Low Carb, Paleo, Atkins, South Beach...which do you follow??

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Replies

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,993 Member
    Carbs aren't the enemy. Gluttony is.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member

    The base carb intake for MFP assumes you're going to be getting a good amount of exercise in which is why it sets it so high.

    you know for a fact this is why MFP sets carbs high?
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    Carbs aren't the enemy. Gluttony is.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    :laugh: No doubt! But if I'm less hungry on lower carbs, I'm less inclined to quite so much gluttony!
  • kajpen
    kajpen Posts: 120 Member
    Lots of carbs
    I go by the calories
    I stay with healthy food, low in fat
    Carbs are what give you energy for those workouts!

    Not necessarily. My diet is extremely low in carbs, only because breads/rice/pasta/etc (gluten free and non gluten free) upset my stomach, so I just don't eat them. I'm typically around 65g of carbs a day. I have PLENTY of energy for workouts though! I eat tons of protein (my diet is 40% protein/ 30% carbs/ 30% fats) and get my carbs all from fruits and veggies. I feel about a million times better and have more energy sans starches. BUT----that's just me. Everyone's body chemistry is different so you just have to find what works for you specifically.

    Bottom line though: it has to be something you can commit to for the rest of your life. If you can't commit, then your weight loss will not be permanent. Everything in moderation and avoid processed foods as much as possible is really the best rule to live by, in my opinion.

    Wow, I had to look at this twice to make sure I hadn't written it :-). I am celiac and still don't eat any of the gluten free breads or pastas because while they don't make me sick like gluten does, I still don't feel all that well when I eat them. My ratios are the same as yours (40% protein/30% carbs/30% fats) and my carbs come from veggies and fruits too.

    Everybody is different. What works for one person won't work for another. You just have to experiment and find what works best for you. I don't think carbs are bad or evil. I think people eat way too many processed/sugary foods. I don't bash ANY style of eating because there isn't ONE eating style that works for everyone. People have their own reasons for eating the way they do, and it's not up to me to say they're wrong or right. If it works for them then I applaud them.

    As long as you base your eating on healthy food choices and minimize the processed foods, you will do great.
  • ProTFitness
    ProTFitness Posts: 1,379 Member
    NOT ALL CARBS ARE CREATED EQUAL!! We Need the carbs from our fresh raw fruits and veggies.
  • JaceyMarieS
    JaceyMarieS Posts: 692 Member
    In general low carb diets are not really recommended for people who are very active or following rigorous weight loss regimens. Your carb intake should be related to your activity level. They're more or less just band-aids for people who can't or won't exercise to lose weight.

    I think you're forgetting people with metabolic disorders, who can and do exercise.
  • MamaMouseA
    MamaMouseA Posts: 5 Member
    bump
  • celebrity328
    celebrity328 Posts: 377 Member
    I am on a Ketogenic diet which is the atkins phase 1 without adding the carbs back :)

    I eat 20 gram of carbs a day max and feel this lifestyle change is one I can keep and stick to! I wouldnt suggest this diet to a person who is normal or has no underlining issues like IR or a medbolic problem. My husband can eat 50-100 carbs a day and be just fine... I go over 30 and I start feeling the effects of to much insulin.
  • sassiebritches
    sassiebritches Posts: 1,861 Member
    I enjoy the carbs from fresh fruits & veggies, but I stay away from bread and pasta simple carbs. ......feel so much better when I do.
  • shar140
    shar140 Posts: 1,158 Member
    In general low carb diets are not really recommended for people who are very active or following rigorous weight loss regimens. Your carb intake should be related to your activity level. They're more or less just band-aids for people who can't or won't exercise to lose weight.

    I think you're forgetting people with metabolic disorders, who can and do exercise.

    This. I keep my carbs lower, I exercise over 6 hours a week, and play rugby. Band-aids? NONSENSE.
  • sharon_rn
    sharon_rn Posts: 8
    Ha sorry had to tell you that cracked me up.
  • TXHunny84
    TXHunny84 Posts: 503 Member
    I am trying to stay away from bad processed carbs as much as possible....this has helped me a lot. Lowering my carbs has aided with cutting cravings and helps me lose weight too. Basically I am grocery shopping for food God intended us to eat. If it's something "man-made" then it probably isn't as good for me.... Wheat may be natural but I wouldn't eat it in its natural state ....so whole wheat breads....I put that in the "man-made" category. Of course I'm not super strict and will allow myself bread or cookies or something once in a while but I try to mostly be good. This Did man make it or God make it helps me avoid processed food items. Hope this helps :)
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    I'm a IIFYM person (if it fits your macros). I just make sure I have the right mix of fat, carbs, and protein and that I'm under my calorie goal. I don't believe that any food is innately bad. Food is just a tool. I don't have problems with binging or uncontrollable cravings, so it's working for me.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    None of the above. I don't do fad diets. All things in balance.
  • Espressocycle
    Espressocycle Posts: 2,245 Member
    I refuse to follow a diet or religion that tells me what I can and can't eat. I've lost plenty just eating less of my favorite things and replacing some meals with healthier, more filling options.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    Hi,
    Been looking into all these different lower carb diets and was wondering...which do you follow/recommend and how many carbs are you allowed? Which is the easiest lifestyle change to stick with? Can you have skim milk with any?


    None of the above. I eat healthy nutritious foods in sensible portions, stick to my calorie goal, exercise and treat myself daily (reserve 100 to 150 calories for something sweet!). It works for me!
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I just gave up bread and bread products. That's it, nothing complicated. I'm under on carbs just about every day without trying. I have no idea whether this is a good thing or a bad thing or a neutral thing, to be honest.

    I did start losing again after stalling for the zillionth time, but I have no idea if I will keep losing. It's only been a couple weeks.

    Also, I've read many posts that say once you give up bread, you better not start eating it again unless you just want to gain it all back.

    But I do find it slightly easier to stay full on less calories. Slightly.

    Forgot to add my belly feels less hard and swollen, especially on days when I also have little to no dairy.

    Not sure if you manually treaked the setting. But if you use MFP and leave it default, I think the carb intake is set pretty high, 55%or something like that...

    The base carb intake for MFP assumes you're going to be getting a good amount of exercise in which is why it sets it so high. Carbs are necessary workout fuel.

    I brought mine down to 50% to make room for more protein.
  • jennaworksout
    jennaworksout Posts: 1,739 Member
    IMAO,

    Everything in moderation. Just eat clean, homemade food whenever possible. Personally, Im 35% Carbs, 35% Protein, 30% Fat.

    ^ this, I am about the same too , I also get my carbs from vegetables and fruit.