So scared of carbs! HELP!

ninerbuff

Carbs don't make you fat. Fat doesn't make you fat. Excess calories make you fat.

It sounds like you're binging because you feel deprived from going low carb. Have you tried a moderate carb plan? It doesn't have to be all or nothing.

^^^THIS^^^ I have been on a plan that is lower in carb, not "low carb" and it has proved very beneficial to me---my body fat has gone from 50% to 32% in two years, and I hope to be at 25% in a year or so--but I will be patient and it will take the amount of time that it takes. One of the things that I found out about myself was that sugar caused me to binge, so I eliminated it--same with wheat. BUT I eat everything else, including one or two pieces of 100% rye bread every day (two pieces on my heavy exercise days). I keep my carb intake to 100-200 grams per day (with the higher amounts on my more intense exercise days) to control my blood sugar spikes without doing damage to my muscles from too low an intake of carbohydrates.

One thing that men on these forums don't always take into account is that women have slightly different bio-chemistry from men because of the influence of the much higher levels of estrogen that women have (yes, men have estrogen too but a tiny amount in comparison to women and estrogen raises blood sugar---for reasons of gestation). As such, most women need to restrict their carbohydrate intake a bit more than men, who, by virtue of their greater muscle mass, can burn off carbohydrates faster than women. Increasing your muscle mass will also help you a great deal.

Biochemistry in hormones yes, but utilization of macronutrients is the same by both genders (unless of course there is hormonal disruption ie Thyroid). It basically comes down to calories.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

But don't forget the effect that estrogen has on the utilization of thyroid hormone.

Normal function of estrogen wouldn't have a bad effect. Unless someone is unbalanced hormonally like I stated, this is a non issue.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Most obese women I have ever known have hormonal balance problems--even if they don't talk about it much to others. It's pretty embarrassing to admit.

Then consulting an endocrinologist should be their first concern and not cutting carbs.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

serenapitala

Everytime I binge (which is always carbs!) I gain like crazy. I'd love to just be able to eat normal and only worry about calories but for some reason I am scared to death of carbs and weight gain! If I eat "good" carbs and limit calories I'm sure I'll start losing again but I can't wrap my head around this concept.

Please tell me carbs are not the scary evil monster that my brain is making them out to be!:sad:

A simple answer that probably isn't very debatable is that carbs are not necessarily an evil monster. Sugar, however, is. I don't know anyone that can defend having sugar as a part of your diet.

You don't eat fruit? Fructose is the sugar found in fruits. Obviously, that isn't the best part of the fruit, but yes, I will argue that you should have fruits. Therefore, you should have fructose.

sarahmonsta

You can eat normal, just eat things in moderation instead of binging.

CorvusCorax77

No. They are not sure that HPL is responsible for gestational diabetes. It could be estrogen itself, as gestational diabetes is is a risk factor for the development of Type II diabetes without further pregnancy.

Do you have any resources to share on this stuff? because you seem pretty convinced that estrogen is the problem and that all women should eat less carbs than men. But if you are basing everything on people with hormonal imbalances you are confusing a person's sex with their hormonal balance. Not all females have a hormonal imbalance, ergo your advice even if it's legit for someone with high estrogen, does not apply to "women."

I agree with the statement of ninerbuff that in this case, consulting an endocrinologist should be the course of action, not cutting carbs.

CorvusCorax77

I agree---that is why I finally figured out that I had to stop eating anything with added sugar in it. I also figured out that eating wheat wasn't a very good idea either as I got blood sugar spikes from it too. (Interestingly, I don't seem to get blood sugar spikes from eating 100% rye bread.) I eat plenty of healthy carbs--but still only average about 40% of calories.

...which is exactly what I average. I don't consider that "lower carb" that is balanced.

SMH.

wolfie911

I know I am way out late on this but I am an atkins recovering addict! I went on Atkins to loose weight, I am Sicilian and LOVE my carbs so this was difficult but carbs were not nice to me at all they depleted my energy, make me MADE bloated, gave me bathroom problems and in some instances (at least once a year) I would break out in hives.

I then decided to go on Atkins, this helped me loose 40 pounds. The problem was when I cheated it hurt and the bloating was even worse to the point of painful.

I ended up going to the endocrynologist on a recommendation and found out after several testing procedures I am gluten intollerant! I have to have more testing for Celiacs but I have since chagned my carbs to gluten free and am sticking with the Paleo Diet and WOW what a wonderful switch! Gluten free is a little more pricey so it is like an automatic portion controller and I have tried all brands to find a good tasting one and I can tell you the Schar brand is the best testing.

If you are afraid of the carb products because of processed bleached, chemically treated carbs then I am with you, but try gluten free, it makes a huge difference and it does not cause bloating! My husband is diabetic and it has helped him control his blood sugars. Good Luck!

MaraDiaz

Carbs don't make you fat. Fat doesn't make you fat. Excess calories make you fat.

It sounds like you're binging because you feel deprived from going low carb. Have you tried a moderate carb plan? It doesn't have to be all or nothing.

^^^THIS^^^ I have been on a plan that is lower in carb, not "low carb" and it has proved very beneficial to me---my body fat has gone from 50% to 32% in two years, and I hope to be at 25% in a year or so--but I will be patient and it will take the amount of time that it takes. One of the things that I found out about myself was that sugar caused me to binge, so I eliminated it--same with wheat. BUT I eat everything else, including one or two pieces of 100% rye bread every day (two pieces on my heavy exercise days). I keep my carb intake to 100-200 grams per day (with the higher amounts on my more intense exercise days) to control my blood sugar spikes without doing damage to my muscles from too low an intake of carbohydrates.

One thing that men on these forums don't always take into account is that women have slightly different bio-chemistry from men because of the influence of the much higher levels of estrogen that women have (yes, men have estrogen too but a tiny amount in comparison to women and estrogen raises blood sugar---for reasons of gestation). As such, most women need to restrict their carbohydrate intake a bit more than men, who, by virtue of their greater muscle mass, can burn off carbohydrates faster than women. Increasing your muscle mass will also help you a great deal.

Biochemistry in hormones yes, but utilization of macronutrients is the same by both genders (unless of course there is hormonal disruption ie Thyroid). It basically comes down to calories.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

But don't forget the effect that estrogen has on the utilization of thyroid hormone.

Normal function of estrogen wouldn't have a bad effect. Unless someone is unbalanced hormonally like I stated, this is a non issue.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Most obese women I have ever known have hormonal balance problems--even if they don't talk about it much to others. It's pretty embarrassing to admit.

Then consulting an endocrinologist should be their first concern and not cutting carbs.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Yes because everyone has health insurance and money that will cover the cost of specialists.