it always depends how you make up for it and just that you're careful to still get a complete diet.

ladymiseryali

Ignorance is my only guess. I'm down over 30 lbs since starting Keto and I feel AWESOME! Don't sweat it too much. low-carb haters are inevitable. Just keep doing what you're doing and reap the rewards!

Iwishyouwell

I low carbed off and on for over a decade. Even today, when I have no restrictions on any macro, my baseline diet is low carb simply because I love the way it makes me feel and many of the foods I enjoy happen to be lower in carbs, and fat is my favorite macro.

I haven't had so much as a cold in over a decade, perfect blood sugars despite a family history of T2D, so the "unhealthy" talk is nonsense. Many people have seen vast improvement on their health markers from low carbing, including and especially the heart. A lot of people low carb for medical reasons. Most of the anti-low carb rants you see are from totally ignorant people who have a knee jerk reaction and don't even bother collecting data on how beneficial that way of eating can actually be for some people's health.

Screw the haters. There will always be somebody who, for whatever reason, is bothered by what other grown ups chose to put in their body. No need to spend a moment justifying jack crap with these people.

Bottom line, if you feel good low carbing, do it. If you feel like crap for months on end, don't.

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yarwell

People always say that any diet that drastically cuts any one food group (or macro in this case) is bad

do they say that to veg*ans I wonder ?

NewToFitness

LCHF (low carb high fat) is certainly the most successful, enjoyable, and least stressful diet I've ever been on. I'm losing weight and I don't need to count calories, diary, etc.

Obsessive compulsive disorder runs in my family and I feel that counting calories, monitoring "intake vs outtake" really messes me up. It focuses my attention on the food, the next meal, the next exercise, and it really was exhausting having to focus on that all the time. Additionally, it made me feel bad about myself if I didn't live up to my "goals". Now I just don't eat sugar, the fat drops off, and the only thing I track is a weekly weigh-in.

Essentially the diet is no or low sugar (since the starches / grains that the diet avoids are also converted into sugar during digestion). So the diet probably only works with folks that have insulin resistance. Because of the low/no sugar, it also reduces inflammation throughout the body, which is probably why your swelling would go down. The inflammation reduction is also good for preventing atherosclerosis, since it requires inflammation for cholesterol.

Obviously I don't consider it unhealthy, but different people have different dietary requirements. What works for one person might not work for another. But I feel like the obesity epidemic isn't a matter of "ability to control" anymore, it's a matter of what works for your body and what foods your body responds best to. I have several friends that eat mostly vegetarian (typically high veg, moderate grains, low protein, and moderate fats) and cannot handle meat, which is fine too. We have to stop judging diets as "this one bad, this one good" and look at the "why" behind why one succeeds with one person and one succeeds with another. Nutrition isn't a one-size-fits-all thing.

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johnthomasmoore

Seems like no topic generates such discussion as "low carb" and the related "calories in/calories out." What I've decided for me is too stay away from most processed foods and grains. My wife is diabetic and needs to limit carbs, especially those with high glycemic impact. I tend to be heavy, fat accumulates around my belly and my blood pressure was up (probable metabolic syndrome). I don't see my emphasis as "limiting carbs" as much as staying away from grains and starchy vegetables. I try to pack in the leafy vegetables (spinach, romaine, kale, etc.) and broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, zucchini, etc. Eat some berries, especially in my morning smoothie. I avoid foods with high glycemic impact. I'm usually something under 100 g carbs per day with no grains, starchy veggies, sugary fruits. I feel better. I think it's important to note the hormonal impact of what we eat, especially if we are concerned about diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The conventional "avoid fat" advice has not been supported by research. Unfortunately calorie restriction as an approach to weight loss has been disappointing in results of studies especially in terms of gaining the weight back. I am more and more convinced of the importance of hormonal factors which impact the body defending a set point and the related processes of how body fat is deposited vs. used as fuel. At the risk of being flamed, I have found Gary Taubes and Jonathon Bailor to be very helpful in understanding the complex science of diet, body composition, exercise, etc. I wouldn't argue that some people don't lose weight with simple calorie restriction or that there are not populations who eat relatively high proportions of carbs without high levels of obesity. I would argue that the calories in/calories out (eat less, exercise more) model, especially coupled with "avoid fat" has not been successful at a population level in reducing obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease/mortality. We each have to decide based on what we feel is best for us. I can live with the approach I'm using. I do track calories, macros, activity, weight, blood pressure daily. All the best.

Iwishyouwell

But, I'm not convinced it's a completely healthful way to eat. That doesn't mean I'm a low carb hater, I just think ignoring a major macronutrients that the body needs is a bit silly. Sure, the body can adapt, but should it?

Low carb doesn't ignore any macronutrient.

Human being are able to live with pretty large variations in macronutrient content. There are entire civilizations that have diets that are inherently low in carbs, or low in fat, or low in protein, depending on availability. This whole notion that you must eat in "balance" is a crock and a myth. These ideas only exist in nations with overabundance, and the "rules" are largely manufactured. It's no different than this "rule" that you must eat all day, every day, or by a specific time. Doesn't line up at all with how human beings use to eat, and how many people the world over still eat, but when you repeat a diet myth enough, it becomes a "truth".

Most of our accepted diet and eating related ideas are culturally and socially dictated, having very little to do with how the human body actually functions.

megsmom2

I did Atkins a few years ago..when it was crazy popular. Yup, lost a ton of weight pretty quickly and easilly. But it just wasn't a way I wanted to live..I like bread, I like pasta, I like fruit....and I don't like having to focus so much of my attention on sticking to a diet plan. If it works for you long term...great! Some people live happily and healthily on a low carb regimen. I put most...not all...of that weight back on after shifting my focus away from it. I suspect most people do. Sure doesn't mean you will...or that you're not doing the right things for you, right now. Carry on!