Grains and Carbs

spirit7125 wrote: »

Hi all,
I had been struggling with no weight loss for months, despite hitting it hard at the gym and tracking on MFP..until I cut out bread and most grain-based foods. I don't feel hungry ever, even though I usually eat a lower calorie intake than before and I am losing weight despite eating a higher percentage of fat. Most of my carbs now come from vegetables and berries. I feel less bloaty too...anyone else out there with similar stories? Oh, and I have lost 5# since starting this 3 weeks ago.

That sounds like my kind of deficit. When I was losing I cut back on refined grains, and added sugars. I guess I created a deficit, because I lost weight.
And yes, I felt less bloaty too!

Sounds like you're eating "lower carb". Well done on the loss.
And there's nothing wrong with doing it this way, if it's easier to comply, and you're more satiated, and you're losing weight more power to you.

Liftng4Lis wrote: »

Fantastic how a caloric deficit works.

yes, and how well it screws with our MBR

eliskipp wrote: »

these foods (even fat) tend to be lower-calorie per oz. than the carbs you're going to eat, which makes it easier to maintain a calorie deficit.

Whaaaa?

1 oz of butter is like 200 kcals
1 oz of rice or potato is like 32 kcals
even a slice of bread is only 80

spirit7125 wrote: »

Thank you to all of you who responded with support instead of sarcasm. I agree that Web MD isn't the best resource...it was just a reference to the original work. I will start looking at original research on the topic and post anything good I find. Thank you again!

I am so sorry people don't know how to respond non-aggressively but you definitely aren't alone in your approach. Thanks for sharing -- it was a pleasure to read your post.

TomfromNY wrote: »

Spirit - congrats on your weight loss. I've been back to low carb for the past 7 weeks or so and lost 20+ pounds (219->197, at 6 feet). I agree that getting rid of bread and other starches and sugars will help.

I disagree with a lot of the 'pro-grain' and 'anti-low-carb' responses here. For many people, cutting out carbs is not simply a matter of being in a 'calorie-deficit' or even that fat 'makes you feel full'. I really think that by reducing grains and carbs, you better control your insulin and your metabolism starts to burn body fat and prevents additional fatty acids from being stored in your fat cells - replacing those carbs with fat accelerates this process.

So when people say 'you are losing body fat because you are in a calorie-deficit', they are confusing cause and effect. I would phrase it as 'you are in a calorie-deficit because your metabolism is burning body fat'. Reducing the carbs is causing your metabolism to burn body fat and as a result you are less hungry and have more energy (which results in the calorie-deficit).

Good luck.

How does reducing carbs cause your metabolism to burn more fat and how does that result in more energy? I am confused.

spirit7125 wrote: »

Living lean, I understand that fat doesn't make you fat, but at 9 calories per gram compared to 4 for carbs and protein, it can add up quickly if you're not tracking it, which I am tracking...everything, but I know it can be easy to miss items, thank you ruggedshutter :-). I do not weigh my foods, but do use measuring cups/spoons and go by the standard "deck of cards=4oz" guideline for proteins. You are on the money about the bloating as well, so thank you.

My request was more referring to the fact that I am not hungry, compared to how I felt before, when I was eating a higher percentage of carbs and felt ravenous at mealtimes. I am thinking that the increase in fat, which slows digestion and therefore increases satiety for longer periods of time, may have a lot to do with it. That, coupled with the reduction in carbs probably helping to balance out my insulin/blood sugar levels. I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced this. There is some research to show that it's not just a numbers game of calories in and out http://www.webmd.com/diet/20120626/all-calories-not-created-equal-study-suggests

Thank you!

Issue is, the article is oversimplifying things. CI can impact CO - but CICO that does not negate the fact that it is a numbers game in its simplest form.

There are a myriad of things that impact calories out based on what you eat (and the macro mix you have). Some people do better on lower carb as they have some degree of insulin resistance which impacts TDEE. Some people do better on higher carbs as it increases their energy/improves their workouts. Some people do better on lower carbs as it helps with adherence to a calorie deficit (and vice versa). Also there is TEF to consider as well as higher fiber carbs v lower fiber carbs.

Also, when you reduce carbs, you lose water weight. That, and the fact you have less food in your stomach is why people see a big drop in weight when they start dieting, as carbs are usually decreased.

If you have found a way to be in a deficit and be more satiated and have good energy as well as have better adherence - then keep doing what you are doing. At the end of the day, the most successful way of eating will be the one you can stick to.