Is low carb worth it? BTW I am a vegetarian

low carb makes me a fussy baby

I think if you enjoy nuts and seeds, it's possible to stay lower on your carbs if you are vegetarian. Nuts and seeds are pretty much proteins/fats, and it's easy to reach your calorie goal with them to make up for the missing carbs. Personally, I would never even try low carb. I don't think it would be worth it for me.

Good to read your post. I'm a new vegan and my carb count jumped with my diet change. I have done low carb law fat (South Beach Phase 1) and lost a lot of weight very quickly. Just not a life choice, definitely a quick fix. I am struggling to get my carbs down to a manageable level. I have been eating only whole grains, fruits and vegetables for a long time now. Best of luck to you.

People LOVE their carbs, but honestly do not need as many as they think they do, or choose to eat.

Ive been plateaued for a year, started following a lowER carb/green veggie and protein rich diet and finally started seeing movement again. I will emphasize that I have a history of yo-yoing on atkins, but what I am doing today is a whole different universe away from that!

Total carbs (including my veggies- complex carbs) my day end up around 120 grams.

I don't want to hijack the thread, so if you prefer to answer me in a PM that's cool. I am just trying to wrap my brain around HOW a vegetarian would be low carb when the bulk of your food is purely carb sources (fruits/veggies)? I am nowhere near vegetarian and don't plan to ever be, but just curious how this works...unless your definition of "low carb" is not as "low carb" as I imagine it to be.

In all honesty, I don't know how you could survive as a vegetarian doing low carb. During that time period the sun rose and set on Bacon.

Just watch your calories and you should have success

I admit that I am not 100% consistent, but I am slowly changing things.

Go for consistent caloric deficit first and foremost, before you start eliminating things you like to eat (the more we restrict, the harder it is to stick with a plan, right?).

However, SOME people (myself included) do find that by cutting some carbs, which tend to be higher in calories and less nutritious, they just naturally consume fewer calories in a day, and have more room in their caloric "budget" for more lean proteins and veggies.

I don't low carb and I'm not vegetarian but I've considered both. I eat low carb meals sometimes. I couldn't do a true low carb diet as they can be higher in fat and salt than I am comfortable with. However, I don't believe that you can eat anything as long as you stay within your calorie goals. I've found I gain everytime I eat white bread and pasta so you could try just cutting out those to see if it helps? I'm fine with potatos. Haven't eaten rice in a while but I'm looking for alternatives now I want to try quinoa but I can't find it here. I still eat wholegrains in the form of cereal. I think you will be fine. If you were to low carb properly you'd have to cut nuts and beans which would be difficult.

I haven't lost much weight since the start of the year, perhaps 5 lbs or so, which is starting to get discouraging. I admit that I am not 100% consistent, but I am slowly changing things. I was wondering if It's worth it give a low carb a try. I average 200 carbs per day now, which has been working in the past, but not so much anymore.

Oatmeal for breakfast, black bean soup for lunch, apple for snack and ~2 oz pasta. I know in some magazines they recommend 75 carbs, is it worth it to try? Also I am a vegetarian so, I know that low carb can be harder.

Has anyone tried this or have advice. I also will say that I exercise only 3 hrs of intentional exercise per week, so maybe I don't need all of that energy.

Thanks

How many calories are you eating a day? If that's all you eat sounds like well under 1200, which might be why your weight isn't moving. You might need to eat more.

I eat low carb (Primal, which is meats, veggies, occasional fruit, seeds and nuts, fermented dairy and I add in beans.) I've had good success losing fat at around 100g carbs per day. And I am 6'3 and weight 295 (down from 320 or so)

I also strive to avoid sugar and artifical sweeteners and my fat loss went into overdrive when I put that final change in.

And I'll second Sarah and say that portobello mushrooms rule. Marinate the in oil and balsamic with some garlic and grill them like a hamburger for a real treat.

Low carb worth it for you : I would say "NO"

Reduced carb worth it for you "DEFINITELY YES"

According to the marksdailyapple website - consumption of 200 carbs per day is in the "steady insiduous weight loss" range.

If you were to reduce to about 100-150, which I think you could still easily do as a vegetarion, you'd be in the sweet spot for effortless weight loss (according to the site), 60-100 would accelerate and minus 50 would put you into "ketosis and accelerated fat burning" but you'd be limited as a vegetarian for sure!

My recommendation - don't know what you're eating exactly - but still cut down on breads and pastas - PORTION CONTROL Whatever bread/pasta/cracker/rice/carb substitue you're eating.

Also, watch for the carbs in sugary veggies like carrots, dense squash, eggplant, avocado.

Think lunch of like three cups of spinach with bell peppers, walnuts, sprinkle of fruit or some feta and a homemade dressing.

I know that lots of people say that low carb gives you headaches and dizziness but honestly, in my experience this has just been the very initial stage of withdrawal and after that you experience nothing of the sort - in fact have tons more energy due to the heavy carbs not weighing you down - and are excited and motivated by the accelerated weight loss, which - also in my experience - has NOT been water weight ...and I have been able to maintain advances from low carb periods even when upping the count during a weekend or special occasion.

Good luck! And feel free to add me or I can look at your diary and see if I have any suggestions?!