What's your take on CARBS??

2

Replies

  • sbrBirdy
    sbrBirdy Posts: 224 Member
    My take is that people who have insulin related conditions should probably consume low-ish carb intake.
    My take is that people who do not have these conditions, usually do not need to do a low-carb plan.

    Lastly, I do think protein and fat are physiologically of higher importance, but there's nothing magical about low-carb dieting.

    This. Some people are metabolically deranged - diabetic/pre-diabetic - and do not process carbs well. If you lose weight quickly on a low carb diet, I would say that's an indication that you should stay away from carbs as a lifestyle.

    I am diabetic, and very aware of carbs in my food. "Good" carbs from fruit or whole wheat bread have the same affect on me as "bad" carbs from cookies and cake. That being said, I feel like less processed food is a healthier choice.

    Some people obviously do fine on high carb diets. You have to learn what works best for you.
  • kk281
    kk281 Posts: 66 Member
    Metabolically how is refined sugar different from sugars found in fruits?

    I'd love to know your answer to this question. Does it make a difference, metabolically speaking?

    refined sugar is a more complex molecule and you body has to work harder to break it down. while burning more calories to break down your food may sound like a good thing, its actually not. burning more calories in digestion means that you will be hungrier soon, then you eat more refined sugar, get hungrier sooner, etc.

    i actually just read an interest study that deal with whole foods v refined foods:

    http://www.foodandnutritionresearch.net/index.php/fnr/article/viewArticle/5144/5755

    also refine sugars also load more sugar into your body (their glycemic index is higher) this rapid increase in blood sugar cause your body to ramp up insulin production to deal with the sudden increase. you're body over reacts and make too much insulin so when the refine sugar eaten is gone, you have excess insulin in your body. this causes you to eat more to use up the excess insulin.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    My take is that people who have insulin related conditions should probably consume low-ish carb intake.
    My take is that people who do not have these conditions, usually do not need to do a low-carb plan.

    Lastly, I do think protein and fat are physiologically of higher importance, but there's nothing magical about low-carb dieting.

    I agree with the above. The real question is how many and why. (or as my friend Acg67 would say, dose and context) If you are working out regularly and intensely, you probably need more than if you are not. My personal expereince with low carb diets are that they have a short term benefit but are not sustainable long term and, for me, I gained back all that I lost. I heard this story repeated often on these boards.
  • DeniseB0711
    DeniseB0711 Posts: 294 Member
    Keep in mind I am not physiologist and this is my basic understanding. Sugar found in fruit is very similar to the regular old table sugar, the difference is the fiber (or lack there of). Fiber found in fruit and whole grains slows the digestion of the sugars they accompany and thus keeps blood sugar more level...which apparently is a more desirable state.
    http://www.glycemicindex.com/about.php

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/27/low-glycemic-foods-diet_n_1630893.html
  • ReinventingLisa
    ReinventingLisa Posts: 104 Member
    I personally watch my carb/sugar intake over calories. But, I think it's more about quality of food rather than quantity. I stick to under 100 carbs, and try to at least have 100 grams of protein. That doesn't mean I don't have a piece of toast once in a while!
  • milkyskinn
    milkyskinn Posts: 126 Member
    I love my carbs. I have done attempts to lower them or keep them below 100-130, but it's just not do-able for me! You just need to find what works for you. :)
    Everyone needs carbs especially if you do heavy cardio and/or lifting, and like with fats, if you stick to healthy carbs in balance with everything else, your body can use it!
    While low carb may work, for most its only short term, especially since it's very, very difficult to stick to for the rest of your life. I've also read about a certain relation to blood type being better fit for certain diets/macros, like type A doing well on vegan diets and types O are good on diets higher in meat/protein, but I'm not sure how much truth is in that, haha
  • wolfi622
    wolfi622 Posts: 206
    In today's Express.


    HEART ATTACK RISK IN DIETING


    http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/329161/Heart-attack-risk-in-dieting
  • tsavisky
    tsavisky Posts: 78 Member
    helpful...
  • fiveohmike
    fiveohmike Posts: 1,297 Member
    In today's Express.


    HEART ATTACK RISK IN DIETING


    http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/329161/Heart-attack-risk-in-dieting

    Dang so I am gonna die eating carbs and not eating carbs.... ./sigh
  • tsavisky
    tsavisky Posts: 78 Member
    A carbohydrate is an organic compound that consists only of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, usually with a hydrogen:oxygen atom ratio of 2:1 (as in water); in other words, with the empirical formula Cm(H2O)n. (Some exceptions exist; for example, deoxyribose, a component of DNA, has the empirical formula C5H10O4.) Carbohydrates are not technically hydrates of carbon. Structurally it is more accurate to view them as polyhydroxy aldehydes and ketones.

    Helpful...
  • Lift_hard_eat_big
    Lift_hard_eat_big Posts: 2,278 Member
    I no scare of carbs, I vacuum with mouth!
  • jamk1446
    jamk1446 Posts: 5,577 Member
    My take is that people who have insulin related conditions should probably consume low-ish carb intake.
    My take is that people who do not have these conditions, usually do not need to do a low-carb plan.

    Lastly, I do think protein and fat are physiologically of higher importance, but there's nothing magical about low-carb dieting.

    Summed up quite nicely.
  • starracer23
    starracer23 Posts: 1,011 Member
    All carbs are not created equal.
    Some people think they are.
    Carbs found in veggies, fruit and whole grains are good for you.
    You need a balanced diet, not eating the good carbs is just as bad as only eating the "bad" ones.

    (By bad, I mean; processed junk food, white bread, refined sugar, white rice...etc)

    And what do these bad carbs do to you? Metabolically how is refined sugar different from sugars found in fruits?

    Refined sugars offer no nutrional value. They only dump sugar into your system. Getting natural occuring sugars from fruits, veggies, dairy, and grains is the best way to consume it. It is metabolized into glucose and then its sent to the brain, cells, and used as fuel for the metabolism. Also fruits, veggies, grains provide the body with fiber. Refined does not. A healthy balanced "diet" is neccesary.

    Plus kk281 answered it rather well. :)
  • sculley
    sculley Posts: 2,012 Member
    You need a certain amount to stay healthy which is why I don't understand why people think low carbs is healthy. ( The right kind of carbs)
    http://www.rawfoodexplained.com/carbohydrates/the-role-of-carbohydrates-in-the-body.html
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    I love carbs, but I don't eat pasta or bread every day. Probably 2-3 times a week I eat either one. I prefer to stick to good carbs, like salads, fruits, and even chocolate.
  • Phaedra2014
    Phaedra2014 Posts: 1,254 Member
    Thank you, kk for the explanation.

    I have lowered my carb intake significantly but I am not at a low carb level. I am waiting to feel the explosion of energy. For now, my body is still adjusting to the major change...it's only been 10 days.
  • GetFitE
    GetFitE Posts: 247 Member
    I try to keep all my carbs healthy carbs and stick to one serving size of them. I only eat 100% whole wheat bread (read the labels!), brown rice, multigrain oatmeal, or like a multigrain granola (Kashi Go Lean cereal), etc etc and fruits. I try keep my carbs at each of my 3 bigger meals (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner). I read a book recommended by my doctor & it says not to have carbs cover more than 25% of your plate & to keep them at one serving per meal. So, one piece of bread OR one serving of pasta, but not both.

    If you love pasta and bread- eat whole wheat of both. And make pasta a side to your meal vs the main course!
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    All carbs are not created equal.
    Some people think they are.
    Carbs found in veggies, fruit and whole grains are good for you.
    You need a balanced diet, not eating the good carbs is just as bad as only eating the "bad" ones.

    (By bad, I mean; processed junk food, white bread, refined sugar, white rice...etc)

    And what do these bad carbs do to you? Metabolically how is refined sugar different from sugars found in fruits?

    Refined sugars offer no nutrional value. They only dump sugar into your system. Getting natural occuring sugars from fruits, veggies, dairy, and grains is the best way to consume it. It is metabolized into glucose and then its sent to the brain, cells, and used as fuel for the metabolism. Also fruits, veggies, grains provide the body with fiber. Refined does not. A healthy balanced "diet" is neccesary.

    Plus kk281 answered it rather well. :)

    So you're saying there is not difference, metabolically speaking between natural and refined sugars, right?

    And why are white bread and rice worse then their brown counterparts?
  • IrishChik
    IrishChik Posts: 465 Member
    Carbs are fine as long as you eat the right kind, of which in my experience bread and pasta just aren't those kinds.

    If you get your carbs from vegtables and fruits, cut out grains and processed carbs + sugar I'm betting you'd be able to get over that hump.

    You'll get a lot of varying views here though, there's a die hard set of people that bash on anything that remotely resembles low carb LOL.

    This.

    This is the plan my dietitian put me on. Lower my carbs, only good ones. All white needed to be replaced with whole wheat and grains. White rice is now brown. No white bread. If I wanted a baked potato, only half at a time. Fill up on greens instead. Pasta is a minimum too and it should be wheat as well. She prefers the kind with the added omega 3. I pretty much get all my recipes and meal plans from the American Diabetes Association. She suggested I use MFP so I could send her my meals, which was fine since I have been here for 2yrs. I use the exchange plan for how many carbs I am allowed per day. My husband and I are on the same plan, only he gets more carb exchanges than I do. We both have medical problems we are dealing with so this was the meal plan she put us on with the advice of our Primary Care Physician.
  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    I cannot remember where but I read that females need to stick between 100 and 150 carbs a day to loose weight. I attempt to keep mine around 100. I can not eat wheat though so that cuts out a ton of carbs for me.
    ^not this. I almost always eat over 100 and can eat 200-300 in over 2000 cals a day and lose. Managed to hit the tip of under weight so you are highly misinformed
  • katidid213
    katidid213 Posts: 17 Member
    I lost 50lbs eating low carb. I found that after the first 2 weeks I no longer craved any sugar or carbs. Getting throught the first 2 weeks is tough though.

    I always have tons of energy and never go hungry! That's the best part.
  • blonde71
    blonde71 Posts: 955 Member
    I eat at least 200-300 on workout days and am leaner than ever. And yes, I still indulge in bread and pasta once in awhile. All I know is that when I was severely low-carbing it, I was faint, dizzy and lacked energy. Once I upped the carb intake, I felt like "me" again, if that makes sense. You can't completely cut one macronutrient out of the equation. Balance is key.
  • katidid213
    katidid213 Posts: 17 Member
    Spot on!
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    I decided no more bread. That was the first thing to go, a couple of weeks ago. Before, I was hungry most of the time. And worse, had these binge cravings for Bon Appetit pastries and chocolate. I could eat 1000 calories worth of just the pastries in a day and still eat regular meals, chocolate, and everything else. I'm sure I still can, too, but I'm not going to.

    I notice I feel better. My allergies aren't as bad. I have more energy, I'm more sociable. Wow, that's odd. And so quick, even though I haven't even been that consistent with it. And on days when I am consistent, I'm not hungry like I've been most of the past 7 months of this journey.

    So now I wonder what I can do if I go even lower carb. Atkins style. And I started that yesterday. Already was 5 carbs over, though, and then I found out my precious Dunkin Donuts coffee has carbs in it, so really, yesterday was a wash. Got to start over today pretty much. Going no bread wasn't really an effort, going deliberately under 20 carbs a day is apparently going to be.

    The point of this long ramble? Maybe give up bread and bread products first, just start by keeping carbs under 100, maybe, and see how you feel. If you notice things are better, then maybe cut down even more. But this is coming from someone who is just starting out, so of course take it with a grain of salt!

    Edit: Also, I tend to have low blood sugar and diabetes runs in my family. It's possible I've never done well on high carbs and was just too busy to notice.
  • brittajane87
    brittajane87 Posts: 20 Member
    Carbs and I....have a love/hate relationship. I decided I will not give up bread and pasta, but I limit myself to one pasta meal a week, and it actually tastes better that way so far! I will never fully cut them out because I know I would go off the wagon soooo quickly.
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    I don't put a ton of thought into it, but I've been trying to cut back on starchy carbs. So, instead of pasta or rice or potatoes with dinner, just having broccoli and/or carrots with dinner. That kind of thing. Not huge effort, just think about it and try to make a different choice.
  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    I eat at least 200-300 on workout days and am leaner than ever. And yes, I still indulge in bread and pasta once in awhile. All I know is that when I was severely low-carbing it, I was faint, dizzy and lacked energy. Once I upped the carb intake, I felt like "me" again, if that makes sense. You can't completely cut one macronutrient out of the equation. Balance is key.

    Not to mention the cognative problems associated with trying low carb
    http://journals.lww.com/ajnonline/Fulltext/2006/06000/Weight_Loss_and_Diet_Plans__Several_types_of_diet.27.aspx
    http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666308005515
  • airbent
    airbent Posts: 150 Member
    I try not to have starches (as in bread/pasta/rice) at dinner, and any grains I eat in the morning with breakfast--oatmeal, that sort of thing. Along with fruit, dairy, and/or beans, this keeps me between 100-150 grams a day-- i might go a little over that on weekends, but I earn a lot of exercise calories/carbs from my side job. And even then, sweet potato fries and wonton wrappers are as starchy as I get since starting this.

    I have a feeling if I start having rice and bread and stuff again, even if I cut down quantity, I'll stall out sooner, but I don't know for sure. I don't miss it too much yet, so I'll stick with these carb numbers for now.
  • raerae514
    raerae514 Posts: 171 Member
    I read somewhere that cutting out carbs for dieting purposes is okay and will be effective BUT you will need to up your fat and protein intake. Just a thought.

    Also, I love carbs and they are delicious. I don't plan on cutting them out unless I reach a hump as well ;)
  • wolfi622
    wolfi622 Posts: 206
    In today's Express.


    HEART ATTACK RISK IN DIETING


    http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/329161/Heart-attack-risk-in-dieting

    Dang so I am gonna die eating carbs and not eating carbs.... ./sigh

    Yeah, looks like....... :/

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