Thinking about drastically cutting my carb intake

JPW1990 wrote: »

peter56765 wrote: »

FDMToronto wrote: »

Everyone seems to have had their $0.02, so here's mine: try anything and everything to find what works for you, including low carb.

I need to lose 40-50 lbs and started the Dukan diet a month ago. Prior to that I was vegetarian for 4 years and have never met a carb that I don't love. I picked Dukan because it's lower fat than Atkins. I keep my carbs below 50 grams a day. I haven't had any side effects: almost no cravings (though I miss peanut butter on toast!), no loss of energy - quite the opposite in fact. I've lost 20 lbs.

Whatever you decide, good luck. I've met loads of people that have sustained weight loss by limiting carbs. I hope to join that group.

So you really think you're going to live the rest of your life eating no more than 50 grams of carbs per day? I did Atkins for about a year and a half and yes it worked: I lost weight, didn't have any cravings, etc. But, damn, it got to be a grind. The rest of my family wasn't doing it and neither were my co-workers and friends. So while my family was eating Belgian waffles, pancakes or bagels for breakfast I was eating Yet. Another. G*damn. Egg. Want some birthday cake? Uh, no thanks. Hey look profiteroles! I'll pass. Ooh, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies! Not today I guess. Hey, let's go to that new Italian restaurant! Well, maybe some other time. - So yeah, eventually I succumbed and gained it all back.

Low carb means saying no to about 85% of everything at the grocery store, 95% of everything on a restaurant menu and 99% of baked goods and desserts. IMHO, it's easier to learn portion control and how to balance your calorie intake over the course of a week rather than live every single day in strict adherence to a low limit on carbs.

15 years between 20 and 40g. I appreciate there are some people who have convinced themselves they couldn't possibly do it, but it's hardly impossible. I do not have to eat entirely LC or keto. However, there are enough carby things I cannot have, that it's impractical to build my entire diet around a high carb diet from the few things that don't make me sick. It's easier to stay in keto and use fat for energy instead.

I do not miss bread, pastry, pizza, cookies, or ice cream. In some cases there are substitutions, in others, I go without. I still bake treats with real flour and sugar for my son to take to school on his birthday. My family eats popcorn all the time, doesn't bother me, and I used to live on it before I got sick. I lived on most of that stuff all the way up to 500 lbs.

I don't "deny" myself a thing. I just don't want it. My tastes have changed, and that only took a few months to happen. It's been consistent ever since. On the few occasions I've been pressured into trying something "normal," it's been so disgustingly sweet my teeth would ache and my throat would clench tight after a single bite.

I get it, it doesn't work for everyone. I have never once posted and told someone they should quit whatever they're trying and do keto instead. What I will do, though, is answer questions for people who are interested, to try and counter-balance all of those who aren't confident enough in themselves to make it a permanent lifestyle change, and therefore project that into nobody could make it a permanent lifestyle change.

I'm proof. I'm right here. Everytime I see someone drag out that tired old "not sustainable" bs, I have to laugh. What else can I do?

I'd love to see your food diary.

Try whatever isn't dangerous and do what works for you. I have been doing awesome on keto (less than 23 g carbs a day) and I don't miss anything, don't feel left out, bored, deprived or anything, but as some above posters have said, it doesn't work for everyone. I am the opposite. I counted only calories and ate a diet including carbs for about 4 months and lost 35 lbs but I had cravings and temptations all the time that made it hard not to cheat. Not so with this way of eating. Different things work for different people. I have also been borderline diabetic and probably have metabolic syndrome. I have lost 26 lbs in 1 1/2 months and that's definitely faster loss than just calorie counting, but I also cut out junk food in general. Good luck!

Carbs are essential for your brain and body to function. If you cut down on anything you should cut down on processed foods, simple carbohydrates and a majority of animal products (I'm not saying animal products are bad but they tend to be high in cholesterol and you can get protein from plant based foods also). I know when a lot of people lower their carb intake they inevitably lower their fruit intake, but fruits WILL NOT make you fat. So eat as many fruits and veggies you want and throw in some whole grains and quinoa. There is not need to cut your carbohydrates, just eat more whole foods.

cyclists do this as a weight loss regime once every 6 weeks or so you train on an empty stomach and go until you 'bonk' (run out of energy) this then forces the body to look for an alternative energy source as all carbs have been used. so the body starts to burn fat and does this for around 4-6 weeks. This is the same thing as a low carb diet but is better as your body is looking for new energy instead of just having an empty carb tank.

JPW1990 wrote: »

15 years between 20 and 40g. I appreciate there are some people who have convinced themselves they couldn't possibly do it, but it's hardly impossible.

You misunderstood me. Of course it's possible. For most of their existence, the entire Inuit population survived almost completely on seal meat - a zero carb diet. All over the world, people who have the choice still choose to forgo things like books, music, sex, movies, even the internet. As human beings we are very adaptable. So yes, you can choose to deny yourself the joy of occasionally indulging in ice cream. I just don't see why you would.

I do not have to eat entirely LC or keto. However, there are enough carby things I cannot have, that it's impractical to build my entire diet around a high carb diet from the few things that don't make me sick. It's easier to stay in keto and use fat for energy instead.

Carbs make you sick? Odd, since they are fairly simple compounds that are easily digested, excepting those high in fiber. White rice, white bread, crackers - this is what the doctor recommends when you have an upset stomach. It's possible you have a medical problem.

I do not miss bread, pastry, pizza, cookies, or ice cream.

If you say so. I did low carb for over a year. I got used to not eating those foods and I think I convinced myself I just didn't want them anymore. You can convince yourself of almost anything if have enough determination. What finally got to me was all the denial, missing out on fun treats, always making separate meals, and the utter sameness and boredom that results from a being tied to highly restrictive diet while surrounded with so much variety.

What I will do, though, is answer questions for people who are interested, to try and counter-balance all of those who aren't confident enough in themselves to make it a permanent lifestyle change, and therefore project that into nobody could make it a permanent lifestyle change.

Yeah, I thought this would eventually come up. Just because other people don't stick to your food fad doesn't mean they lack confidence in themselves. Maybe the problem is the faddish nature of the diet. Losing weight is hard enough. Why make it harder with unnecessary restrictions?

I'm proof. I'm right here. Everytime I see someone drag out that tired old "not sustainable" bs, I have to laugh. What else can I do?

We're working with averages here. Yes, there are people who live like The Amish or like monks and deny themselves many of the joys and pleasures of this modern world. If you wish to be a martyr to that kind of calling, by all means go ahead, however for the average person, it's more likely to end in failure.

E_Ashton wrote: »

A person who doesn't eat meat or at least limits it tends to have a lower BMI and also meats and dairy products don't do much for the body except clog up arteries! Nothing wrong with carbs as long as you calorie count!

LOL, you need to find some better resources for your claims. People that have been studied that eat meat and dairy that are obsese also eat excessive calories that include lots of junk food (McDonald's etc.). They do eat meat but the actual relationship between their BMI and Obesity is not in the meat but rather in the excessive calories.

I have reduced carbs, qualify that, "processed food" carbs. I still eat fruit, non starchy veggies, but no wheat, rice, or oats, I have even reduced beans.

Why? Because I overeat those items.

I now eat more protein, and feel fine.

Find your "trigger" foods, ones that you consistently overeat.

I may add more carbs back at some point, but not now.

1. If you consistently over-eat on fat & protein you will get fat as well.
2. The body does not produce carbohydrates, your liver can produce glucose

There's no science saying it's harmful, assuming you're in good health and have no conditions that would say otherwise. So try it for a month or two and see how you like it. If it's not something you can adjust to, ditch it.

Humans can work on both carbohydrate and ketones (your body naturally switches to ketosis overnight, btw), which is why we're so damned good at staying alive in so many different food environments. There's not a "preference" for either one; the body will take whatever's available and use it for energy, full stop. At this point in developed nations, diet is really more a matter of lifestyle and economy than requirements of the body. If you can condition yourself to go low/no carb and thrive on it, then it's worth your time to try it. You're unlikely to do any permanent damage by at least giving it a shot. Just make sure you've done the research and can replace what your body needs with other food sources.

Oh, but also be aware of things like "keto breath" - the acetone that gets into your breath from ketosis. Not necessarily a dealbreaker, but if you're not expecting it, can be weird.