Carbs after lunch?

MelissaHopeG

I use to try to eat low-carb all the time. It worked, and then I gained all the weight back plus some! However I still have this weird carb-fear… I've read/heard people talk about not eating carbs after a certain time. Does anyone know if there's any truth to this?

I'm not talking about carbs in fruits or sweet vegetables, but carbs like brown rice, bread, etc. Should I avoid them after 3pm and keep my late afternoon snack and dinner carb-free? Just curious what those who have been successful at weight-loss have to say on this one...

dieselbyte

Unless you have a medical reason to do so, you don't need to restrict carbs to lose weight. Weight loss for the majority of individuals (those without medical or hormonal issues) is calories in vs calories out. You didn't lose weight because you cut carbs. You cut carbs, therefore you ate less, thereby lowering your caloric intake. It's not magic. Also, there is NO reason not to eat carbs, or anything for that matter, after a specific time. Carb curfew?? Track you calories, eat at a deficit (which can be produced by less food or more activity i.e. working out), and you will lose weight. Why cut out an entire macronutrient if it isn't necessary?

SharonNehring

For a person without diabetes or insulin resistance, timing of when you eat your carbs really doesn't matter. If you have one of those conditions, then completely disregard that statement.

I eat reduced carb but it's because I have to for medical reasons.

albertabeefy

Unless you have a medical reason to do so, you don't need to restrict carbs to lose weight. Weight loss for the majority of individuals (those without medical or hormonal issues) is calories in vs calories out. You didn't lose weight because you cut carbs. You cut carbs, therefore you ate less, thereby lowering your caloric intake. It's not magic. Also, there is NO reason not to eat carbs, or anything for that matter, after a specific time. Carb curfew?? Track you calories, eat at a deficit (which can be produced by less food or more activity i.e. working out), and you will lose weight. Why cut out an entire macronutrient if it isn't necessary?

This is all correct except one thing: Weight-loss even for those with hormonal or other medical issues is STILL calories-in vs. calories-out.

The only reason that people who go ketogenic lose weight is a caloric-deficit, period. Whether your reason is PCOS, thyroiditis, metabolic-syndrome, diabetes, whatever - the weight-loss ONLY comes with a deficit.

I've personally known dieters that went ketogenic (verified with a serum ketone readings) and gained weight - because they ate a surplus. (Not because they were hungry, but because of emotional/psychological reasons.) Sure, most lose weight without being hungry - because of the satiating effects of fat/protein and the reduced insulin levels (excess insulin triggers appetite). But that doesn't mean everyone can eat anything they want anytime they want it.

Regardless of what type of diet you're on - weight loss will always be calories-in vs. calories-out. Those who say that on a LCHF (low-carb/high-fat) diet you can "eat whatever you want" and still lose weight are ignoring a certain segment of the population.

BTW - OP, as has been suggested - unless you have a medical reason to do so, it's unlikely you need low-carb, and you may do very well with simply reducing refined/processed carbs/sugars - maintaining a mild deficit, and eating a balanced macronutrient ratio. That combined with exercise often does wonders.

MelissaHopeG

Thank you everyone! This was very helpful