why do people think carbs are so bad/evil?

jennaworksout

I've been a vegetarian for 20 years- my entire adult life-

In your vegetarian case, you are not gouging yourself on fast food getting massive amounts of unneeded carbs. I would imagine, after 20 years, you have learned exactly what you need to eat to survive and then stop there. Carbs from beans and veggies are not the same, to me, as carbs from fast food.

a carb is a carb....fast food, fruit, pasta, its all carbs

kimmianne89

I do low (ish) carb because of PCOS, it's advised to avoid high processed foods, and high carb foods. It helps when I lower the intake of it, so thats what I do, whether or not its beneficial to weight loss isn't actually the main reason :-)

rml_16

In america, the average persons eats 600g+ carbs/day when they should be eating less than 300g.

this^^^^^

people don't just have "a" piece of pizza or lasagna...they have 2 or 3 , its all about portions too...goes for everything

But that is a problem of too many calories, not too many carbs.

smokaiba

In america, the average persons eats 600g+ carbs/day when they should be eating less than 300g.

this^^^^^

people don't just have "a" piece of pizza or lasagna...they have 2 or 3 , its all about portions too...goes for everything

On a side note, two slices of cheese pizza have over 3000mg sodium.

smokaiba

In america, the average persons eats 600g+ carbs/day when they should be eating less than 300g.

this^^^^^

people don't just have "a" piece of pizza or lasagna...they have 2 or 3 , its all about portions too...goes for everything

But that is a problem of too many calories, not too many carbs.

If you eat an entire lasagna in one sitting the calories and carbs are going to adversely effect you if you don't burn them off. Many Americans are couch potatoes and on average eat 3500 calories a day (average on thanksgiving is 4500).

rml_16

In america, the average persons eats 600g+ carbs/day when they should be eating less than 300g.

this^^^^^

people don't just have "a" piece of pizza or lasagna...they have 2 or 3 , its all about portions too...goes for everything

On a side note, two slices of cheese pizza have over 3000mg sodium.

False. And entire large pizza maybe has that much sodium.

lmeasterling

Mmmm...I love me some carbs! In moderation, of course.

rml_16

If you eat an entire lasagna in one sitting the calories and carbs are going to adversely effect you if you don't burn them off. Many Americans are couch potatoes and on average eat 3500 calories a day (average on thanksgiving is 4500).

If you ate an entire lasagna pan full of hamburger or chicken (all protein) and didn't burn off the calories, you would gain weight. It isn't the CARBS that are the issue. It's too many calories.

I don't watch my carbs. I eat cheese and crackers and pasta and fruit. I restrict calories and I have no problem losing weight.

julimonster

(just another opinion, love your profile pic btw)
I've switched the empty carbs I used to eat for healthy carbs, there is a difference!

smokaiba

In america, the average persons eats 600g+ carbs/day when they should be eating less than 300g.

this^^^^^

people don't just have "a" piece of pizza or lasagna...they have 2 or 3 , its all about portions too...goes for everything

On a side note, two slices of cheese pizza have over 3000mg sodium.

False. And entire large pizza maybe has that much sodium.

try looking it up before claiming false.

http://www.cdc.gov/salt/pdfs/sodium_fact_sheet.pdf

Sodium content can vary significantly within food categories. For example, a regular slice of frozen cheese pizza can range from 450 mg to 1200 mg,

1200 + 1200 +1200 = 3600 (3 slices)

rml_16

On a side note, two slices of cheese pizza have over 3000mg sodium.

False. And entire large pizza maybe has that much sodium.

try looking it up before claiming false.

http://www.cdc.gov/salt/pdfs/sodium_fact_sheet.pdf

Sodium content can vary significantly within food categories. For example, a regular slice of frozen cheese pizza can range from 450 mg to 1200 mg,

1200 + 1200 +1200 = 3600 (3 slices)

I did look it up. Those slices would have to be huge to contain that much sodium. Sorry to break the news to you.

smokaiba

I've been a vegetarian for 20 years- my entire adult life-

In your vegetarian case, you are not gouging yourself on fast food getting massive amounts of unneeded carbs. I would imagine, after 20 years, you have learned exactly what you need to eat to survive and then stop there. Carbs from beans and veggies are not the same, to me, as carbs from fast food.

a carb is a carb....fast food, fruit, pasta, its all carbs

They all may be carbs, but what else are you getting with the fast food that you don't get with a vegetable...that is point I was making.

smokaiba

On a side note, two slices of cheese pizza have over 3000mg sodium.

False. And entire large pizza maybe has that much sodium.

try looking it up before claiming false.

http://www.cdc.gov/salt/pdfs/sodium_fact_sheet.pdf

Sodium content can vary significantly within food categories. For example, a regular slice of frozen cheese pizza can range from 450 mg to 1200 mg,

1200 + 1200 +1200 = 3600 (3 slices)

I did look it up. Those slices would have to be huge to contain that much sodium. Sorry to break the news to you.

Sorry to break the news to you but a 40oz container of stir fry bowl has at least 1300mg sodium. When it comes to sodium, size does not matter for how much is in there. lo, you probably suffer from high blood pressure and your sodium amount misconceptions are most likely the reason.

Molly_Maguire

Nothing wrong with carbs at all. For me, though, they tend to guzzle up quite a lot of my calories, meaning most carb-laden foods are more caloric. And for only having 1200 to eat in a day, it makes me look at the fills-you-up factor, and make smarter decisions about what I'm going to eat. Can I have that slice of pizza? Yes. It WILL fit into my calorie allotment, but it will probably be all I get to have for lunch. And then I need to ask myself: will it keep me full till dinner better than a really big chicken salad loaded with veggies? Probably not. So chicken salad it is!

So nothing bad/evil about carbs, they just have to be eaten in moderation, and you have to eat the RIGHT KIND of them, i.e. whole wheat over white flour, brown rice over white, etc.

sweetpotatofry

I think everyone's said it already, but personally I find it easier to stick to my calorie goal on a lower-carb, high-fat diet. When I eat more carbs I get hungry faster, and then I spend the whole day thinking about food. Everyone is different of course! Some people do much better just eating carbs. I think you need to find what works best for you and stick to it

jennaworksout

I've been a vegetarian for 20 years- my entire adult life-

In your vegetarian case, you are not gouging yourself on fast food getting massive amounts of unneeded carbs. I would imagine, after 20 years, you have learned exactly what you need to eat to survive and then stop there. Carbs from beans and veggies are not the same, to me, as carbs from fast food.

a carb is a carb....fast food, fruit, pasta, its all carbs

They all may be carbs, but what else are you getting with the fast food that you don't get with a vegetable...that is point I was making.

ooops I meant to quote the oter poster who quoted you, saying carbs are different in fast food, soory ,my bad!:blushing: I agree with you totally !

jennaworksout

In america, the average persons eats 600g+ carbs/day when they should be eating less than 300g.

this^^^^^

people don't just have "a" piece of pizza or lasagna...they have 2 or 3 , its all about portions too...goes for everything

But that is a problem of too many calories, not too many carbs.

lol...yes more calories and more carbs duhhhhhhhh

bradwwood

I didn't read all seven pages, I just skipped straight to giving my opinion....

I think it mostly has to do with the fact that most people pig out on carbs and then sit down on their *kitten*. If you are doing something to burn them off, they are just making you fat.

Akimajuktuq

I eat very low carb, high fat and moderate protein. I don't think carbs are "bad" or "evil" if they come from unprocessed foods. I get ample carbs from vegetables and I have discovered that my body prefers far less carbs than currently recommended by health "professionals" or government agencies. When I eat lots of carbs, especially from grains and processed foods I am FAT and SICK. I think that's enough reason for me to limit my carb intake no matter what anyone else thinks.

rml_16

On a side note, two slices of cheese pizza have over 3000mg sodium.

False. And entire large pizza maybe has that much sodium.

try looking it up before claiming false.

http://www.cdc.gov/salt/pdfs/sodium_fact_sheet.pdf

Sodium content can vary significantly within food categories. For example, a regular slice of frozen cheese pizza can range from 450 mg to 1200 mg,

1200 + 1200 +1200 = 3600 (3 slices)

I did look it up. Those slices would have to be huge to contain that much sodium. Sorry to break the news to you.

Sorry to break the news to you but a 40oz container of stir fry bowl has at least 1300mg sodium. When it comes to sodium, size does not matter for how much is in there. lo, you probably suffer from high blood pressure and your sodium amount misconceptions are most likely the reason.

My BP is 110/60. Every time, without fail, since I was a teenager. My resting heart rate is 52. I normally ingest less than 1,000 mg of sodium a day.

However, at times I like to indulge and I will eat pizza and I track it and on those days, even though I may eat an entire pizza, my total sodium intake is not anywhere near the amount you're claiming. It just isn't the case.

dbevisjr

so part 2 of the question.. if i have an excess of carbs does ny body not use fat for fuel?

Your body will generally prefer to burn carbs for energy first, the theory behind the Atkins plan. I'm not sure if this theory is still considered to be valid. Theories come and theories goand most ofusare still battling the overweight battle so who knows what's right, wrong or in between.

blondeski

carbs get processed differently by everyone. it's usually women who have a harder time with carb management because we have less muscle mass to burn fat.

there are carbs in almost everything though- doesn't mean just bread, or breaded things.

if you are eating the healthy carbs, like veggies, fruit and whole grains, it makes your body more efficient.

i think a good rule for high-carb intake is: only before vigorous exercise or on cheat days.
for example: i have oatmeal in the morning before i go to the gym. other than that, the only other grain product i eat is quinoa or granola with greek yogurt, sushi once in a while.

sometimes i have ONE bad thing on a cheat day, like pizza or pasta, and cheat days are almost always on heavy weight lifting or intense cardio days.

marathonmom72

I am a runner and triathlete...I work out hard. I'm also an insulin dependent diabetic. Finding the right balance of carbs is very difficult for me. Most of the advice for endurance running says I need around 3 grams of carbs per pound of my body weight in order to get the energy I need. For whatever reason, my body does not respond well to this. The more carbs I eat, the heavier I get. The more carbs I eat, the more insulin I need to take, and the more that fights my weight loss. I am still trying to find that right balance - to be as lean as possible, lose the extra fat, and still eat enough of the right carbs to fuel the demands I am placing on my body.

navydentalchic

I have pcos and insulin resistance so I have to limit my carbs more than the average person. It makes a difference to me but people without issues like these have no problem with carbs!

same here! I just recently discovered this from my Dr. I am healthy, all tests for me are normal or excellent except my my glucose levels. When I should be at cloise to zero after fasting, my level was at 37. I am filipino and it iss a genetic thing. My mom is 4'11, about 105 pounds, exercises, eats right and still ended up with type 2. So she and I are on limited carbs and are on low carb diets monitored by our doctors.

WendyTerry420

On a side note, two slices of cheese pizza have over 3000mg sodium.

False. And entire large pizza maybe has that much sodium.

try looking it up before claiming false.

http://www.cdc.gov/salt/pdfs/sodium_fact_sheet.pdf

Sodium content can vary significantly within food categories. For example, a regular slice of frozen cheese pizza can range from 450 mg to 1200 mg,

1200 + 1200 +1200 = 3600 (3 slices)

I did look it up. Those slices would have to be huge to contain that much sodium. Sorry to break the news to you.

And no doubt they are from somewhere like Pizza Hut that adds extra salt instead of relying on fresh ingredients to provide flavor.

freckles_cmj

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=95fpzu38r44

By posting this, you've pretty much ensured that nobody can take anything you say seriously from this point forward.

I've been a vegetarian for 20 years- my entire adult life- and I even find this statistically meaningless and offensive.

I'm sorry that I wasted my time explaining carbohydrates to you, you obviously have zero grasp on how nutrition or health works.

offensive? how?
my point was only to show that if following their own advice the people claiming carbs are so bad are not the thin people they claim their diet will make you...I dont know how anyone can take atkins seriously when he died overweight and of heart disease.
Sorry I did not know you were the resident expert on all things nutrition and vegetarian. I was expressing an opinion...tis all. Sorry to offend you ms expert.

CPMcBride1974

Monitoring carbs is a must for me. I'm a Type 2 diabetic. My daily goal is based upon how much I exercise. I usually exercise twice a day. I never fully understood the whole carb issue, until I was diagnosed in April 2012 with diabetes.

Byrdsong1920

Hey! Happy Holidays everyone!

I've always done well when lowering my carbs. If I eat a high carb diet at 1400 cals and a low carb diet plan at 1400 cal I always lose weight. I learned a lot after meeting w/my colonics specialist. She shared a book with me called EAT RIGHT FOR YOUR BLOOD TYPE. A lot of our diet (When I say diet, I mean meal/food consumption as a lifestyle,,,,not fads)-is based on hormone and also your blood type and how your body metabolizes certain foods. Each person is different, thats just how God made us. So what works for one person, may not work for somone else.That's why its critical to record what you do and figure out what works best thru trial and error. In regards to the book, since I'm O-Positive she told me to look at it like 'Caveman days'...My blood type works better with lean meats and greens. (i.e. In caveman days, they lived off the land and were hunters! So meat was their main diet and fruits/veggies from the earth). So my blood type doesn't do well w/wheat , corn, and a lot of carb based foods. I still to this day eat wheat and multi grains and I LOVEEEE CORN, but I try to do in moderation. If I eat carbs I try to consume healthy carbs and avoid processed and 'enriched' rice, white startches etc.

But again each person is different. I think we have to all remember that slow and steady wins the race of life, its not a sprint! I've lost 20 the last several months(since joining MFP)-its been slow, but thats how i've managed to keep it off. Before joining I lost 30 over the last 2 years. Just making this a lifestyle change..working out and varying my workouts...adding light weights to tone and reduce body fat and I pack all my meals, including snacks in my cooler. I'm a Realtor, so I'm always on the go. So having my food prepared has helped alot. I know whats in my food, I know the right serving sizes and I can plan ahead and not make bad choices. It also is a great way to budget and save money instead of eating out spending $15-20/day. That can add up to be $450/month+ on just eating out!

Enjoy the journey!! God bless u and thanks for posting! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! XOXOXOXOXO
-ATLANTA, GA

jlapey

Carbs are not evil. As with anything you should have them in moderation. You should however be choosy about which carbs you eat. General rule of thumb: Avoid WHITE or over processed refined carbs such as white bread and pastas, white rice, white potatoes, (though I don't think potatoes are that bad). Instead have whole grain breads and pastas, brown or wild rice, barley, quinoa, oats. These are good carbs. Unless you have a medical issue, you should eat a moderate portion of these. Meals should be balanced.

Acg67

Carbs are not evil. As with anything you should have them in moderation. You should however be choosy about which carbs you eat. General rule of thumb: Avoid WHITE or over processed refined carbs such as white bread and pastas, white rice, white potatoes, (though I don't think potatoes are that bad). Instead have whole grain breads and pastas, brown or wild rice, barley, quinoa, oats. These are good carbs. Unless you have a medical issue, you should eat a moderate portion of these. Meals should be balanced.

Why are white carbs bad and brown carbs good?