Carbs, eat them or not?

pramasaurus

I've always been a big carb eater. I feel like I need them for energy. I generally eat only whole grains. I was wondering what all of you think about cutting out most carbs like breads, pastas, rice etc, and just eating mainly fruits, veggies and meats? I don't know if this is really sustainable. I'd like to hear what you all think, and what has worked for you.

BeantownSooner

I still eat them including all of those that you are thinking about cutting out. My focus is on moderation and keep it at 40% of my total calories. Not too much and not too little either.

michelle506

Same here...I think balance is key. I try to stick to whole grains and other healthy carbs but I do enjoy a bagel every now and then! I try to keep my carb intake under 40% and balance each meal with an equal amount of protein. For me it's an uphill battle!

red0101

i usually feel sleepy after carbs .. is this normal?

2011Eileen

Feeling sleepy after carbs that is me a bit, so I never eat carbs when driving long distances.
We find we eat enough of them when eating out, so we try to limit or omit them in our home.

ShaneOSX

I've cut a lot of things like bread and pasta, but more because they're just too many calories and because protein is essential and carbs are not, rather than because carbs are evil or something.

I eat about 45-55% protein, 20-30% fat, and the rest carbs. That's an ideal day, anyway.

jvinmill

YOU BETTER NOT EAT A SINGLE CARB EVER AGAIN. THOSE BUGGERS WILL KILL YOU!!!

TheVimFuego

OP - If you are a big carb eater then you will feel dependant on them for energy, I know, I was that soldier. I was hungry all the time and snacked like crazy.

Since I made the transition to being primarily a fat/ketone burner then this need has disappeared and I now consume about 50g of carbs a day not primarily for energy but for the other stuff that is found in veggies and some fruit.

I want most of my energy to come from my liberated fat stores and not from diet. This makes sense to me given the name of the game is to lose fat.

Some carbohydrate intake also provides some glucose that the brain needs, otherwise my liver would have to generate it. Nothing wrong with that but if I can provide it in dietary form then that's OK too. Zero carb diets make no sense at all, obviously.

I don't snack, I'm not hungry all the time, I don't crave sweets, I don't even exercise much (a bit of walking, a few push ups here and there) and still the fat comes off.

It works for me where a more 'balanced' approach didn't on the same calories as my first few months on MFP will show.

65% Fat intake too. Eat fat, lose fat, whodathunkit?

So, in short, yes, eat them.

gauchogirl

OP - If you are a big carb eater then you will feel dependant on them for energy, I know, I was that soldier. I was hungry all the time and snacked like crazy.

Since I made the transition to being primarily a fat/ketone burner then this need has disappeared and I now consume about 50g of carbs a day not primarily for energy but for the other stuff that is found in veggies and some fruit.

I want most of my energy to come from my liberated fat stores and not from diet. This makes sense to me given the name of the game is to lose fat.

Some carbohydrate intake also provides some glucose that the brain needs, otherwise my liver would have to generate it. Nothing wrong with that but if I can provide it in dietary form then that's OK too. Zero carb diets make no sense at all, obviously.

I don't snack, I'm not hungry all the time, I don't crave sweets, I don't even exercise much (a bit of walking, a few push ups here and there) and still the fat comes off.

It works for me where a more 'balanced' approach didn't on the same calories as my first few months on MFP will show.

65% Fat intake too. Eat fat, lose fat, whodathunkit?

So, in short, yes, eat them.

What he says. I also maintain a 60% fat ratio (and 15% carb, 25% protein) and fat keeps coming off. The only carbs I get are from unprocessed food, ie: veggies and fruits. I don't eat any grains of any kind, unless I'm cheating. I get plenty from the vegs and fruits, no reason to seek out any more because I don't crave them, don't feel hunger, etc. Basically, being glucose-fueled is different from being fat-fueled. With fats and moderate protein, you just don't have those cravings any more. And if you'd told me that a year ago, I would have called you a liar. I had the BIGGEST SWEET TOOTH you can imagine. Now, it's gone.

printererror

I'm a vegetarian, so its hard to find entrees that's /aren't/ carb filled (seriously, they're all pastas!) mostly because they are filling.

I don't pay too much attention to carbs, and I've been told by a couple people you don't have to unless you are diabetic. The reason many fad diets call for low carb is because once your body burns through all of your carbs it will go to the next energy source: fat. But you'll end up feeling like crap because they don't burn the same.

"Low carb diets are very effective in losing fat fast which is why they have been so popular in the past – people use these all the time to get ready for high school reunions and weddings. So why don’t I recommend them? First, the poor long term results speak for themselves. 89% of people who lost weight with low carb diets have gained it back within 18 months. Second low carb diets are very unhealthy, the human body is not build for low carb nutrition and it causes an array of nasty health issues. Its about as healthy as feeding a cow hamburgers" - http://scoobysworkshop.com/losing-weight-and-building-6-pack-abs/

sleepytexan

Eat them. If you stop eating them, it will only be temporary. Then, unfortunately, when you start eating them again you will likely have a big spike on the scale, get discouraged and quit.

Just eat in moderation; within your calories. Don't cut out any particular food group.

chrisdavey

Eat enough protein & fats as priority and then fill the rest of you're cals with carbs.

Captain_Spatchcock

If you currently eat carbs and aren't constantly farting all day or in a state of pain or bloating then you can continue to eat carbs. Congratulations.

sleepytexan

If you currently eat carbs and aren't constantly farting all day or in a state of pain or bloating then you can continue to eat carbs. Congratulations.

that made me laugh out loud. but not fart. carbs don't make me fart.

volume77

do you want an honest answer?
don't eat them.

Captain_Spatchcock

do you want an honest answer?
don't eat them.

so which one was it for you? the farting or the pain/bloating?

windycitycupcake

should a person be eating any saturated fat at all?

Alohathin

I stopped eating bread and pasta for now. I'll add them back in moderation once I've lost the weight I want to and am just trying to maintain. I get most of my carbs from brown rice, potatoes, fruits, veggies, beans and oatmeal.

moonlightturk

Don't eat carbs. Don't eat protein. Don't eat vegetables or fruits. Just stop eating. And while you're at it, cut out water from your diet too.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

Carbs are good for you and so are many other things. The key is to not over-do it!

moonlightturk

Eat them. If you stop eating them, it will only be temporary. Then, unfortunately, when you start eating them again you will likely have a big spike on the scale, get discouraged and quit.

Just eat in moderation; within your calories. Don't cut out any particular food group.

Pure genious.

Captain_Spatchcock

should a person be eating any saturated fat at all?

Sure, no worries there. It's synthetic trans fats you should avoid. It is perhaps the one single food item that should actually be avoided.

ipag

Do what you want, if you decide to cut them out you aren't going to lose brain function and die like some suggest on these boards. On the same hand eating carbs doesn't put you on the diabeetus, heart disease train either. Figure out what works best for you and go with it, and the only way to figure that is with time, patience, and experimentation. Good luck!

YoshiZelda

I still eat carbs and so far it's been working for me. Now, I don't eat bread and pasta etc as much as I used too, but I do allow myself to have them once in a while. It's really all about moderation.

windycitycupcake

Bread is good for you, just stay away from crappy bread. you should try ezeikiel sprouted bread. it's amazing. you probably want to stay away from most grocery store bread. also avoid fresh from the bakery (while you're trying to lose weight, not forever). they use bleached flour and lots of oil.

if you have one slice a day what's the big deal? i cant ever be full without at least one slice of bread per day, i get crazy.

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invisibubble

I eat carbs. usually between 40 and 50% of my diet is carbs. I'm half the weight I was and it's worked all through that. You might be different though.

MoreBean13

I can't give you an answer for fear of being called a one-trick-pony.


If you maintain a calorie deficit you'll lose weight.

Stephanie_Autry

I eat everything.

invisibubble

If you maintain a calorie deficit you'll lose weight.

This.

ash190489

I carbs WAY too much to cut them out & I don't see a problem with eating carbs as long as you don't over do it - if you're staying within your daily calorie goal and measuring the calories accurately, then I don't see eating them as a problem. Personally what I have done is swap over all my white breads to multigrain bread, white pasta to wheat pasta and white rice to brown rice and I watch my portion size. I also try to eat most of my carbs before the afternoon (usually for morning tea on my break I'll have pasta, rice or bread) to give me plenty of energy for the rest of the day at work and then I follow it with fruit, yoghurt & nuts in the afternoon before I head to gym. I try to stick with meat & veg with only a little bit of carbs for dinner (potato, 1 slice of bread, very small side dish of pasta/rice, etc.) and I have found by reducing my carb intake through portion control and better quality of carbohydrate that I am full and have plenty of energy and I am still able to eat the things I love. If you're a big carb eater like I was, the idea of cutting out any food group in my eyes is unrealistic and destined for disaster (sounds like a quick fix to me!)... everything in MODERATION and PORTION CONTROL, PORTION CONTROL, PORTION CONTROL.

AsiasMommy

Did Atkins before and gaining it all back. This way works better for me because i eat in moderation.

dvisser1

I've always been a big carb eater. I feel like I need them for energy. I generally eat only whole grains. I was wondering what all of you think about cutting out most carbs like breads, pastas, rice etc, and just eating mainly fruits, veggies and meats? I don't know if this is really sustainable. I'd like to hear what you all think, and what has worked for you.

I still eat carbs, just less of them. Calorie choices on my part. Hasn't hurt my ability to lose weight or get in shape.

Carbs are not evil. If you're going to eat carbs as part of a naturally balanced diet, try to stick with complex carbs instead of highly refined flours and simple sugars. Even small amounts of simple sugars won't hurt most people. Really, it's up to you and what you prefer for the balance of your diet.