Is there anyone who still believes in low carb dieting?

I have been waiting for the low carb fad diet to go away but for some reason it is just lingering and people are still preaching its praises. I have dismissed it from the start and have no plans on ever going on a low carb diet. So far, eating a balanced diet has worked for me.

Is there any new information about low carb dieting that is keeping it alive?

I personally do best by carb cycling. What I do is not a full-out low carb diet because I have high carb intake days and lower carb intake days. I seem to be the type to hold water easily and if I eat a high carb diet (even if they are the healthy complex variety) I balloon up and gain weight.

I basically eat my highest carb meals in the morning hours and after my intense workouts and phase out grains and starchy carbs as the day progresses. I also tend to go 2-3 days of not eating very many starches, after which, I'll get my fill of brown rice and bread.

I did this for a year and a half a couple years ago and I became very lean. I started running 2 years ago and switched to eating more starchy carbs to accommodate my mileage. Even while keeping my daily intake of calories to a reasonable amount given my activity levels, I gained weight and sort of became more puffy/fleshy (I developed love handles too). I became very frustrated because despite my hard work and healthy eating, my clothes were fitting funny and I had lost the lean, in shape look I had. I've recently (4 months ago) quit running altogether, started carb cycling in the aforementioned way and I've lost weight and now have become leaner again. My clothes fit better and the love handles are almost gone too.

It's not scientific per se, but it seems to work for me. I don't ever feel deprived on the days when I eat fewer carbs because I know that in a few days I can have a sundae or some pizza. Everything in moderation.

I generally don't like fad diets because they are too restrictive IMO, but I think that varying the types of foods one eats is useful if done in a balanced and thoughtful manner. That's just my 2 cents.

Before I ever paid much attention to the big "fad" diets or serious nutrition, I just happened to never be a big fan of bread, rice or pasta. Yes I ate them, but not that much and certainly never went out of my way to do so. I lifted a lot of weights and ate tons of protein. I was able to maintain a very healthy weight with eating relatively low amounts of carbs.

Even now, I am much more of a runner than a lifter, but I still prefer to eat meat and veggies & fruits over bread/rice/pasta.
I will eat whole wheat bread on a snadwich for lunch. And its hit or miss maybe 1-2 days a week I will have a small side of rice or pasta for dinner, otherwise its fish/chicken/meat & veggies. I have leaned up very nicely on this diet and feel great.

Yeah, that's how I roll. I eat a lot of leafy green salads, lean meats, and veggies during the week. I feel stronger and my energy levels seem to be more consistent throughout the day. No 2:30 feeling here.

Right, I understand what you are saying.

There definitely needs to be some education to everyone about what they are eating - and that includes all types of nutrients. It can be as simple as actually looking at an ingredient list and nutrition facts. Learning to log your food is an excellent start for most people, but you need to dig deeper into what those numbers actually mean. Some people are simply too busy or too lazy to do that. I may be assuming here, but those people then get their information from unreliable sources - like TV, magazine ads, or the internet. Hell, even the government with their food pyramid have it wrong (and that may be mostly due to the huge food manufacturing companies like Coca-Cola and Mars that have influence over political dollars).

It is sad that there are people out there that really don't even know what a carb is, let alone the difference between complex or simple ones. People don't understand how dietary fiber and sugar (even natural sugars in fruits/veggies) have an impact. These are not easy concepts to gasp for everyone. Fat is another thing that is EXTREMELY misunderstood in America's diets. The majority of us are so scared to eat fat, when it is good for us! Same with protein!

In my diet, I use a 10% carbs/40% fat/50% protein split of my calories. This usually puts me somewhere between 15-25g net carbs a day, but I also make sure I am getting enough fat and protein. By doing this, I keep my body in ketosis, and I have been since October 2009. Since watching my carbs, I have lost 130+ pounds AND lowered my blood pressure and cholesterol levels. I am sure some people wouldn't believe me if I showed them the types of fatty meats, full of sodium that I eat. It really does work for people (maybe not everyone).

Another way to look at low carb, if you are doing calorie restriction/low fat - you will be lowering your carbs WITHOUT realizing it. You may still be eating higher carb levels than someone on a "low carb" diet, but it doesn't matter. You are probably eating healthy, good carbs and cutting simple sugars. This really works to your advantage!

In my diet, I use a 10% carbs/40% fat/50% protein split of my calories. This usually puts me somewhere between 15-25g net carbs a day, but I also make sure I am getting enough fat and protein. By doing this, I keep my body in ketosis, and I have been since October 2009. Since watching my carbs, I have lost 130+ pounds AND lowered my blood pressure and cholesterol levels. I am sure some people wouldn't believe me if I showed them the types of fatty meats, full of sodium that I eat. It really does work for people (maybe not everyone).

Another way to look at low carb, if you are doing calorie restriction/low fat - you will be lowering your carbs WITHOUT realizing it. You may still be eating higher carb levels than someone on a "low carb" diet, but it doesn't matter. You are probably eating healthy, good carbs and cutting simple sugars. This really works to your advantage!

out of curiosity, what types of meals are you eating to give you that amount of carbs per day?

Breakfast includes cheese omelets with veggies like green pepper, mushrooms and onion. Sausage and bacon. If I am going to be busy for the week, I make a crustless quiche to last me through the week.

Lunch and dinner are sometimes just left overs. If not, I cook recipes high in protein and fat, and a side salad including salad greens with a little onion/green pepper/cucumber. For sides, I look for low carb recipes that sometimes use low carb alternatives, like using riced cauliflower or fried radish "homefries." I love broccoli and cheese, and I have a great low carb green bean casserole that gets made a lot.

I have learned to love cooking, researching and trying new recipes, and step outside of the box when it comes to making things for meals. It really isn't very hard to keep your carbs low once you make a plan and stick to it. I always plan my meals, and do grocery shopping according to it. I rarely buy anything "pre-made" or "processed" anymore unless it is like frozen broccoli, canned tomato sauce or canned mushrooms. I buy all fresh meats, cheeses, eggs, and vegetables.

My food diary is open for the last few days since joining. I have went out to eat a couple time because of Christmas shopping and finishing up finals, so that is rare. But, as you can see, I remove the bun from my sandwiches and skip the sides unless I can get a side salad.

In my diet, I use a 10% carbs/40% fat/50% protein split of my calories. This usually puts me somewhere between 15-25g net carbs a day, but I also make sure I am getting enough fat and protein. By doing this, I keep my body in ketosis, and I have been since October 2009. Since watching my carbs, I have lost 130+ pounds AND lowered my blood pressure and cholesterol levels. I am sure some people wouldn't believe me if I showed them the types of fatty meats, full of sodium that I eat. It really does work for people (maybe not everyone).

Another way to look at low carb, if you are doing calorie restriction/low fat - you will be lowering your carbs WITHOUT realizing it. You may still be eating higher carb levels than someone on a "low carb" diet, but it doesn't matter. You are probably eating healthy, good carbs and cutting simple sugars. This really works to your advantage!

out of curiosity, what types of meals are you eating to give you that amount of carbs per day?

Everyone should watch "Fathead" documentary and make up your own mind. It was eye-opening.

Is there any new information about low carb dieting that is keeping it alive?

Yeah, mounds of research pointing at grains, refined and processed carbs as causing Syndrome X.

I think maybe you need to define what you are calling "Low Carb". I actually think South Beach is very balanced, at least in Phases II and III. Lean proteins, good fats, vegetables, whole fruit, and whole grain/complex carbs. I am planning on doing this when I get the time to focus on it and get my pantry in order.

What do you follow? How does it compare to "Low Carb"?