Low Carb Lifestyle?? Yay? Or Nay?? Did you have success?

ShrinkingNinja

Not all low carb diets are created equal either....

BarbieHier

I have tried low-carb and regular dieting, (by cutting back on portion size) and have lost weight both ways.

However, I think a LOT of people do well on low carb, once they cut out the carbs that contain gluten. MANY people have gluten intolerance and discover that when they go off of breads, etc., while trying a low carb diet. I feel MUCH better off of carbs and while on the portion restricted diet, I found if I had carbs, my cravings were much worse and I would eat more than I needed because carbs are a trigger food for me.

I am currently on a lower carb plan (I do eat some fruits and occasionally brown rice) and have lost 50 pounds, no cravings, feeling great.

So ultimately people may be having success on a low carb plan, for other less obvious reasons than just cutting out carbs, they may be also cutting out food they are sensitive to, which is helping them to feel better as well...that is the case for me.

beccarockslife

Not all low carb diets are created equal either....

Fair point, well made.

Kodiacat

Yay! For me eating low carb works. Do I gorge on meat? No. I love vegetables, I eat quite a bit more veggies when I'm low carb than when I'm not. Does it mean I can't have bread, pasta, and rice? No. Just means I have to be smart about it, so that it doesn't screw too much with my blood sugar. I personally don't eat it often, because I know that I have a tendency to over do it, and end up eating too much.

I have found some really creative and healthy substitutes that I would not have found otherwise. For example: Cauliflower pizza, Cauliflower mash, almond bread, dreamfields pasta, and low carb tortilla wraps.

I also don't tend to eat a ridiculous amount of calories when I'm on low carb, I have a hard time eating enough because I find that I'm not as hungry.

I think lots of people have heard about low carb, or read an article about low carb. It doesn't mean that what they have heard or what they have read is true.

There are lots of misconceptions about low carb. I have had a researcher get on my case because we went out to Larry's pizza to eat, and I opted for the salad bar only. I was told that I wasn't eating low carb, because I was eating a salad. This same researcher who is over weight herself, then proceeded to gorge on pizza, and lecture me about how moderation is the key to weight loss.

Its this kind of reaction that drives me crazy, in fact I often try to avoid telling people that I'm following a low carb approach because of this. I usually will just tell them what I'm eating instead.

beernutz

And Ketosis can be dangerous, there is no point just going "it's just making the body burn fat rather than carbs" it's HOW it does that. It's all well and good doing it, having great results, well done. Don't kid yourself that it's without risk. Ketosis is considered an "unhealthy metabolic state" which is why in large the medical profession don't think it's a great idea. And just because your doctor thinks it's ok doesn't mean that all of them do. Effectively you are messing with the normal function of your liver and kidneys so there will be some risk.

It can cause kidney failure, osteoporosis, high calesterol. studies have shown there is an increased risk of cancer, gout, kidney stones, nausea, bad breath, and it messes with monthly cycles in women often making them heavier. Ketoacidosis can cause death as well.

I did it years ago, it worked, then I gained it back despite eating sensibly. Then I got disheartened and didn't eat sensibly and ended up where I am now. For me restrictive diets don't work, lifestyle where nothing is out of bounds as long as the portion is right does. Whatever works for you long term is important.


Some interesting reading...which gives a balanced (ish) view.

http://women.webmd.com/guide/high-protein-low-carbohydrate-diets

For the love of god, will you PLEASE stop spreading misinformation and outright bs? Read a book for goodness sakes. If you don't even know the difference between ketosis and ketoacidiosis you should NOT be posting on this topic at all. Honestly, I read this crap and for the most part can let it slide as just ignorance but when the same person persists in posting the same idiocy over and over I'm going to reply and I don't care whose feathers get ruffled.

Don't worry, I'd have to give a *kitten* about your opinion to ruffle my feathers. I've read plenty of books, including Atkins, but funnily enough people trying to sell you things don't give a balanced view. Ketosis can cause problems, I have first hand experience of the problems it causes plus I see a lot of people go through clinic and see it too.

Information such as that presented in this article where it says:

There are several disadvantages and dangers of ketogenic diets. The most significant danger is the risk associated with ketosis itself. Pregnant women, alcoholics, or persons suffering from kidney or liver disease should never undertake a ketogenic diet.

Says nothing about ketoacidosis. I did mention there is a difference in my first post, one injures your body and the other kills you.

There is plenty out there too support how I feel about the "diets" which use Ketosis, including the American Heart Association. It IS a risk, that's proven fact, I didn't say anywhere that it would happen to you, all I said is there are risk factors.

I'm not sure what about my posts has shot your panties so far up your *kitten* other than you seem to be very defensive. Ketosis itself does carry risks, that's why pregnant women, those with kidney or liver function problems and diabetics are told NEVER do do diets which encourage Ketosis. Ketoacidosis is much more serious and not recognised as a good diet for anyone (although I'm told you lose 7lbs when you die, which is a pretty good loss instantly).

ATEOTD I said there are risks. Forcing your body to work in a way it's not designed too, like being a big fat *kitten* does, will always carry risks. You'd have to be a total dumb *kitten* not to realise it. I did have a great book which clearly explained what happened to the body when it went in to ketosis but it's packed up as I'm moving in two weeks.

But seriously. Calm down dear. It's only a diet. With risks. Like any diet.

Based on what you write, it is very hard to believe you've read anything other than the dreck at webmd. You do realize that webmd is just a publicly traded company designed to make money? Everything they put on their website is not touched by the hand of god. The article you posted a link to previously for example makes a variety of claims but backs up exactly zero of them with references. Wow, that is definitive--how could you not be persuaded by that? </sarcasm>

As to your claim that pregnant women are NEVER told to go on ketogenic diets, I happen to know that is patently false. Since you are all about the exceptions to the rule you should know that women with gestational diabetes are frequently advised to go on a ketogenic diet. But how could that be in your little world of absolutes?

I do however love your claim about forcing our bodies to do something they weren't designed to do. You do realize that for thousands of years man existed primarily on a protein and fat diet?

Your lack of knowledge about ketosis, ketones, beta-oxidation, gluconeogenesis, glycogen and what is or is not a "normal" body function however make you really not worth my time debating.

Honey, I frankly could not care less what you personally eat or drink. Knock yourself out and good luck with your personal weight loss effort. I am sorry a ketogenic diet didn't work out for you. We do agree apparently that they aren't for everybody and certainly only for people who can stick with them.

ShrinkingNinja

I have tried low-carb and regular dieting, (by cutting back on portion size) and have lost weight both ways.

However, I think a LOT of people do well on low carb, once they cut out the carbs that contain gluten. MANY people have gluten intolerance and discover that when they go off of breads, etc., while trying a low carb diet. I feel MUCH better off of carbs and while on the portion restricted diet, I found if I had carbs, my cravings were much worse and I would eat more than I needed because carbs are a trigger food for me.

I am currently on a lower carb plan (I do eat some fruits and occasionally brown rice) and have lost 50 pounds, no cravings, feeling great.

So ultimately people may be having success on a low carb plan, for other less obvious reasons than just cutting out carbs, they may be also cutting out food they are sensitive to, which is helping them to feel better as well...that is the case for me.

Well put.... I just have to limit my carbs. I try to eat fruit in limited portions on days that I workout (6 out of 7) because an apple on a non workout day for me means the scale goes up the next day.

I have never felt better than I do on my "low carb diet".

martinah4

And Ketosis can be dangerous, there is no point just going "it's just making the body burn fat rather than carbs" it's HOW it does that. It's all well and good doing it, having great results, well done. Don't kid yourself that it's without risk. Ketosis is considered an "unhealthy metabolic state" which is why in large the medical profession don't think it's a great idea. And just because your doctor thinks it's ok doesn't mean that all of them do. Effectively you are messing with the normal function of your liver and kidneys so there will be some risk.

It can cause kidney failure, osteoporosis, high calesterol. studies have shown there is an increased risk of cancer, gout, kidney stones, nausea, bad breath, and it messes with monthly cycles in women often making them heavier. Ketoacidosis can cause death as well.

I did it years ago, it worked, then I gained it back despite eating sensibly. Then I got disheartened and didn't eat sensibly and ended up where I am now. For me restrictive diets don't work, lifestyle where nothing is out of bounds as long as the portion is right does. Whatever works for you long term is important.


Some interesting reading...which gives a balanced (ish) view.

http://women.webmd.com/guide/high-protein-low-carbohydrate-diets

For the love of god, will you PLEASE stop spreading misinformation and outright bs? Read a book for goodness sakes. If you don't even know the difference between ketosis and ketoacidiosis you should NOT be posting on this topic at all. Honestly, I read this crap and for the most part can let it slide as just ignorance but when the same person persists in posting the same idiocy over and over I'm going to reply and I don't care whose feathers get ruffled.

Don't worry, I'd have to give a *kitten* about your opinion to ruffle my feathers. I've read plenty of books, including Atkins, but funnily enough people trying to sell you things don't give a balanced view. Ketosis can cause problems, I have first hand experience of the problems it causes plus I see a lot of people go through clinic and see it too.

Information such as that presented in this article where it says:

There are several disadvantages and dangers of ketogenic diets. The most significant danger is the risk associated with ketosis itself. Pregnant women, alcoholics, or persons suffering from kidney or liver disease should never undertake a ketogenic diet.

Says nothing about ketoacidosis. I did mention there is a difference in my first post, one injures your body and the other kills you.

There is plenty out there too support how I feel about the "diets" which use Ketosis, including the American Heart Association. It IS a risk, that's proven fact, I didn't say anywhere that it would happen to you, all I said is there are risk factors.

I'm not sure what about my posts has shot your panties so far up your *kitten* other than you seem to be very defensive. Ketosis itself does carry risks, that's why pregnant women, those with kidney or liver function problems and diabetics are told NEVER do do diets which encourage Ketosis. Ketoacidosis is much more serious and not recognised as a good diet for anyone (although I'm told you lose 7lbs when you die, which is a pretty good loss instantly).

ATEOTD I said there are risks. Forcing your body to work in a way it's not designed too, like being a big fat *kitten* does, will always carry risks. You'd have to be a total dumb *kitten* not to realise it. I did have a great book which clearly explained what happened to the body when it went in to ketosis but it's packed up as I'm moving in two weeks.

But seriously. Calm down dear. It's only a diet. With risks. Like any diet.

I don't think I want to get involved in this pissing match, except to say: since when is salads and vegetables, and whole foods considered unhealthy for the human body? Because I'm doing low carb, and that's what I seem to eat the most of. My intake of meat has not gone up. Sure, I can eat more of it, but I can't remember the last time I gorged myself on protein. I can, however, remember that back in my high carb eating days when I was eating "Carbage", I could finish a whole bag of Cheetos (crunchy OR puffs) all by myself in front of the tv.
Also, the urban legend is that you lose 21 grams when you die (supposedly what your soul weighs)...I've not heard of losing 7 pounds when you die.

Meganne1982

Low carb has changed/ saved my life and the lives of several family members.

I could never go back to feeding myself unhealthy sugar and poisonous grains.

Meat, eggs, and veggies are all I need

sunyg

I don't want to get in a p*ssing match either but do want to say that my DR put me on a low carb diet when I was pregnant with my last baby. I was eating Special K for breakfast & usually a grilled chicken salad for lunch and snacking on fruit. I have a small frame and at 8 months pregnant my baby was getting too big to quick and I was showing too much sugar in my urine.

So she limited me to 40 grams of carbs a day. He was definitely healthy. At 2 weeks early he weighed in at 7 1/2 pounds and quickly got to 10 by the time he was actually due. I did not have gestational diabetes however.

My point is, DRs can put pregnant women on low carb diets. I honestly feel that this was why I didn't gain as much weight the last time as I usually do.

Also after seeing joejccva71 posts about Keto dieting I recommended this to my husband. It has worked great for him. He's losing weight and is finding it very easy to do. It's definitely sustainable for him because he isn't missing out on anything.

Barneystinson

NOT ALL DIETS DESCRIBED AS LOW CARB TRIGGER KETOSIS.

Let's all say that again in unison...aaaaaand, go.

You can effectively lower your overall carbohydrate and have energy and not be in a ketogenic state. Low carb is loosely defined as diets with 30% or less macro breakdown of carbs per day.

I'm still trying to find my happy, healthy, medium of carbohydrate that helps me gain better body composition while having sufficient energy. Some need fewer, some need greater. It's a very individual thing. Energy needs, metabolic functions, preference all affect this level.

The issue I've found over time is that YES, I can lose weight at a higher carb (staying within calorie needs), but I often feel hungry. If I go too low on the carb intake, I lose energy, but generally feel very sated. I'm trying to hit that middle ground right now.

beccarockslife

[/quote] QUOTE:

I don't think I want to get involved in this pissing match, except to say: since when is salads and vegetables, and whole foods considered unhealthy for the human body? Because I'm doing low carb, and that's what I seem to eat the most of. My intake of meat has not gone up. Sure, I can eat more of it, but I can't remember the last time I gorged myself on protein. I can, however, remember that back in my high carb eating days when I was eating "Carbage", I could finish a whole bag of Cheetos (crunchy OR puffs) all by myself in front of the tv.
Also, the urban legend is that you lose 21 grams when you die (supposedly what your soul weighs)...I've not heard of losing 7 pounds when you die.
[/quote]

haha. I've not said anywhere that low carb is dangerous, just that Ketosis CAN be. Lowering carbs is not the same as Ketosis I understand that.

I wonder why the film seven pounds was called 7 pounds then, seeing as it was about lightening your soul before you die? Maybe films are not my best source of information on urban legend!! LOL. Semantics really though.

Txnurse97

Bump so I can find it again!

LondonLad

Been on an low carb diet since the 4th June 2011 and have so far lost 27lbs of fat.

Txnurse97

Wow, what a thread.

What works for everyone is DIFFERENT. I think the key is to find out what works for you and go with that. I did Atkins a few years ago and lost 50 pounds in about 6 months...but as soon as I stopped being so restrictive with my carbs, it (plus 5 pounds) came back on. Then again, my husband has been on Atkins for about 2 years and has lost 75 pounds and kept it off.

I've learned I need to do what I can stay with for a lifetime....not a diet, but what can become a lifestyle for me.

LondonLad

What I dont understand is that some people think ketosis is unheathy, it's not it's the natural state to be in.

A low carb diet will still provide all the essential vitamins and minerals.

Just read Gary Taubes brilliant book "Why we get fat" for the lowdown.

Meganne1982

What I dont understand is that some people think ketosis is unheathy, it's not it's the natural state to be in.

A low carb diet will still provide all the essential vitamins and minerals.

Just read Gary Taubes brilliant book "Why we get fat" for the lowdown.

i LOVE that book.


And people should watch Fathead. It's on Hulu and Netflix.

LondonLad

That book is my diet/lifestyle Bible

I take it that the channels you mentioned are USA based?

missismonty

Works better for me to control hunger. Currently the Dukan diet is all the rage in the UK.Well if its good enough for Princess Kate....

martinah4

QUOTE:

I don't think I want to get involved in this pissing match, except to say: since when is salads and vegetables, and whole foods considered unhealthy for the human body? Because I'm doing low carb, and that's what I seem to eat the most of. My intake of meat has not gone up. Sure, I can eat more of it, but I can't remember the last time I gorged myself on protein. I can, however, remember that back in my high carb eating days when I was eating "Carbage", I could finish a whole bag of Cheetos (crunchy OR puffs) all by myself in front of the tv.
Also, the urban legend is that you lose 21 grams when you die (supposedly what your soul weighs)...I've not heard of losing 7 pounds when you die.
[/quote]

haha. I've not said anywhere that low carb is dangerous, just that Ketosis CAN be. Lowering carbs is not the same as Ketosis I understand that.

I wonder why the film seven pounds was called 7 pounds then, seeing as it was about lightening your soul before you die? Maybe films are not my best source of information on urban legend!! LOL. Semantics really though.
[/quote]

"The theorem of 21 Grams being the measure of a human soul was tested by Dr. Duncan MacDougall, who weighed dying people, and recorded that upon the moment of death they weighed 21 grams less. In similar experiments performed on dogs, no weight change was measured." I've not heard of a movie called 7 pounds, but there was a movie called 21 Grams (2003) starring Sean Penn, Benicio Del Torro and Naomi Watts, that dealt with death and that theory. 7 lbs is a lot more than 21 grams (about 3/4 of an ounce).

But, back to the issue at hand. What I should have said, was that I have been in Ketosis since I started this low-carb thing. I don't understand how cutting out refined, starchy carbage and eating whole veggies can be "life-threatening". Because, understand, at 20 grams of net carbs a day, I stay in Ketosis.

Meganne1982

But, back to the issue at hand. What I should have said, was that I have been in Ketosis since I started this low-carb thing. I don't understand how cutting out refined, starchy carbage and eating whole veggies can be "life-threatening". Because, understand, at 20 grams of net carbs a day, I stay in Ketosis.

I've never followed Atkins per se. I eat basically primalish. But my mother is a 15 year long Arkins devotee, and her goal is to be in ketosis as much as possible. I can't say much on the subject with much factual scientific detail, but from what I understand and what I've observed it is not harmful, it's proof that eating low carb is doing what you want it to- help you burn fat rather than store it because your insulin is all out of whack. People are clearly confusing it with ketoacidosis.... which I may have misspelled.

beernutz

But, back to the issue at hand. What I should have said, was that I have been in Ketosis since I started this low-carb thing. I don't understand how cutting out refined, starchy carbage and eating whole veggies can be "life-threatening". Because, understand, at 20 grams of net carbs a day, I stay in Ketosis.

I've never followed Atkins per se. I eat basically primalish. But my mother is a 15 year long Arkins devotee, and her goal is to be in ketosis as much as possible. I can't say much on the subject with much factual scientific detail, but from what I understand and what I've observed it is not harmful, it's proof that eating low carb is doing what you want it to- help you burn fat rather than store it because your insulin is all out of whack. People are clearly confusing it with ketoacidosis.... which I may have misspelled.

I think you are correct, ketosis is not unhealthy and is only related to ketoacidosis the way breathing is related to hyperventilation. I don't see anyone out there saying breathing is dangerous because if we do too much of it too soon we will hyperventilate. Even healthy activities or states can become unhealthy in extreme circumstances.

This is completely anecdotal but I just had a health care screening this morning including a blood profile. I've been doing low carb for four months exactly at the end of this week. My numbers:

Blood pressure: 117/77 (in normal range and unchanged since starting the diet)
Total Cholesterol 131 (under 200 is desirable)
HDL 65 (over 60 is desirable)
Blood Glucose 82 (up to 100 is normal)
Bodyfat: 18% (down from 24%)
BMI: 24 (down from 26.4, normal range is 18.5 - 25)
Weight: 177 (down from 195)

Bethany28

As a student majoring in nutrition, I say nay. Low carb diets are very unhealthy for the body. Diets such as the Atkins diet are so low in carbohydrates that your body will go into a state of ketosis.

You can read more detail about it here: http://women.webmd.com/guide/high-protein-low-carbohydrate-diets

Although low carb diets are tempting due to the quick results, they are not healthy in the long run. If your looking to be fit and health, feed your body with the nutrients it needs and consume a balanced diet. The key to loosing weight is simple, expend more calories than you consume. You will have success and feel great

Hope this helps!

PS- Carbohydrate restricted diets are beneficial for people suffering from insulin resistance issues such as diabetes and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

As a student majoring in nutrition, you should know that Atkins is high fat, not high protein.

Ummm, if you read the Atkin's books; you will find that you are wrong. The goal is to eat high protein foods (cheese, fish, meat), all the veggies you want - and avoid CARBS. No mention of fat is made at all, as a dietary directive. Like McDonalds Cheeseburgers? No problem, order 3-4 of them and throw away the buns. Fatty hamburger is perfectly fine - it's the protein that counts. The emphasis is on Protein - again, meat, fish, chicken, cheese and veggies (with the ommissions of sweet peas, corn, potatoes and other starch laden veggies; forget fruits entirely).

Ummm, actually "When you are doing Atkins, fat is your friend not only because it is satiating but because it slows down the release of glucose into the blood". http://www.atkins.com/Company/Press/PressDetails64/Why-Not-Low-Fat-Atkins.aspx