Why are carbs so bad?

Naomi91

I have been scared of carbs for too long and I dont know why!! Im talking about starch! I love bread and oatmeal but cant eat them without feeling guilty! Why are carbs so bad for weight loss?

PJilly

I have been scared of carbs for too long and I dont know why!! Im talking about starch! I love bread and oatmeal but cant eat them without feeling guilty! Why are carbs so bad for weight loss?

They're not!

Charlie002

Too many carbs are bad. The right amount at the right time is essential. Carb in morning, before and after workout.

Naomi91

So many people make it seem like it though! And so many things I have read always frown upon carbs xD I just dont understand why! hehe

BR1986FB

I have been scared of carbs for too long and I dont know why!! Im talking about starch! I love bread and oatmeal but cant eat them without feeling guilty! Why are carbs so bad for weight loss?

They're not!

It depends on who you are. Some people don't "do" carbs well, like myself, and breads, flours and grains are a waste of time. All my body requires for high energy and fat/weight loss is vegetables and occasionally fruits (berries for the most part).

Charlie002

By the way Niomi, your body is on point. I hope to get to that level for a male of course one day.

luv2ash

Too many of the wrong carbs are bad. Try to choose high quality carbs, fresh fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Stay away from pretty little packaged low calorie snacks.

MayMaydoesntrun

I think that a balanced diet of protein, carbs, and fats, are essential to being truly healthy. They are only "bad" if you overeat carbs and don't burn them off, then they store as fat.

pyro13g

It's the insulin response that happens as a result. Read up on the role of insulin and you'll understand. Keep feeling guilty, it keeps you thin.

Read up on glycemic Load too.

Naomi91

but doesnt this happen if you over eat on anything?

Naomi91

By the way Niomi, your body is on point. I hope to get to that level for a male of course one day.

thank you so much!

pyro13g

but doesnt this happen if you over eat on anything?

Does what happen? Insulin response? No, it doesn't.

stvcrtr54

If you really want to know, read one of Gary Taubes books, "Good Calories, Bad Calories" or "Why we get fat". He gives the best explanation of the low sugar carb theory of nutrition out there. You can also watch the documentary "Fat Head" or go to that movie's website. I'm not advocating anything, but if you really want to know why some people think sugar carbs are bad for weight loss (or nutrition in general) those are the best sources.

lady_daraine

Carbs create a hormonal reaction in the body that can slow down or even stop weight loss for most people. If you are insulin resistant (and most overweight people are), you have to avoid highly dense carb sources, like bread. Otherwise, the hormonal response will stop your weight loss. It's possible to heal your body of this problem, but most of us don't try until it's too late, which is a big reason why yo-yo dieting is such a problem. I won't say that an occasional piece of bread is going to kill you, but it will slow you down on your goal of losing weight, or if you are really resistant to insulin it might help you put on a little weight. Your best bet is to reduce your carbs to no more than 30% of your daily calories (lower than 100g a day, aim for 50-75) so that you can lose weight, and to make sure those carbs are coming from things like veggies. You don't want to use them all up in one go by eating a candy bar! Once you've hit goal, you can play around with your carb goal to see where you don't lose weight, but don't gain either.
After all of this, though, I want to add - for many people, one slice of bread causes a binge. You might be better off avoiding starchy carbs altogether until you stop craving them - then you know you won't end up going overboard with them if all you want is one slice!

Naomi91

but doesnt this happen if you over eat on anything?

Does what happen? Insulin response? No, it doesn't.

Sorry forgot to quote xD was to the post above you saying that if you eat too many carbs they store as fat

lady_daraine

If you really want to know, read one of Gary Taubes books, "Good Calories, Bad Calories" or "Why we get fat". He gives the best explanation of the low sugar carb theory of nutrition out there. You can also watch the documentary "Fat Head" or go to that movie's website. I'm not advocating anything, but if you really want to know why some people think sugar carbs are bad for weight loss (or nutrition in general) those are the best sources.

^^^THIS^^^ Exactly what you can do!!!

weightlossmelody

For years I was told to go on lowfat diets. The government, doctors, dietians and just about all the large companies of the food industry went on the lowfat kick. Everytime I went on one of those lowfat diets, I gained weight. The doctors told me I was doing something wrong. Three years ago I found out about low carb dieting and lost 180 pounds in 13 months. Fantastic, right? Not so! No maintenance program left me with two years of "wandering" and gaining 100 pounds of that back. BUT THEN:

All that to say this: Everyone has a different combination of carb & fat burning processes. I'm a fast "oxidizer" which means that if I don't burn up my carbs right after eating, they will go into "storage".

Find out how you burn your calories. That my advice after 30 years of trying. It's nice to know why I am the way am. Hopefully it won't take you that long. Good Luck!

JLKL75

carbs are actually essential for weight loss! You just have to eat proper carbs(and the right serving size) like whole foods such as whole wheat/whole grain items like bread or pasta, oatmeal or brown rice. These are good carbs that will help fuel your body and your brain. Bad carbs come in the form of anything white (bread,pasta,rice) which are refined, stripped of their nutrients and overly processed. Since they are already processed, your body takes no time to digest the bad carb leaving you soon hungry and storing all the fats, where as a good carb, your body needs to take the time to digest and breakdown the whole food which in turn leaves you feeling satisfied for longer and gives your body the chance to absorb all the healthy nutrients. Keep in mind that healthy carbs also come in fruits, veggies, beans and so many more natural foods. If it's in nature, then it cant be bad!

If you are still afraid of carbs, try to have most of your carbs in the morning with your breakfast, this will also help you eat fewer calories during the day!

pyro13g

but doesnt this happen if you over eat on anything?

Does what happen? Insulin response? No, it doesn't.

Sorry forgot to quote xD was to the post above you saying that if you eat too many carbs they store as fat

Exceeding calorie needs in general yes. If you spike your blood sugar from carbs with nowhere to put it, it goes immediately to fat storage regardless of exceeding calorie needs or not. Then, you have to try and unlock that fat to be used as energy.

Things made from whole grain flour are not any better than white flour(which is actually what) in terms of insulin response. Whole grain means in one piece or few large pieces, not flour!

Marisela233

I have been scared of carbs for too long and I dont know why!! Im talking about starch! I love bread and oatmeal but cant eat them without feeling guilty! Why are carbs so bad for weight loss?

They're not!

It depends on who you are. Some people don't "do" carbs well, like myself, and breads, flours and grains are a waste of time. All my body requires for high energy and fat/weight loss is vegetables and occasionally fruits (berries for the most part).

very true unlike yourself i cant run on just fruits and veggies i get good energy and feel full for a little longer with a good cereal, every body responds to things differently but of course too much of something isnt always good

stevemcknight

Too many carbs are bad. The right amount at the right time is essential. Carb in morning, before and after workout.

Actually - not essential at all. There is zero daily requirement for carbs. You must eat some protein and some fat for sustained life, but you could live a long, healthy life and never have another carb (if you got the vitamins and minerals from another source of course.)

Not saying don't eat veggies by any means, just throwing this out there.

Naomi91

but doesnt this happen if you over eat on anything?

Does what happen? Insulin response? No, it doesn't.

Sorry forgot to quote xD was to the post above you saying that if you eat too many carbs they store as fat

Exceeding calorie needs in general yes. If you spike your blood sugar from carbs with nowhere to put it, it goes immediately to fat storage regardless of exceeding calorie needs or not. Then, you have to try and unlock that fat to be used as energy.

Oh i get it! So a slice of bread one in a while wouldn't spike my blood sugar by much would it?
Like I said I usually avoid carbs but this just had me wondering

Naomi91

Too many carbs are bad. The right amount at the right time is essential. Carb in morning, before and after workout.

Actually - not essential at all. There is zero daily requirement for carbs. You must eat some protein and some fat for sustained life, but you could live a long, healthy life and never have another carb (if you got the vitamins and minerals from another source of course.)

Not saying don't eat veggies by any means, just throwing this out there.

I have read so much about this as well! I am lacking in the fruit and veggies department no where on campus that I can get anything but carrots and bananas.. yuck!

Dawn111567

If you really want to know, read one of Gary Taubes books, "Good Calories, Bad Calories" or "Why we get fat". He gives the best explanation of the low sugar carb theory of nutrition out there. You can also watch the documentary "Fat Head" or go to that movie's website. I'm not advocating anything, but if you really want to know why some people think sugar carbs are bad for weight loss (or nutrition in general) those are the best sources.

I agree. You may want to look at the book "Why We Get Fat" because it is a lot shorter than his original book "Good Calories, Bad Calories".

cem2168

i love carbs! i tried a high protein no carb diet and lost 30 lbs, but I was very unhappy and never felt well. Carbs are not bad, just the KIND of carbs you eat. For so long the food industry has been making genetically modified monsters out of carbs, bleaching the flour, adding sugar, adding and taking out nutrient.... that is what makes out body fat. Plus, too much of anything can make you fat. Just eat the right portions, of the right unprocessed whole grains and you will be fine. The low carb kick will soon pass like any other fad diet.

tryinghard2012

You need HEALTHY carbs to function--- carbs are fuel for the body. They aren't bad unless you overindulge in it. All things are bad when consuming too much of it.

pyro13g

Oh i get it! So a slice of bread one in a while wouldn't spike my blood sugar by much would it?
Like I said I usually avoid carbs but this just had me wondering

I guess that would depend more on your total carb load per day(probably not much is what it sounds like), but probably not. I've had an english muffing or toast in the morning forever(just ate my last muffin so I'm done with grains). If you ever start to get "soft" looking, that's most likely why and where to clean things out of the diet first. Than probably alcohol after that(burnt first as fuel when in the system).

There are other issues with wheat gluten that you may want to read about and make a decision for yourself.

YeaILift

but doesnt this happen if you over eat on anything?

Does what happen? Insulin response? No, it doesn't.

Sorry forgot to quote xD was to the post above you saying that if you eat too many carbs they store as fat

Exceeding calorie needs in general yes. If you spike your blood sugar from carbs with nowhere to put it, it goes immediately to fat storage regardless of exceeding calorie needs or not. Then, you have to try and unlock that fat to be used as energy.

Things made from whole grain flour are not any better than white flour(which is actually what) in terms of insulin response. Whole grain means in one piece or few large pieces, not flour!

Insulin folds to a hypocaloric diet making it almost irrelevant for fat loss. You're also ignoring the fact that protein spikes insulin levels as well.

You may bloat more on higher carb diet but that is only because of water retention and glycogen stores being filled. It is impossible to gain fat on a hypocaloric diet if you look at the overall picture of the day/week. (Ignoring people with insulin sensitivity/resistance)

scagneti

If you really want to know, read one of Gary Taubes books, "Good Calories, Bad Calories" or "Why we get fat". He gives the best explanation of the low sugar carb theory of nutrition out there. You can also watch the documentary "Fat Head" or go to that movie's website. I'm not advocating anything, but if you really want to know why some people think sugar carbs are bad for weight loss (or nutrition in general) those are the best sources.

I loved Fat Head. I've heard that GC,BC is a little too scientific for me, but WWGF is amazing and easy to understand.

I'm now doing about 60-100 grams of carbs a day, none of which are from wheat (whole or otherwise) and I feel amazing. Fruits and veggies are fine for carbs. I'm also cutting out "non or low-fat" because of all the added garbage. My husband went months without losing hardly anything on reduced calories (bounced around 190 since January) but started a similar plan as I am with all carbs coming from fruits & veggies (and nuts, etc) but not wheat and he's lost 5 pounds in a week. Most is likely water, but it all seems to be off his belly. And he's feeling much better in the mornings and getting through his evening workouts with ease.

YeaILift

If you really want to know, read one of Gary Taubes books, "Good Calories, Bad Calories" or "Why we get fat". He gives the best explanation of the low sugar carb theory of nutrition out there. You can also watch the documentary "Fat Head" or go to that movie's website. I'm not advocating anything, but if you really want to know why some people think sugar carbs are bad for weight loss (or nutrition in general) those are the best sources.

You're not advocating anything yet you recommend an amateur film maker/programmer as the best source for nutritional advise, who doesn't back his many of his claims with scientific evidence and interviews anti-carb zealots?

Yea, okay. :laugh:

pyro13g

Insulin folds to a hypocaloric diet making it almost irrelevant for fat loss. You're also ignoring the fact that protein spikes insulin levels as well.

The affect is not the same!