Why Do YOU Eat Low Carb?

chivalryder

Hey everyone,

So I've been seeing more and more people on here going on about "low carb" diets, and that they're oh-so great for losing weight.

I honestly don't understand it, but my background is endurance racing. I'm accustomed to eating 60-75% of my calories as carbs. When you're doing 20 hours a week of running/cycling, and burning insane amounts of calories, you NEED carbs for energy. I understand the benefits of low-carbs if you have a medical reason to do so, but without a medical reason, it doesn't make any sense to me. Carbs are the primary source of fuel. Why get rid of them.

I know I can do some research on the benefits of it on Google or what not, but I'm more interested in why YOU are doing it.

So please, elaborate on your reasoning. I'm very curious to know why YOU chose to do it, and how it's working out for YOU.

Loulady

I tend to limit my starch and grain carbs - bread, pasta, potatoes, et. al. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy them and fit them in when I want them. I just see them as empty calories, really.

chivalryder

I tend to limit my starch and grain carbs - bread, pasta, potatoes, et. al. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy them and fit them in when I want them. I just see them as empty calories, really.

This I can understand. Those sorts of carbs have no nutritional value, so I would avoid them too.

I see some people on here who limit themselves to 20g a day! I ate an apple that has more than that! Why do people think they're so bad?

knk1553

Because I have more energy when I keep my carbs at 40% or less of my daily intake. Excessive carbs make me feel sluggish. I did 40/30/30 as an endurance swimmer and I was perfectly fine. I also find I'm more hungry, especially if my carb intake is high in starch/grains. Fruit makes me hungry too, like really hungry.

FireBrand80

I wish I could tell you that I fought the good fight, and the carbs let me be. I wish I could tell you that - but dieting is no fairy-tale world. I never said who did it, but they all knew. Things went on like that for awhile - dieting consists of routine, and then more routine. Every so often, I would show up with more bodyfat. The carbs kept at me - sometimes I was able to fight 'em off, sometimes not. And that's how it went for me - that was my routine. I do believe those first two years were the worst for me, and I also believe that if things had gone on that way, dieting would have got the best of me.

taylor5877

My carbs are set pretty low (30%), but I still get plenty of fruits and veggies.

I don't do any long distance running/cardio, and am trying to lower my body fat% while keeping my testosterone levels up and raising my HDL.

I like a high protein diet and want a 30% fat diet, so the calories had to come from somewhere. I still easily hit my fiber goals on most days.

I don't really think of myself as being "low carb" but many on this site would consider 30% low carb.

I still eat around 200g of carbs per day.

PicNic00

Because it works

stargazer008

It's the only thing that works for me. whenever I eat more protein and less carbs, I lose weight faster.

Sharyn913

I tend to limit my starch and grain carbs - bread, pasta, potatoes, et. al. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy them and fit them in when I want them. I just see them as empty calories, really.

LOLOL

linzee2207

For me, eating a lot of carbs, especially those white carbs like bread and pasta make me feel super bloated and uhhh back things up. Even if I don't actually weigh less, I feel lighter and have more energy when I limit them.

pants77

I don't.

I keep my calories, protein, fat, and fiber within acceptable ranges for fat burning and carbs take care of themselves. I don't look at how many carbs are in things, nor do I care to.

claudiacarmel

I tend to eat the "healthy carbs" like brown rice, oatmeal, whole grain pasta, etc. and I don't always eat those every day. If I bake, I use almond flour. I eat veggies lots of veggies every day and feel like those are healthy carbs. Stay away from "white" carbs. Tend to do high protein. Exercise is just walking...10,000 to 15,000 steps a day. 1100 cals a day carbs usually under 200 a day?

amandamorris07

I HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS IS CORRECT, BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE (EX. ATKINS.COM) IS THAT IF YOUR BODY DOESN'T HAVE CARBS TO USE AS FUEL IT WILL USE YOUR STORED FAT AS ITS FUEL RESOURCE. AND TO ME IT'S WORTH A TRY TO SEE IF I CAN DROP THE FIRST FEW POUNDS THIS WAY. I SERIOUSLY JUST SPENT ALL DAY YESTERDAY RESEARCHING THE ATKINS DIET AND TODAY IS MY FIRST DAY ON IT. I ONLY TOOK IN 20 G OF CARBS TODAY AND I FEEL LIKE I HAVE MORE ENERGY ALREADY! BUT AT SAME TIME I SIT BEHIND A DESK ALL DAY, SO MAYBE I DON'T NEED AS MUCH AS OTHER ACTIVE PEOPLE.

adrianac06

I don't think it's healthy by any means, but I have done it in the past in order to lose weight quickly.I have lost 50 pounds in a matter of two months by limiting my carb intake to 30 grams a day. I was also pushing 270 at the time though. So i would say mainly because it allows many people to lose weight very rapidly.

Michelle81285

The bad carbs (pasta, bread, rice, wheat, gluten, etc) make me feel very bloated, tired and miserable. I still eat sweet potatoes and eat fruit which are still carbs!

pastryari

I HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS IS CORRECT, BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE (EX. ATKINS.COM) IS THAT IF YOUR BODY DOESN'T HAVE CARBS TO USE AS FUEL IT WILL USE YOUR STORED FAT AS ITS FUEL RESOURCE. AND TO ME IT'S WORTH A TRY TO SEE IF I CAN DROP THE FIRST FEW POUNDS THIS WAY. I SERIOUSLY JUST SPENT ALL DAY YESTERDAY RESEARCHING THE ATKINS DIET AND TODAY IS MY FIRST DAY ON IT. I ONLY TOOK IN 20 G OF CARBS TODAY AND I FEEL LIKE I HAVE MORE ENERGY ALREADY! BUT AT SAME TIME I SIT BEHIND A DESK ALL DAY, SO MAYBE I DON'T NEED AS MUCH AS OTHER ACTIVE PEOPLE.

Why are you yelling?

& Of course atkins is going to advocate low-carb. That's what that diet is. Try research that's not biased.

anthonysig

I get all my carbs from veggies, berries and post workout shakes and have never shredded fat and gained muscle quicker

chocolateandpb

I tend to limit my starch and grain carbs - bread, pasta, potatoes, et. al. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy them and fit them in when I want them. I just see them as empty calories, really.

^^ This. It's easy for me to go way overboard on carbs as a vegetarian. I've found that I get the best results by consciously eating less carbs than I normally would, were I not paying attention to nutrition at all. I try to stay between 100-150 grams a day, but it is really hard, because I adore carbs (especially during long, cold Minnesota winters). To me, there's nothing better than a big bowl of pasta with some crusty bread, followed by cake. I know from experience though that I get the best results from eating more protein & fat, and less carbs....it's just what works for me.

Tkwild

I have PCOS and insulin resistance - if I eat more than a bare minimum number of carbs, it doesn't matter how much or little I eat or exercise, I will consistently gain weight. Low carb doesn't always make me lose (my body is pretty determined) but it is the only thing that ever works for me. Plus, bacon!

tennesseeleigh

Too many carbs make me want to binge eat. Even healthy carbs can be a trigger. That said, I think I have a moderate carb diet. I aim for 40% carbs - 30 % fat - 30% protein. I follow a 1700 calorie diet so that's still a lot of carbs compared to most low-carb programs. I also try to have most of my carbs in the morning or by lunch.

Quiing

I prefer eating low carb because (after the initial 2-3 days of brainfog) my mind is the clearest... I focus a whole lot better and my memory stays on point. And the natural energy is amazing... I can sleep for 3-4 hours and run circles around my coworkers all day.

Granted it helped me lose 42 pounds in 4 months the first time I did it two , but now I'm eating carbs and starting to lose weight at the same rate... however I have to drink so much coffee/red bull to stay remotely awake during the day.

AshRyd

Because I have more energy when I keep my carbs at 40% or less of my daily intake. Excessive carbs make me feel sluggish.. I also find I'm more hungry, especially if my carb intake is high in starch/grains. Fruit makes me hungry too, like really hungry.

this -- my sister does atkins faithfully and stays around 20 carbs a day and has lost a ton of weight. I tried that for about two weeks and started feeling sick so i raised mine to about 50-80 carbs a day and do really good. anything for sure over 100 a day and i start to feel like a slug.

gp79

When you're doing 20 hours a week of running/cycling, and burning insane amounts of calories.....

Most people do not do 20 hours a week of running / cycling or any exercise for that matter. If you're not this active, what reason do you have to eat high carb?

If you're meeting your protein and fat goals for the day, and you wish to be in calorie restriction, the carbs cannot be high.

melkneec

Medical reasons for me. It keeps my insulin levels down and makes me feel normal. Plus because my insulin levels are low I don't get that starving feeling. I hate that! lol

clobercow

Sugar is toxic.

Carbohydrate is rare in nature and our biology is designed to store it when we come across it.

Insulin (triggered by carbohydrate) suppresses important hormones like Ghrelin and Leptin, that control hunger and satiation.

Carbohydrate causes an imbalance of good and bad cholesterol and prevents the body from regulating it appropriately.

Carbohydrate causes hardening of arterial walls, causing clogged arteries that cholesterol attempts to repair. This becomes a chronic issue and is commonly blamed on cholesterol and fat.

Carbohydrate can cause insulin insensitivity leading to diabetes and other chronic issues like metabolic syndrome.

Many types of cancer are accelerated in growth by carbohydrate because cancers develop insulin receptors.

Carbohydrate effects the brain the same way many addictive drugs do.

Carbohydrate addicts suffer with withdraw symptoms when they quit cold turkey.

Also, Carbohydrate is 100% NOT NECESSARY IN THE DIET. We only need fat and protein.

So why eat it unless you have a specific purpose and a means to use that carbohydrate effectively.

Bailey543

I feel better eating low carb. I still workout and don't feel slugish at all. I get up ready for work, some days without an alarm. If I have a "cheat day", I can feel it. I actually get sick from it....throwing up sick.
I just like the way it makes me feel. My skin has improved as well. AND I have lost 50 pounds. I will eat low carb for the rest of my life. I've done it for almost 2 years now and have absolutely no intention of going back. It's a lifestyle choice.
I eat meats, nuts, berries, veggies and cheese. I do not feel deprived at all. I even get to eat chocolate (Chocoperfection....it's amazing!!) and I have rootbeer floats, cheesecake, brownies, low carb bread.... There are all sorts of low carb options.

AmeChops

I have PCOS and insulin resistance - if I eat more than a bare minimum number of carbs, it doesn't matter how much or little I eat or exercise, I will consistently gain weight. Low carb doesn't always make me lose (my body is pretty determined) but it is the only thing that ever works for me. Plus, bacon!

Exactly this for me too!!

pinthin87

I try to eat low carb, because frankly carbs make my belly stick out...lol. The less I eat of them the flatter my stomach looks.

fbmandy55

I have PCOS and insulin resistance. If I eat too many carbs I don't lose. Even fruit carbs are a killer for me!

starkid120

To support my boyfriend (who initially decided he wanted to do it) and to lose the last bit of weight I've been stuck trying to lose for the past 6-ish months.

shakybabe

I've no idea what my percentage is but I just cut white carbs bread/pasta/rice etc. I didn't count the carbs in vegetables and fruit.

I guess in a curry with alot of veg and cauliflower instead of rice the meal still has quite a lot of carbs but they are all healthy ones? The most calories is usually in the small amount of curry sauce (i water it down so don't use as much of it)

I replaced chips with sweet potato chips baked in oven.. still carbs I guess but supposedly healthier than white potato? .. usually done with green beans and baked fish (no batter) as my healthy alternative to fish, chips and mushy peas!

I have bread a couple of times a week and its gluten free when I do have it. I like the occasional fishfinger sandwich (GF fishfingers and bread) or cheese on toast for lunch! When I have breakfast cereals they are also wheat free... I have found this has reduced how much water I retain even at TOTM now only gaining 4/5lb that week where previously it was 6-10lbs.

It's helped me get weight off and keep it off but weight loss has still been slow compared to many others, only lost 3 stone in a year but I have under active thyroid and other mobility issues that severely restrict exercise options.

I tried brown rice but don't like it so do occasionally allow white rice once or twice a month but usually replace with cauliflower whizzed in processor then steamed in microwave.