Carbs good/bad, please help

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megancorbin338
megancorbin338 Posts: 3
edited February 28 in Health and Weight Loss
Is it bad to want to have carbs at every meal. If I don't I am hungry and moody.

When I'm not "dieting" I usually eat oats or sweet potato at breakfast, beans, quinoa or sweet potato for lunch and dinner and every so often a sandwich thin or pasta or homemade granola along with lean meats, eggs and lots of veggies. I try to keep everything healthy and fresh and yummy to keep myself happy.

But I've been doing the 21 day fix and it says at my size (5"1 145 lbs) to loss weight I should only eat two servings a day of carbs and well it's making me a moody *****. Can anyone clear up what is good/bad when it comes to eating carbs.

In general I am a healthy eater I just can't find a diet I can stick to because the lack of carbs. I do the 21 day fix for a week then always quite cause I either turn into a ***** and yell at everyone or cry by end of the week cause I'm always so hungry all day.

Replies

  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    If not eating them makes you moody, eating them is probably good.
  • He1loKitty
    He1loKitty Posts: 212 Member
    I don't know much about 21 day fixes, but for me personally, cutting carbs has led to great results. I try to stick to around 50g a day, some days it's more or less. If you're trying to cut carbs, you may need to add fat to your diet. Also go to the low carb forums for more information.
  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
    So eat carbs. What's the problem?
  • eric_sg61
    eric_sg61 Posts: 2,925 Member
    The deficit is the most important factor.
    http://www.lookgreatnaked.com/blog/low-carb-vs-balanced-diets-the-debate-rages-on/
    FTA:
    " Johnston et al compared a ketogenic diet (33 g carbs) to a balanced diet (157 g carbs) in a sample of 20 sedentary overweight/obese men and women. Total protein and calorie consumption were held constant so the only thing that differed between diets was intake of carbohydrate. No differences were found in fat loss or markers of cardiovascular health. The big strength of this study was that all meals were individually prepared giving a high degree of confidence in the results. The study was limited by a duration of only 6 weeks and a small sample size.

    • Soenen et al. conducted an eloquent study that included four isoenergetic groups of varying protein and carb content, including groups where protein was matched but carb intake varied. The study was carried out over a 12 month period with an initial 3-month phase where subjects consumed 33% of their maintenance calories followed by a 9-month phase where subjects consumed calories at 66% of maintenance. During the initial 3-month phase the low-carb group consumed 5% of calories from carbohydrate; during the second phase carb intake increased to 25% of total calories. The average total caloric intake was not disclosed, but given the percent carb values and the fairly substantial energy restriction, it would certainly appear that the subjects were in ketosis throughout the study duration. Results? Here is a direct quote from the authors: “The study showed irrefutably, that, despite the success all-over with all four diets, the answer is that it is the relatively high-protein content per se, that supports the even greater success, and not the relatively lower carbohydrate content.”

    The primary take-home message here is that there is no universal “best” diet. There is compelling evidence that higher protein intakes (at least 1.5 g/kg and generally higher in those who are lifting weights) are beneficial for optimizing body composition and enhancing satiety. A certain amount of dietary lipid is also essential for proper health, particularly with respect to polyunsaturated fats. Otherwise your approach to nutrition is largely an individual choice that, within fairly wide limits, should be based on preference, goals and lifestyle. Most importantly, calories do count!
  • FatJockSing
    FatJockSing Posts: 164 Member
    Is it bad to want to have carbs at every meal. If I don't I am hungry and moody.

    When I'm not "dieting" I usually eat oats or sweet potato at breakfast, beans, quinoa or sweet potato for lunch and dinner and every so often a sandwich thin or pasta or homemade granola along with lean meats, eggs and lots of veggies. I try to keep everything healthy and fresh and yummy to keep myself happy.
  • megancorbin338
    megancorbin338 Posts: 3
    I'm not trying to cut carbs, I just want to figure out what is healthy for my size but without causing such mood swings. I know lossing weight isn't easy but I also know if I hate it I won't stick with with.
  • FatJockSing
    FatJockSing Posts: 164 Member
    Your typical food "OFF DIET" sounds excellent. and as eric sg61 says - calories count! So rather than completely change what makes you 'happy" adjust it so you get an achievable deficit with foods you like with realistic macro splits.

    You will stick to something moderate and enjoyable longer than something radical and objectionable - if the gain took more than 21 days, why should the drop?

    I guess what I am saying is set realistic achievable targets ad be consistent with them . . .
  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
    as long as you're getting enough fat and protein, you could probably eat 200 grams of carbs, if that's what helped you stick to a calorie deficit.
  • megancorbin338
    megancorbin338 Posts: 3
    I know I can't loss all the weight in 21 days. But would be nice to loss 3 lbs.
  • lightmouse
    lightmouse Posts: 175 Member
    I know exactly what you mean. All my favourite foods are carbs and when I try to go under 50g a day I manage about two days before I turn into an ogre from hell. I've been eating Quest bars when I have a crazy carb craving which has helped me loads - to me they taste like having a treat :smile: Saying that I have lost body fat, includng from my tummy area, eating a diet where 40% of my calories come from carbs - but I love them so much that I have to work to keep it at only 40% :embarassed:
  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
    I know I can't loss all the weight in 21 days. But would be nice to loss 3 lbs.

    Do you know your TDEE? If you consume approximately 500 calories less per day than your TDEE, it's very possible and almost likely to lose 3 lbs in 21 days.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    I know I can't loss all the weight in 21 days. But would be nice to loss 3 lbs.

    For what it's worth, I average around 180-200 grams of carbs per day and I'm losing about a pound a week. Carbs are less important than your overall calorie deficit. If avoiding them makes you moody then it sounds like avoiding them won't be very sustainable for you. And I think dieting should be about finding what's easiest for you to stick to in the long run. That's what teaches you all the healthy habits you'll need to maintain your weight once you reach your goal.
  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
    The primary take-home message here is that there is no universal “best” diet. There is compelling evidence that higher protein intakes (at least 1.5 g/kg and generally higher in those who are lifting weights) are beneficial for optimizing body composition and enhancing satiety. A certain amount of dietary lipid is also essential for proper health, particularly with respect to polyunsaturated fats. Otherwise your approach to nutrition is largely an individual choice that, within fairly wide limits, should be based on preference, goals and lifestyle. Most importantly, calories do count!

    ^
    This, completely agree.
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