CARBS. What's myth & what's truth?!

Showcase_Brodown

That being said, carbs turn to glucose (sugar) when digested, which is not good. I stick with low carbs.

I'm confused about why glucose is a bad thing.

Showcase_Brodown

I literally don't know what to believe when it comes to carbs !!

I want to pull my hair out !

Help?

Like most people have chimed in to say, it really doesn't matter when you eat carbs or any other food. What will indeed throw off your progress is if you have too many calories. Calories will be the determining factor of your weight, NOT how late you ate carbs. It's a ridiculous myth that needs to die.

IMO calories are not calories even in the least, and I believe quality matters over quantity.

So... if you don't think calories are calories, what is your best guess at what they are?

Dewymorning

I think I eat carbs after 4pm every day.

Has not stopped me from losing weight. Just look at my ticker.

BenjaminMFP88

Here's my understanding of how Carbs work and why people testify to the theory of not eating carbs after 4pm. This is just my extrapolation of data that I have found via EFSA, Harvard/Stanford and many others. Basically, carbohydrates break down and spike insulin. The insulin is responsible in some way for filling the glycogen stores. When the glycogen stores "fill up" so to speak, the remaining carbs is stored in fat cells. Now, when you work out and deplete your glycogen stores, your body looks for ways to replenish it. This is commonly satisfied by a post workout meal full of high GI carbs. If you don't do this, then the body will look for alternative ways to fuel this. I'm not certain on this but I believe that the body tends to pull from Amino Acids (Protein) and fatty acids first. Meaning, the carbs that were previously eaten and stored in fat cells, remain there. So, to summarize, it's fine to eat a ton of carbs later in the day so long as you work out in such a way that you will burn it off. As far as weight loss in concerned, my understanding is that it wouldn't be affected because your body would be fueling from proteins and fats instead of carbs. However, fueling the body from protein/muscle isn't what most of us want

I could very well be wrong on a lot of this, biochemistry is fairly convoluted and everyone thinks they know everything making it really difficult to find credible sources.

Please feel free to critique, but if you do, please explain why this is wrong with sources if possible. I'm sure I could dig up the sources I've utilized to support this if you want.

tmauck4472

I do better eating low carbs. If you go low carb you will gain when you start adding them back if you don't introduce them slowly. At least that's been my experience, you may have a different reaction

hmaddpear

Your body can totally tell the time - humans have (on average) a 25 hour 'day', so we can be reset like little clocks by sunlight.

BUT: this has no bearing on when you should and shouldn't eat things. Timing of meals (and your macros) should be set that you're eating at your preferred deficit, without feeling hungry or deprived, which may lead to you giving up / giving in.

Personally, I avoid carbs at breakfast, as I've a history of keeling over, if I do eat them. But a meal with a starchy carb component at dinner time (around 8pm for me) tends to stop me snacking later in the evening. YMMDV.

BigSnicka

Personally, I treat carbs like the fuel for my car. I load up on them when I start to feel sluggish (low on fuel) and then maintain a steady daily intake of carbs the remainder of the time. That being said, there's no reason other than extracurricular activities or the need to stay awake for me to fuel right before bedtime. 4 pm seems very early in the day to shut it down though, but to each their own. I don't really care about the science of it all, I just know that it's been working for me.

tigersword

It will not mess it up. However, it depends on how soon you go to sleep after eating. Your body digests food when you eat it. However, if you don't allow time for digestion, your body will turn the undigested food to storage (fat). This is because when you sleep, your body is focusing on many processes, such as making sure you're breathing and many other activities happening in your brain at night (it's very active!). Therefore, digestion gets put to the side. If you're going to have carbs in the evening or night, ensure enough time before sleeping (at least an hour or two plus).

Wait, wait, wait! You mean my brain isn't focusing on making sure I'm breathing when I'm awake? Holy hell, how do I not suffocate every day!?

rle5

Here's the thing-- Carbs have gotten a bad rap. In a long line of diet myths the "no-carb" diet is just another distraction from keeping us from doing the right thing. People believe that all Carbs are bad and that is just not true. We need Carbs but, not all Carbs are created equally. Highly processed, foods containing loads of sugar and other ingredients we can't pronounce should not be part of a healthy diet plan. Carbs that are made with whole grains, low in sugar, and contain fiber are perfectly acceptable and should have a place in a balanced, and nutritious diet. Timing does not have anything to do with how you should or should not consume your carbs (unless you are a professional athlete and/or intensively training). As with the rest of your food intake-- balance throughout the day. Hope this helps.

stevencloser

Here's my understanding of how Carbs work and why people testify to the theory of not eating carbs after 4pm. This is just my extrapolation of data that I have found via EFSA, Harvard/Stanford and many others. Basically, carbohydrates break down and spike insulin. The insulin is responsible in some way for filling the glycogen stores. When the glycogen stores "fill up" so to speak, the remaining carbs is stored in fat cells. Now, when you work out and deplete your glycogen stores, your body looks for ways to replenish it. This is commonly satisfied by a post workout meal full of high GI carbs. If you don't do this, then the body will look for alternative ways to fuel this. I'm not certain on this but I believe that the body tends to pull from Amino Acids (Protein) and fatty acids first. Meaning, the carbs that were previously eaten and stored in fat cells, remain there. So, to summarize, it's fine to eat a ton of carbs later in the day so long as you work out in such a way that you will burn it off. As far as weight loss in concerned, my understanding is that it wouldn't be affected because your body would be fueling from proteins and fats instead of carbs. However, fueling the body from protein/muscle isn't what most of us want

I could very well be wrong on a lot of this, biochemistry is fairly convoluted and everyone thinks they know everything making it really difficult to find credible sources.

Please feel free to critique, but if you do, please explain why this is wrong with sources if possible. I'm sure I could dig up the sources I've utilized to support this if you want.

Fairly accurate. It didn't take into account the energy your body needs to work to begin with thoughl, making your heart beat, your organs work and feeding your brain. Especially your brain feeds directly off carbs, so they're not just used to fill your glycogen.
And what is stored as fat is used up again as fatty acids when you're under maintenance. Together with some muscle mass, the amount of which gets reduced by working out.

craftywitch_63

I ate carbs at 4:01pm once..............i immediately needed a mobility scooter

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I'm a Nurse Case Manager. I can help you qualify for one!!

craftywitch_63

That being said, carbs turn to glucose (sugar) when digested, which is not good. I stick with low carbs.

I'm confused about why glucose is a bad thing.

It's not a bad thing, in fact, it's the only nutrient your brain can use for fuel.

neanderthin

That being said, carbs turn to glucose (sugar) when digested, which is not good. I stick with low carbs.

I'm confused about why glucose is a bad thing.

It's not a bad thing, in fact, it's the only nutrient your brain can use for fuel.

You might want to google ketones.

craftywitch_63

It will not mess it up. However, it depends on how soon you go to sleep after eating. Your body digests food when you eat it. However, if you don't allow time for digestion, your body will turn the undigested food to storage (fat). This is because when you sleep, your body is focusing on many processes, such as making sure you're breathing and many other activities happening in your brain at night (it's very active!). Therefore, digestion gets put to the side. If you're going to have carbs in the evening or night, ensure enough time before sleeping (at least an hour or two plus).

Wait, wait, wait! You mean my brain isn't focusing on making sure I'm breathing when I'm awake? Holy hell, how do I not suffocate every day!?

Haven't you heard? You're a special little snowflake. You're the exception to the whole "have to breathe during the day" rule. :laugh:

craftywitch_63

That being said, carbs turn to glucose (sugar) when digested, which is not good. I stick with low carbs.

I'm confused about why glucose is a bad thing.

It's not a bad thing, in fact, it's the only nutrient your brain can use for fuel.

You might want to google ketones.

I'm a nurse so I know about ketones. When we find them we have to treat them with insulin. Google diabetic ketoacidosis. Ketones damage the liver, kidneys and cause damage to things like eyes and nerves; Google neuropathy.

Wtn_Gurl

I dont know scientifically about any rules like not eating after 4:00 pm (carbs).

however, I do feel this way - that if you are really starving at 9:00 and your bedtime is an hour or two away, then I would eat the carbs and not go to bed starving. Because then you wake up even MORE starving and then you probably will grab whatever is available and overeat to compensate for the extreme starvation you are feeling.

but secretly i do feel that rule does not apply since it all balances out thru the week. sometimes you eat perfectly and bodily weight (normal) fluctuations happen.

So i would look to the big picture and see how that is working overall.

I've even found that eating low calorie all week and then having a candy bar does not seem to cause weight gain for the week.

I think some of these rules are kinda silly and you have to test it to see how it works for your body.

neanderthin

That being said, carbs turn to glucose (sugar) when digested, which is not good. I stick with low carbs.

I'm confused about why glucose is a bad thing.

It's not a bad thing, in fact, it's the only nutrient your brain can use for fuel.

You might want to google ketones.

I'm a nurse so I know about ketones. When we find them we have to treat them with insulin. Google diabetic ketoacidosis. Ketones damage the liver, kidneys and cause damage to things like eyes and nerves; Google neuropathy.

You say your a nurse and you believe ketones and ketoacidosis are synonymous, not surprising.

HappyStack

The brain uses ketones on a low-carb diet but it doesn't use 100% ketones like it uses 100% glucose. It still produces glucose for brain function, the balance of which I'm unsure of, but it seems to have a minimal need for glucose.

Most of what is said about carbs & low-carb is a myth... though I am not a fan of keto diets without medical supervision, if it works for you and you do it informed, there's no problem.

If you want carbs, eat them. Only in the land of healthy eating are we simultaneously told that carbs are the devil and responsible for obesity, yet on the other hand vegetarian/vegan diets will ensure you live until you're 103 (in addition to saving the planet).

neanderthin

The brain uses ketones on a low-carb diet but it doesn't use 100% ketones like it uses 100% glucose. It still produces glucose for brain function, the balance of which I'm unsure of, but it seems to have a minimal need for glucose.

Most of what is said about carbs & low-carb is a myth... though I am not a fan of keto diets without medical supervision, if it works for you and you do it informed, there's no problem.

If you want carbs, eat them. Only in the land of healthy eating are we simultaneously told that carbs are the devil and responsible for obesity, yet on the other hand vegetarian/vegan diets will ensure you live until you're 103 (in addition to saving the planet).

Hominids have adapted for millions of years in varied climates and the adaptions that that provided means we can also thrive on just about anything and to say that low carb is not healthy is cherry picking to support their stance. The Inuit didn't have medical supervision over the last 40,000 years, but strangely enough they do now because of the health problems associated with the introduction of modern foods and a complete reversal of carb consumption.......see what I did there.

HappyStack

I'm not sure if you're implying the Inuit lived no-carb or very-low carb, but if you are that is cherry-picking, too, really. Seasonally they ate algaes, tubers, some grasses like worts (like samphire, but not samphire...), edible flowers and certain grains.

Look up Uqalurait, the book, an oral history of food traditions in Nunavut. It's very interesting stuff.

I don't really believe low-carb is inherently unhealthy, but it can be... just like any diet can be unhealthy if one is not properly informed about the basics of nutrition. I think it's marginally easier to be haphazardly healthy on a completely unrestricted diet, but that's my opinion and I don't have any scientific proof to back that up.

jmv7117

I'm curious. I hear a lot that you shouldn't eat carbs after 4pm. Well, I'm normal and eat dinner after 6, so what if I want rice with my chicken? Is it going to through me way off for the week just because I eat half a cup of rice at dinner time? I literally don't know what to believe when it comes to carbs !!

I want to pull my hair out !

Help?

If you are exercising to burn fat, it is best done on a fast so no carbs 12 hr before. If you are exercising to build endurance than it doesn't matter. If you are simply trying to lose weight without exercising or not concerned about maximal fat burn, then it doesn't matter when you eat your carbs.

neanderthin

I'm not sure if you're implying the Inuit lived no-carb or very-low carb, but if you are that is cherry-picking, too, really. Seasonally they ate algaes, tubers, some grasses like worts (like samphire, but not samphire...), edible flowers and certain grains.

Look up Uqalurait, the book, an oral history of food traditions in Nunavut. It's very interesting stuff.

I don't really believe low-carb is inherently unhealthy, but it can be... just like any diet can be unhealthy if one is not properly informed about the basics of nutrition. I think it's marginally easier to be haphazardly healthy on a completely unrestricted diet, but that's my opinion and I don't have any scientific proof to back that up.

Yes the Inuit lived a low carb diet and for them it was an unrestrictive diet, it was what is was. Just making a point because I've never said one was healthier than the other, you on the other hand feel a low carb diet is not healthy or at least said it needs medical supervision, so just trying to make a point in the last 2 responses. It's all good, I admire your knowledge and conviction btw.:flowerforyou:

HappyStack

Well, as you know not all low-carb diets are ketogenic and it's the keto diets I believe should be supervised. It's just based on the fact that DM2 is something that is commonly undiagnosed in the obese, and going into DKA is nothing to mess around with.

ETA: likewise. It's nice to have a civil exchange of different opinions, lol.

neanderthin

Well, as you know not all low-carb diets are ketogenic and it's the keto diets I believe should be supervised. It's just based on the fact that DM2 is something that is commonly undiagnosed in the obese, and going into DKA is nothing to mess around with.

ETA: likewise. It's nice to have a civil exchange of different opinions, lol.

Yes, I'm considered low carb, but don't go that low, but have on occasion. Yeah, there is concern of ketoacidosis for sure,it's basically a medical emergency, not something to muck around with but ketosis is not quite the same thing. If someone goes into acidosis, it's pretty much game over. Ketoacidosis pretty much takes place in the absence of insulin, which is the opposite from people with DM2, although I guess the body could stop producing insulin (impaired insulin secretion) in some circumstances, I just don't know how common that is. Basically the difference in the amount of ketones produced and it appears that a ketogenic diet is no where near enough to ever put a person into acidosis which is basically the drop in our pH balance and it's really got nothing to do with the ketones themselves. Also because insulin regulates ketones in a ketogenic diet I'm going to have to say that dying in a plane crash is probably more likely. I'll do more research on this though, but that's my basic understanding.

cwsreddy

Ketogenic is like a friggin' dirty word for me. I truly think keto diets are the worst thing to happen in nutritional fads in a long time.

lynn_glenmont

However, if you don't allow time for digestion, your body will turn the undigested food to storage (fat).

That, too, is nonsense.

Therefore, digestion gets put to the side.

If the body can't digest something, it by definition can't turn that something into fat, because digestion is the first (and necessary) step in metabolizing food.

Absolutely this ^^.

Adomke89

A calorie is a calorie no matter the time of day. One of the reasons people suggest you eat higher calorie foods earlier in the day is that you are more likely to burn them off throughout the day by walking, working, etc.