Low Calories, or Low Carbs? What is better.....

Symphony6

I'm really averse to low carb diets for several reasons. First and foremost is your body's need for energy. Without going into a huge bio lesson on ATP in your cells, I'm just going to point out that simple sugars, like carbs, are easy for your body to break down into their chemical components and can be quickly converted into energy for the functions of your body. Other nutrients can be broken down for this, too, but the process takes much longer, and wouldn't you rather have the protein you consume go toward building healthy muscle instead of being used as fuel? My second problem with low-carb dieting, is that it is impossible to maintain long term, and many people who participate in low-carb eating habits gain a lot of weight back once they add carbohydrates back into their diets.

source: my soon-to-be bio degree.

This. Been there done that.

Chubbasmommy

i dont really watch my carbs....i watch calories. BUT i do know that when my mom was diagnosed with celiac, she quit eating high carb foods and lost a ton of weight. so i suppose it depends

skywa

i think alot of people eat too many carbs. but everyone should eat a balanced diet. I usually aim for 100 g of carbs and 100+ grams of protein a day. I dont really care abotu how little or how many calories i eat as long as its under my TDEE.

grinch031

I'm really averse to low carb diets for several reasons. First and foremost is your body's need for energy. Without going into a huge bio lesson on ATP in your cells, I'm just going to point out that simple sugars, like carbs, are easy for your body to break down into their chemical components and can be quickly converted into energy for the functions of your body. Other nutrients can be broken down for this, too, but the process takes much longer, and wouldn't you rather have the protein you consume go toward building healthy muscle instead of being used as fuel? My second problem with low-carb dieting, is that it is impossible to maintain long term, and many people who participate in low-carb eating habits gain a lot of weight back once they add carbohydrates back into their diets.

source: my soon-to-be bio degree.

This. Been there done that.

There is no need for much carbs to be used as fuel unless you are going for peak anaerobic performance. If you are a sprinter or powerlifter, then it might matter. Otherwise your body within a couple weeks will adapt to burning mostly fat. I am able to run at 80% of my heart rate and still burn mostly fat. The amount of protein needed for fuel is trivial compared to how much fat will be burned. Just simply up your protein intake once going low-carb and it will offset any muscle loss. Keep lifting as well. I have gotten stronger and I am faster during my long distance running than I was a few months ago.

ChrisWag

I have to watch carbs. Even if my weight does not change eating carbs, I start to gain my inches back. Carbs are bad for me. I can do a few HEALTHY carbs once and while, but I live low carb for the most part. It's all about your body and what it reacts to.

Helloitsdan

The human body was intended to have carbohydrates as fuel.
Why cut them?

Eat 40% of your calories from carbs unless you are sensitive to them and work out!
Use them as fuel.

lackofnames3

I love that book In Defense of Food! It really opened my eyes. I try to eat as close to mother earth as possible and that includes a little wheat and other grains/carbs..even some white potatoes..It is a great book!

lackofnames3

well said
We also just have to note that LOW carb is NOT NO carb

lackofnames3

I'm trying to eat my carbs(good ones) in the morning anf afternoon to fuel energy for the day. At night or my dinner..I try to limit the carbs since I am usually going to retire and dont need the amount of carbs most dinners provide. That way I feel I still get benefits of good grains and the vitamins from them but also keep myself from over eating them when they are not needed. I'm no scientist and I just started. I am highly adverse to No carbs in the diet!

captainlindarg

Whatever works for you. Try one out, then the other. I can't believe that any way is the ONLY way. I have had success with low calorie, but felt miserable on low carb and couldn't stick to it. It's a really personal thing.

Symphony6

I'm really averse to low carb diets for several reasons. First and foremost is your body's need for energy. Without going into a huge bio lesson on ATP in your cells, I'm just going to point out that simple sugars, like carbs, are easy for your body to break down into their chemical components and can be quickly converted into energy for the functions of your body. Other nutrients can be broken down for this, too, but the process takes much longer, and wouldn't you rather have the protein you consume go toward building healthy muscle instead of being used as fuel? My second problem with low-carb dieting, is that it is impossible to maintain long term, and many people who participate in low-carb eating habits gain a lot of weight back once they add carbohydrates back into their diets.

source: my soon-to-be bio degree.

This. Been there done that.

There is no need for much carbs to be used as fuel unless you are going for peak anaerobic performance. If you are a sprinter or powerlifter, then it might matter. Otherwise your body within a couple weeks will adapt to burning mostly fat. I am able to run at 80% of my heart rate and still burn mostly fat. The amount of protein needed for fuel is trivial compared to how much fat will be burned. Just simply up your protein intake once going low-carb and it will offset any muscle loss. Keep lifting as well. I have gotten stronger and I am faster during my long distance running than I was a few months ago.

My personal experience is that my performance suffered on a low-carb diet. I could literally work out one day and be at X heart rate at a certain speed, then the next day, eat carbs, work out, and be at a lower heart rate at the same speed. This implies that my body has to work much harder for the energy required when I am on a low carb diet. I asked the professsor of my kinesiology biodynamics course about my potential athletic performance suffering, and he informed me that I could still do many things, but that my performance would not be as good. If you're happy with what you do, that's great, but personally I wanted to work out at my most energetic in order to see the strongest results.
Besides, what I was affirming when i replied was this poster's "second problem" with low-carb dieting. Personally, I could not stick to it longer than four months. I lost A LOT of weight on Atkins, multiple times, but I always got sick of the menu after awhile or got frustrated in the lack of choices ( I have a busy life) and could not adhere to the guidelines.

grinch031

The human body was intended to have carbohydrates as fuel.
Why cut them?

Eat 40% of your calories from carbs unless you are sensitive to them and work out!
Use them as fuel.

That's part of the big debate. The carbohydrate hypothesis is that the majority of people who are obese have sensitivity to carbs.

grinch031

I'm really averse to low carb diets for several reasons. First and foremost is your body's need for energy. Without going into a huge bio lesson on ATP in your cells, I'm just going to point out that simple sugars, like carbs, are easy for your body to break down into their chemical components and can be quickly converted into energy for the functions of your body. Other nutrients can be broken down for this, too, but the process takes much longer, and wouldn't you rather have the protein you consume go toward building healthy muscle instead of being used as fuel? My second problem with low-carb dieting, is that it is impossible to maintain long term, and many people who participate in low-carb eating habits gain a lot of weight back once they add carbohydrates back into their diets.

source: my soon-to-be bio degree.

This. Been there done that.

There is no need for much carbs to be used as fuel unless you are going for peak anaerobic performance. If you are a sprinter or powerlifter, then it might matter. Otherwise your body within a couple weeks will adapt to burning mostly fat. I am able to run at 80% of my heart rate and still burn mostly fat. The amount of protein needed for fuel is trivial compared to how much fat will be burned. Just simply up your protein intake once going low-carb and it will offset any muscle loss. Keep lifting as well. I have gotten stronger and I am faster during my long distance running than I was a few months ago.

My personal experience is that my performance suffered on a low-carb diet. I could literally work out one day and be at X heart rate at a certain speed, then the next day, eat carbs, work out, and be at a lower heart rate at the same speed. This implies that my body has to work much harder for the energy required when I am on a low carb diet. I asked the professsor of my kinesiology biodynamics course about my potential athletic performance suffering, and he informed me that I could still do many things, but that my performance would not be as good. If you're happy with what you do, that's great, but personally I wanted to work out at my most energetic in order to see the strongest results.
Besides, what I was affirming when i replied was this poster's "second problem" with low-carb dieting. Personally, I could not stick to it longer than four months. I lost A LOT of weight on Atkins, multiple times, but I always got sick of the menu after awhile or got frustrated in the lack of choices ( I have a busy life) and could not adhere to the guidelines.

If you don't give yourself time to adapt to the diet, then performance will suffer. It took me 3 weeks to perform as well as I did on a high-carb diet. Some people take even longer, even up to 6 weeks.

kawanna941

bump

studynut8083

I am still stuggling but when my diabetic husband, when to dietition, they told him contrary to what they use to say counting carbs were the only thing that counts with him. He has been a diabetic for 55 years. Things are turning around for his diabetious.

grinch031

If you're happy with what you do, that's great, but personally I wanted to work out at my most energetic in order to see the strongest results.
Besides, what I was affirming when i replied was this poster's "second problem" with low-carb dieting. Personally, I could not stick to it longer than four months. I lost A LOT of weight on Atkins, multiple times, but I always got sick of the menu after awhile or got frustrated in the lack of choices ( I have a busy life) and could not adhere to the guidelines.

But I think there's a paradox when it comes to energetic workouts. If you eat a high-carb diet, then you are burning mostly glucose during your workouts while excess insulin production could be inhibiting fat burning. I was one of those people who had tons of energy during a workout, but it was too dependent on glucose for energy, so if I tried to restrict calories I would bonk at times. But then there are obese people who eat high-carb diets, and are lethargic all the time. If they cut carbs they start gaining energy to workout because now fat can be freely burnt as energy instead of relying solely on glucose which is very limited in storage capacity.

I can understand that the big weakness with low-carb is the food choices. Its part of the toxic culture we live in. If most restaurants had good low-carb menus, it would make our lives much easier. If you went to a birthday party and they served sugar free cake, that would help alot of us. So we constantly have to resist temptations to eat the wrong foods.

bambam203

Bump to read later

patheticgit

Try to do a bit of both.

Symphony6

I'm really averse to low carb diets for several reasons. First and foremost is your body's need for energy. Without going into a huge bio lesson on ATP in your cells, I'm just going to point out that simple sugars, like carbs, are easy for your body to break down into their chemical components and can be quickly converted into energy for the functions of your body. Other nutrients can be broken down for this, too, but the process takes much longer, and wouldn't you rather have the protein you consume go toward building healthy muscle instead of being used as fuel? My second problem with low-carb dieting, is that it is impossible to maintain long term, and many people who participate in low-carb eating habits gain a lot of weight back once they add carbohydrates back into their diets.

source: my soon-to-be bio degree.

This. Been there done that.

There is no need for much carbs to be used as fuel unless you are going for peak anaerobic performance. If you are a sprinter or powerlifter, then it might matter. Otherwise your body within a couple weeks will adapt to burning mostly fat. I am able to run at 80% of my heart rate and still burn mostly fat. The amount of protein needed for fuel is trivial compared to how much fat will be burned. Just simply up your protein intake once going low-carb and it will offset any muscle loss. Keep lifting as well. I have gotten stronger and I am faster during my long distance running than I was a few months ago.

My personal experience is that my performance suffered on a low-carb diet. I could literally work out one day and be at X heart rate at a certain speed, then the next day, eat carbs, work out, and be at a lower heart rate at the same speed. This implies that my body has to work much harder for the energy required when I am on a low carb diet. I asked the professsor of my kinesiology biodynamics course about my potential athletic performance suffering, and he informed me that I could still do many things, but that my performance would not be as good. If you're happy with what you do, that's great, but personally I wanted to work out at my most energetic in order to see the strongest results.
Besides, what I was affirming when i replied was this poster's "second problem" with low-carb dieting. Personally, I could not stick to it longer than four months. I lost A LOT of weight on Atkins, multiple times, but I always got sick of the menu after awhile or got frustrated in the lack of choices ( I have a busy life) and could not adhere to the guidelines.

If you don't give yourself time to adapt to the diet, then performance will suffer. It took me 3 weeks to perform as well as I did on a high-carb diet. Some people take even longer, even up to 6 weeks.

I was on the diet for 4 months, twice.

MissKim

http://garytaubes.com/lectures-2/

If you wanted to get a preview of his message, I suggest going to his website and watching his lectures for free via the above link. Also, a more in-depth, highly scientific book with tons of references is his first book "Good Calories, Bad Calories" which was his original work on this topic. Basically he went through all the science that was already there and did the research for himself vs just listening to the conventional wisdom (that continues to make us all sick) and explains why WHAT we eat is so much more important than the concept of calories in, calories out (does your body react the same to 200 calories of bread vs 200 cal of fat? Nope, and this book breaks down why and how one may be helping to make you healthy vs why one may be helping to make you sick, diabetic and overweight).

Even if you watch or read and don't agree with it, at least you will have taken the time to judge for yourself vs assuming anyone else is right or wrong.

What she said.

grinch031

I was on the diet for 4 months, twice.

Too many variables at play here in your case. Low-carb doesn't go well with everybody. But still, I don't like to hear when experts tell others that low-carb diets cause lethargy or decrease performance, because most people who respond well to the diet (at least weight-wise) also significantly improve their performance and feel more energetic, likely because their cells are no longer starved since fat stores are no longer inhibited by excess insulin. But for aerobic activity, carbs are just not that necessary.

kateroot

I know I'm super late to this discussion, but I really think it depends on what works for you. I can't eat low calorie. If I try to eat anything less than 1600 calories a day, I'm ravenously hungry all the time, have terrible mood swings, and at least 1 hypoglycemic episode daily. If I eat low-carb and around 1800 calories, I lose weight, have tons of energy, and no hypoglycemic symptoms. Another person may have the exact opposite thing happen. I think it's trial and error, and figuring out what works for your body.

MissKim

I was on the diet for 4 months, twice.

Too many variables at play here in your case. Low-carb doesn't go well with everybody. But still, I don't like to hear when experts tell others that low-carb diets cause lethargy or decrease performance, because most people who respond well to the diet (at least weight-wise) also significantly improve their performance and feel more energetic, likely because their cells are no longer starved since fat stores are no longer inhibited by excess insulin. But for aerobic activity, carbs are just not that necessary.

This is so true. I was lethargic eating a high carb diet, but now that I'm off grains and sugars I feel awesome! and I get up every morning before work to do cardio and have more energy than ever! (i'm insulin resistant)

Brassteacher

I could not find the original post on this to reply to the author. I googled my soon to be bio degree.

This person is incorrect about the biology of energy. The primary source of fuel the body uses to make ATP is dietary fat. Dietary carbs are second.

Can't maintain low carb long term? I'm finishing year 8 and I know lots of people that have gone longer than that. Low carb is the easiest diet to maintain long term because you never have to be hungry. Then they say people regain weight after going back to eating carbs! Duuuhh!

You can have low energy on low carb for the first week or so while your body still has too much insulin. Once insulin is stable, your energy is stable. You can ask Olympic champion and elite athletic endurance coach Joe Friel about having all the energy you could ever want eating low carb.

RonSwanson66

This person is incorrect about the biology of energy. The primary source of fuel the body uses to make ATP is dietary fat. Dietary carbs are second.

Care to back that up there, sparky?

bakrgirl74

I haven't read through everything, but for me I tend to lose better when I eat lower carb. Or better carb.. I cut down on pasta and try to use whole wheat when I do eat it. Same with breads, I chose the whole wheat, whole grain breads. I focus on getting most of my calories through veggies, fruits, and lean proteins. but I know I am carb sensitive, if that makes sense. Carbs do effect me quite a lot. I get bloaty from eating too many. So I believe it is a Your mileage may vary (ymmv) type of thing... I think the most important thing for me is to try to eat in moderation and to balance everything out...

dls06

Healthy eating and portion control.:flowerforyou:

bakrgirl74

Healthy eating and portion control.:flowerforyou:

Yep that is what I am don't this time around. But this time around my thinking is totally different. I am not on a diet. I am eating healthy and moving more. I try to keep most of my calories and carbs, from whole, not processed foods. But I am not ruling anything out. If I really want a cookie, I eat a cookie, but not every day, and I only have one. If I want pizza I have pizza, but Will do veggie lovers, and thin crust, and only have a slice and add a big salad on the side.. I think before I have restricted myself too much.. Now I don't feel that I am missing anything....

But back to the original topic..... Moderation...

Cparent04

The biggest thing for me is craving junk food. Since the New Year I have cut out all refined sugar and still count my calories. I find that since I cut out "bad" carbs and eat more protein and veggies I don't feel starving all the time. I am better able to control myself when the junk food is around. Part of the problem that has led to my weight gain is that I have absolutely no will power when there is something yummy at my disposal.

I still get ample carbs to fuel my body from the right sources (fruit, sweet potatoes, Quinoa, ect) and I try to chose carbs that metabolize slower. I also try to eat my carbs during the day and have low carb dinners. So far this works for me.

Everyone's body is different and my body just seems to like to hang on to carbs. A no carb diet is dangerous and unhealthy. I notice now that I look at how many grams of sugar are in food and make decisions based on that. Ultimately you have to do what works for you and your body type keeping in mind that you still need to take in the right amount of calories.

Symphony6

I was on the diet for 4 months, twice.

Too many variables at play here in your case. Low-carb doesn't go well with everybody. But still, I don't like to hear when experts tell others that low-carb diets cause lethargy or decrease performance, because most people who respond well to the diet (at least weight-wise) also significantly improve their performance and feel more energetic, likely because their cells are no longer starved since fat stores are no longer inhibited by excess insulin. But for aerobic activity, carbs are just not that necessary.

LOL. You guys aren't reading what I am posting. I hope the OP gets the message. I did not say I felt more lethargic or less energetic on a low carb diet. I said that my performance differed on low carb as opposed to what you guys are calling "high carb", which wasn't really "high" at all, just HIGHER. I used HR as a gauge to measure this performance. If you want to discount my experience to "too many variables" ...then you are in denial. Personally, I advise anyone who is interested in a low carb diet to try it out for 2 weeks. I am sure you will find it will work for you...maybe for a long time, maybe only for a little while, but personally, it does not work for me. I believe that is what the OP was asking and what I had every right to answer.