Why are carbs so bad?

Insulin folds to a hypocaloric diet making it almost irrelevant for fat loss. You're also ignoring the fact that protein spikes insulin levels as well.

The affect is not the same!

It's still irrelevant either way if you are on a hypocaloric diet!

Actually - not essential at all. There is zero daily requirement for carbs. You must eat some protein and some fat for sustained life, but you could live a long, healthy life and never have another carb (if you got the vitamins and minerals from another source of course.)

Not saying don't eat veggies by any means, just throwing this out there.

Exactly.

If you really want to know, read one of Gary Taubes books, "Good Calories, Bad Calories" or "Why we get fat". He gives the best explanation of the low sugar carb theory of nutrition out there. You can also watch the documentary "Fat Head" or go to that movie's website. I'm not advocating anything, but if you really want to know why some people think sugar carbs are bad for weight loss (or nutrition in general) those are the best sources.

You're not advocating anything yet you recommend an amateur film maker/programmer as the best source for nutritional advise, who doesn't back his many of his claims with scientific evidence and interviews anti-carb zealots?

Yea, okay. :laugh:

As opposed to a 21 year old kid? I'll take my chances with the amateur film maker/programmer.

Actually - not essential at all. There is zero daily requirement for carbs. You must eat some protein and some fat for sustained life, but you could live a long, healthy life and never have another carb (if you got the vitamins and minerals from another source of course.)

Not saying don't eat veggies by any means, just throwing this out there.

Exactly.

You must certainly could, but it isn't necessary to cut out a whole macro nutrition group for the sake of weight loss. Especially if you are trying to build muscles like our Original Poster where carbs play an important role.

If you really want to know, read one of Gary Taubes books, "Good Calories, Bad Calories" or "Why we get fat". He gives the best explanation of the low sugar carb theory of nutrition out there. You can also watch the documentary "Fat Head" or go to that movie's website. I'm not advocating anything, but if you really want to know why some people think sugar carbs are bad for weight loss (or nutrition in general) those are the best sources.

I loved Fat Head. I've heard that GC,BC is a little too scientific for me, but WWGF is amazing and easy to understand.

I'm now doing about 60-100 grams of carbs a day, none of which are from wheat (whole or otherwise) and I feel amazing. Fruits and veggies are fine for carbs. I'm also cutting out "non or low-fat" because of all the added garbage. My husband went months without losing hardly anything on reduced calories (bounced around 190 since January) but started a similar plan as I am with all carbs coming from fruits & veggies (and nuts, etc) but not wheat and he's lost 5 pounds in a week. Most is likely water, but it all seems to be off his belly. And he's feeling much better in the mornings and getting through his evening workouts with ease.

I haven't read any of this stuff. I have cut out most flours. I will still have bread or pasta on occasion - I don't deprive myself of anything. I have my carbs at 40% (165g) and I try and fill that with just fruits and veggies (and my morning oatmeal and I do have my added sugars set at 25g - do my best to stay under). When I stopped eating flours I felt like I "emptied out". I have started lifting weights and for the first time since my journey started I have had a tiny drop on my belly fat. Only 2mm on the calipers but I was overjoyed when I saw it.

I don't believe in zero carbs. I do believe is the type of carb that makes all the diffference.

I eat lots of carbs. Yep that is right, lots of them. Ohh I would say about 55% of my diet is carbs. I eat bread and I enjoy it. I eat things people say we don't need to live and guess what I enjoy them to. I wouldn't say I get all my carbs from breads because I eat lots of fruits and vegetables and hardly any pasta or rice. You would know as a nutrition major that your body needs carbs for fueling as its primary source so bodily and brain function. Yes, you need a balanced diet of carbs, protein and fats. I wouldn't be afraid of carbs they have never done me wrong. Now that is just me of course but I don't think oatmeal or a slice of bread to say the least would harm your body

If you really want to know, read one of Gary Taubes books, "Good Calories, Bad Calories" or "Why we get fat". He gives the best explanation of the low sugar carb theory of nutrition out there. You can also watch the documentary "Fat Head" or go to that movie's website. I'm not advocating anything, but if you really want to know why some people think sugar carbs are bad for weight loss (or nutrition in general) those are the best sources.

Agreed... Taubes plays a huge part in people's misunderstanding of insulin and calories.

Depends. You might want to talk to a diabetic.

weight loss =/= controlling diabetes

Depends. You might want to talk to a diabetic.

weight loss =/= controlling diabetes

My mother weighs 125 pounds (5'2") and developed type 2 diabetes after she was 70. She had a primarily carb diet, but didn't eat a lot of processed sugars. Lots of potatoes, rye bread, corn, etc.

(ETA - didn't mean to press enter yet)

The only thing that keeps her blood sugar stable (she hasn't gone on insulin) is by limiting her carbs. Of course, that's contrary to the insane advice her "nutritionist" gave her, but that's par for the course.

My mother weighs 125 pounds (5'2") and developed type 2 diabetes after she was 70. She had a primarily carb diet, but didn't eat a lot of processed sugars. Lots of potatoes, rye bread, corn, etc.

(ETA - didn't mean to press enter yet)

The only thing that keeps her blood sugar stable (she hasn't gone on insulin) is by limiting her carbs. Of course, that's contrary to the insane advice her "nutritionist" gave her, but that's par for the course.

weight loss =/= controlling diabetes

If carbs are so unnecessary, why do Olympic athletes need so many? Of course they are.

Fuel.....Their workouts are like 4-6 times more demanding then ours. They burn anywhere from 4000-10000 calories a day dependent on what sport they do!

I know a sprinter with 4-5% body fat's metabolism eclipses most anyone on MFP. Think of a long distance runner. His body is muscular but lean. He eats certain types of carbs for endurance. Complex carb for a long run. Simple carb for short bursts of energy. Most serious runners have a decent protein intake but their carb intake is as much if not higher then their protein intake because they need that stored energy from a complex carb for a long run and why? because they have such a low body fat percentage and what is body fat? Body fat is stored energy!

A sprinter needs more of a simple carb for the burst of energy BUT an Olympic sprinter that trains for hours a day needs both because the body will deplete simple carbs quickly so they rely on some complex carbs in their diet for the whole day but a constant amount of simple carbs as well for instant energy.

So now lets take that sprinter that weighs 150-160lbs and tell him to go do 2 hours of hard and heavy lifting on his high carb mid level protein diet. He will falter quickly and the reason being is his body is not conditioned for this. His body is light and muscles are defined but not dense like a body builders would be.

It's like taking Mike Tyson and telling him to go do the tour de france and then telling Lance Armstrong to go 6 rounds with Lennox Lewis.

Protein=the material needed to build & rebuild muscle

Carbohydrates=the material that is fuel to move the muscle

I was trying to build, and will continue to once I am healed. And I always thought carbs were great for that. I have also read that low carb diets lead to more muscle loss.

Im trying to lose the last 10 lbs, out with an injury, and trying to figure out the best method! Or best ratio of protein/carbs/fats

Low protein leads to muscle loss but you do need carbs to fuel the body to BUILD or rebuild muscle.

I definitely get enough protein. Usually shoot for getting at least my body weight. What % of carbs would you recommend? I currently cannot do any physical activity due to bruised ribs

I believe right now I do 45/35/20-Protein/Carbs/Fats...I have to check though. I might drop the carbs down a bit though.

Carbohydrates aren't your enemy, just learn how to utilise and manage them.