No carbs?

jacksplum

I've been told that no carbs are a good way to go for losing weight..
No bread, rice, pasta, cous cous etc...
Is this a healthy idea, if so what are good replacements?

Laurenloveswaffles

Just eat at a deficit and the weight will come off. There is no reason to eliminate a food group.

Holly_Roman_Empire

Carbs are a lot of things. A lot of yummy things. Is it healthy to eliminate a whole macro? I don't know. Is it sustainable for life? Probably not.

If you don't eat carbs, the only other things to eat are protein and fat.

diannethegeek

Carbs are also in vegetables. You need your vegetables. Don't go zero carb.

hawaiiandream

I'm no expert, but any time you cut out certain amounts or different kinds of foods you will end up losing faster. When you quit carbs your body goes into ketosis and then it goes directly to burning fat. I hear a lot people say their cholesterol and blood pressure get better. I've been trying it for 3 weeks and did OK then fell off. Its very hard for me to figure out new foods to eat that are not loaded with fat! Plus after while for me anyway, i really start to crave those carbs..

17ChargerGirl17

Most people on here are going to tell you no that it's not.
I, however, am not one of those people. I truly believe it is up to the individual.
I am a low carber. I don't eat anymore than 20-25 carbs a day of which most are vegetables.
I have lost the last 35 lbs of my weight doing this.
I feel great, am never sluggish and do not have acid reflux anymore since I have stopped eating bread, rice, potatoes etc.
Again, this is me and it works for me.

jacksplum

I'm still eating veg and nuts, but i've been told to cut out things like bread, rice and potatoes?

_Zardoz_

I've been told that no carbs are a good way to go for losing weight..
No bread, rice, pasta, cous cous etc...
Is this a healthy idea, if so what are good replacements?

I eat over 300g of carbs most days doesn't seem to have stopped me losing weight

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1175494-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants?hl=guide+to+sexypants&page=1#posts-18361594

farmers_daughter

They do contain a lot of empty useless calories, and if you are sticking to counting calories alone, I'd try to avoid eating them often.

But you can't avoid them all together forever. Well I'm convinced I can't anyways. lol

sheedy17

I have tried the South Beach diet, which in the first phase for two weeks I believe is "no carbs" you lose alot of weight in those 2 weeks, I lost as much as 15 pounds one cycle of 2 weeks.

The diet was alright, but when I went to phase 2 and 3 and added carbs in, I just found I was gaining back what I lost in the first phase.

Sorry to go off topic but that is my experience with no carbs, I think it works but why not eat a food group if there is diets out there that allow you to? I am 100 % calorie counting, I dont like the no carb diets, too much good stuff comes from carbs

farmers_daughter

I'm still eating veg and nuts, but i've been told to cut out things like bread, rice and potatoes?

"white" bread, "white" rice, and "white" potatoes

ezekiel bread is a good one if you love bread, quinoa is a good replacement for rice and sweeeeeeet potatoes!!! LOVE em

_Terrapin_

OP--no carbs makes no sense. And depending on your fitness goals, low carbs may not be a good idea. A balanced diet which provides for MARCOS at reasonable levels is needed. Also, you need to think about what is sustainable for you.

Hornsby

I'm no expert, but any time you cut out certain amounts or different kinds of foods you will end up losing faster. When you quit carbs your body goes into ketosis and then it goes directly to burning fat. I hear a lot people say their cholesterol and blood pressure get better. I've been trying it for 3 weeks and did OK then fell off. Its very hard for me to figure out new foods to eat that are not loaded with fat! Plus after while for me anyway, i really start to crave those carbs..

There is your problem. If you are trying to go with a low carb diet, you should be trying to find foods high in fat.

FindingAmy77

Just eat at a deficit and the weight will come off. There is no reason to eliminate a food group.

this so this. you need some carbs in your diet. focus on a rounded diet and eat at a deficit.

justincook

There are and were entire cultures that did just fine without bread, rice and pasta. http://discovermagazine.com/2004/oct/inuit-paradox

Some people like non-starchy vegetables as replacements. Spaghetti squash, zucchini, cauliflower are good starting points if you choose to forgo grains.

Oh and prepare to be insulted on this board.

LAT1963

ZERO CARBS WILL KILL YOU. You can read about this from the 1970's when Atkins was mis-used by some dieters.

You need carbs for your body to make the triglycerides that mobilize your fat from storage.

You can restrict carbs to lose weight (I do)--but stay above 20g a day.

hawaiiandream

Lol, you're right, I think I just was! (two above)

Hornsby

Lol, you're right, I think I just was! (two above)

??

_HeartsOnFire_

Unless you have a medical reason, no need to cut carbs.

Laurenloveswaffles

They do contain a lot of empty useless calories, and if you are sticking to counting calories alone, I'd try to avoid eating them often.

But you can't avoid them all together forever. Well I'm convinced I can't anyways. lol

Empty calories? They are full of carbs which are great for energy.

The only thing that has empty calories is alcohol, and I still consume that weekly.

diannethegeek

Lol, you're right, I think I just was! (two above)

Using the quote function below each post would really help us to follow your conversations. I'm going to assume that this is in reply to the user suggesting you would be insulted on this board? If any user has personally insulted you then you should use the report function at the bottom of the insulting post so that the mods can remove it. However, in this case, I don't think this would qualify.

LAT1963

Do you mean me, Hawaii? It's not personal, its biochemistry.

I just don't want people trying anything dangerous.

It's a good thing you "fell off" zero carbs after only 3 weeks. If you want to go ultra-low carb, try 20g/day as your target (no obvious carbs, only the hidden ones in veggies). Not only is it safer and easier to stick to than attempting the potentially-lethal zero-carbs, but you should get better weight loss because you have the chemistry on-hand to mobilize your fat.

Hornsby

They do contain a lot of empty useless calories, and if you are sticking to counting calories alone, I'd try to avoid eating them often.

But you can't avoid them all together forever. Well I'm convinced I can't anyways. lol

Empty and useless? You do realize that Carbs are a macronutrient, right?

MityMax96

They do contain a lot of empty useless calories, and if you are sticking to counting calories alone, I'd try to avoid eating them often.

But you can't avoid them all together forever. Well I'm convinced I can't anyways. lol

:noway: :noway: :noway: :huh: :huh: :huh:

Hmmm.....

MityMax96

They do contain a lot of empty useless calories, and if you are sticking to counting calories alone, I'd try to avoid eating them often.

But you can't avoid them all together forever. Well I'm convinced I can't anyways. lol

Empty and useless? You do realize that Carbs are a macronutrient, right?

Not only that, they are huge in signaling muscle growth

spfldpam

My nutritionist told me that a person needs 130 grams or more of carbs a day for healthy brain function. I think it depends on what type of carbs you eat to be honest. Non processed food carbs are much better than junk food carbs. Carbs with high fiber are very good too like Quest bars. Most of the carbs are fiber carbs so that is good for you.
Good luck!

Hornsby

They do contain a lot of empty useless calories, and if you are sticking to counting calories alone, I'd try to avoid eating them often.

But you can't avoid them all together forever. Well I'm convinced I can't anyways. lol

Empty and useless? You do realize that Carbs are a macronutrient, right?

Not only that, they are huge in signaling muscle growth

and taste yummy...

_Terrapin_

Each day threads come up like this; I'll leave the gif and just let it roll

rebeccaplatt21

I'm no expert, but any time you cut out certain amounts or different kinds of foods you will end up losing faster. When you quit carbs your body goes into ketosis and then it goes directly to burning fat. I hear a lot people say their cholesterol and blood pressure get better. I've been trying it for 3 weeks and did OK then fell off. Its very hard for me to figure out new foods to eat that are not loaded with fat! Plus after while for me anyway, i really start to crave those carbs..

There is your problem. If you are trying to go with a low carb diet, you should be trying to find foods high in fat.

exactly!!^^

i have PCOS (insulin resistance is a symptom) so i follow (try anyway) a low carb/high fat/medium protein diet. by that i mean, 10% carbs, 15% protein, 75% fat diet. i am not a success story (yet) as i've only been here for a month and 'only' lost 5 lbs.

i also agree 100% with another poster - EVERY BODY IS DIFFERENT! what might work for some might not work for others! you really just have to try some things out for yourself and see how your body responds.

ZenInTexas

Carbohydrates are essential for proper brain function and energy. White bread, pasta, and rice are not essential. Just choose whole grain bread, brown rice and whole grain pasta for a more nutritious choice.

ladymiseryali

No carb isn't doable really. LOW carb on the other hand CAN help some people lose weight. It helped me lose 30 lbs. Eating low carb and high fat creates a deficit because the fat and protein is so satiating. I love eating this way because I feel full and energized.