Macros and Carbs??

_Terrapin_ wrote: »

nvsmomketo wrote: »

_Terrapin_ wrote: »

arb037 wrote: »

If you are in a calorie deficit, then you are "cutting" (trying to lose fat) and are not going to be " gaining muscle.
I would look up the ketogenic diet and the benefits of being in ketosis.
Carbohydrates are not needed by the body whatsoever. Protein and fat are.

Since carbohydrates aren't needed do you consume any? Do you know anybody who consumes zero carbohydrates?

I don't see the point of the first question. Most people consume a diet made of a third to almost two thirds of carbs. No one needs them but one can eat them.

As for the second question, I do. Well, sort of. More I know of him and have talked with him. He uses some spices so that probably adds a minute amount of carbs.

Very cool. This week, more so then most, 'the carbs aren't essential' keeps popping in many threads. I guess for people eating a keto diet they view carbs as non-essential. Many people eat carbs and probably view them as essential. Athletes especially would wonder 'what are people speaking of' when they say they aren't essential. It reminds me of a pendulum, carbs are good, the pendulum swings, carbs aren't needed, the pendulum swings. idk why people write they aren't essential. What exactly is the point of writing this? How does it help a discussion on the forums?

I have wondered similar things.

Even if it is theoretically possible to survive with NO carbs--and no groups naturally do that--why is that meaningful? It's not a healthy thing to try just like the fact that it's theoretically possible to eat only Twinkies and lose doesn't mean that anyone should do that. Many carbs, like vegetables, are important for their nutritional benefits.

In any event, if OP finds 15% carbs difficult, he can certainly lose weight on more, even a pretty standard percentage like 40-55% (or more in theory--many athletes eat more, as do many vegans and "raw" dieters, although I am not inclined to recommend that for the average person needing to lose weight).

umayster wrote: »

_Terrapin_ wrote: »

nvsmomketo wrote: »

_Terrapin_ wrote: »

arb037 wrote: »

If you are in a calorie deficit, then you are "cutting" (trying to lose fat) and are not going to be " gaining muscle.
I would look up the ketogenic diet and the benefits of being in ketosis.
Carbohydrates are not needed by the body whatsoever. Protein and fat are.

Since carbohydrates aren't needed do you consume any? Do you know anybody who consumes zero carbohydrates?

I don't see the point of the first question. Most people consume a diet made of a third to almost two thirds of carbs. No one needs them but one can eat them.

As for the second question, I do. Well, sort of. More I know of him and have talked with him. He uses some spices so that probably adds a minute amount of carbs.

Very cool. This week, more so then most, 'the carbs aren't essential' keeps popping in many threads. I guess for people eating a keto diet they view carbs as non-essential. Many people eat carbs and probably view them as essential. Athletes especially would wonder 'what are people speaking of' when they say they aren't essential. It reminds me of a pendulum, carbs are good, the pendulum swings, carbs aren't needed, the pendulum swings. idk why people write they aren't essential. What exactly is the point of writing this? How does it help a discussion on the forums?

You are using the word 'essential' like it is a personal preference. 'Essential' nutrients are those the body must have or it doesn't function right. There is a scientic definition of essential nutrients-and it pretty much is not up for debate as it is verified by research.

It is vitally important to understand that minimizing carbs isn't a nutritional problem. For a large number of people minimizing carbohydrate intake can greatly improve their health & weight. Years of eating high levels of carbohydrates has created an epidemic of obesity and diabetes. I think it is important that it be said - and people go do their own investigating.

The epidemic if obesity is because the foods people are eating are calorie dense. Refined carbs are calorie dense. You can eat a lot of them, and still be hungry. That's the problem. There is nothing inherently wrong with carbs themselves. Carbs are not bad or evil and they don't cause obesity. Eating too many calories from fat, protein, carbs, or alcohol causes obesity. There is no reason to eliminate carbs from your diet unless you have a medical issue or just somehow feel better doing it. I don't care if they are not essential, they are an important source of micronutrients and energy, so why cut them out? They also taste damn good and if I had to cut them out I would binge on them eventually.

Carbs are not essential. But I have news for everyone; a lot of things we enjoy aren't essential, it doesn't mean we should sell all our crap and go live like the Amish.

I definitely found that as I increased my activity I naturally ate more carbs and felt better (I started around 100 grams and raised to 40-45% at 1800 calories or so). I also found that the issues I'd had with eating carbs on their own (not being satiating, seeming to make me hungry sooner) went away as I adopted a more active lifestyle anyway.