is low carb the best way?!

Maldivesbeachbodplease
Maldivesbeachbodplease Posts: 444
in Food and Nutrition
It works best for me but i am really struggling....i miss having a sandwich at lunchtime! i am fine cutting carbs after lunchtime but before then i struggle to cut them from breakfast and lunch.

Any advice? xxx

Replies

  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Low carb is the best way for diabetics and it's typically a good choice for people with insulin resistance and some people with PCOS or any pre-diabetic conditions.

    For people with normally functioning insulin, I think low-carbing is completely a preferential thing. Given no insulin related conditions, low-carbing is not going to give any metabolic advantage or give faster weight-loss over a traditional deficit.

    In either case however, I would still advocate prioritizing protein and fat intake to at least sufficient levels as they are physiologically more important.

    I personally do not low-carb as I suffer gym performance if I go below about 175g or so.
  • Lift_hard_eat_big
    Lift_hard_eat_big Posts: 2,278 Member
    I need carbs to fuel my intense workouts. Some claim carb cycling helps when BF% gets low, but for most noobs, a caloric deficit is all that matters to lose weight.
  • Christine1110
    Christine1110 Posts: 1,786 Member
    If you miss it....enjoy one. Make sure when you have one, that you really enjpy it....like it's a treat. Just don't eat it everyday. Make a better choice in breads, maybe used sprouted breads instead of another kind.
  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,218 Member
    Sidesteal is right, I believe.

    There's no one way for everyone. My diet is about 60-70% carbs owing to the fact I don't eat meat, poultry, or pork. I'm very active and I've lost almost 40 pounds this year. Carbs give me the energy I need to do what I want to do.
  • rainydaze613
    rainydaze613 Posts: 112 Member
    It works really well for some people, but not for others. I tried low-carb for a while, but was cranky all day and hated the fact that I "had" to fit in so much protein. I think low-carb is suitable for muscle development, though. Now I just try to limit my refined carbs, and stick to things such as steel cut oats, brown rice, and quinoa. I eat the most carbs in the morning and hardly any near the end of the day, and I've been losing weight. I definitely do not eat low carb at all right now; in fact, you could probably even say the opposite, lol. I eat like 200g a day. But a lot of my carbs also come from fruit, soy yogurts, and vegetables as I try to have a plant-based diet :)
  • cristaine
    cristaine Posts: 87
    It is what is working best for me, at THIS stage in my fitness journey. I am hoping that my body when it has less fat on it is more responsive that it is now and I can add more back in. *hoping* anyway. I will eventually add them slowly back in. That said, I currently have cheat meals scheduled in to help me in my compliance a bit. I can be 100% compliant during the week if I know there is a scheduled meal coming up. Basically, you have to listen to your body and do what you need to do to get results. Just like there is no one diet for everyone, there is no one way to even follow a similar plan! We need to tailor to ourselves and our lifestyle to make it workable. And then we just DO that. All the talking and the planning can't correct no followthrough. I sure know THAT one.

    I was a total carb addict too, so trust me, I feel your pain. I DO think that for many people it is one of the easiest ways to lose body fat while sparing lean tissue when you have a lot of fat to lose, keeping in mind proper activity to support this of course.
  • Dayquasar
    Dayquasar Posts: 182 Member
    Interesting video about low-carb diets-http://nutritionfacts.org/video/plant-based-atkins-diet/
  • fishfish3
    fishfish3 Posts: 26 Member
    It is the only way I am successful losing weight. So for me, it is best. Don't be afraid to have a 'cheat' meal now and then, if it will help your mental well-being.
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    I tried South Beach Diet once. I lost 6 pounds before I quit and went back to eating normally.

    I've lost 20lbs plus twice (regained with pregnancy) by just eating everything in moderation at a calorie deficit.
  • LatinaGordita
    LatinaGordita Posts: 377 Member
    Low carbing has worked best for me, however I do not cut them completely. I enjoy somewhere between 60 to 100 grams of carbs a day.

    As long as I stay within my carb goal I enjoy a tuna sandwhich for lunch, or a piece of toast with strawberry jam as a snack. As far as protein I aim high from 100 to 140grams per day which keeps me satisfied through out the day.

    I also have maybe 2 to 3 days a month where I won't count my cals, carbs etc.

    You have to see what works best for you, depriving yourself could lead to binging etc. Moderation is key!
  • Gergal73
    Gergal73 Posts: 36 Member
    It works best for me but i am really struggling....i miss having a sandwich at lunchtime! i am fine cutting carbs after lunchtime but before then i struggle to cut them from breakfast and lunch.

    Any advice? xxx

    There are low carb breads out there. Sara Lee Light Wheat has 45 calories and 7 carbs per slice. I've seen this bread in every grocery store I've looked. I'm a Type 1 Diabetic so HAVE to do the low carb thing and this bread goes everywhere with me, even to restaurants... Just remember - Low Carb does not mean No Carb. You need some carbs for your body to survive. My Endocrinologist has me on a very low carb diet for my diabetes and has sent me between 120 and 135 grams of carb per day. It works well and I''m not starving or craving carbs. I split the carbs up between meals and that helps keep the cravings and blood sugar readings under control.

    There are also low carb Tortillas and Pasta that is great. La Banderita Low Carb tortillas have 81 calories and 11 carbs. I use these for wraps, quesidillas, enchiladads, and any other host of things that you can "wrap." I've just discovered Carba Nada Pasta and it has been a life saver. It's wonderful and only has 140 calories and 24 carbs for 1.5 cups. That's incredible for pasta.

    Hope this helps! Good luck! :smile:
  • Chigger56
    Chigger56 Posts: 105
    Low carb but not total no carb for me. I do get carbs in my vegie burgers and kashi high protein cereal. I use those *mama lupe* low carb tortillas. And roll up ham and cheese with some mustard. That's my sandwich!! Having lost weight both ways I think I look better and lose more inches on a low carb diet.
  • dancinrascal
    dancinrascal Posts: 204 Member
    I just read something in shape magazine that said that a different ratio of fat/protein/carbs may occur for different people depending on their needs and that it really doesn't matter as long as the calories are within the correct range to lose weight. Personally, I do better with a higher amount of healthy fats and protein and a lower number of carbs
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Bacon and egg for breakfast. Or greek yoghurt (full fat) with linseed / chia / almonds / raspberries. Sorted :-)
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/body-type-diet-solutions-big-belly-or-big-butt
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/body-type-diet-solutions-big-belly-or-big-butt

    Again?
  • VMarkV
    VMarkV Posts: 522 Member
    The only reason why low carb works fast is because your body will eventually deplete its glycogen along with all the water needed to store glycogen. It's only a temporary weight loss and does nothing beneficial for bodycomposition. You could lose like 5 lbs in one week and then plateau. Again, caloric deficit is what matters in the long run for fatloss.

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