Carbs? Help!

roqoru

When I was doing Weight Watchers, I'd heard that the main cause of belly fat is carbs. I've been trying to eat fewer carbs (well, under my daily limit, in any case), but I was wondering if anyone had any special tricks that they knew how to do this. I know that protein and fiber are *good* because they fill you up quickly and keep you full for quite awhile. But I love me some pasta...and sugar...and bread.

Any tips, tricks, advice, help?

1FITmamaofTWINS

no carbs after 3pm except veggies

Mmmary212

Carbs are what's used first for your body to burn. The less carbs you eat, the sooner your body will move onto stored body fat.

Increase your fat and protein...but mostly fat. Fat does not make one fat...

Eat more meats and low carb vegetables. Avoid breads, pasta, rice, etc....as much as you can. I know they're delicious, I'm a bread lover, but If you make the decision to avoid, then keep that committment. It's definitely possible. Today is my 30 days "carb free" (and by carb free, I mean very low carb from vegetables/cheese mainly)

wendix

its not so much 'carbs' but more just the wrong type of starchy carbs like white pasta, white bread etc. if you like pasta then just get wholewheat and if you like bread, get wholemeal. just don't overload on them. take the mediteranean diet for example, widely known as the best way to lose weight. (watched a programme the other day and the guy on this diet lost as much as the woman on atkins and suffered less side effects like lack of energy/moodswings) plus there are carbs in vegetables and most fruit has a lot of carbs. but that's coz it's natural sugar. where carbs are the enemy is when they are COMBINED with high amounts of fat. (for example white pasta in a cream sauce) but if you had wholewheat pasta with roast veg/tomato sauce then it's a far far healthier meal.

plus it's really hard to stick to a low-carb diet. eat more protein and blast the cardio if you want to lose belly fat but make sure you incorporate fruit, veg and wholemeal foods.

hope this helps?

Meganne1982

Dreamfields pasta is very low net carbs. I make that for my fiance because pasta's his favorite food, and I'm trying to keep him healthy. I myself have basically gotten rid of all sweets and starches. My (few) carbs come from lots of veggies and some fruits and nuts. But if you're really wanting to cut back carbs, accept you'll have to eat more fat, as the two are inversely proportional.

With whatever you settle on, find what's right for YOUR body- and good luck to you

Mmmary212

To me, it's sooo much easier to go low carb than just "counting calories" cause you get full with less food and stay full longer, which keeps calories down without even having to look at them. The hard part is "detoxing" your body from the starches and sugars you're so used to having. Once you do that, you (shouldn't) don't have the cravings and desire to eat them....just maybe the habit is still there.

willnorton

Amen to what xxMaryMaryxx said.....

I am also on the low carb plan and get a lot of inspiration from MAryMary

willnorton

Amen to Meg too....

I feel great..I have more energy than I did doing the low fat, low cal deal..i always got tired after eating the fat free crap that was loaded with sugar to make it taste right...

there are so many things you can eat on the low carb plan....if you like sweets, there are things you can eat that will satisfy you like Meg told me the other day,,, take 2 tbs of Almond butter and combine 2 tbs of cream cheese with a little splenda...it tastes just like almond cheese cake..wow......

you satisfy your body with the fat ,,,yes fat that replaces the carbs....its such an east plan to stick to...you get to eat things that your mind tells you are off limits but are great for you....

\give it a real try and do a little reading and do it right...I promise you it will work...

look at this site and it will tell you everything you need: www.lowcarbdiets.about.com/

it starts you out from the begining..

try it, you'll like it!

Bill

ka_42

Thanks for posting! I'm trying to work towards lowering my carbs/sugar intake as well and need all the advise I can get. My favorite foods are full of these so this is a real challenge for me! I LOVE fruit and I don't plan on taking it out of my diet even though a apple or banana have 25 grams of carbs and 12 grams of sugar! .

amysj303

Starting May 1 I am going two weeks without sugar, simple carbs, and alcohol, I am hoping that will help me stop craving it. I have changed my default settings here to 30% protein 30% carbs and 40% fat, it seems to be the best ratio for me, I think. when you get more protein you really are less hungry.
I do drink a fiber drink that has a lot of carbs though, so I am not sure how to replace that...

ka_42

Starting May 1 I am going two weeks without sugar, simple carbs, and alcohol, I am hoping that will help me stop craving it. I have changed my default settings here to 30% protein 30% carbs and 40% fat, it seems to be the best ratio for me, I think. when you get more protein you really are less hungry.
I do drink a fiber drink that has a lot of carbs though, so I am not sure how to replace that...

I'm in the same boat. I rely heavily on my fiber supplements that contain a lot of carbs. Curious to see what solutions there might be in that department. With upping veggy intake that should help.

jperrysunlover

Amen to all! I am 6 weeks into low sugar/carbs/alcohol and my body is responding sooooo much better than low fat, low calorie.
My cravings are slowly diminishing and I feel great!

roqoru

Thank you so much for all the responses!!! I'll check out the site later tonight. What kind of foods should I eat to increase my fat intake?

Meganne1982

Nuts are a great source of fat- almonds and macadamia nuts are my top choices. Avocados have great fat. Also, if you eat dairy, there are great options there. Cheese makes a great snack.