101 reasons Carbs are great and should be part of your diet

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  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    But anyhow, back on topic...

    Yes, carbs are delicious.
  • snowgrrl83
    snowgrrl83 Posts: 242 Member
    Ketones = that toxic substance produced when your body is burning fat. In high concentrations, can be intoxicating.

    Yes, your body can use fat and protein to produce energy...but, YOUR BRAIN needs energy faster than the rest of your body. This is why it mostly relies on a minimum amount of CARBS.

    YOU NEED A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF CARBS.
    KETO DIETS are just as bad as HIGH CARBOHYDRATE diets.

    Its all about eating "balanced" and not cutting out any type of food group.
    They are all important and all need to be taken in moderation.
  • NicoleisQuantized
    NicoleisQuantized Posts: 344 Member
    I eat brown rice and whole grain oatmeal (plain, with fruit) on a daily basis. I tried cutting out carbs completely while trying to maintain a very active lifestyle, but this ended in disaster. In addition to feeling incredibly weak, I could not think clearly, was constantly depressed, and was plagued by insomnia (that could not be treated by Imovane!).

    Above all, I feel that it is the quality of carbohydrates that you consume that makes the difference in your diet. If you stick to natural sources such as potatoes, yams, brown rice, oatmeal (not the sugary instant stuff!), and organic whole grain breads (make sure to READ the labels), you are fine. And, of course, portion control is necessary.
  • Brunner26_2
    Brunner26_2 Posts: 1,152
    Still the only macronutrient that is optional...bolt.gif

    I was unaware that cells do not need glucose.

    I guess taking a dump is optional, also.

    I enjoy carbs as much as most of the people in this thread, but for the sake of accuracy and also the fun of arguing on the internet, I'll let you know that humans can synthesize their own glucose. It's called gluconeogenesis. Carbs are actually optional.
  • zgochenour
    zgochenour Posts: 67 Member
    "carbs contain fiber" -- this is far from universally true. Most carbohydrate sources in the modern American diet contain no fiber at all, and most folks eating a typical diet are eating quite high-carb and still falling short of the fiber goal. I get 30g fiber/day at least and try to keep total carbs under 50 on most days (raspberries, greens, and psyllium).

    No one recommends eating low-fiber, even the most diehard low carb folks, so that's a bit of a strawman.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Still the only macronutrient that is optional...bolt.gif

    ...not really optional in the long run unless you want to start producing ketones...

    1.) Your brain's primary source of energy is carbohydrate
    2.) Carbs are delicious
    3.) They are the body's preferred fuel source (protein and fat can be used-just not efficiently.)
  • Lina4Lina
    Lina4Lina Posts: 712 Member
    "carbs contain fiber" -- this is far from universally true. Most carbohydrate sources in the modern American diet contain no fiber at all, and most folks eating a typical diet are eating quite high-carb and still falling short of the fiber goal. I get 30g fiber/day at least and try to keep total carbs under 50 on most days (raspberries, greens, and psyllium).

    No one recommends eating low-fiber, even the most diehard low carb folks, so that's a bit of a strawman.

    All natural (unprocessed) carbs do contain fiber though. Although this is more of a 'weight loss' website than a 'healthy eating' website, if you look at all healthy carbs they contain fiber and the foods described as 'carbs' also contain protein and may contain varying amount of fat as well.

    I get somewhere around 50g fiber/day with no fiber supplements.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    And people understand that carbohydrates are found in the following sources...

    1.) Starchy vegetables (potatoes, yams, corn, peas)
    2.) Fruit and fruit juices
    3.) Grains (often confused with/mislabeled as "Carbs") and legumes (lentils, split peas, etc)
    4.) Milk/dairy products
    5.) Sweets (candy, cake, cookies, etc)

    I think a lot of people confuse the macronutrient with the grain group...bread products are not the only carbohydrates...and any diet that tells me to limit fruits and dairy (barring any lactose intolerance) Is just plain fishy...horrible pun.
  • Brunner26_2
    Brunner26_2 Posts: 1,152
    Here are a couple athletes who are pretty successful on a paleo, primal or a whole foods low carb diet and corresponding links as proof.

    Apolo Ohno http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/20/sports/olympics/20ohno.html?_r=2

    Aaron Rodgers http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2010/columns/story?id=6076694
    Doesn't actually say he is but he's been spotted with a paleo book.

    Novak Djokovic http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703509104576327624238594818.html

    John Welbourn http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?id=5021601
    In this article he states a bunch of the New England Patriots were Paleo as well but didn't provide names.

    Christian Vande Velde http://archive.mensjournal.com/winning-without-wheat

    Grant Hill and Steve Nash http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/DanBickley/129699

    I expect to be torn apart for posting this but I don't care.

    Your sources don't exactly help you. From your sources:

    Apolo Ohno - Gorges on carbs before a race.
    Aaron Rodgers - Knows how to read.
    Novak Djokovic - Doesn't eat gluten, doesn't say what he does eat.
    John Welbourn - Unconfirmed information.
    Christian Vande Velde - Doesn't eat wheat, specifically says he eats other carbohydrates.
    Grant Hill and Steve Nash - Don't eat refined sugar, says nothing about other carbs.
  • zgochenour
    zgochenour Posts: 67 Member
    Ketones are not dangerous per se, they are used by the body for energy. Like many things, a very elevated state of ketones in the blood (ketoacidosis) is toxic and dangerous. This is a condition that occurs in diabetics and alcoholics. Your pancreas produces insulin in response to the rising ketone/blood glucose concentration so this does not happen. For most of us without type I diabetes or alcoholism this isn't something to worry about.

    For brain processes that require glucose, there's gluconeogenesis. *Dietary* carbohydrate is not a necessity for brain function or healthy living. If you like carbs, feel better eating carbs, etc that is fine. I like carbs too, there's nothing like freshly baked bread or a honeycrisp apple or blackberry pie. Mm. But spreading misinformation based on no science or research besides a few sound bites you heard is totally irresponsible.

    Here's what is true: there are no known essential carbohydrates and no known carbohydrate-deficient diseases.

    I can see I'm clearly not getting through to snowgrrl, but hopefully I'm counteracting some of the misinformation out there. And there's no need for all the caps, we can all hear you just fine.
  • snowgrrl83
    snowgrrl83 Posts: 242 Member
    I would love to see how anyone's body would function without an ounce of vegetable, gains, fruits, sugar, or dairy in a day.
    It just makes logical sense without needing a PhD. Carbs are essential. They don't have to come in the form of donuts and pies and soft drinks.
    I really do wonder how constipated and how crappy you'd physically feel after eating nothing but bacon, chicken and eggs for a month.
  • andrewlazenby
    andrewlazenby Posts: 151
    Still the only macronutrient that is optional...bolt.gif

    cough....cough.... BS! cough cough
  • zgochenour
    zgochenour Posts: 67 Member
    Ketones are produced from acetyl CoA by the liver. Everyone produces ketones and everyone uses ketones in their body regardless of whether they are low carb or high carb or somewhere in between. The only question is how much you produce -- what your blood levels are. And the levels exhibited by folks in dietary ketosis are not dangerous.

    Every carb does not contain fiber. For instance, lactose is a carb and it does not contain fiber. Milk is a "whole food" and it does not contain fiber, but it does contain lactose. Yes, whole vegetables contain fiber, but many sources have a negligible amount in comparison to total caloric value. All I'm saying is that it's inaccurate to say "carbs contain fiber," and instead you should say that whole vegetables contain dietary fiber as well as other carbohydrates.
  • Lina4Lina
    Lina4Lina Posts: 712 Member
    Here's what is true: there are no known essential carbohydrates and no known carbohydrate-deficient diseases.

    It'd be nice if this thread was more about benefits of carbs than an argumentative thread but if you want carbohydrate-deficient diseases, I can list a few. Basically nutrients that come naturally mainly from foods with a higher carb content.

    1) Scurvy
    2) Beriberi
    3) Vitamin K deficiency

    And generally foods defined as 'carbs', provide many nutrients that can be considered part of a healthy diet.

    I have no issue with someone limiting carbs, that is their choice. It just isn't mine.
  • andrewlazenby
    andrewlazenby Posts: 151
    Still the only macronutrient that is optional...bolt.gif

    unless you're an endurance athlete......:huh:

    This.... I rode a bike 40 miles in a hair over 2 hours last night. If I do not eat carbs I cannot ride with the same intensity.
  • snowgrrl83
    snowgrrl83 Posts: 242 Member
    This doesn't change the fact that you need carbs.

    Fiber is a type of carbohydrate and doesn't change the fact that you should intake fiber (aka carbs).
    Yes, your body naturally produces ketones.
    They (ketones) are ok in moderation but it doesn't mean you need to purposely flood your system with ketones.
    But I wouldn't solely rely on my diet being 100% protein and fats.

    Carbs are still essential and should be a major part of everyone's diet.

    People shouldn't cut out any important food group if they want to obtain maximum health... its all in eating balanced.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    Ketones are not dangerous per se, they are used by the body for energy. Like many things, a very elevated state of ketones in the blood (ketoacidosis) is toxic and dangerous. This is a condition that occurs in diabetics and alcoholics. Your pancreas produces insulin in response to the rising ketone/blood glucose concentration so this does not happen. For most of us without type I diabetes or alcoholism this isn't something to worry about.

    For brain processes that require glucose, there's gluconeogenesis. *Dietary* carbohydrate is not a necessity for brain function or healthy living. If you like carbs, feel better eating carbs, etc that is fine. I like carbs too, there's nothing like freshly baked bread or a honeycrisp apple or blackberry pie. Mm. But spreading misinformation based on no science or research besides a few sound bites you heard is totally irresponsible.

    Here's what is true: there are no known essential carbohydrates and no known carbohydrate-deficient diseases.

    I can see I'm clearly not getting through to snowgrrl, but hopefully I'm counteracting some of the misinformation out there. And there's no need for all the caps, we can all hear you just fine.

    http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6442471576

    http://www.eatright.org/Media/content.aspx?id=10507&terms=Atkins+diet

    eatright.org is a reputable site for information.

    Limiting carbohydrates and primarily consuming fat/protein sources of energy is generally not advisable.
    Relying on these sources does, indeed, cause your body to rely on non carbohydrate sources of fuel, the biproduct of which is ketones...not necessarily healthy and certainly not in large quantities to which it changes the pH of one's blood (ketoacidosis). Well balanced is the best approach to weight loss.
  • zgochenour
    zgochenour Posts: 67 Member
    Scurvy, beriberi, etc are not carbohydrate deficient diseases, but rather vitamin deficiencies. It is pretty trivial to get these nutrients without consuming carbohydrates.

    I'm not trying to convince anyone to go on a low-carb diet. I couldn't possibly care less if you do or not. I'm just saying, while there may be 101 reasons carbs are great (I could list about 70 of my favorite foods without missing a beat I'm sure), dietary carbohydrate is *not* essential to healthy body function and therefore things like you'll be lethargic otherwise, you'll die otherwise, you'll get heart disease otherwise, etc should all *not* be on the list of 101 things.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    OH-and you're right-let's make this positive.

    Favorite carbohydrates:

    1.) Fresh baked bread (especially these yummy yeast rolls I may make with dinner tonight)
    2.) Yams. Enough said. I love sweet potatoes...and squash for that matter.
    3.) A big bowl of fresh peaches with a little bit of fro yo. Awesomeness.
  • elisa123gal
    elisa123gal Posts: 4,324 Member
    I cut carbs and didn't lose an ounce... Now that I count calories and lose... I think cutting carbs is just a form of calorie restriction - especially for people who have a lot of weight to lose...(shhhhh) can't let the low carbers hear this.
  • vacherin
    vacherin Posts: 192
    1. I cut carbs a lot and lost weight much faster


    Oh, sorry I must be in the wrong thread.

    I also lost weight by cutting carbs. That said, after doing so I initially got very depressed even though I had nothing to be depressed about.

    I think carbs have their place for people who don't need to lose weight and are just maintaining; however, they don't agree with some people who are trying to lose weight.

    Must admit I do like carbs though. My favourite ones: brown rice (yes, really!), chocolate, cherries.
  • Avandel
    Avandel Posts: 283 Member
    Many people who have looked at my food diary have asked me if I eat straight butter. And my current chocolate of choice is now 85%, so I'm getting closer to straight chocolate.

    I enjoy my butter & 85% chocolate but I'm still eating them in the closet! :bigsmile: :laugh:
  • susiebear29
    susiebear29 Posts: 266
    I LOVE CARBS!!!!!!!! they make me happy that is enough reason for me thank you!!!!!! :smile:
  • Lina4Lina
    Lina4Lina Posts: 712 Member
    Scurvy, beriberi, etc are not carbohydrate deficient diseases, but rather vitamin deficiencies. It is pretty trivial to get these nutrients without consuming carbohydrates.

    They are vitamin deficiences related to foods that are considered 'carbs'. Yes, you can take a multivitamin.

    I've yet to see someone do a 0 carb diet and I really wish them luck if they tried.

    Having said that, you only have 3 macronutrients, carbs, fat and protein. You do need a certain amount of fat and protein but those numbers are fairly low. There are people who eat an extraordinarily low diet in each and they aren't deficient and it is pretty hard to be deficient in both unless you are in a country that has food source issues. So we generally eat a mix of the 3. How you define that mix is up to you.
  • lolabluola
    lolabluola Posts: 212 Member
    I cut carbs and didn't lose an ounce... Now that I count calories and lose... I think cutting carbs is just a form of calorie restriction - especially for people who have a lot of weight to lose...(shhhhh) can't let the low carbers hear this.

    I do low carb and you're right ;) well I keep my calories at 1800-1900 and focus on getting my carbs from veggies/ berries / nuts etc because if I just count calories I'll eat my days worth in ice cream and cake and pizza and beer! haha counting carbs restricts a lot of the junk food that I shouldn't eat anyway and most of that stuff that is high in carbs I tend to over indulge on ... so it's so much easier for me to just say ohhhh that oreo coffee coolata and donut have like 200 carbs I better stay away! than just incorporate the calories into my daily limit.

    Little tricks and stuff work for some people and don't for others - I think when people say low carb they forget that most people low carbing still eat carbs they just mean they don't have a lot of bread and sugar and stuff they try to keep the carbs from veggies and fruits and nuts and stuff...

    :) everyone's different - do what works for you

    and edit: I also found out I feel better having cobb salads and stuff for lunch instead of a sandwich with mostly bread and I feel better having a salad or heaping pile of veggies with my steak instead of potatoes or fries - but that's how my body is with what I eat. I'm also convinced the lack of sugar in my diet helps a lot with my endometriosis pain... but that might just be in my head.
  • LilMissFoodie
    LilMissFoodie Posts: 612 Member

    Here's what is true: there are no known essential carbohydrates and no known carbohydrate-deficient diseases.

    What about glycogen storage disease? Ok, now I'm just being a smarty pants dietitian.

    But...

    If too much protein is known to damage the kidneys and too much fat is known to damage the liver, where exactly are you going to safely get the energy you need without carbs? ;)
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    1. They are a good source of energy.
    2. They are delicious.

    Oops! Looks like I only needed 2 reasons.

    I :heart: carbs!
    :drinker: :smokin:
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    As much as the low carbers hate me:

    An essential nutrient is defined as a nutrient required for survival that cannot be manufactured in sufficient amounts by the body.


    Carbohydrate is not essential because of gluconeogenesis.
  • EccentricDad
    EccentricDad Posts: 875 Member
    Still the only macronutrient that is optional...bolt.gif

    Disagree. The brain REQUIRES 20g of Carbs to function. Whether you get that from fruits, veggies, or (bad for you) grains it doesn't matter....

    People who adopt the 40% or higher protein diets are doing great at muscle building; but if your brain goes hungry, you lose IQ points.
  • jealous_loser
    jealous_loser Posts: 395
    OH-and you're right-let's make this positive.

    Favorite carbohydrates:

    1.) Fresh baked bread (especially these yummy yeast rolls I may make with dinner tonight)
    2.) Yams. Enough said. I love sweet potatoes...and squash for that matter.
    3.) A big bowl of fresh peaches with a little bit of fro yo. Awesomeness.

    I love bananas.
    Also, my greek yogurt needs something awesome in it (honey, fruit, SOMETHING)

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