Are white carbs really that bad?

Hilauren
Hilauren Posts: 18
in Food and Nutrition
Hey all, I've lost a couple of stone over the past year by cutting out all pasta, white bread and sodas. I have a holiday next week so I'm trying to eat clean but for the past two nights I've had no food In and have had to eat white spaghetti pasta for dinner and I feel absolutely horrible with myself. I've been reading all the horror stories of avoiding all white carbs and I'm terrified I'm now going to gain weight and bulk for holiday. Are white carbs really so bad???!

Replies

  • TX_Rhon
    TX_Rhon Posts: 1,549 Member
    Don't hate the "white" carbs. Eat within your calorie limit.

    FYI - most whole grain breads have more calories than white bread.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here

    Good luck!
  • tibby531
    tibby531 Posts: 717 Member
    there's no bad food. just bad over-eaters. :wink:
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    Complex carbohydrates are absorbed slowly into our systems and thus avoid spikes in blood sugar levels. Complex carbs are whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans.

    Simple carbohydrates such as refined grains and sweets are stripped of B-vitamins, fiber, and some minerals during the refining process. They also have a high glycemic index and cause spikes in blood sugar.
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
    Complex carbohydrates are absorbed slowly into our systems and thus avoid spikes in blood sugar levels. Complex carbs are whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans.

    Simple carbohydrates such as refined grains and sweets are stripped of B-vitamins, fiber, and some minerals during the refining process. They also have a high glycemic index and cause spikes in blood sugar.

    I'll just leave this here:

    "There is also a widespread misconception that simple carbs are bad, and that complex carbs are good because they don’t spike blood sugars or insulin levels as much. Not only is this of little concern to nondiabetics, in reality, many complex carbohydrates have higher GI levels than pure sugar. Baked potatoes and corn flakes have higher glycemic indices than jellybeans and soft drinks. "

    "Similarly, many believe that only carbohydrates in the diet stimulate insulin production and that high-carb diets are responsible for obesity and illness, but this is a “a very undeserved reputation based on false and twisted truths,” explains Kathy Goodwin, R.D. “The truth is that all ingested foods stimulate insulin production.” And even population studies completely contradict such fears, she said. In Japan, for instance, high carb foods like white rice [with a GI higher than pure sucrose] is a daily staple, yet Japan “has one of the lowest rates of obesity, heart disease, cancer and diabetes in the world.”

    http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2007/10/gi-more-bad-carb-myths.html
  • eric_sg61
    eric_sg61 Posts: 2,925 Member
    Complex carbohydrates are absorbed slowly into our systems and thus avoid spikes in blood sugar levels. Complex carbs are whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans.

    Simple carbohydrates such as refined grains and sweets are stripped of B-vitamins, fiber, and some minerals during the refining process. They also have a high glycemic index and cause spikes in blood sugar.

    I'll just leave this here:

    "There is also a widespread misconception that simple carbs are bad, and that complex carbs are good because they don’t spike blood sugars or insulin levels as much. Not only is this of little concern to nondiabetics, in reality, many complex carbohydrates have higher GI levels than pure sugar. Baked potatoes and corn flakes have higher glycemic indices than jellybeans and soft drinks. "

    "Similarly, many believe that only carbohydrates in the diet stimulate insulin production and that high-carb diets are responsible for obesity and illness, but this is a “a very undeserved reputation based on false and twisted truths,” explains Kathy Goodwin, R.D. “The truth is that all ingested foods stimulate insulin production.” And even population studies completely contradict such fears, she said. In Japan, for instance, high carb foods like white rice [with a GI higher than pure sucrose] is a daily staple, yet Japan “has one of the lowest rates of obesity, heart disease, cancer and diabetes in the world.”

    http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2007/10/gi-more-bad-carb-myths.html
    True, also GI is measured with the carb source in isolation. In the context of a mixed meal with protein, fiber and fat, the GI response is blunted.
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    They are not "bad", they are just more calorie dense and lack the nutrition that other foods have. If I am eating a white carb I pair it with a larger portion of protein (i.e. a sandwich with lots of deli meat, or a small amount of pasta with a huge chicken breast on top of it). White carbs are burned through easier (and faster) by the body for energy.
  • azrubael
    azrubael Posts: 65 Member
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  • TrailNurse
    TrailNurse Posts: 359 Member
    Obesity in Japan is on the rise so I don't think we can keep using them as a excuse to eat more refined carbs.

    http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2012/03/11/national/science-health/obesity-on-the-rise-as-japanese-eat-more-western-style-food/
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
    Obesity in Japan is on the rise so I don't think we can keep using them as a excuse to eat more refined carbs.

    http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2012/03/11/national/science-health/obesity-on-the-rise-as-japanese-eat-more-western-style-food/

    Rice is a refined carb?
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    Yes, cauliflower and turnips are truly evil.

    J/k, I like both.

    Neither the "white carb" nor simple vs. complex carb thing really makes a lot of sense, though. Based on this some people seem to think potatoes are white, thus refined, and must be feared. (Seriously, refined, because white, is a claim I've seen on MFP about a plain old roasted potato.). And of course simple carbs include fruit.

    If you mean whole grains vs refined, whole grains have some benefits--fiber, so often more filling, and more nutrients, although enriching makes that less of a difference. But if you, like me and I'd bet the majority, rarely eat these foods plain, the difference is less significant. And in that white pasta often has fewer calories than whole wheat, if you continue to exercise portion control it should make no difference to weight loss at all.
  • louisekerry86
    louisekerry86 Posts: 58
    Complex carbohydrates are absorbed slowly into our systems and thus avoid spikes in blood sugar levels. Complex carbs are whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans.

    Simple carbohydrates such as refined grains and sweets are stripped of B-vitamins, fiber, and some minerals during the refining process. They also have a high glycemic index and cause spikes in blood sugar.


    This. Although I don't think eating white carbs for a few days or so is going to pile loads of weight on for you, since you've been cutting them out they might make you feel pretty run down.
  • WitchesGuildMaster
    WitchesGuildMaster Posts: 114
    Don't hate the white carbs! They're so lonely!

    Seriously. The only reason I tend to eat more complex carbs are because of their fibre content. I need the fibre for good digestion. I've got a seriously lazy digestive track. But no one! I tell you NO ONE will take my chocolates and cupcakes and bananas away from me!!!!
  • vismal
    vismal Posts: 2,463 Member
    Calories in vs calories out. The color of your carbs don't alter weight loss. Glycemic index is almost virtually irrelevant as the people above pointed out.
  • dieselbyte
    dieselbyte Posts: 733 Member
    Obesity in Japan is on the rise so I don't think we can keep using them as a excuse to eat more refined carbs.

    http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2012/03/11/national/science-health/obesity-on-the-rise-as-japanese-eat-more-western-style-food/

    Did you even read the article you linked? Obesity is on the rise due to adoption of "western lifestyle". It is well known that we here in the states eat more and move less. Refined, processed, simple carbs - whatever you want to call them, are not the reason for obesity. Outside of health reasons, there is no reason to avoid anything. Eat in moderation, move more.
  • martyqueen52
    martyqueen52 Posts: 1,120 Member
    Carbs are not bad. I'm not sure where you guys are getting this.... HORSE**** from.

    I bet you also believe, or think, the "bigfoot" exists too, right?



    Please go read some of Alan Aragon's articles and references before you post such a dumb *kitten* topic.
  • AlyRoseNYC
    AlyRoseNYC Posts: 1,075 Member
    Carbs are not bad. I'm not sure where you guys are getting this.... HORSE**** from.

    I bet you also believe, or think, the "bigfoot" exists too, right?



    Please go read some of Alan Aragon's articles and references before you post such a dumb *kitten* topic.

    I don't think that the average fitness/nutrition newbie would know about Alan Aragon. That's probably why she asked here.
  • beastmode_kitty
    beastmode_kitty Posts: 844 Member
    Everything in moderation! I eat white rice, I have pasta. I'm still losing weight. As Vismal said, cals in/cals out!
  • amandzor
    amandzor Posts: 386 Member
    Everything in moderation!

    ^^ This. Nothing is "bad." Even food that lacks proper nutrition (Big Macs) can still be used in weight loss, as long as you're eating fewer calories than you burn.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    No. No foods are "bad".

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