Good Carbs Bad Carbs

nsre1976

I am reducing carbs, so cutting out pasta and potatoes etc where possible.
I had a Soya protein shake (0.1g carbs per serving), because it tastes SO bad I blended in a banana, however adding the banana is almost 40% of the daily carbs I want to achieve, so good carbs bad carbs, anyone got an informed opinion on this?
Whats the difference in 50g carbs from white pasta compared to 50g from banana's?

thisismeraw

I'm not sure if there is a difference or if your body processes good and bad carbs the same or not however I don't pay attention to the good carbs. They come with much more nutrients than a plate of pasta carbs would.

RunForChai

Hi,
I would say cut shakes, wheat, bananas [unless you live in a place where they grow], corn and potatoes---

Good carbs for me are: apples, sweet potatoes, gluten free bread [check to be sure it is not loaded with extra sugar and fat], lowfat Greek yogurt [again make sure it is not loaded with sugar].......

To me good carbs are food that are as unprocessed as possible, low in sugar and fat, high in protein.

Good luck.

Cr01502

Good carbs: Carbs that taste delicious.

Bad carbs: Broccoli.

pastryari

My informed opinion:

Carbs are not evil. They are your friend.

Pasta and potatoes are yummy. Eat them!

rainbowbow

None.


Additionally, why are you cutting carbs? Trying to cut water weight for something?

m4ttcheek

Carbs = Carbs

Some will have health benefits that others don't but they wont harm you.

odusgolp

Allllll the carbs!

nsre1976

Good carbs: Carbs that taste delicious.

Bad carbs: Broccoli.

Spot on lol

Rarity2013

I don't know whether this information will be helpful to you, but I have always thought that I had a very seriously carb-heavy diet. By tracking my food intake and inputting my home cooked recipes on here, I've discovered that I'm easily within the guidelines on just about any advice website known to man.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that a lot of the "good carb, bad carb" information can be very misleading. Its worth bearing that in mind if you're trying to cut down.

myofibril

In all honesty, not much. You probably get a few more micronutrients from the bananas (like potassium) though.

It's not necessarily good carbs / bad carbs (unless you have some kind of gluten / wheat intolerance that is) as opposed to calorie density (some carbs are far more calorie dense) and satiety (carbs which contain high water contents and fibre - like vegetables - tend to be a lot more filling.)

Finally, there is the issue of blood sugar levels which may not be important to you unless you are insulin resistant / metabolic syndrome / diabetic. If that is the case you want to ensure your carb intake is mostly from fibrous vegetables.

nsre1976

None.


Additionally, why are you cutting carbs? Trying to cut water weight for something?

Because I have been busting myself in the gym, cardio and weights for two years, cut out the booze ages ago, now tweaking diet, PT is always preaching about cutting down carbs, so do a lot of people on forums, so I am now giving it a try to shed the last bits of persistant fat.
Do you think carbs are linked to water retention then? Carbo - hydrates?

neandermagnon

Good carbs: Carbs that taste delicious.

Bad carbs: Broccoli.

VeinsAndBones

Carbs a carb, doesn't matter.. satiety is another topic

m4ttcheek

Cutting carbs is just an easy way of cutting overall cals. The overall cals being the important thing. You also hold a lot less water so you lose a lot of water weight quickly.

mikejholmes

The difference is the rate at which insulin gets spiked. In terms of weight loss, it doesn't matter.

Bingo.
I'm cutting carbs, but I'm doing it because I'm a diabetic.

cwolfman13

I am reducing carbs, so cutting out pasta and potatoes etc where possible.
I had a Soya protein shake (0.1g carbs per serving), because it tastes SO bad I blended in a banana, however adding the banana is almost 40% of the daily carbs I want to achieve, so good carbs bad carbs, anyone got an informed opinion on this?
Whats the difference in 50g carbs from white pasta compared to 50g from banana's?

The difference is the rate at which insulin gets spiked. In terms of weight loss, it doesn't matter.

This^^^

Also, micronutrient content...lot more nutrition in the banana.

rainbowbow

None.


Additionally, why are you cutting carbs? Trying to cut water weight for something?

Because I have been busting myself in the gym, cardio and weights for two years, cut out the booze ages ago, now tweaking diet, PT is always preaching about cutting down carbs, so do a lot of people on forums, so I am now giving it a try to shed the last bits of persistant fat.
Do you think carbs are linked to water retention then? Carbo - hydrates?

Yes. They are. Which is notoriously why body builders cut carbs and a ton of water before a competition. Their skin looks like paper and strechtes.

The ONLY reason why a low carb diet will work is because it forces you to eat satieting amounts of protein and fat; making it almost IMPOSSIBLE to over-eat on calories. That's it. Calories in vs. Calories out. Carbs can be at whatever level you feel necessary. You SHOULD be eating enough protein and fats ANYWAY.

1.) Being in ketosis does not mean you are burning fat
2.) eating low carb causes water loss
3.) eating low carb forces you to eat high protein/fat which make it difficult to go over on calories

Additionally, you'll start to notice how ****ty you will feel eating low carb. Bodybuilders consider this cutting stage like HELL right before competition.

IMO if you are capable of hitting your protein/fat goal and you are eating at a deficit, who gives a crap how many carbs youre getting?

IrishChik

My informed opinion:

Carbs are not evil. They are your friend.

Pasta and potatoes are yummy. Eat them!

Nope. Not for everyone.

Not all carbs are created equal. For those who are insulin resistant, pre-diabetics, or diabetics the types of carbs DO matter.

Insulin, glucose, and the like DO matter. Certain foods raise/lower. It can be a problem in the weight loss department.

Those who have food allergies and intolerance also have the same problem with some carbs, especially those containing white flours.

There is nothing wrong will following a low carb diet. I wish people would stop telling OPs that talk about LC that carbs are good. You know nothing about their medical history, you are not a dietitian, nutritionist, or even an endocrinologist. Only they know what are going to work best for a person.

Weight loss and fitness is NOT one-size-fits-all.

myofibril

ps: if you carry a lot of weight around your midsection I do think that lowering carbs is a good idea, or specifically everything but non starchy veg in the first instance.

You can then start adding in starchy vegs to see how you react and then other carbs like rice, quinoa etc. Finally, introduce refined / processed carbs (bread / pasta) and so forth monitoring how you react again.

Lots of fat around the midsection indicates visceral fat which indicates possible insulin resistance. Good diet built on lots of fibrous veg can help a lot as well as HIIT.

IrishChik

Additionally, you'll start to notice how ****ty you will feel eating low carb.

Really?? Because I know plenty of bodybuilders who follow the ketogenic diet and are in better shape than they ever have, and constantly win competitions.

As for me, I feel better than I ever have in my entire life on a LC diet.

Dulcemami4ever

I'm not sure if there is a difference or if your body processes good and bad carbs the same or not however I don't pay attention to the good carbs. They come with much more nutrients than a plate of pasta carbs would.

The body processes complex carbs way different then simple carbs. Complex carbs are sugars that take longer to digest. They are usually filled with fiber, minerals and nutrients. They are better for someone who is counting carbs or is diabetic. Most vegetables come with a natural source of carbs. Instead of doing away totally with pasta or rice, you can try like wheat pasta or brown/wild rice. You get more bang for your buck and the body will process these a bit different. Potatoes are not bad for you, in moderation, even though they have carbs. Simple carbs are more processed sugars or processed food. They digest very quickly which can spike blood sugar up high and has little to no nutrional value for you. Simple carbs are like white rice, regular pasta and tons of processed foods.

OP it depends on how many carbs you allow yourself daily. You can rely on veggies and fruits to make up your carbs as a whole, but you should probably add in some type of natural grains in your diet. It will also help to keep you more full. Try brown rice, or wild rice, bread with grains, potatoes in moderation.

mari213

"Roughly 50% of you daily diet should consist of complex carbohydrates, which should include, vegetables, fruit, grains and starches. If you do not maintain adequate carbohydrate intakes and stores (as glycogen) through a well balanced diet, then once any glycogen/carbohydrate stores have been used up, the body is forced into using other sources of fuel alongside fat. In these circumstances, the body would use protein, in the form of muscle. In these circumstances where carbohydrate is not readily available, and protein is being used instead, the body does not function so well. In terms of exercise performance, it may lead to earlier than normal fatigue and slower recovery after an exercise session. Take a protein supplement that includes branch-chain amino acids before exercise to prevent muscle loss during exercise and combine with resistance training."

This was taken out of an article I just read. I found it very informative... hope you do too.

nsre1976

ps: if you carry a lot of weight around your midsection I do think that lowering carbs is a good idea, or specifically everything but non starchy veg in the first instance.

You can then start adding in starchy vegs to see how you react and then other carbs like rice, quinoa etc. Finally, introduce refined / processed carbs (bread / pasta) and so forth monitoring how you react again.

Lots of fat around the midsection indicates visceral fat which indicates possible insulin resistance. Good diet built on lots of fibrous veg can help a lot as well as HIIT.

Thanks for the info, very useful, Its just the love handles I cannot shift or do not seem to be shifting, at 20% BF right now, am 98KG and 6', you can see on one of my profile pics, arms back are perfect, but the shiney love handles are proper annoying, then there is the bit on the front of the belly which week by week is trimming up!

myofibril

ps: if you carry a lot of weight around your midsection I do think that lowering carbs is a good idea, or specifically everything but non starchy veg in the first instance.

You can then start adding in starchy vegs to see how you react and then other carbs like rice, quinoa etc. Finally, introduce refined / processed carbs (bread / pasta) and so forth monitoring how you react again.

Lots of fat around the midsection indicates visceral fat which indicates possible insulin resistance. Good diet built on lots of fibrous veg can help a lot as well as HIIT.

Thanks for the info, very useful, Its just the love handles I cannot shift or do not seem to be shifting, at 20% BF right now, am 98KG and 6', you can see on one of my profile pics, arms back are perfect, but the shiney love handles are proper annoying, then there is the bit on the front of the belly which week by week is trimming up!

Give it a bash then. If it doesn't work you can always try something else.

Obviously keep a consistent calorie deficit, protein and fat at reasonable levels and a solid weights routine.

If you do a lot of endurance work then you may need to up your intake of carbs. However, most other types of training which doesn't impose huge demands on glycogen (like weights in general) should be fine.

You might feel a little low energy as you move more to running more on fat but that should pass. Give it a few weeks and then reassess.

Good luck.

Hike_higher

Good carbs: Carbs that taste delicious.

Bad carbs: Broccoli.

Broccoli is NOT a bad carb !! I love it !!

rainbowbow

All you listed we're people with medical conditions. For a normal, healthy, asymptomatic person there is no reason to go low carb. Protein is also highly insuliniginic while we're on the topic.


And clearly, sweetheart, you don't know professional body builders personally. As stated earlier, they DO go low carb, but only when cutting for competition. They DO NOT look like that all the time. They do that specifically to lose WATER weight. It is hell prepping for competition and they normally carb back up RIGHT afterwards.

Just because you may/may not have a medical problem doesn't mean you need to push this ridiculousness on others. OP never said ANYTHING about having diabetes or insulin resistance, did he? No. He said he wanted to try based off BRO SCIENCE!


Lastly, depleting glycogen stores when trying to lift DOES make you feel like ****.

My informed opinion:

Carbs are not evil. They are your friend.

Pasta and potatoes are yummy. Eat them!

Nope. Not for everyone.

Not all carbs are created equal. For those who are insulin resistant, pre-diabetics, or diabetics the types of carbs DO matter.

Insulin, glucose, and the like DO matter. Certain foods raise/lower. It can be a problem in the weight loss department.

Those who have food allergies and intolerance also have the same problem with some carbs, especially those containing white flours.

There is nothing wrong will following a low carb diet. I wish people would stop telling OPs that talk about LC that carbs are good. You know nothing about their medical history, you are not a dietitian, nutritionist, or even an endocrinologist. Only they know what are going to work best for a person.

Weight loss and fitness is NOT one-size-fits-all.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

MistressAella

Good carbs: Carbs that taste delicious.

Bad carbs: Broccoli.

Spot on lol

Roasted broccoli? C'mon. That stuffs gooooood.......

LeilaFace

Good carbs: Carbs that taste delicious.

Bad carbs: Broccoli.

YES!!!

LeilaFace