Carbs & calories

nxd10

I just read Good Calories/Bad Calories and Why We Get Fat, both of which I found to have very good science in them.

Their argument is that lowering carbs to a reasonable level (35-40%) keeps you at a steady, low insulate level. This is important as insulin regulates whether you are sequestering sugars as fat or burning fat for energy. You will lose faster at lower carbs, but its not really sustainable and has other bad side effects.

I could go on, but that's the gist. Carbs you eat should be slow to digest ones (whole grains, etc.) so you don't get insulin spikes. I found that very helpful to me.

ccarre81

bump

Dave198lbs

I just read Good Calories/Bad Calories and Why We Get Fat, both of which I found to have very good science in them.

Their argument is that lowering carbs to a reasonable level (35-40%) keeps you at a steady, low insulate level. This is important as insulin regulates whether you are sequestering sugars as fat or burning fat for energy. You will lose faster at lower carbs, but its not really sustainable and has other bad side effects.

I could go on, but that's the gist. Carbs you eat should be slow to digest ones (whole grains, etc.) so you don't get insulin spikes. I found that very helpful to me.

UH OH!!! get your flame suit on

LavaRoushFiveOh

I am doing low carb. I have been dieting and exercising since May 9th. I cut my carbs down to around 30g a day. I still seem to manage to eat either right at or just under my calorie goal for the day. Its not too hard. You actually have to eat more sometimes because you won't be as hungry. The other night I was way under goal for calories and didnt want to do that so I just ate some eggs and chorizo.

EDIT: The only affects I have seen from low carb are losing weight really quick. My cholesterol and BP are all normal. My kidneys work fine :-)

taso42

I have no upper limit on carbs, and more or less no limit on fat. I aim for sufficient protein and everything else sorts itself out.

that works for you thats great. but for those here that follow the regular posters advice as golden, it would be ill advised for most to ignore getting adequate amount of fat. Not saying you dont get adequate fat, you probably do. but only aiming for protein seems too limited of an approach. if someone gets their protein and the rest all in carbs, I cant imagine that would be a good thing.

Sure, I agree. By "no upper limit" I meant I don't really pay attention to it, and end up getting plenty (often going over my "target"). But yes, it's prudent to point out that I wouldn't recommend restricting fat.

LLRider

I just read Good Calories/Bad Calories and Why We Get Fat, both of which I found to have very good science in them.

Their argument is that lowering carbs to a reasonable level (35-40%) keeps you at a steady, low insulate level. This is important as insulin regulates whether you are sequestering sugars as fat or burning fat for energy. You will lose faster at lower carbs, but its not really sustainable and has other bad side effects.

I could go on, but that's the gist. Carbs you eat should be slow to digest ones (whole grains, etc.) so you don't get insulin spikes. I found that very helpful to me.

UH OH!!! get your flame suit on

Good Calories, Bad Calories was a fascinating book. I pick it up often and re-read a chapter. Lots of interesting research. Controversial ... sure ... but I would encourage anyone who is insulin resistant to read it. My endocrinologist thought it had merit.

rose313

I have my goals set at 40/30/30 as well.

KittieLea

Everyone is going to respond to carbs differently. I try to eat a pretty clean diet and stay under my MFP carb recommendations. On an average day, I usually end up around 100 carbs and I'm comfortable there. When I do eat carbs, I get them from oatmeal, whole grains, brown rice, sweet potatoes, and other vegetables. I stay away from anything white or processed. I also don't eat starchy carbs after lunch so the rest of my day I get carbs from vegetables such as broccoli and green beans. Try lowering your carbs for a few days and changing things up. Once you find a number that works for you, stick with it. It really is trial and error
I'm 5,2'' by the way, reached my goal of 120-125 in March

LLRider

Everyone is going to respond to carbs differently. I try to eat a pretty clean diet and stay under my MFP carb recommendations. On an average day, I usually end up around 100 carbs and I'm comfortable there. When I do eat carbs, I get them from oatmeal, whole grains, brown rice, sweet potatoes, and other vegetables. I stay away from anything white or processed. I also don't eat starchy carbs after lunch so the rest of my day I get carbs from vegetables such as broccoli and green beans. Try lowering your carbs for a few days and changing things up. Once you find a number that works for you, stick with it. It really is trial and error
I'm 5,2'' by the way, reached my goal of 120-125 in March

Good Advice

lovinmamaxo

It's not so much about the amount of carbs your consuming as much as where they are coming from same thing with sugars. Carbs in veggies and yogurt and stuff along with sugar is a MUCH better carb and sugar than processed food like a 100 calorie brownie. This comes from my registered nutritionist. Still though i try to keep my carbs to 150g a day/max

cmurray234

I wasn't able to do low-carb. I tried at least 4 times. Why did I try so many times? Because the weight MELTS off. It's like magic, and I'm not making that up.

The problem is that I seem to be incapable of sticking to it. It causes me to have incredibly strong cravings and after 3 or 4 months, I binge on something stupid like chocolate cake or pie and I can't bring myself to go back to it.

If I could do low-carb, I would. But I've proven to myself that I can't...so it's old-fashioned calorie counting for me. I would estimate that about 75% of my diet is healthy (lean meats, fruit, vegetables, nuts, eggs, etc...) and 25% crap.

It would seem that the 25% crap keeps me sane. My advice is for you to pick something you can stick with. If that's low carb, have at it.