carbs necessary?
k150237
Posts: 16 Member
Since last week I've changed my diet a little, trying to eat more "fresh" foods such as fruits and vegetables. I wouldn't say that I'm on a low carb diet, but I've just been choosing to eat healthier things rather than use up my calories on enriched carb stuff.
The problem I'm running into is I'm crashing around 2:00 p.m. and craving bread or crackers or something like that. I've been eating a couple crackers when I feel this way to perk me up. But today I crashed big time, totally tired and sleepy and ended up eating a bunch of pita chips with hummus. Now I feel guilty and this has me re-thinking my eating habits.
So, the question is, is it just a coincidence that I'm craving carbs or does my body really need the carbs?
The problem I'm running into is I'm crashing around 2:00 p.m. and craving bread or crackers or something like that. I've been eating a couple crackers when I feel this way to perk me up. But today I crashed big time, totally tired and sleepy and ended up eating a bunch of pita chips with hummus. Now I feel guilty and this has me re-thinking my eating habits.
So, the question is, is it just a coincidence that I'm craving carbs or does my body really need the carbs?
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Replies
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your body can not survive without sugar0
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You're basing that on what?your body can not survive without sugar
Let's look at what the Institute of Medicine has to say about it:
"The lower limit of dietary carbohydrate compatible with life apparently is zero, provided that adequate amounts of protein and fat are consumed," according to the "Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids," published by the Institute of Medicine in 2005.0 -
The biggest food group in my diet is veggies and fruit, and I'm still hitting over 200 carbs a day, between veggies and fruit and then things like whole grains, beans etc. My diary is open if you want to take a peek at what I'm eating/where I'm getting my carbs from
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We tend to crave carbs because we associate them with a quick sugar (energy) rush. Protein will also boost energy, but more evenly and in a more long-lasting way.
That said, there's nothing wrong with eating some carbs, especially in their most whole and healthy forms. An apple? More long-lasting energy because the body accesses glucose more slowly within the matrix of fiber and micronutrient of the whole fruit.0 -
You're basing that on what?your body can not survive without sugar
Let's look at what the Institute of Medicine has to say about it:
"The lower limit of dietary carbohydrate compatible with life apparently is zero, provided that adequate amounts of protein and fat are consumed," according to the "Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids," published by the Institute of Medicine in 2005.
High school biology0 -
Carbohydrates are brain food and quick energy sources. There are necessary. Period. But choosing carbohydrates that are going to work for you and satisfy your body's needs are important. Try carrots and hummus with some alomonds for extra protein, fiber, and good fats. Or berries & citrus with unsweetened greek yogurt or string cheese to get you through the slump.0
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You're not crashing because of low carbs... You're crashing because of low CALORIES! Today you consumed about 300 calories before your binge in the afternoon. Yesterday you only ate a total of 650 all day. EAT! Having over 1000 calories "left over" at the end of the day is NOT a good thing.0
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The Inuits lived (prior to about 1975) on a diet that was approximately Fat/Protein/Carb = 80/20/0. You do NOT have to eat carbs/sugar to live. Your brain must have glucose to function and for you to survive, but this can be achieved just fine without eating any carbohydrates at all. Your body will convert fat into ketones and protein into glucose as necessary. Your brain can get much of its energy from ketones when less glucose is available.
You're basing that on what?your body can not survive without sugar
Let's look at what the Institute of Medicine has to say about it:
"The lower limit of dietary carbohydrate compatible with life apparently is zero, provided that adequate amounts of protein and fat are consumed," according to the "Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids," published by the Institute of Medicine in 2005.
High school biology
Basic College Freshman Biology
As for the Inuits, they went from having almost zero issues with cancer, heart disease and obesity to having enormously high levels of obesity and heart disease and higher levels of cancer than normal after converting from their original native diet of fat and protein to a USDA recommended Standard American Diet of Fat/Protein/Carb = 30/15/55.
There is a difference between the need for glucose in your blood and whether you need to eat carbohydrates, or not.0 -
The Inuits lived (prior to about 1975) on a diet that was approximately Fat/Protein/Carb = 80/20/0. You do NOT have to eat carbs/sugar to live. Your brain must have glucose to function and for you to survive, but this can be achieved just fine without eating any carbohydrates at all.
You're basing that on what?your body can not survive without sugar
Let's look at what the Institute of Medicine has to say about it:
"The lower limit of dietary carbohydrate compatible with life apparently is zero, provided that adequate amounts of protein and fat are consumed," according to the "Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids," published by the Institute of Medicine in 2005.
High school biology
As for the Inuits, they went from having almost zero issues with cancer, heart disease and obesity to having enormously high levels of obesity and heart disease and higher levels of cancer than normal after converting from their original native diet of fat and protein to a USDA recommended Standard American Diet of Fat/Protein/Carb = 30/15/55.
There is a difference between the need for glucose in your blood and whether you need to eat carbohydrates, or not.
They also lived longer after switching to a higher carb diet which is why you see the cancer and heart disease
Also I never said you needed to eat carbs, I said you would die without sugar0 -
I would take a big step back and look at the big picture here- Pita chips and hummus make you feel GUILTY? There's something seriously wrong with your food relationship if pita chips and hummus beget guilt.
If you feel like you're craving carbs, you probably are and pita chips and hummus are a fine snack. Log it, fit it in to your macros, and move on. Unless you're shooting for ketosis, you need carbs. There exists what I call a "carb danger zone" between ketosis and something like 150 grams/day that makes most people feel terrible and have uncontrollable cravings- if you're in that zone, that might be the problem.0 -
In response to a thread about carbs being necessary? Perhaps you should expand that statement a little.Also I never said you needed to eat carbs, I said you would die without sugar
P.S. the heart disease and cancer issues for Inuits are showing up in their 30's and 40's ... prior to 1975 they were living in to their 50's and 60's. Also, Inuit obesity is now a major problem starting in early childhood.0 -
Eat FEWER carbs and eat more protein. To hit my macros I have no choice but to decrease my carbs. You're probably experiencing blood glucose ups and downs because of the types of carbs. Pick low GI carbs, pair with fat and protein and my guess is you'll feel better.0
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Also I never said you needed to eat carbs, I said you would die without sugar
I was going to reply to this about how context is important and how he obviously knew what he was saying when he said it.
then I thought to myself:
'Pluckabee... you are about to engage in an argument with a person who calls himself 'Sir Boner Fart'. Look at your life and your choices'
Then I did, and no more foruming was to be had this day...0 -
You're basing that on what?your body can not survive without sugar
In a strictly technical sense the answer is correct inasmuch as he didn't say you need to consume it but your body does need glucose which your body is able to synthesize from other sources........0 -
Looking at your diary, I think you need FOOD in general! You have two days very recently where your net calories are under 100!0
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Looking at your diary, I think you need FOOD in general! You have two days very recently where your net calories are under 100!
AMEN!!0 -
I appreciate all the responses and concerns here. Let me just say as far as my food intake, I did not complete my food diary yesterday. There are some days that I don't complete the diary for whatever reasons, but as for the last couple weeks I've been averaging between 1200-1400 calories. Today was the first "binge" I've had in awhile and included it in my diary just to stay honest with myself.
I just wanted to get an idea what other people thought about carbs since I've been eating fruits and getting enough sugars from that.
Again, thanks for your input.0 -
Essentially and biologically, no. We've evolved to produce glucose in the absence of carbs, but of course carbs taste fabulous and lets face it, it's about food, culture, taste etc which includes carbs as a necessary ingredient and of course humans have never left a food source untouched.0
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Your body doesn't ''need'' carbs.
I function very well without them, and have been for a while now. I only have carbs once a week, the rest I have fruits, vegetables, meat and nuts. That's about it.
If you feel dizzy in the afternoon maybe you could eat a bit more in the morning. I know I need to eat more in that window, or else I feel a tad weird. So I eat a good breakfast, have my nuts and a good Lunch. I eat a little less in the afternoon and so on.
But that's just me 0 -
The Inuits lived (prior to about 1975) on a diet that was approximately Fat/Protein/Carb = 80/20/0. You do NOT have to eat carbs/sugar to live. Your brain must have glucose to function and for you to survive, but this can be achieved just fine without eating any carbohydrates at all. Your body will convert fat into ketones and protein into glucose as necessary. Your brain can get much of its energy from ketones when less glucose is available.
You're basing that on what?your body can not survive without sugar
Let's look at what the Institute of Medicine has to say about it:
"The lower limit of dietary carbohydrate compatible with life apparently is zero, provided that adequate amounts of protein and fat are consumed," according to the "Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids," published by the Institute of Medicine in 2005.
High school biology
Basic College Freshman Biology
As for the Inuits, they went from having almost zero issues with cancer, heart disease and obesity to having enormously high levels of obesity and heart disease and higher levels of cancer than normal after converting from their original native diet of fat and protein to a USDA recommended Standard American Diet of Fat/Protein/Carb = 30/15/55.
There is a difference between the need for glucose in your blood and whether you need to eat carbohydrates, or not.
THIS. Carbs are not required to survive. I consume between 15-50g carbs per day, and I've never felt better. My body is running off of ketones and excess glucose from protein for energy.0 -
Fruit, veg and nuts are a reliable source of carbohydrates..........so no, you haven't been consuming no carbs.Your body doesn't ''need'' carbs.
I function very well without them, and have been for a while now. I only have carbs once a week, the rest I have fruits, vegetables, meat and nuts. That's about it.
If you feel dizzy in the afternoon maybe you could eat a bit more in the morning. I know I need to eat more in that window, or else I feel a tad weird. So I eat a good breakfast, have my nuts and a good Lunch. I eat a little less in the afternoon and so on.
But that's just me0 -
THIS. Carbs are not required to survive. I consume between 15-50g carbs per day, and I've never felt better. My body is running off of ketones and excess glucose from protein for energy.
Definitely THIS! Today I had 35g of carbs and still manage to cycle 40 minutes, swim for 45 and do my weight training session.0 -
The Inuits lived (prior to about 1975) on a diet that was approximately Fat/Protein/Carb = 80/20/0. You do NOT have to eat carbs/sugar to live. Your brain must have glucose to function and for you to survive, but this can be achieved just fine without eating any carbohydrates at all. Your body will convert fat into ketones and protein into glucose as necessary. Your brain can get much of its energy from ketones when less glucose is available.
You're basing that on what?your body can not survive without sugar
Let's look at what the Institute of Medicine has to say about it:
"The lower limit of dietary carbohydrate compatible with life apparently is zero, provided that adequate amounts of protein and fat are consumed," according to the "Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids," published by the Institute of Medicine in 2005.
High school biology
Basic College Freshman Biology
As for the Inuits, they went from having almost zero issues with cancer, heart disease and obesity to having enormously high levels of obesity and heart disease and higher levels of cancer than normal after converting from their original native diet of fat and protein to a USDA recommended Standard American Diet of Fat/Protein/Carb = 30/15/55.
There is a difference between the need for glucose in your blood and whether you need to eat carbohydrates, or not.
THIS. Carbs are not required to survive. I consume between 15-50g carbs per day, and I've never felt better. My body is running off of ketones and excess glucose from protein for energy.
How long have you been doing this?0 -
The Inuits lived (prior to about 1975) on a diet that was approximately Fat/Protein/Carb = 80/20/0. You do NOT have to eat carbs/sugar to live. Your brain must have glucose to function and for you to survive, but this can be achieved just fine without eating any carbohydrates at all. Your body will convert fat into ketones and protein into glucose as necessary. Your brain can get much of its energy from ketones when less glucose is available.
You're basing that on what?your body can not survive without sugar
Let's look at what the Institute of Medicine has to say about it:
"The lower limit of dietary carbohydrate compatible with life apparently is zero, provided that adequate amounts of protein and fat are consumed," according to the "Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids," published by the Institute of Medicine in 2005.
High school biology
Basic College Freshman Biology
As for the Inuits, they went from having almost zero issues with cancer, heart disease and obesity to having enormously high levels of obesity and heart disease and higher levels of cancer than normal after converting from their original native diet of fat and protein to a USDA recommended Standard American Diet of Fat/Protein/Carb = 30/15/55.
There is a difference between the need for glucose in your blood and whether you need to eat carbohydrates, or not.
THIS. Carbs are not required to survive. I consume between 15-50g carbs per day, and I've never felt better. My body is running off of ketones and excess glucose from protein for energy.
The bolded statement is very irresponsible to spread around. Especially in a fitness & nutrition forum.0 -
My typical day is less than 30g net carbs (ie total carbs minus fiber). 60% plus of my calories come from fat sources, primarily extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, grassfed butter and the fat in grassfed meats and eggs. My cholesterol counts have dropped radically, my blood pressure has gone from 140/90 to 110/70, my resting heart rate is 58 and my doctor is very happy with my physical results, except for the amount of vitamin D, which is due to living in the Pacific Northwest.How long have you been doing this?
I've been eating like that since June, 2012 and plan to eat like that for the rest of my life.0 -
Fruit, veg and nuts are a reliable source of carbohydrates..........so no, you haven't been consuming no carbs.Your body doesn't ''need'' carbs.
I function very well without them, and have been for a while now. I only have carbs once a week, the rest I have fruits, vegetables, meat and nuts. That's about it.
If you feel dizzy in the afternoon maybe you could eat a bit more in the morning. I know I need to eat more in that window, or else I feel a tad weird. So I eat a good breakfast, have my nuts and a good Lunch. I eat a little less in the afternoon and so on.
But that's just me
Yep to this-my green smoothie today had 88 grams of carbs, just from veggies and fruit (93 if you include the organic tomato juice I add). Vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds have lots of carbs, nothing wrong with that 0 -
So, that statement is completely correct and factual. The human body can survive just fine on protein and fat, with zero carbohydrate intake. If you eat that diet, your body will produce ketones and glucose from the protein and fat and you will survive just fine. You might not enjoy a diet without fruits, vegetables and nuts in it, but they are not required to survive. Given that, why is it not responsible to make that statement?Carbs are not required to survive.
The bolded statement is very irresponsible to spread around. Especially in a fitness & nutrition forum.0 -
You're going wheat free, which is probably the best thing you can do for yourself at this point. It's going to take you awhile to get adapted to not eating wheat or processed carbs, but once you get used to it, you will feel amazing! Wheat is bad for you, I don't' care what anyone else says, I truly believe that. It's highly processed and NOT natural. Check out the book "Wheat Belly" by William Davis for scientific proof. Anyhow, keep going at it, make sure to eat plenty of fruits and veggies to fulfill your carb needs. Good luck! 0
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You're going wheat free, which is probably the best thing you can do for yourself at this point. It's going to take you awhile to get adapted to not eating wheat or processed carbs, but once you get used to it, you will feel amazing! Wheat is bad for you, I don't' care what anyone else says, I truly believe that. It's highly processed and NOT natural. Check out the book "Wheat Belly" by William Davis for scientific proof. Anyhow, keep going at it, make sure to eat plenty of fruits and veggies to fulfill your carb needs. Good luck!
And yet Dr. Davis is still overweight :huh:
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50138376n
(January, 2013)0 -
He also stated that replacing wheat with other carbs will not help.......basically he's pushing low carb with wheat being the popular bad guy right now. I do agree that wheat is probably over consumed in lieu of other sources that offer more nutrition.You're going wheat free, which is probably the best thing you can do for yourself at this point. It's going to take you awhile to get adapted to not eating wheat or processed carbs, but once you get used to it, you will feel amazing! Wheat is bad for you, I don't' care what anyone else says, I truly believe that. It's highly processed and NOT natural. Check out the book "Wheat Belly" by William Davis for scientific proof. Anyhow, keep going at it, make sure to eat plenty of fruits and veggies to fulfill your carb needs. Good luck!
And yet Dr. Davis is still overweight :huh:
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50138376n
(January, 2013)0
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