Am I the only one who cannot hang with low-carb?

jadedone

I notice that the first tip everyone gives is something along the lines of:
1. Kill or reduce carbs
2. Kill or reduce sugary fruit
3. Kill or reduce white foods

Everyone once in a while, I decide to try to get on the bandwagon, and cut carbs for a few meals. My system laughs at me. It makes no difference how much protein, fat or fiber I have. I will inevitably be hungry after a carb free meal and my stomach will feel completely empty. I try to grab some low carb snacks, and the hunger is insatiable. Apples, greek yogurt, nuts. All are pointless. They delay things for ab hour an hunger comes back with a vengence. Then I grab some starchy carbs, and things are all back to normal, and I can last much longer.

I need to have 1-2 servings of something starchy daily or it sets me up for oppressive hunger later in the day. This hunger can only be satiated with something starchy.

So for me, I am not going to bother with the "low carb" diet and continue to incorporate beans, whole grains and fiber filled starches to keep my hunger at bay. I've been switching out rice/grains (I grew up eating rice daily. We did not have many potatoes growing up) for beans for around 6 meals a week. My body seems to counts beans as a starch.

Does anyone else have this problem?

theflyingartist

Do you drink a lot of water?
Low-carb isn't difficult. It was for me until I read about phytates, and how the human body has not evolved to break down grains. Even when animals on farms eat wheat and other grains, it is to fatten them up for sale.
And that is what it does to humans as well.
Grains block a lot of biological processes in the body that promote mineral and vitamin consumption.

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/why-grains-are-unhealthy/#axzz1jq5QKJMP
http://www.naturalnews.com/000755.html

Any Google search can provide you with more information if you are curious.
I was addicted to grains before all of this information showed up in my life, and now I actually am glad to have let the desire go. It's like anything else: alcohol, sugar, ect. If it's compelling you to keep consuming it, and you feel like you don't have a control over that, it might be something worth looking into.
Good luck to you! The two grains I will endorse is rice and oats; to piggyback off of your mentioning of rice. It's the oldest grain that has been cultivated. If you are of Asian decent you likely have evolved over thousands of years to properly digest this grain.

beckipercy

Not a chance I could do this, I'd rather cut out everything BUT carbs. They are my favourite foods, no thank you!

lunamare

I like my carbs too much and actually understand how the body works. I do think that switching over to whole grains is a good idea, but to try to completely cut out carbs would never work for me. If other people like it, that's great, but you're not alone.

Acg67

I notice that the first tip everyone gives is something along the lines of:
1. Kill or reduce carbs
2. Kill or reduce sugary fruit
3. Kill or reduce white foods


So for me, I am not going to bother with the "low carb" diet and continue to incorporate beans, whole grains and fiber filled starches to keep my hunger at bay. I've been switching out rice/grains (I grew up eating rice daily. We did not have many potatoes growing up) for beans for around 6 meals a week. My body seems to counts beans as a starch.

Assuming you are getting in adequate protein and fats, you can eat all the carbs you want as long as you stay within your calorie goals. If you can adhere better to your diet eating more carbs, then do it.

visiri

I'm not going low anything except calories. My feeling is that if I can't eat it now, then when can I eat it. I'm trying to live and eat in a realistic way that will be sustainable for the rest of my life.

With that - I am making changes - like eating more fruit (already at a ton of veggies) and paying attention to adding some protein to my "carby" snacks to make sure that I get the energy kick I need and that it sustains me until my next meal. And I'm looking at the calories to see how filling it will be - a tiny candy bar verses an apple and a tbls of peanut butter or slice of cheese. Sometimes I choose the candy bar - it just depends on the day - I may just have to exercise a little bit longer to burn it off.

Good luck!!!

TeaBea

You are not the only one. I can't do the low carb thing either. I figure, I'm not doing low carb "for the rest of my life" so why would I do it to lose 15 pounds. Carbs are not the evil some people make them out to be. Are there bad carbs? Sure, but all carbs are not created equal.

MrsCon40

Not everyone!

Once I hit my protein and fat macros it is a CARB ORGY in my world.

Mmmmmmm carbs... bread, pasta, pastry, cookies, rice, gluten (sorry my celiac babes!), fruit (gasp!!) and whatever carby deliciousness NEEDS to get in mah belleh. (and yes, that's my belly over there)

andreacord

I can't go without a little bit of bread everyday or a serving of oatmeal or I'm a cranky b*tch :P

Yanicka1

I have PCOS and I tried it for a bit......i'd rather be fat!!!

It was NOT a plesant experience for myself and those around me LOL

trybefan

I focus on my calories and thats the way I have lost 20 lbs in the past 9 weeks. My other macros fall into place. The only thing I go over on is protein, the others are not even close

brbetha01

I tried cutting out carbs and I wasn't a very nice person some days plus I was always hungry, also. I have begun monitoring my carbs and making sure I don't pass what I'm allotted on MFP and have tried gradually cutting back - which has been working.

But don't get me wrong, if I go to Olive Garden - I will eat a breadstick... or two.

Brandicaloriecountess

Nope, I don't see any reason to cut out carbs.

DorisR184

You're not alone! I CANNOT do it!

I try my best to eat whole grains most of the time and I stick to my calorie goals

ramseyrose

No, I cant cut carbs either.

DaddyofMEA

You just need to watch the types of carbs your eating, simple sugars and processed carbs such as white rice and white bread. While they typically have the same caloric content there's nothing there nutritionally speaking other than what's going to turn into sugar. The whole grains and brown rice will also supply nutrients and will give you a fuller feeling for a longer period of time.

I mainly try to cut out high fat meats and cheeses.

bcattoes

I probably would if ever tried to go low-carb. I do eat very little processed carbs, because I believe whole grains are healthier and tastier. But since I've been thin most of my life while eating carbs I see no point in giving them up now. Plus, there is plenty of research showing that whole grains are healthy. And healthy is my goal.

Clarecbear82

There's no way I'm giving up my carbs. I would be a miserable cow without them and I'm not putting my family through that.

LesliePierceRN

It's better to eat and it and burn it than to not eat it and not burn it. I am a 50-60% carb in my diet kind of person. And I've dropped 45 # in a year. I run, then eat the carbs to fuel the runs. And I'm not hungry or cranky the way I get if I don't have carbs.

beckipercy

I'm not going low anything except calories. My feeling is that if I can't eat it now, then when can I eat it. I'm trying to live and eat in a realistic way that will be sustainable for the rest of my life.

Absolutely 100% this!

GeoJenna223

My "low carb" diet has been extremely effective. Since November 20th, I have lost almost 20lbs. The only thing I changed post 11/20 was my carb intake. I have a maximum of 130g of carbs per day (on a 1600cal/day diet), and don't eat anything starchy at night (dinner time meal won't exceed 13g carbs). Now, that being said, I usually end up in the 80g - 100g per day range, this is great and all, except I like to go to the gym.

Pre low carb, (200-250g carbs/day) I was able to do a weight lifting circuit that took about 30 minutes and then sustain high intensity cardio for an hour (20 minute row/4000m, 20min recumbent exercise bike - 6mi, 20min 8% inclined treadmill walk 3mph) - except for changing machines and the rests on the row, my heart rate never gets below 160, usually stays in the 165-175 range.

After cutting carbs substantially, I found myself with no energy to work out. I could barely stay on a treadmill at 3mph with half the grade i was used to for 15 minutes. My body was just out of energy. I also can't eat solid foods right before I workout because it makes me quesy. The solution for me for low energy was a disolvable carbohydrate powder. I take about 20-30g of maltodextrin mixed in water about 15 minutes before I get to the gym (so about 30 before I am on the machines). It is amazing the difference. I am back to my pre low carb endurance, plus some! I am also able to stay within my carbo limit of 130!!! All is awesome in the world of Jenna and I am doing it low carb ))

Good Luck Guys!

andrejjorje

This.

I notice that the first tip everyone gives is something along the lines of:
1. Kill or reduce carbs
2. Kill or reduce sugary fruit
3. Kill or reduce white foods


So for me, I am not going to bother with the "low carb" diet and continue to incorporate beans, whole grains and fiber filled starches to keep my hunger at bay. I've been switching out rice/grains (I grew up eating rice daily. We did not have many potatoes growing up) for beans for around 6 meals a week. My body seems to counts beans as a starch.

Assuming you are getting in adequate protein and fats, you can eat all the carbs you want as long as you stay within your calorie goals. If you can adhere better to your diet eating more carbs, then do it.

DinkyDini

Not everyone can loose just by cutting calories. I happen to be one of them. I've tried it all, with a short time of success, but my body absolutely hoards fat. I have PCOS, metabolic syndrome, etc, etc. I've been on metformin for the insulin resistance which helps a lot of people lose weight, but me..nope. Now that said, I LOVE carbs!! I can even live on unprocessed, whole grains, however, at the moment, I have completely cut those out. My carb count is crazy low, I stay around 20-30 a day tops. I only eat lean meats and veggies, I do eat fruit a few times a week and don't get me wrong, I really want a potato! I can do without bread, but I want rice and potatoes!!

I have chosen this because my fertility specialist recommended it as well as my ob. I've been at it for a month now, lost almost 20lbs. Now, in about a month, I plan to slowly add brown rice to my diet, and as long as it doesn't affect my cravings or loss, I'll continue to add new things. As for energy, the first week sucked, but then when my body started burning fat, it all came back as long as I take my vitamins, that's really important. I could never do this the rest of my life, but I will continue to eat lower probably under 100g a day on average the rest of my life. To get pregnant...start a family, I'll do anything! And...I haven't felt this good in years. ( I do wish I was one of you lucky people who could cut calories and lose consistently though, I envy you!)

Brassteacher

You can't go low carb for a few days, not knowing how to do it, and expect any success. Anybody can do low carb successfully if you know how to. You need to first educate yourself so you don't blow it.

If you truly go low carb you will never: be hungry, be low on energy, have a bad mood fom it, or any of the things unknowlegable people will say.

If you truly go low carb all of your aspects of health both physical and mental will improve.

Almost our entire population is addicted to carbs. You can see it clearly in some of these replies. To break the addiction, you need to go nearly zero carb for a couple weeks. Most people ,at that time, will realize that their cravings have gone away-and that's a liberating experience!

My athletic son decided to accept my challenge to do low carb. He has always thought you have to "carb up" to work out. He has done triathlons and marathons. On Jan 1 this year (a few weeks ago). He went low carb. He came to me about a week ago nearly speechless. He has eaten more food than ever before and lost 5 lbs! He usually gets tired after 3 sets of basketball. Well now he played 5 sets and wasn't tired yet! He ran out of time to play more. This sort of thing is common for low carbers.

I have been low carb since 2004 and have never been healthier. I dropped from 245lbs to 190lbs. My blood cholesterol went from bad to good. My energy is high and constant. I no longer take afternoon naps.

In my studies I now have learned that people who eat low carb have very low risk of all of the modern diseases like: cancer, hypertension, ADD, heart disease, liver disease. You name it and historically it is rare except for people who eat high carb. High carb eating is a modern concept.150 years ago there was no such thing as breakfast cereal. That was invented by vegetarians in the late 1800's.

Almost all of your body is fueled by ATP. Your body's first choice for making ATP is dietary fat. It's second choice is dietary carbs. If you are hooked on carbs, your body will convert back to using fat as fuel in a week or two of being off the carbs.

By the way, you cannot get fat by eating fat. Your body has no way to store it. Your body's method for storing fat is by converting excess blood glucose to triglycerides for storage. There is only one fat storage hormone and it's called insulin. Your blood sugar does not go high eating fat or protein. It only goes high when you eat carbs. If you don't eat carbs, your body will make all of the glucose it needs from dietary protein and by converting your fat reserves for fuel. This maintains and regulates blood glucose. Eating carbs causes your blood glucose to go high and out of normal regulation. Your body then has to react by dumping large amounts of insulin to store that glucose and get your blood sugar back to safe limits.

openhighapart

You can't go low carb for a few days, not knowing how to do it, and expect any success. Anybody can do low carb successfully if you know how to. You need to first educate yourself so you don't blow it.

If you truly go low carb you will never: be hungry, be low on energy, have a bad mood fom it, or any of the things unknowlegable people will say.

If you truly go low carb all of your aspects of health both physical and mental will improve.

Almost our entire population is addicted to carbs. You can see it clearly in some of these replies. To break the addiction, you need to go nearly zero carb for a couple weeks. Most people ,at that time, will realize that their cravings have gone away-and that's a liberating experience!

My athletic son decided to accept my challenge to do low carb. He has always thought you have to "carb up" to work out. He has done triathlons and marathons. On Jan 1 this year (a few weeks ago). He went low carb. He came to me about a week ago nearly speechless. He has eaten more food than ever before and lost 5 lbs! He usually gets tired after 3 sets of basketball. Well now he played 5 sets and wasn't tired yet! He ran out of time to play more. This sort of thing is common for low carbers.

I have been low carb since 2004 and have never been healthier. I dropped from 245lbs to 190lbs. My blood cholesterol went from bad to good. My energy is high and constant. I no longer take afternoon naps.

In my studies I now have learned that people who eat low carb have very low risk of all of the modern diseases like: cancer, hypertension, ADD, heart disease, liver disease. You name it and historically it is rare except for people who eat high carb. High carb eating is a modern concept.150 years ago there was no such thing as breakfast cereal. That was invented by vegetarians in the late 1800's.

Almost all of your body is fueled by ATP. Your body's first choice for making ATP is dietary fat. It's second choice is dietary carbs. If you are hooked on carbs, your body will convert back to using fat as fuel in a week or two of being off the carbs.

By the way, you cannot get fat by eating fat. Your body has no way to store it. Your body's method for storing fat is by converting excess blood glucose to triglycerides for storage. There is only one fat storage hormone and it's called insulin. Your blood sugar does not go high eating fat or protein. It only goes high when you eat carbs. If you don't eat carbs, your body will make all of the glucose it needs from dietary protein and by converting your fat reserves for fuel. This maintains and regulates blood glucose. Eating carbs causes your blood glucose to go high and out of normal regulation. Your body then has to react by dumping large amounts of insulin to store that glucose and get your blood sugar back to safe limits.

Amen!

Acg67

By the way, you cannot get fat by eating fat. Your body has no way to store it. Your body's method for storing fat is by converting excess blood glucose to triglycerides for storage. There is only one fat storage hormone and it's called insulin. Your blood sugar does not go high eating fat or protein. It only goes high when you eat carbs. If you don't eat carbs, your body will make all of the glucose it needs from dietary protein and by converting your fat reserves for fuel. This maintains and regulates blood glucose. Eating carbs causes your blood glucose to go high and out of normal regulation. Your body then has to react by dumping large amounts of insulin to store that glucose and get your blood sugar back to safe limits.

By the way what does acylation stimulation protein do and what seems to activate it? Is protein insulinogenic? Under what conditions does DNL occur in humans?

Acg67

In my studies I now have learned that people who eat low carb have very low risk of all of the modern diseases like: cancer, hypertension, ADD, heart disease, liver disease. You name it and historically it is rare except for people who eat high carb. High carb eating is a modern concept.150 years ago there was no such thing as breakfast cereal. That was invented by vegetarians in the late 1800's.

Modern concept? hmmmm


Eaton et al. Paleolithi­c nutrition revisited: A twelve-yea­r retrospect­ive on its nature and implicatio­ns. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1997) 51, 207±216

"The typical carbohydra­te intake of ancestral humans was similar in magnitude, 45±50% of daily energy, to that in
current affuent nations, but there was a marked qualitativ­e difference­."

AlabasterVerve

In my studies I now have learned that people who eat low carb have very low risk of all of the modern diseases like: cancer, hypertension, ADD, heart disease, liver disease. You name it and historically it is rare except for people who eat high carb.

How do your studies account for China? Serious question, btw. I haven't researched a low carb diet at all but there are millions (billions?) of people on this planet whose diets are based around carbs who have extremely low rates of those diseases you're claiming are cured by a low carb diet. It just doesn't add up to me. Are there any studies to back up your claims or is it all anecdotal?

almondgirl00

It's not a diet I'd recommend. I try and eat a grain free diet to manage eczema as every other therapy we've tried has failed. Words cannot express how much I miss grains. My diet isn't really low carb (I am a big fan of fruit and starchy veg and dark chocolate) but it's still really frustrating. I've had two binge days in the past week whereas when I ate a low calorie, moderately high carb diet I could go weeks without hitting up Subway in frustration.

If I had to give up my chocolate and fruit I would probably just abandon dieting altogether. So unless you're someone who absolutely cannot lose weight any other way or has been advised by a real doctor, not some weird naturopathic quack type person, to eat this way, I say enjoy wholegrain carbs, for me at least (:

KayteeBear

Honestly, I should go low carb (I have PCOS and low carb is supposed to help A LOT) but I just can't. Most of my favourite foods are high in carbs...and right now the most easily accessible foods are white rice, white pasta, and potatoes...stuff I don't have to buy and I can't afford to buy a lot of groceries right now so that's what I'm eating the most of...

lodro

In my studies I now have learned that people who eat low carb have very low risk of all of the modern diseases like: cancer, hypertension, ADD, heart disease, liver disease. You name it and historically it is rare except for people who eat high carb. High carb eating is a modern concept.150 years ago there was no such thing as breakfast cereal. That was invented by vegetarians in the late 1800's.

Modern concept? hmmmm




Eaton et al. Paleolithi­c nutrition revisited: A twelve-yea­r retrospect­ive on its nature and implicatio­ns. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1997) 51, 207±216

"The typical carbohydra­te intake of ancestral humans was similar in magnitude, 45±50% of daily energy, to that in
current affuent nations, but there was a marked qualitativ­e difference­."

Yes, but in absolute numbers the glycemic load was far less, as the calorie count per meal was less, and in paleolithic times intermittent fasting was the rule, not the exception.

Also, citing one 1997 study is hardly "proof": I've read studies claiming 25% carbohydrate in the paleolithic diet. the point is, and you hint at that yourself: these carbohydrates didn't come from grains.

http://www.scribd.com/sidestone/d/62974968-A-view-to-a-kill-Investigating-Middle-Palaeolithic-subsistence-using-an-Optimal-Foraging-perspective