Proper macro nutrient balance

TK421NotAtPost

People, just as the above poster said, you're body is going to need different things depending on what you're doing. Like him, I stuck w/ the MFP percentages for about 2 1/2 months and was fine. Now that I'm working out like a mad man and lifting, obviously it needed to change.

ALSO, in my humble humble opinion, it should be less about percentages. Find out how many carbs, protein, and fat YOU need for YOUR lifestyle and match the percentages accordingly. I'm currently at: 45 carb / 30 protein / 25 fat, but that kinda changes day to day depending on what I'm doing... But again, if you're just trying to be healthy and workout, then eat healthy and workout...

(and can we please not bash eachother for what they say or don't say)

I agree 100%. Using percentages doesn't work as well for me as figuring my macro requirements first. I base my protein requirements on grams per lb of LBM. As long as I consume my protein requirements and stay within spitting distance of my total calorie allotment, the remaining macro breakdown will not matter much when it comes to maintaining weight.

However, I do like to increase my carbs on days that I train. In other words, I keep protein constant and then vary carbs according to my training. Try doing this while using percentages.....doesn't work very well.

erinsueburns

Honestly, those ratios aren't going to work for everyone. I am happy you found what works for you. For me I am doing lower carb, and a very large percentage of that is fiber. But only a crazy person who couldn't do math would call my diet high protein. I get 40 to 55 percent of my calories from fats, mostly unsaturated. On your version of an appropriate diet I was overly constrained sure to myriad food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities including all grains and many fruits and vegetables. I was also starving all the time and had difficulty keeping under calorie targets. And despite eating mostly whole foods my cholesterol kept skyrocketing.

You might try looking at the Harvard Institute if Health for some very interesting research. I like to recommend people start here:

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-full-story/

There has been some very interesting research indicating that people who replace carbs with unsaturated fats can lower ldl cholesterol, and I have certainly seen that to be true in my own blood tests. For me, this is a diet where I don't feel deprived and that I can keep up with the rest of my life.

erinsueburns

I double checked my settings, and right now I am set for 35 carbs 45 fat 20 protein. Of course today was a cheat day since it was a departmental lunch and not my regular diet. Most of my carbs come from apples and carrots and salads and strawberries plus nuts and nut butters which the last two are mainly fats. I am slowly adding beans to my diet again, and also occasionally breads and cereals. I actually have more trouble getting enough protein than anything else. I have been making myself learn to eat fish, but I dislike it intensely and struggle with even four ounces at a time.

bcattoes

This is something debated and researched by scientists their entire careers.

I leave it to the folks with the PhD's, MD's and other people with lots of letters at the end of their name.

But there is much more research available if you were to search it out beyond the two you mentioned, with some very different viewpoints.

There are individual studies and varying advice from "fitness" groups pushing their own agenda, but the standards from medical organizations is pretty consistent.

Just like in the 60's the prevailing medical community thought smoking was healthy . . . I'm someone who questions a lot, I'm both cynical and curious.

Um, what??? I grew up in the 60's and everyone knew smoking was unhealthy. You might be thinking of many decades earlier, though I don't think anyone ever thought it was healthy. They just didn't yet know how unhealthy it was.

bcattoes

Honestly, those ratios aren't going to work for everyone. I am happy you found what works for you. For me I am doing lower carb, and a very large percentage of that is fiber. But only a crazy person who couldn't do math would call my diet high protein. I get 40 to 55 percent of my calories from fats, mostly unsaturated. On your version of an appropriate diet I was overly constrained sure to myriad food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities including all grains and many fruits and vegetables. I was also starving all the time and had difficulty keeping under calorie targets. And despite eating mostly whole foods my cholesterol kept skyrocketing.

You might try looking at the Harvard Institute if Health for some very interesting research. I like to recommend people start here:

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-full-story/

There has been some very interesting research indicating that people who replace carbs with unsaturated fats can lower ldl cholesterol, and I have certainly seen that to be true in my own blood tests. For me, this is a diet where I don't feel deprived and that I can keep up with the rest of my life.

The Harvard School of Public Health does not recommend a low carb diet. Whole grains are an important part of a healthy diet.

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/carbohydrates-full-story/index.html#what-are-carbohydrates

"Don't be misled by the blanket pronouncements on the dangers of carbohydrates. They are an important part of a healthy diet. Carbohydrates provide the body with the fuel it needs for physical activity and for proper organ function. The best sources of carbohydrates—fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—deliver essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and a host of important phytonutrients."

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/health-gains-from-whole-grains/index.html

What Whole Grains Can Do For You
As researchers have begun to look more closely at carbohydrates and health, they are learning that the quality of the carbohydrates you eat is at least as important as the quantity. Most studies, including some from several different Harvard teams, show a connection between eating whole grains and better health.

Cardiovascular Disease
Eating whole instead of refined grains substantially lowers total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or bad) cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin levels. Any of these changes would be expected to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease. In the Harvard-based Nurses' Health Study, women who ate 2 to 3 servings of whole-grain products (mostly bread and breakfast cereals) each day were 30 percent less likely to have a heart attack or die from heart disease over a 10-year period than women who ate less than 1 serving per week (1). A recent meta-analysis of seven major studies showed that cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke, or the need for a procedure to bypass or open a clogged artery) was 21 percent less likely in people who ate 2.5 or more servings of whole-grain foods a day compared with those who ate less than 2 servings a week (2).

Type 2 Diabetes
In a study of more than 160,000 women whose health and dietary habits were followed for up to 18 years, those who averaged 2 to 3 servings of whole grains a day were 30 percent less likely to have developed type 2 diabetes than those who rarely ate whole grains (3). When the researchers combined these results with those of several other large studies, they found that eating an extra 2 servings of whole grains a day decreased the risk of type 2 diabetes by 21 percent.

Cancer
The data on cancer are mixed, with some studies showing a protective effect and others showing none (4). A large, five-year study among nearly 500,000 men and women suggests that eating whole grains, but not dietary fiber, offers modest protection against colorectal cancer (5, 6).

Digestive Health
By keeping the stool soft and bulky, the fiber in whole grains helps prevent constipation, a common, costly, and aggravating problem. It also helps prevent diverticular disease (the development of tiny pouches inside the colon that are easily irritated and inflamed) by decreasing pressure in the intestines.

Staying Alive
An intriguing report from the Iowa Women's Health Study linked whole-grain consumption with fewer deaths from noncardiac, noncancer causes. Compared with women who rarely or never ate whole-grain foods, those who had at least two or more servings a day were 30 percent less likely to have died from an inflammation-related condition over a 17-year period (7).

erinsueburns

No and I never said it did, nor did I say I am doing low carb, I said I am doing lower carb and replacing those carbs with unsaturated fats rather than protein. I still eat carbs, I still eat proteins. In fact I still eat more carbs than proteins. And I get between 22 and 42 grams of fiber per day, on most days. But trying to find enough things I can eat without resorting to the things I have the more minor responses to, and then finding myself overloading and still breaking out in hives, vomiting or diarrhea was pretty impossible with a higher carb diet.

mjboswell

I teach cellular biology and physiology,

I have a personal question, if you don't mind answering. What degree did you earn to teach physiology? I recently took a physiology class and I am hooked. I loved it.

Oh this question goes to scschenk! Thanks

lockef

Cardiovascular Disease
Eating whole instead of refined grains substantially lowers total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or bad) cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin levels. Any of these changes would be expected to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease. In the Harvard-based Nurses' Health Study, women who ate 2 to 3 servings of whole-grain products (mostly bread and breakfast cereals) each day were 30 percent less likely to have a heart attack or die from heart disease over a 10-year period than women who ate less than 1 serving per week (1). A recent meta-analysis of seven major studies showed that cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke, or the need for a procedure to bypass or open a clogged artery) was 21 percent less likely in people who ate 2.5 or more servings of whole-grain foods a day compared with those who ate less than 2 servings a week (2).

Ok, so eating whole grains instead of refined grains will show better cholesterol profiles. Not surprised. Still doesn't prove anything.

If there was a study that compared people who smoked filtered cigarettes to un-filtered cigarettes that showed a decrease in lung cancer in people who had filters, would you come to a conclusion that smoking un-filtered cigarettes helped prevent lung cancer?

I'm not going to preach low carb to the world, but people need to look at these studies more critically, instead of looking for conclusions to prove their hypothesis.

Correlation does not imply causation.

ljbhill

This is an interesting thread. It constantly amazes me about what we are told to eat by the various different bodies of specialists, and all the politics that are involved with the heart foundation tick approved foods and healthy pyramid (pie) . There could be a week debate on it... more! I guess my opinion would be to eat more of what was initially available to us, as out bodies were adapted to that environment. This would mean protein, nuts, seeds, fruit and veg. Less packaged/processed foods. I guess this would mean less grains, cereals, breads etc. We wouldn't have been milling for hours, for a little bit of rice, back in the day! Lol. In saying that people live a lot longer these days than back then... so who knows? Maybe that's it. Maybe no-one knows. I know... fence sitter... Annoying :laugh:

I have my macro's set to 35% 35% 30%. My fat being 30%. My cals are 1200 but I rarely feel hungry or crave any foods. Before MFP I was a carboholic and loved them to death. Had massive cravings and would often be hungry. These days anything more than 1/2 cup of rice/grains in a meal makes me feel bloated and unwell. When I upped my fat % that's when I dropped most my weight! If you closely look at packaged food lables, most 'low fat' foods are higher in suger to offset the taste! Eeek! And I definately know that fat is better for you than sugar (although too much of either is not good!)

Just my two cents

Oh... and if you're interested in the debate about protein Vs carb/sugar you should check out the DVD 'fathead.'

bcattoes

I'm not going to preach low carb to the world, but people need to look at these studies more critically, instead of looking for conclusions to prove their hypothesis.

Correlation does not imply causation.

I'm going to go out on a limb and assume the brainiacs at Harvard did look at the studies critically. Just saying ...

lockef

I'm going to go out on a limb and assume the brainiacs at Harvard did look at the studies critically. Just saying ...

That's the point... you assume.

I don't want to make a war about this, but it's very important to look in depth at what people want you to believe. Even people from Harvard will manipulate data to make things seem a certain way. How do you think they get their money for research? It's usually from grants. How much do you think pharmaceutical companies give out each year to have people conduct tests?

Do you think that Pfizer would still give money to school A if they conduct a test that doesn't find any conclusive evidence that lowering cholesterol reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease? I highly doubt it.

Don't build your foundation on a house of cards.

bcattoes

I'm going to go out on a limb and assume the brainiacs at Harvard did look at the studies critically. Just saying ...

That's the point... you assume.

I don't want to make a war about this, but it's very important to look in depth at what people want you to believe. Even people from Harvard will manipulate data to make things seem a certain way. How do you think they get their money for research? It's usually from grants. How much do you think pharmaceutical companies give out each year to have people conduct tests?

Do you think that Pfizer would still give money to school A if they conduct a test that doesn't find any conclusive evidence that lowering cholesterol reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease? I highly doubt it.

Don't build your foundation on a house of cards.

Sorry, we will have to agree to disagree about Harvard. I read every publication by Dr. Willet that I can get my hands on. Harvard does not make recommendations based on where the money for research came from (actually very few health organizations would do that). They make evidence based recommendations.

hockey7fan

My first response was going to be that your macro balance should be whatever works for you but then you started Atkins bashing. Really?

First of all, your facts are off. Atkins proponents don't eat 30% of their calories in carbs. For most, it's much lower than that. They also aren't angry and cranky and I'm betting a bunch of them are going to jump in here and explain that to you for themselves. I personally am happier, healthier, have tons of energy and don't suffer from sugar or carb cravings at all. Also, Atkins is the right fit for a lot of people: diabetics, those with wheat allergies or Celiac's disease or a host of other issues.

You have found what's right for you. Leave it to others to find what's right for them, even if it is something you don't like.

Atkins is a terrible idea for people with diabetes. Diabetes already can lead to kidney problems, and a high protein diet just makes the kidney problems worse. Also, Celiac disease has nothing to do with low carb. There are thousands of sources of carbs that are gluten free, like, pretty much anything that's not dough. I think your facts are off as well.

I find that really interesting since I recently was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. The dietician/nutritionist my PCP referred me to at the Diabetes Center automatically put me on a low-carb diet just like the center does for every other diabetic patient that walks through the doors.

I have Celiac disease and the majority of the gluten-free stuff on the market tastes terrible to me. I've tried all the brands since I was diagnosed 10 years ago. I'd prefer to skip it and get my carbs from fruits, veggies and occasionally corn/peas/potatoes/beans.

tigersword

My mom was diagnosed diabetic when she was 15. She was on a low glucose diet, not a low carb diet.

lockef

...and what do carbohydrates break down into?

pattyproulx

Ok, so eating whole grains instead of refined grains will show better cholesterol profiles. Not surprised. Still doesn't prove anything.

If there was a study that compared people who smoked filtered cigarettes to un-filtered cigarettes that showed a decrease in lung cancer in people who had filters, would you come to a conclusion that smoking un-filtered cigarettes helped prevent lung cancer?

I'm not going to preach low carb to the world, but people need to look at these studies more critically, instead of looking for conclusions to prove their hypothesis.

Correlation does not imply causation.

Exactly. Thank you for that.

There is absolutely nothing in whole grains that our body needs that it can't get more efficiently from vegetables. Grains do however contain things that can be harmful to our body.

And I hate when people make an assumption that low-carb is unsustainable because they can't see themselves living without their bread and pasta. I've been doing Paleo for over a year now without problem.

My macro ratio is probably around 60f/30p/10c. I've cut out all grains, eat plenty of vegetables, lots of fat (including saturated), and have never felt or looked better (and prior to Paleo, I ate pretty much what the health experts would call a perfect diet).

I also don't plan on ever reintroducing any of that back into my regular diet. (and I also know plenty of others in the same boat)

bcattoes

Ok, so eating whole grains instead of refined grains will show better cholesterol profiles. Not surprised. Still doesn't prove anything.

If there was a study that compared people who smoked filtered cigarettes to un-filtered cigarettes that showed a decrease in lung cancer in people who had filters, would you come to a conclusion that smoking un-filtered cigarettes helped prevent lung cancer?

I'm not going to preach low carb to the world, but people need to look at these studies more critically, instead of looking for conclusions to prove their hypothesis.

Correlation does not imply causation.

Exactly. Thank you for that.

There is absolutely nothing in whole grains that our body needs that it can't get more efficiently from vegetables. Grains do however contain things that can be harmful to our body.

And I hate when people make an assumption that low-carb is unsustainable because they can't see themselves living without their bread and pasta. I've been doing Paleo for over a year now without problem.

My macro ratio is probably around 60f/30p/10c. I've cut out all grains, eat plenty of vegetables, lots of fat (including saturated), and have never felt or looked better.

I also don't plan on ever reintroducing any of that back into my regular diet. (and I also know plenty of others in the same boat)

I hate when people say a low carb diet is sustainable just because they did it. That is in no way any indication that someone else will do it. I know somone who NEVER eats protein. Doesn't mean I could sustain a no protein diet.

AlyRoseNYC

I hate when people say a low carb diet is sustainable just because they did it. That is in no way any indication that someone else will do it. I know somone who NEVER eats protein. Doesn't mean I could sustain a no protein diet.

Sounds like a case of the pot meeting the kettle. If you don't like blanket statements and generalizations, then stop making them yourself. It goes both ways. Really, there is no cookie cutter approach to this. There are studies that back the benefits of a low carb lifestyle too. Only the individual knows what the right or wrong approach for them is. You already said that you could not sustain a low-carb lifestyle. That doesn't mean that it won't work for other people. SMH at people trying to make this into a pissing contest.

pattyproulx

I hate when people say a low carb diet is sustainable just because they did it. That is in no way any indication that someone else will do it. I know somone who NEVER eats protein. Doesn't mean I could sustain a no protein diet.

The difference is people know low-carb works, but they say they don't do it because it's 'unsustainable'. Humankind has eaten 'low-carb' for hundreds of thousands of years. How would that be unsustainable or unhealthy? That would go completely against evolution.

And please do enlighten me as to what you get from grains that makes them oh so healthy that I can't get from a salad.

I have no problem with people eating whatever diet they want. Try it out. If it works, great. If it doesn't, try something else.

However, what frustrates me is when people try to dissuade others from even trying by passing their opinion as fact

AlyRoseNYC

I hate when people say a low carb diet is sustainable just because they did it. That is in no way any indication that someone else will do it. I know somone who NEVER eats protein. Doesn't mean I could sustain a no protein diet.

The difference is people know low-carb works, but they say they don't do it because it's 'unsustainable'. Humankind has eaten 'low-carb' for hundreds of thousands of years. How would that be unsustainable or unhealthy? That would go completely against evolution.

And please do enlighten me as to what you get from grains that makes them oh so healthy that I can't get from a salad.

I have no problem with people eating whatever diet they want. Try it out. If it works, great. If it doesn't, try something else.

However, what frustrates me is when people try to dissuade others from even trying by propagating their misinformed opinions.

It's funny you mention this, because I was thinking something similar last night. I'm a little extreme though ha ha. I was telling myself that Jesus didn't have chicken parm, rice pilaf, and garlic bread. In fact, for thousands of years, people ate clean. There were no 100 calorie packs or Special K. They ate what the earth gave them, in the most simplest form. Surely, if humanity has survived to this point, they must have been doing something right. OK, now everyone knows the weird thoughts I have sometimes lol

tigersword

...and what do carbohydrates break down into?

Depends on the carb, you do know there are many types of sugar out there, right? I honestly hope you don't think fruits are high in glucose, even though they are rather high carb.

beernutz

I hate when people say a low carb diet is sustainable just because they did it. That is in no way any indication that someone else will do it. I know somone who NEVER eats protein. Doesn't mean I could sustain a no protein diet.

Sounds like a case of the pot meeting the kettle. If you don't like blanket statements and generalizations, then stop making them yourself. It goes both ways. Really, there is no cookie cutter approach to this. There are studies that back the benefits of a low carb lifestyle too. Only the individual knows what the right or wrong approach for them is. You already said that you could not sustain a low-carb lifestyle. That doesn't mean that it won't work for other people. SMH at people trying to make this into a pissing contest.

Zing! Thanks Momma, you beat me to it. If you look at the research on long-term dieting success, all of them are failures. The vast majority of people don't stay on diets long term, whether they are low carb, low fat, calories restricted, all jelly donut or whatever. That doesn't mean that none of them are long term sustainable by 100% of the people who try them though.

I know personally many people who've stayed on low carb diets successfully for more than 10 years and some significantly longer than that. I think to be successful long term you you have to carefully match the individual up to a diet they can live with which is also effective to have any chance of success. If the person you're responding to thinks low carb is unsustainable from the get-go, I can assert with almost 100% certainty that it will be for them.

martinah4

I'm going to go out on a limb and assume the brainiacs at Harvard did look at the studies critically. Just saying ...

That's the point... you assume.

I don't want to make a war about this, but it's very important to look in depth at what people want you to believe. Even people from Harvard will manipulate data to make things seem a certain way. How do you think they get their money for research? It's usually from grants. How much do you think pharmaceutical companies give out each year to have people conduct tests?

Do you think that Pfizer would still give money to school A if they conduct a test that doesn't find any conclusive evidence that lowering cholesterol reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease? I highly doubt it.

Don't build your foundation on a house of cards.

Sorry, we will have to agree to disagree about Harvard. I read every publication by Dr. Willet that I can get my hands on. Harvard does not make recommendations based on where the money for research came from (actually very few health organizations would do that). They make evidence based recommendations.

With all due respect, do you live in a bubble? Researchers ousted for disagreeing with their "sponsors" happens all the time. Scientist who find that the facts from their studies are in contrasts to what the government/FDA/pharmaceutical companies would like them to support generally lose their research funding, their positions, and their jobs. Outside of the nutrition debate, a quick google search turned up several names of scientist who'd lost their jobs and positions because their research data did not support the hypothesis they were supposed to. As they always say, want to get to the truth, follow the money.

AlyRoseNYC

Zing! Thanks Momma, you beat me to it. If you look at the research on long-term dieting success, all of them are failures. The vast majority of people don't stay on diets long term, whether they are low carb, low fat, calories restricted, all jelly donut or whatever. That doesn't mean that none of them are long term sustainable by 100% of the people who try them though.

I know personally many people who've stayed on low carb diets successfully for more than 10 years and some significantly longer than that. I think to be successful long term you you have to carefully match the individual up to a diet they can live with which is also effective to have any chance of success. If the person you're responding to thinks low carb is unsustainable from the get-go, I can assert with almost 100% certainty that it will be for them.

Right. Know matter what you choose, it has to be something that you are willing to do for the long run. When I first joined MFP, I was doing low fat, and I was obsessed with food. I never experienced the backlash that LCers get here. Now that I am following the Atkins life approach, I feel like a leper on here. It's very hurtful for people to tell me that what I am doing will eventually lead to failure. Weight loss, for me, is a very personal and emotional thing. I've never let internet forums get to me before, but some of the things that are said here can put tears in my eyes. It's really not cool at all.

lockef

...and what do carbohydrates break down into?

Depends on the carb, you do know there are many types of sugar out there, right? I honestly hope you don't think fruits are high in glucose, even though they are rather high carb.

Bananas, apricots, plums, and grapes are pretty high in glucose... just to name a few.

beernutz

...and what do carbohydrates break down into?

Depends on the carb, you do know there are many types of sugar out there, right? I honestly hope you don't think fruits are high in glucose, even though they are rather high carb.

And I hope you don't think that there are *no* fruits which are high in glucose (not fructose or some other sugars). Check out this table http://thepaleodiet.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Fruits-Sugars.html

You'll see many fruits which get a significant number, even a majority, of their sugar content from Glucose and/or Sucrose (half of which breaks down to Glucose and the other half Fructose).

bcattoes

I hate when people say a low carb diet is sustainable just because they did it. That is in no way any indication that someone else will do it. I know somone who NEVER eats protein. Doesn't mean I could sustain a no protein diet.

The difference is people know low-carb works, but they say they don't do it because it's 'unsustainable'. Humankind has eaten 'low-carb' for hundreds of thousands of years. How would that be unsustainable or unhealthy? That would go completely against evolution.

And please do enlighten me as to what you get from grains that makes them oh so healthy that I can't get from a salad.

I have no problem with people eating whatever diet they want. Try it out. If it works, great. If it doesn't, try something else.

However, what frustrates me is when people try to dissuade others from even trying by passing their opinion as fact

I've never personally known anyone who sustained a low carb diet, though I know plenty who've done if for periods of time. But you seem to have jumped topic. Someone saying a diet is unsustainable for them isn't the same as trying to dissuade someone else from it. But perhaps you are refering to some personal experience I am unaware of. Either way, unless it's someone you care about why do you care what they say about your diet?

bcattoes

I'm going to go out on a limb and assume the brainiacs at Harvard did look at the studies critically. Just saying ...

That's the point... you assume.

I don't want to make a war about this, but it's very important to look in depth at what people want you to believe. Even people from Harvard will manipulate data to make things seem a certain way. How do you think they get their money for research? It's usually from grants. How much do you think pharmaceutical companies give out each year to have people conduct tests?

Do you think that Pfizer would still give money to school A if they conduct a test that doesn't find any conclusive evidence that lowering cholesterol reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease? I highly doubt it.

Don't build your foundation on a house of cards.

Sorry, we will have to agree to disagree about Harvard. I read every publication by Dr. Willet that I can get my hands on. Harvard does not make recommendations based on where the money for research came from (actually very few health organizations would do that). They make evidence based recommendations.

With all due respect, do you live in a bubble? Researchers ousted for disagreeing with their "sponsors" happens all the time. Scientist who find that the facts from their studies are in contrasts to what the government/FDA/pharmaceutical companies would like them to support generally lose their research funding, their positions, and their jobs. Outside of the nutrition debate, a quick google search turned up several names of scientist who'd lost their jobs and positions because their research data did not support the hypothesis they were supposed to. As they always say, want to get to the truth, follow the money.

Sorry, again. I'll still have to respectfully disagree unless you can provide some proof that the Harvard recommendations are not evidenced based. I just don't buy into global conspiracy theories.

beernutz

I hate when people say a low carb diet is sustainable just because they did it. That is in no way any indication that someone else will do it. I know somone who NEVER eats protein. Doesn't mean I could sustain a no protein diet.

The difference is people know low-carb works, but they say they don't do it because it's 'unsustainable'. Humankind has eaten 'low-carb' for hundreds of thousands of years. How would that be unsustainable or unhealthy? That would go completely against evolution.

And please do enlighten me as to what you get from grains that makes them oh so healthy that I can't get from a salad.

I have no problem with people eating whatever diet they want. Try it out. If it works, great. If it doesn't, try something else.

However, what frustrates me is when people try to dissuade others from even trying by passing their opinion as fact

I've never personally known anyone who sustained a low carb diet, though I know plenty who've done if for periods of time. But you seem to have jumped topic. Someone saying a diet is unsustainable for them isn't the same as trying to dissuade someone else from it. But perhaps you are refering to some personal experience I am unaware of. Either way, unless it's someone you care about why do you care what they say about your diet?

But many people don't just say the diet is unsustainable for them, they state, often without much knowledge of the diet, that it is unsustainable for anybody.

I care what they say because truth is important to me.

I'll turn your last question around and ask it to you, since you've responded several times. Why do you care that we are responding to defend the diet?

bcattoes

I hate when people say a low carb diet is sustainable just because they did it. That is in no way any indication that someone else will do it. I know somone who NEVER eats protein. Doesn't mean I could sustain a no protein diet.

Sounds like a case of the pot meeting the kettle. If you don't like blanket statements and generalizations, then stop making them yourself. It goes both ways. Really, there is no cookie cutter approach to this. There are studies that back the benefits of a low carb lifestyle too. Only the individual knows what the right or wrong approach for them is. You already said that you could not sustain a low-carb lifestyle. That doesn't mean that it won't work for other people. SMH at people trying to make this into a pissing contest.

I'm sorry, what "blanket statement" did I make? Actually I don't ever remember saying I couldn't sustain a low-carb lifestyle, though I have said numerous time that I have no interest in it, which I guess could be inferred as no being able to sustain it. Hard to sustain something you never start. BUT, I have never, ever, said I don't think anyone else should go low carb.