Do I need to go low carb

MovingUp2011

to lose weight? Everyone in my family says thats the way to do it

shakybabe

I dropped 7lb after cutting carbs (bread, pasta, rice, potatoes) for few week but then seem to be stuck again. you might drop half a stone from it.. more if you lucky?

karleen

cutting carbs [for me] leads to fast weight loss but the instant i stop i end up binging and just gaining the 5 pounds i rapidly lost right back. your plate should basically be half green, 1/4 protein and 1/4 carb.

carbs wont kill you if you pick the correct ones

PB67

to lose weight? Everyone in my family says thats the way to do it

No. You only need to create a caloric deficit.

/thread

melianne125

Dropping a food group from your diet will give you a sudden drop but as soon as you start eating healthy again you will gain back every single pound plus some. That would be like dropping fat from your diet. We all need a balanced diet from each food group - carbs included.

MovingUp2011

Oh ok. I just see so many promotions for low carb. Thought that carbs slow you down.
Good carbs as in rice, potatoes, and wheat bread?

killagb

Some people get results from it, but it's certainly not necessary.

Shannonigans84

It's one way to lose..but not the ONLY way. Maybe research the pros and cons of low carb vs. calorie counting and see what fits you best.

HoopFire5602

I cut out all bad carbs and had good results. Google search for good carbs and you will be able to find a list of what is considered good. I eat pretty cleanly as it is....low low processed food items, so my carbs were kind of already gone.

sixpacking

dropping carbs too low, makes you suicidal and a potential murderer to foods you shouldn't have. Anytime you cut calories too low and carbs are well, you just crash and make it up by binging. Be mindful, yes you can go low carbs, but only for so long and as long as you can control the crash effects.

Arynamber

Your body needs carbs.. What works for me is doing only healthy ones (apples, whole grains).. and I guess I do limit them a bit since I get migraines when I have too many.. Usually I keep my carbs for morning and I always have a protein with them.

Skinny_minny_mo

I'm considering going down this route as well - not no carb, just low carb.

there's some interesting info on the whole grains/ carb issue here:

http://www.fathead-movie.com/index.php/about/

rosebarnalice

I watch my carbs mostly because that's where I find my empty calories seem to load up.

Bread, starchy veggies, and pasta, and rice add up REALLY fast in the food log, so I really watch my portion sizes and/or avoid them altogether. But it's not so much a "no carb" thing for me as it is a choice of where I want to spend my calories, and I've just determined that there are a lot of things I'd rather eat than one slice of sandwich bread or 1/4 cup of rice!

siogdearg

Hi there,
I think you might lose weight, but could also lose your mind in the process! I agree with the people who have said that it is really more about calories in vs calories burned. You have to live your life too .....

jamk1446

It's one way to lose..but not the ONLY way. Maybe research the pros and cons of low carb vs. calorie counting and see what fits you best.

Good answer. +1

tkacomet

I cut grains because I just can't believe that veggies and fruits are bad for me. I dont know how much it has helped me lose weight generally, but I'm less bloated and have a flat belly which is lovely. I've always suspected a gluten sensitivity, and this seems to support that. although I cut rice and potatoes, also. just because it's empty calories, if I'm going to eat the cals I'm going to get something nutritionally valuable. I feel a lot better, more energetic, less bloated, and more *ahem* regular. my latest lab results indicate it's the right decision, also. cholesterol, blood sugar, and vitamin counts are right in the happy range.

Jo2926

It's one way to lose..but not the ONLY way. Maybe research the pros and cons of low carb vs. calorie counting and see what fits you best.

This.

It will work - but only if it fits you. I do low carb and it works (stick to good carbs like veg/lentils/quinoa etc). But it works because I've never been a massive fan of bread or potatoes.

The absolute best weight loss plan is the one that YOU can stick to!!

bluebird321

I like the way I feel mentally and physically by going low carb, so I've stuck with it. Do a lot of your own research and be willing to experiment.

bcattoes

to lose weight? Everyone in my family says thats the way to do it

It really depends. It depends partly on the type of carbs you are eating now (bread, pasta, things made with flour, especially if it's white flour vs. whole grains like brown rice, bulgar wheat, barley, oats, etc.) but even more so on you. Some people claim to eat high carb and lose weight easily, others claim that carbs make them baloon up. Personally, I never think "I need to eat low carb" but I find it hard to eat a high carb diet and maintain a calorie deficit while still getting enough protein and fat to fill full. I think I'm more of a moderate carb eater. But when it comes to grains I do stick to whole grains, and limit whole grain flour. Brown rice is my friend.

bcattoes

I'm considering going down this route as well - not no carb, just low carb.

there's some interesting info on the whole grains/ carb issue here:

http://www.fathead-movie.com/index.php/about/

That movie is talking about insulin resistance caused from eating refined grains. It's not about carbs in general or people that are not insulin resistance.

FairuzyAmanuzy

I've done the atkins diet, and had huge success, but I was a horror to be around because it made me feel sick and sluggish, and as soon as i ate carbs again i gained all back plus some. Now I'm calorie counting and trying to stick to the meditterean diet. 35% carbs, 35% protein and 30% fat. I feel great! my depression and anxiety has gone away. and i can still eat carbs just in moderation. and i've lost 23 pounds in 74 days. It's slower than no carb diets, but it's worth it.

FairyMiss

Dropping a food group from your diet will give you a sudden drop but as soon as you start eating healthy again you will gain back every single pound plus some. That would be like dropping fat from your diet. We all need a balanced diet from each food group - carbs included.

and you are implying a low carb lifestyle isnt healthy? i eat low carb and know i wont gain it all back when i am done , how do I know. This is the way i eat for life.

FairyMiss

dropping carbs too low, makes you suicidal and a potential murderer to foods you shouldn't have. Anytime you cut calories too low and carbs are well, you just crash and make it up by binging. Be mindful, yes you can go low carbs, but only for so long and as long as you can control the crash effects.

wow that is the stupidest thing i have every read!!!!!!!!!!

some people , me include feel best when they drop their carbs way down.

KavemanKarg

dropping carbs too low, makes you suicidal and a potential murderer to foods you shouldn't have. Anytime you cut calories too low and carbs are well, you just crash and make it up by binging. Be mindful, yes you can go low carbs, but only for so long and as long as you can control the crash effects.

wow that is the stupidest thing i have every read!!!!!!!!!!

some people , me include feel best when they drop their carbs way down.

Wow LOL

No wonder I wanna put a bullet in my head everytime I read this type of nonsense, it is the lack of carbs!!!

To the original poster, if you are pre-diabetic or diabetic, NO QUESTION, you owe it to yourself to try low carb.

If you do not like it, there are wonderful other diets.

The primal blueprint is a very easy to follow primal sort of diet, and its quite manageable to do. Weight loss has you at about 50 to 100 carbs a day, this is a crap load of vegetables and a few fruits to boot. It is the range I stay in, and I do very well.

Sunday I ran a 5K race, and came in 6th in my age group, out of 32 runners, not bad for a guy 45 pounds overweight still huh? I guess that lack of carbs was really hurting me...

What I will not do though is tell you that low carb will guarantee weight loss, rather I will say it is valid, and worth trying. Not everyone is willing to give up what you need to give up.

Remember, the key to winning at ANY diet is to see food as fuel, not pleasure. Once you can do that, it becomes so much easier.

Leanne1795

dropping carbs too low, makes you suicidal and a potential murderer to foods you shouldn't have. Anytime you cut calories too low and carbs are well, you just crash and make it up by binging. Be mindful, yes you can go low carbs, but only for so long and as long as you can control the crash effects.

wow that is the stupidest thing i have every read!!!!!!!!!!

some people , me include feel best when they drop their carbs way down.

^^ This^^

oswaldbowser

I am on low carbs (No bread, potato,pasta processed flour etc) but you also get carbs from vegetables like broccoli which I eat......I cook with coconut oil which is high fat and eat lots of chicken and meat etc....and have protein shakes

I am losing weight, I feel full most of the time and have loads of energy.... so for me its working, I do also keep to my calorie intake !

It works for me but everyone is different !

yummummum

I am eating very low carbs and I am doing better then ever!!! SO don't listen to the people who say it is bad for you because it is simply not true. There are studies that show it is not.

You will need to find out what works best for you.
Some people CAN lose by just cutting cals. I was not one of those! However, my sister in law has done great with weight watchers. I followed it and could never lose. Carbs give me terrible cravings.

Decide for yourself but do NOT believe the people that say you NEED carbs. Not true.

dls06

:drinker: Better carbs. No carb would be impossible for me. It's not about losing weight it's about keeping it off forever.

Timcormierfl

I believe in more protein and less carbs. I like to still to mostly protein and eat GREEN vegs like, lettece, cucumbers, green beans. Tha is just my expience and how my body reacts

KokomoJoe

From Dr. Oz

So here's some advice on carbohydrates
Skip refined and processed foods altogether
Read the label to see if there is added sugar (be wary of the "oses")
Choose whole grains (oats, whole wheat and brown rice), beans, legumes, fruits and vegetables
Try to have 40% of your total caloric intake come from complex carbohydrates
Avoid the lure of low-fat foods, which contain a sizable amount of calories from sugar
Avoid the lure of low-carb foods, which sometimes have more calories from fat

PB67

From Dr. Oz

Stopped reading there.