OMG CARBS ARE INDEED THE DEVIL HIMSLEF DISGUISED AS FOOD.

OK, I just keep seeing these stupid "no carb diet help pls" or "OMG I went over my carb limit what should I do??" Topics and just had to try and clear this up a little bit/.

http://www.drmcdougall.com/res_high_protein_diets.html

'Nuff said, honestly.

Why is it that people seem to think there's some special "trick" or shortcut to losing body fat? Why is it that people try to over-complicate weight loss by making up all these tricks and tips and fad diets (like the low carb or Atkins diets) that will supposedly just melt the fat off your body? Why would depriving your body of ANY crucial nutrient would be good, especially carbohydrates, which are the building blocks of energy?

I myself have lost a little over 20 pounds following calorie restriction combined with strength and cardio. It's really that simple, and almost anyone can do it. Expend more than your put in for a CONSISTENT amount of time;that is ALL you need to do. : )

So please everybody stop depriving yourself of carbs and fearing carbs; when you eat GOOD foods, like whole grains and fresh vegetables, your body will thank you, and you will get the result you want!
«1345

Replies

  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    If we have to reduce calorie intake carbohydrates seems a good place to start, given that there are none we need to eat. Most folks can take 125g of carbs out of their diet (500 calories) and leave fats and protein alone.

    There's more energy in fat (9 vs 4) than carbs, and carbohydrates simply aren't a nutrient that you have to eat.

    20 or 30g of carbs in a day would be a vegetable intake beyond what many can manage, if sticking to the lower carb veg. So I can eat a pound of veg and be under 20g of carbs.
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    Why would depriving your body of ANY crucial nutrient would be good, especially carbohydrates, which are the building blocks of energy?
    Well, if you're diabetic you probably want to control your carb intake.
  • Gregularity
    Gregularity Posts: 8 Member
    It's so popular because cutting carbs is the easiest way to lose weight quickly. That is, the method for doing it is plainly obvious and it does produce results, and quickly. Long-term, though, it's no more effective and the people who think it's some sort of miracle will likely put the pounds on just as quickly as they were lost.
  • katesnewbody
    katesnewbody Posts: 62 Member
    Oh control, yes! I'm talking about crazy fad diets, where you eat teeny tiny amounts of carbs, or no carbs at all, and people seem to think it will result in healthy, permanent weight loss!

    Also, I'm mainly talking about healthy people who start diets, not people with pre-existing medical conditions that require special care. : )
  • katesnewbody
    katesnewbody Posts: 62 Member
    It's so popular because cutting carbs is the easiest way to lose weight quickly. That is, the method for doing it is plainly obvious and it does produce results, and quickly. Long-term, though, it's no more effective and the people who think it's some sort of miracle will likely put the pounds on just as quickly as they were lost.

    Exactly what I mean! : )
  • tameko2
    tameko2 Posts: 31,634 Member
    Why would depriving your body of ANY crucial nutrient would be good, especially carbohydrates, which are the building blocks of energy?
    Well, if you're diabetic you probably want to control your carb intake.

    *insulin resistant, not just diabetic, but yes, same sentiment. But other people shouldn't worry much about it. and no one *needs* to restrict to some magically super low number like 30 grams. (that i am aware of - insulin resistant people just have to manage the speed of digestion of carbs so they should stay away from flour based stuff like wheat/pasta and rice and stick to lower GI stuff)
  • stellarcanicula
    stellarcanicula Posts: 50 Member
    Why is it that people seem to think there's some special "trick" or shortcut to losing body fat? Why is it that people try to over-complicate weight loss by making up all these tricks and tips and fad diets (like the low carb or Atkins diets) that will supposedly just melt the fat off your body?

    Cause people are lazy.
  • ChristiH4000
    ChristiH4000 Posts: 531 Member
    I knew it! There's always carbs on one shoulder and an angel on the other shoulder whenever I'm faced with a tough decision or a moral/ethical dilemma. :wink:
  • sisterphonetica
    sisterphonetica Posts: 59 Member
    I agree! Maybe as a society we could eat fewer carbs but they are by no means the Devil!

    Tonight I will be enjoying a peanut butter sandwich.
  • I have been counting calories in, calories out for over 2 years. I have stalled for the past year and a half. NOTHING worked. I am finally trying Atkins, and if you do your research before blasting low-carb plans, you'd know it doesn't elminate ALL carbs. The carbs just come from vegetables instead of bread. What's so wrong with that? Just because something works for you, it doesn't work for all of us. I am proud to say that Atkins IS helping me bust through this dreadful plateau, and I feel a million times better since starting the program.

    To each their own...I'm really tired of hearing people blast others choices.
  • the problem with all this is people who are on such strong low carb diets never really understand the difference between good carbs and bad carbs. Most of the people I know pretty much consider all carbs to be bad, which isn't the truth.
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    What I would like to see is someone who advocates the low carb diet actually fully explain to me WHY it works and HOW it is sustainable for the long term!

    I've done a lot of research on it recently, so I do understand how it works, and how it can actually be a good thing for relatively quick weight loss. However, the same information is why it is NOT good for someone who wants to have a very active lifestyle!

    ETA: I'm going to add to this: Its scares the crap out of me to see so many people trying such things, without even having a full understanding of what the heck is going on inside their bodies that is causing the low-carb diet to make them shed the pounds so quickly!
  • People often go on these diets not realizing that in order to be successful you have to commit to life long changes in your dietary habits. How long will most people last on a low carb or no carb diet? Not very long.

    Only make changes that you know you are able to stick to permanently.
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    I have been counting calories in, calories out for over 2 years. I have stalled for the past year and a half. NOTHING worked. I am finally trying Atkins, and if you do your research before blasting low-carb plans, you'd know it doesn't elminate ALL carbs. The carbs just come from vegetables instead of bread. What's so wrong with that? Just because something works for you, it doesn't work for all of us. I am proud to say that Atkins IS helping me bust through this dreadful plateau, and I feel a million times better since starting the program.

    To each their own...I'm really tired of hearing people blast others choices.

    Do you know WHY it is working so well?
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    People always want a shortcut.
  • I have been counting calories in, calories out for over 2 years. I have stalled for the past year and a half. NOTHING worked. I am finally trying Atkins, and if you do your research before blasting low-carb plans, you'd know it doesn't elminate ALL carbs. The carbs just come from vegetables instead of bread. What's so wrong with that? Just because something works for you, it doesn't work for all of us. I am proud to say that Atkins IS helping me bust through this dreadful plateau, and I feel a million times better since starting the program.

    To each their own...I'm really tired of hearing people blast others choices.

    I've done atkins and a lot of people don't actually realize that atkins doesn't cut all carbs. Its about starting over then in the different phases you find the carb number that helps you either lose or maintain. I do agree, please do not do all their research and normally just start spitting out whatever they feel comfortable with. There is a lot of judgement on this site.
  • tashjs21
    tashjs21 Posts: 4,584 Member
    I have been counting calories in, calories out for over 2 years. I have stalled for the past year and a half. NOTHING worked. I am finally trying Atkins, and if you do your research before blasting low-carb plans, you'd know it doesn't elminate ALL carbs. The carbs just come from vegetables instead of bread. What's so wrong with that? Just because something works for you, it doesn't work for all of us. I am proud to say that Atkins IS helping me bust through this dreadful plateau, and I feel a million times better since starting the program.

    To each their own...I'm really tired of hearing people blast others choices.


    Amen!! :drinker:

    Just like with anything else it would have to be a lifestyle change and not just a "quick" way to lose weight. I know that carbs are my downfall and if I eat more cleanly cutting way back on my carbs (never eliminating them completely) it works for me.

    What is wrong with that? There is no one right way to be healthy. As long as people aren't blasting you for eating carbs, why do you care?
  • PhilyPhresh
    PhilyPhresh Posts: 600 Member

    Why would depriving your body of ANY crucial nutrient would be good, especially carbohydrates, which are the building blocks of energy?

    Actually fat is the building main block of energy...? The reason carbs become what our bodies use to fuel themselves is because the average diet has such an over abundance of them coming in. Carbs are necessary to stimulate proper brain function, but it really doesn't take that many to do it...
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    the problem with all this is people who are on such strong low carb diets never really understand the difference between good carbs and bad carbs. Most of the people I know pretty much consider all carbs to be bad, which isn't the truth.
    Especially with US food labelling which includes fiber in carbs, whereas UK / EU labels has fibre as a separate item. Makes discussion difficult without a common definition.
  • Why would depriving your body of ANY crucial nutrient would be good, especially carbohydrates, which are the building blocks of energy?
    Well, if you're diabetic you probably want to control your carb intake.

    *insulin resistant, not just diabetic, but yes, same sentiment. But other people shouldn't worry much about it. and no one *needs* to restrict to some magically super low number like 30 grams. (that i am aware of - insulin resistant people just have to manage the speed of digestion of carbs so they should stay away from flour based stuff like wheat/pasta and rice and stick to lower GI stuff)


    I control my carbs.. I am not diabetic but I have pcos. Almost all the women I know with pcos we count our carbs, it helps with our insulin resistance.
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member

    Why would depriving your body of ANY crucial nutrient would be good, especially carbohydrates, which are the building blocks of energy?

    Actually fat is the building main block of energy...? The reason carbs become what our bodies use to fuel themselves is because the average diet has such an over abundance of them coming in. Carbs are necessary to stimulate proper brain function, but it really doesn't take that many to do it...

    I would like to see where you got that information from. >.>
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Or I could take the tack that a poster used in the "no carb" thread....

    Low carb people choose that diet because they are addicted to meat! They can't stay away from meat and fat. They are weak, I tell you! (Just a little joke for the carb nazis, not intended for the polite low-carbers)

    nom nom nom

    I :heart: my high carb diet! :tongue:
  • cjc166
    cjc166 Posts: 222
    I agree 100%. Eat food that is good for you. I'm all about a whole foods plant-based way of eating.
  • sammniamii
    sammniamii Posts: 669 Member
    Because not every person is the same - some people can't handle carbs well, or gluten, or lactose or even veggies.

    Yes, eating less and doing something will help w/ weight loss, but not for every person out there.

    I've found I'm gluten sensitive, lactose intolerant, I have alot of food allegeries and some medical issues. Once I altered my diet to reduce my carbs to 50-100 a day, I started to loose weight, feel better, have extra energy and wasn't sick all the time. I removed bread/wheats/grains and white totaoes & rice. But I love beans, and sweet potatoes and some other veggies not considered "carb" friendly because I like them and they don't make me sick.

    But that is me - the next person may feel like crap cutting out carbs like do. I can't go much lower than 50 because then I do start to feel iffy and sluggish. My hubby has chol issues & thyroid problems, so if I made him eat like I do, it might make him worse. His carb level is 2-4 times higher, so we adjust what he eats to be as healthy as possible for him.

    As long as a person makes their "diet" choices stick - that's the bigger goal. Yes, if I where to go back to eating like I used to, I'd probably regain weight. I ate low fat, higher carb "healthy" food and it never worked well long term. What I have changed now I've done in ways I can maintain and stick too, without feeling deprived and punished. I still eat some "treats" although I watch what is in them more than anything else. Not just carbs, but to see if they contain anything I know will cause me issues.
  • I have been counting calories in, calories out for over 2 years. I have stalled for the past year and a half. NOTHING worked. I am finally trying Atkins, and if you do your research before blasting low-carb plans, you'd know it doesn't elminate ALL carbs. The carbs just come from vegetables instead of bread. What's so wrong with that? Just because something works for you, it doesn't work for all of us. I am proud to say that Atkins IS helping me bust through this dreadful plateau, and I feel a million times better since starting the program.

    To each their own...I'm really tired of hearing people blast others choices.

    Do you know WHY it is working so well?

    Yes, I do. I read the Atkins book, I fully understand why it works. As with any plan, you have to commit to doing it the rest of your life. I am. I'm not harming myself, I feel great, and I know what I'm doing and how to do it.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    However, the same information is why it is NOT good for someone who wants to have a very active lifestyle!
    There are endurance athletes who eat low carb. Have a read at the recent book "Low carbohydrate performance" (or similar) by Volek & Phinney if you like research. The body carries a lot more energy reserves as fat than as carbs, I have been low carb for 2.5 years and I can ride my bike for 12 miles or walk and jog for a couple of hours, which is as active as I've ever been.

  • Why would depriving your body of ANY crucial nutrient would be good, especially carbohydrates, which are the building blocks of energy?

    Actually fat is the building main block of energy...? The reason carbs become what our bodies use to fuel themselves is because the average diet has such an over abundance of them coming in. Carbs are necessary to stimulate proper brain function, but it really doesn't take that many to do it...

    I would like to see where you got that information from. >.>

    Honestly, why do you care so much?? If you're against it and argue everything people say to help explain it, then DON'T DO IT. It's simple. Live and let live.
  • missnelso04
    missnelso04 Posts: 111 Member
    Why is it that people seem to think there's some special "trick" or shortcut to losing body fat? Why is it that people try to over-complicate weight loss by making up all these tricks and tips and fad diets (like the low carb or Atkins diets) that will supposedly just melt the fat off your body?

    Cause people are lazy.

    Preach!
  • Lisa1971
    Lisa1971 Posts: 3,069 Member
    I have been counting calories in, calories out for over 2 years. I have stalled for the past year and a half. NOTHING worked. I am finally trying Atkins, and if you do your research before blasting low-carb plans, you'd know it doesn't elminate ALL carbs. The carbs just come from vegetables instead of bread. What's so wrong with that? Just because something works for you, it doesn't work for all of us. I am proud to say that Atkins IS helping me bust through this dreadful plateau, and I feel a million times better since starting the program.

    To each their own...I'm really tired of hearing people blast others choices.

    Amen to that!
  • HelloSweetie4
    HelloSweetie4 Posts: 1,214 Member
    My uncle has this no carb mind-set and it makes me want to smack him! (my husband and I live with him and his daughter so we all eat dinner together every day) When he gets over 200lbs he goes no-carb for a week or two to drop the weight. He claims it works the best, even though I point out that he always gains it back, he doesn't look like he lost any weight, and the weight he does lose is just water weight. He has seen me successfully lose weight and keep it off with MFP and he still won't listen. it drives me crazy!
This discussion has been closed.