Low carb???

Anyone else doing a low carb diet? If so any tips?
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Replies

  • Kitnthecat
    Kitnthecat Posts: 2,073 Member
    Love low carb. I've lost about 55 pounds in the past year. My tip is to keep fat intake high and protein moderate.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    I'm loving low carb high fat too. Combine that with a caloric deficit and it can equal easier weight loss for many people.

    My tip would be not to be afraid of high fat. If your carbs are lowered then chances are your fat intake had in increase. Fat won't make you fat unless you are eating way too much.

    Also, don't be afraid of going very low carb. People can live very well on 150g, or 100g or less than 50g of carbs per day. In fact, the lower carb you go, often the more health benefits are found, and the lower your hunger and carb craving levels are.

    The Low Carber Daily group is a good place to go for more info. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group

    Good luck!
  • wible404
    wible404 Posts: 14 Member
    Thanks! I've been counting cals and working out 5 days a week and lost nothing. Went to the doc for help and he recommended low carb. Started it yesterday, feeling really sluggish today. I'm sure that'll pass as I get used to it
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    You may be in the keto-flu. When carbs are dropped you lose water, potassium, magnesium and sodium (salt), and that can make you feel tired, cranky, headachy, and even nauseated. Add extra salt to you diet to about 5000mg - that's about doubled. I drink a cup of water with a tsp of salt in it every morning.... I know it seems crazy but it helps. :)

    It should only last a week or so - shorter if you up the elsctrolytes.

    Good luck. :)
  • jaywirth88
    jaywirth88 Posts: 66 Member
    I am staying in the 50-100 carb range. I keep hearing about 'high fat' but exactly what range of fat should i be eating?
  • wible404
    wible404 Posts: 14 Member
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    You may be in the keto-flu. When carbs are dropped you lose water, potassium, magnesium and sodium (salt), and that can make you feel tired, cranky, headachy, and even nauseated. Add extra salt to you diet to about 5000mg - that's about doubled. I drink a cup of water with a tsp of salt in it every morning.... I know it seems crazy but it helps. :)

    It should only last a week or so - shorter if you up the elsctrolytes.

    Good luck. :)

    Definitely will do! Thanks for the info. I'm sure my family thanks you also as I've been REALLY cranky lol! Soon this part will be behind me
  • BethTate2015
    BethTate2015 Posts: 3 Member
    I followed the Ultra Lite plan and found it very successful. After about a six weeks I lost 12 pounds. Easily kept it off for over a year and was able to reintroduce some of my no no foods like deserts and a glass of wine (sparingly) to my food plan. really felt confidant that I had found THE KEY. So went off the plan (again thinking I could easily go back to it) but nay nay. This time around it is not so easy...

    I think commitment is key.

    That is the trick with anything.



  • BurnWithBarn2015
    BurnWithBarn2015 Posts: 1,026 Member
    If you have no medical reason to cut out a food/macro..why should you?

    I eat all the carbs i want and lost just fine over 108 pounds now.

    You lose weight when you create a deficit ( so eat less calories than you burn)
    To do so, weigh all your food on a food scale.
  • Kitnthecat
    Kitnthecat Posts: 2,073 Member
    I aim for 75% of my calories from fat, but when I go very low carb ( under 20g daily) my fat intake is more like 80%. Once you become fat adapted, cravings go away and this lifestyle is incredibly easy to maintain. Eat enough protein, very few carbs and fat to satiety. As long as I get enough fat, I can go for long periods of time without eating, without even thinking of eating.

    My usually day starts off with Bulletproof coffee made with 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, .5-1 Tbsp MCT oil, and maybe 1 Tbsp heavy cream. This keeps me going all day long until supper which is usually meat with a low G.I veggies slathered in butter.
  • wible404
    wible404 Posts: 14 Member
    Kitnthecat wrote: »
    I aim for 75% of my calories from fat, but when I go very low carb ( under 20g daily) my fat intake is more like 80%. Once you become fat adapted, cravings go away and this lifestyle is incredibly easy to maintain. Eat enough protein, very few carbs and fat to satiety. As long as I get enough fat, I can go for long periods of time without eating, without even thinking of eating.

    My usually day starts off with Bulletproof coffee made with 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, .5-1 Tbsp MCT oil, and maybe 1 Tbsp heavy cream. This keeps me going all day long until supper which is usually meat with a low G.I veggies slathered in butter.

    Did I read that right?? Butter in your coffee?
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    wible404 wrote: »
    Kitnthecat wrote: »
    I aim for 75% of my calories from fat, but when I go very low carb ( under 20g daily) my fat intake is more like 80%. Once you become fat adapted, cravings go away and this lifestyle is incredibly easy to maintain. Eat enough protein, very few carbs and fat to satiety. As long as I get enough fat, I can go for long periods of time without eating, without even thinking of eating.

    My usually day starts off with Bulletproof coffee made with 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, .5-1 Tbsp MCT oil, and maybe 1 Tbsp heavy cream. This keeps me going all day long until supper which is usually meat with a low G.I veggies slathered in butter.

    Did I read that right?? Butter in your coffee?

    You bet - bulletproof coffee often has a couple of tablespoons of butter or coconut oil blended into it.
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    I try to be at around 100g which is actually very doable for me. I do have a higher carb breakfast which I think helps me stay on track and not feel sluggish.
  • khristiana
    khristiana Posts: 131 Member
    My question on the high fat aspect; doesn't fat clog your arteries? Regardless of how much you eat? Over time it's got to be doing some nasty things to your insides.

    I prefer fruits and vegetables, including high carb :smile:
  • code_monkey0
    code_monkey0 Posts: 3 Member
    khristiana wrote: »
    My question on the high fat aspect; doesn't fat clog your arteries? Regardless of how much you eat? Over time it's got to be doing some nasty things to your insides.

    I prefer fruits and vegetables, including high carb :smile:

    Let me preface everything with a big, giant, I'M-NOT-AN-EXPERT-BY-ANY-STRETCH-OF-THE-IMAGINATION. With that said, for sure eat however/whatever gets you where you're trying to go. If you prefer fruits and veggies to steak and bacon then have at it. To answer your question about relationships between high fat diets and heart disease, it seems that that's not really the case (study). Basically they studied 350,000 people (11,000 developed heart disease) and couldn't find a causal relationship between consumption of saturated fats and heart disease.

    Here's a recent Forbes article talking about how high fat diets are being proven more healthy than previously thought. They go on to say, "Research has shown that high-carb diets, which have typically been the fallout of the low-fat movement, increase the risk of metabolic dysfunction, obesity, and even heart disease – all the things that low-fat diets were supposed to address." The distinction, if you read the article, is largely about eschewing fat to eat processed carbs - the example they give is banning whole milk in schools while serving fat-free milk with tons of added sugar.
  • dontgiveup2319
    dontgiveup2319 Posts: 145 Member
    I would love to do a low carb diet but some of the veggies I enjoy have more carbs than the others...I love my veggies and fruit. Not sure how long I'd last on the low carb but wanting to try sometime
  • dontgiveup2319
    dontgiveup2319 Posts: 145 Member
    Lizzy622 wrote: »
    I try to be at around 100g which is actually very doable for me. I do have a higher carb breakfast which I think helps me stay on track and not feel sluggish.

    So would you lose if you consume around 100g of carbs? I think I eat 100g-170g of carbs a day. I don't lose weight that fast but slower is better from what people say on here...
  • jaywirth88
    jaywirth88 Posts: 66 Member
    I have been eating between 50 and 100g of carbs a day and have averaged 2 lbs down a week. It gives me plenty of wiggle room for the fruits and veggies that i love, but all grains are completely out. I never really feel hungry either, so this is perfect for me!
  • mwyvr
    mwyvr Posts: 1,883 Member
    Lizzy622 wrote: »
    I try to be at around 100g which is actually very doable for me. I do have a higher carb breakfast which I think helps me stay on track and not feel sluggish.

    So would you lose if you consume around 100g of carbs? I think I eat 100g-170g of carbs a day. I don't lose weight that fast but slower is better from what people say on here...

    I've lost 78 pounds, most of that in 10 months (so just under 2 pounds a week) and through that period I was essentially eating a lower (not "low") carb diet consuming 100 - 150g carbs per day (my 90 day average on MFP is 118g). I set my target at 35% and don't worry too much if I'm over a bit.

    Because I get a fair amount of aerobic exercise in each week (800-1500 calories 5 or 6 times a week - I'm a runner) many would consider my carb intake as low in that context but I find I perform just fine even on runs of 2 - 3 hours.

    As a macro percentage that's 35% carbs.

    Carbs from vegetables and legumes I simply do not worry about because I'm getting other nutrients from those sources too. Mostly I've restricted bread intake because I'm not getting much else with those calories.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    jaywirth88 wrote: »
    I am staying in the 50-100 carb range. I keep hearing about 'high fat' but exactly what range of fat should i be eating?

    up to 100 grams a day off the top of my head. Less if you don't lose.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    khristiana wrote: »
    My question on the high fat aspect; doesn't fat clog your arteries? Regardless of how much you eat? Over time it's got to be doing some nasty things to your insides.

    No. Talk to a pathologist, there is no "fat clogs your arteries" it's a simplistic message with no basis in anything.
  • wible404
    wible404 Posts: 14 Member
    edited September 2015
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    wible404 wrote: »
    Kitnthecat wrote: »
    I aim for 75% of my calories from fat, but when I go very low carb ( under 20g daily) my fat intake is more like 80%. Once you become fat adapted, cravings go away and this lifestyle is incredibly easy to maintain. Eat enough protein, very few carbs and fat to satiety. As long as I get enough fat, I can go for long periods of time without eating, without even thinking of eating.

    My usually day starts off with Bulletproof coffee made with 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, .5-1 Tbsp MCT oil, and maybe 1 Tbsp heavy cream. This keeps me going all day long until supper which is usually meat with a low G.I veggies slathered in butter.

    Did I read that right?? Butter in your coffee?

    You bet - bulletproof coffee often has a couple of tablespoons of butter or coconut oil blended into it.

  • KittensMaster
    KittensMaster Posts: 748 Member
    wible404 wrote: »
    Thanks! I've been counting cals and working out 5 days a week and lost nothing. Went to the doc for help and he recommended low carb. Started it yesterday, feeling really sluggish today. I'm sure that'll pass as I get used to it

    It may take getting used to

    I'm on the way to being literally half of my starting weight.

    Low carb worked because of insulin resistance issues

    But like you I also watched total calories and exercised

    It mainly helped me feel full by eating more veggies

    So feeling full in a calorie deficit and exercising worked great!

    I hope you find what works for you.

    Just remember that low carb still needs a calorie deficit to drop poundage.

    If your body likes it and you stick with it, it will work!
  • Melmo1988
    Melmo1988 Posts: 293 Member
    wible404 wrote: »
    Thanks! I've been counting cals and working out 5 days a week and lost nothing. Went to the doc for help and he recommended low carb. Started it yesterday, feeling really sluggish today. I'm sure that'll pass as I get used to it


    I started on the 5th and on day 4 I felt the worst. Headache, extreme fatigue, lightheaded and dizzy, nauseous.It's day 5 and I'm feeling better. Still waiting on the energy though lol
  • Merrysix
    Merrysix Posts: 336 Member
    I eat a lower carb/higher protein diet (from 50 to 100 g carbs depending on how heavy I lift weights and whatever else exercise I do. The first 3 days are always very hard (like a detox) and it usually takes about 30 days to start feeling really, really good. But it is worth it. I usually eat around 1500 calories /day depending on exercise, and lost about 1 pound per week -- pretty good as I am over 60.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    khristiana wrote: »
    My question on the high fat aspect; doesn't fat clog your arteries? Regardless of how much you eat? Over time it's got to be doing some nasty things to your insides.

    I prefer fruits and vegetables, including high carb :smile:

    Let me preface everything with a big, giant, I'M-NOT-AN-EXPERT-BY-ANY-STRETCH-OF-THE-IMAGINATION. With that said, for sure eat however/whatever gets you where you're trying to go. If you prefer fruits and veggies to steak and bacon then have at it. To answer your question about relationships between high fat diets and heart disease, it seems that that's not really the case (study). Basically they studied 350,000 people (11,000 developed heart disease) and couldn't find a causal relationship between consumption of saturated fats and heart disease.

    Here's a recent Forbes article talking about how high fat diets are being proven more healthy than previously thought. They go on to say, "Research has shown that high-carb diets, which have typically been the fallout of the low-fat movement, increase the risk of metabolic dysfunction, obesity, and even heart disease – all the things that low-fat diets were supposed to address." The distinction, if you read the article, is largely about eschewing fat to eat processed carbs - the example they give is banning whole milk in schools while serving fat-free milk with tons of added sugar.

    they don't add sugar to fat-free milk....whatever article you are reading is full of shite. sugar does get added to a lot of fat free things...dairy isn't one of them. there is like a gram or two more sugar (naturally occurring lactose) in fat free milk vs regular due to the process of skimming the fat...because they skim the fat, they have to use more milk to get the same volume...and thus more lactose would be inherently present....

  • khristiana
    khristiana Posts: 131 Member
    I believe you should all watch the documentary Forks over Knives.
  • Melmo1988
    Melmo1988 Posts: 293 Member
    ^^i own it and have seen it many times. Doesn't mean it's true or works for everyone
  • nljoyce104
    nljoyce104 Posts: 2 Member
    wible404 wrote: »
    Thanks! I've been counting cals and working out 5 days a week and lost nothing. Went to the doc for help and he recommended low carb. Started it yesterday, feeling really sluggish today. I'm sure that'll pass as I get used to it

    Low carb is a tough diet to be on if you're on a high gym routine (more than 3 times a week). It's a strange combination especially for women. Have you tried carb backloading? That may be more helpful since you work out a lot.

  • lodro
    lodro Posts: 982 Member
    khristiana wrote: »
    I believe you should all watch the documentary Forks over Knives.

    I'm vegetarian for religious reasons and I'm on a ketogenic diet.

  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    khristiana wrote: »
    I believe you should all watch the documentary Forks over Knives.

    why? the OP is asking about a low carb diet.