Low carb diets...

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hey! I've only just started MFP today and just wondering who is doing a low carb diet as I am debating whether or not I could do it?
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  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
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    debate whether or not you could do it for life

    if the answer is yes seek out the low carb group

    if no, then don't bother IMO
  • InForTheWin87
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    Thanks! X
  • JuliaHaleFitness
    JuliaHaleFitness Posts: 56 Member
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    I'm not a huge fan of low carb diets mainly because your body needs it to survive! Carbs are you body's go-to source of energy. Maybe start by cutting them out of dinner time and see how you feel!
  • InForTheWin87
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    Thanks hun x
  • NoIdea101NoIdea
    NoIdea101NoIdea Posts: 659 Member
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    Carbs definitely get a bad rep; I have found that personally they make me feel quite bloated, so I tend to go easy on them but as far as weight loss goes, so long as you are eating at a deficit you should be fine :)
  • thinisinforlynn2
    thinisinforlynn2 Posts: 6 Member
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    Hi InForTheWin87: I try to follow a low carb diet. I try to limit carbs to 40 per meal. Carb turn to sugar in my body and is bad news for diabetes which I am trying to keep at bay. Recording you foods will give you an idea of how much you are taking in. I have just restarted with MFP after a huge gain following a severe ankle injury. I'm recording every morsel I put in my mouth.

    You'll do fine and lose weight to boot.

    BTW Love your name, real positive.
  • lambchoplewis1
    lambchoplewis1 Posts: 156 Member
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    Carbs r ok even though I refrain from over doing them. Cut out the bread basket at dinner, use low cal or smaller bread on sandwich. Past only once a week and use whole wheat. U don't have to cut them out but cut down!!!
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
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    so if it's what suits you go for it

    personally I love my carbs and consume around 250-350g per day .. worked for me
  • MarilynTC
    MarilynTC Posts: 98 Member
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    I eat a lower carb (not "low carb") diet because I have a tendency to overeat carbs. I also try to make better choices when it comes to the carbs I do eat - grain breads with higher fiber or brown rice, for example - but I am not really strict about it.
  • rockmama72
    rockmama72 Posts: 815 Member
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    I tried but it's hard and got a bit boring for me. It's so much easier to not have restrictions other than not eating too much.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
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    You don't need to do a low carb diet to lose weight. You can chose to do one if you want.

    However, if you plan to ever eat carby foods again, you'll still need to learn something in the time you're low carbing about correct portion sizes to eat for when you reach your goal weight.

    Most people who low carb get the benefit from feeling less hungry eating that way. It's still a matter of eating less than your body burns.

    When you've lost your weight, whether you decide to keep eating low carb or you decide to add carbs back, it will still be a matter of maintaining an energy balance where you're eating as many calories as your body burns.
  • MelRC117
    MelRC117 Posts: 911 Member
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    juliah1234 wrote: »
    I'm not a huge fan of low carb diets mainly because your body needs it to survive! Carbs are you body's go-to source of energy. Maybe start by cutting them out of dinner time and see how you feel!

    1. Your body doesn't need carbs to survive.
    2. When you eat low carb, fat is your body's go-to source of energy.

    OP - Try it. It works for some and not others. I would have never thought I could either, but then I did it and it was what worked for me to finally stay committed to lose weight. Its not a strategy that works for everybody, only you can answer that question.
  • mrsmcg97
    mrsmcg97 Posts: 53 Member
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    Carbs are good for you! Just choose with high fiber and watch portions and by watch portions I mean weigh everything!
  • s2mikey
    s2mikey Posts: 146 Member
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    MelRC117 wrote: »
    juliah1234 wrote: »
    I'm not a huge fan of low carb diets mainly because your body needs it to survive! Carbs are you body's go-to source of energy. Maybe start by cutting them out of dinner time and see how you feel!

    1. Your body doesn't need carbs to survive.
    2. When you eat low carb, fat is your body's go-to source of energy.

    OP - Try it. It works for some and not others. I would have never thought I could either, but then I did it and it was what worked for me to finally stay committed to lose weight. Its not a strategy that works for everybody, only you can answer that question.

    I believe the brain needs some carbs but I suppose you dont "need" any. The problem is that this approach wont likely work for very active people. Sure, fat can and is used for energy but Carbs are the preferred source and IMO if you are active and carb-starved you WILL go catabolic at times and use muscle for energy with the fat. Thats a terrible place to be and NOT what fitness-minded people want.

    My suggestion to anyone is to get somewhere in the middle of "carb-elimination" versus "reasonable carb intake". I lift weights 3 times a week with some form of cardio 2-3 times a week. What I do is tery and keep carb intake around 125 - 150 grams on rest/mild workout days and around 200 grams or so on active days. Its working for me and I have the energy needed for workouts, especially strength training.

    I believe the "zero carb" craze is a poor idea for most people and has long term issues associated with it. Plus.... c'mon.... just meat, cheese, nuts and dairy all day everyday? Yuk, LOL.
  • MelRC117
    MelRC117 Posts: 911 Member
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    s2mikey wrote: »
    MelRC117 wrote: »
    juliah1234 wrote: »
    I'm not a huge fan of low carb diets mainly because your body needs it to survive! Carbs are you body's go-to source of energy. Maybe start by cutting them out of dinner time and see how you feel!

    1. Your body doesn't need carbs to survive.
    2. When you eat low carb, fat is your body's go-to source of energy.

    OP - Try it. It works for some and not others. I would have never thought I could either, but then I did it and it was what worked for me to finally stay committed to lose weight. Its not a strategy that works for everybody, only you can answer that question.

    I believe the brain needs some carbs but I suppose you dont "need" any. The problem is that this approach wont likely work for very active people. Sure, fat can and is used for energy but Carbs are the preferred source and IMO if you are active and carb-starved you WILL go catabolic at times and use muscle for energy with the fat. Thats a terrible place to be and NOT what fitness-minded people want.

    My suggestion to anyone is to get somewhere in the middle of "carb-elimination" versus "reasonable carb intake". I lift weights 3 times a week with some form of cardio 2-3 times a week. What I do is tery and keep carb intake around 125 - 150 grams on rest/mild workout days and around 200 grams or so on active days. Its working for me and I have the energy needed for workouts, especially strength training.

    I believe the "zero carb" craze is a poor idea for most people and has long term issues associated with it. Plus.... c'mon.... just meat, cheese, nuts and dairy all day everyday? Yuk, LOL.

    Low carb does NOT mean zero carb. Its not just meat, cheese, nuts, and dairy. People on low carb diets still eat veggies and fruits.

  • maillemaker
    maillemaker Posts: 1,253 Member
    edited April 2015
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    The primary reason why "low carb" diets work is because the carbs most people eat tend to be calorie dense. So when you cut carbs out of your diet you may be naturally creating a calorie deficit by cutting out a major source of calories from your diet.

    I emphasize "may" because it is quite trivial to substitute low-carb foods for the lost carbs and still end up eating as many or more calories as you were before. If you cut out 1600 calories of cake and replace it with 1600 calories of prime rib you have not gained anything diet-wise.

    The other thing about a "low carb" diet that can help with weight loss is that it can help stabilize swings in blood sugar and increased protein intake can both help mitigate feelings of hunger, which can make it easier to stick to a calorie deficit.

    But there is nothing magical about a "low carb" diet that causes weight loss. Ultimately it's the calorie deficit that causes the weight loss. If eating "low carb" makes it easier for you to maintain a deficit, great.
  • RuthyLOL
    RuthyLOL Posts: 62 Member
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    I started to eat low carbs 4 days ago, I read a book another member recommended when I asked him how he lost his 120lbs and he stated he did by reading "why we get fat and what to do about it" it worked for him and it tells you to eat veggies and greens every day along with unlimited meats (poultry, fish, beef, eggs). If you want to add other things then you can count the carbs and see if your body still loses weight with them. I have a hard time being hungry and staying in a low calorie diet, so, this is working great for me. I have not been hungry in 4 days :) and still lost 5lbs this first 4 days. I know that weigh comes off faster at first but still.. I am so excited :)
  • ar9179
    ar9179 Posts: 374 Member
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    I use low carb (high fat/moderate protein) because it helps keep me feeling full. I don't have a sweet tooth, so those items aren't usually something I choose to eat, anyway. I also tend to go overboard on things like bread and pasta, so limiting them keeps my calories in check. It's a tool and one that works well depending on the individual.

    Low carb can be from 20 net grams to 150 net grams per day. You have a wide range available to you, if you'd like to experiment.
  • autumnsquirrel
    autumnsquirrel Posts: 258 Member
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    hey! I've only just started MFP today and just wondering who is doing a low carb diet as I am debating whether or not I could do it?
    Of course you could do it; it is doable, but not sustainable. Try carb cycling, that way you're not staying low all the time. On rest days, go for less carbs, on workout days, go for more. Keep the body guessing:) I did low carb last year; doc wanted me to do 60g a day, I went for 40. The weight rolled off, but....eventually I plateaued for months. I had to change things up. Whatever you decide, do it the healthy way:)

  • Lrdoflamancha
    Lrdoflamancha Posts: 1,280 Member
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    juliah1234 wrote: »
    I'm not a huge fan of low carb diets mainly because your body needs it to survive! Carbs are you body's go-to source of energy. Maybe start by cutting them out of dinner time and see how you feel!

    This is broscience at its very best... Complete BS... No one needs carbs...