Do I NEED to go low carb to lose weight?
RTH65
Posts: 5 Member
Hi all, so I haven't been very consistent using MFP but I'm going to try again. I need your help because i really don't know what I'm doing with regards to nutrition.
Rice is such a massive part of my diet especially since my background is south Asian. And to cut out rice, bread pasta etc is really proving to be difficult. I have so much weight to lose and it's so demotivating that nothing is going.
Any south Asians out there that can help me?
And is low carb healthy for the body? I've noticed it really impacts me and that's another reason why I'm not keen on going low carb.
Hope someone can help!
Rice is such a massive part of my diet especially since my background is south Asian. And to cut out rice, bread pasta etc is really proving to be difficult. I have so much weight to lose and it's so demotivating that nothing is going.
Any south Asians out there that can help me?
And is low carb healthy for the body? I've noticed it really impacts me and that's another reason why I'm not keen on going low carb.
Hope someone can help!
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Replies
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There is no reason to cut out the carbs. Weight loss is all about eating less calories than you burn. Just make sure you weigh your rice out before cooking to be more accurate with the portion size.0
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I'm Asian. I don't low carb, but I've successfully substituted cauliflower 'rice' for regular rice. http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-cauliflower-rice-couscous-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-203344
Weighing out portion sizes for rice really helps. You can also try substituting with a more nutritious grain or one that's lower in calories, like maybe brown rice, or quinoa. Then you get carbs but also the protein from the quinoa etc. For bread, I consider chapati pretty nutritious, you can make it with chickpea flour or some kind of whole wheat flour.0 -
You do not need to cut out carbs from your diet. Just try and eat healthier versions of it, like brown rice or quinoa, integral bread... The important thing to lose weight is calories in vs calories out. As long as you are aware of how much calories you are eating and burning, you should lose weight without restricting your self.0
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Short of a medical condition, there is no need to go low carb, it's a preference thing, and it doesn't sound like it would work for you.
Sustained weight loss is 100% about calories in vs calories out.0 -
I am high carb. But I pick healthier carbs like plain oatmeal, sweet potatoes, beans, whole grains. It's all about calories..... all about calories. So, start logging your food.
You have got to try Quinoa !0 -
Eat much smaller portions of the rice and bread. You can do this!0
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Hi all, so I haven't been very consistent using MFP but I'm going to try again. I need your help because i really don't know what I'm doing with regards to nutrition.
Rice is such a massive part of my diet especially since my background is south Asian. And to cut out rice, bread pasta etc is really proving to be difficult. I have so much weight to lose and it's so demotivating that nothing is going.
Any south Asians out there that can help me?
And is low carb healthy for the body? I've noticed it really impacts me and that's another reason why I'm not keen on going low carb.
Hope someone can help!
The bold is a large part of the problem, not carbs. If you discover that low carb is how you successfully cut calories, then ok.
As someone that does very low carb, you can't just "sort of" do it. You either need to do it or don't. It sounds like you don't want to do it, so don't. You can cut back carbs, if you feel the need, but it's not required to lose weight. A calorie deficit is required to lose weight. Cutting back carbs is just one way to do it.
Be consistent with your measuring and logging. That will give you an idea of where you can make small cuts. Sometimes, that's all that's necessary. If you make the necessary cuts to your calories and you still don't lose, that's likely a medical issue and you should see a doctor.
I'm a fan of lab work as a baseline. Sometimes, you can have a nutrient deficiency that can negatively impact weight loss. If you start with a baseline set of blood work, you can also see improvements as your diet and health improve, because the scale number isn't the only measure of success.
Good luck.0 -
I'm not Asian but I have a huge appetite for carbs since...forever. I eat white rice at almost every work day meal and losing weight just fine! Portion control is everything. I make one serving if rice and mix it with one serving of non starch veggies plus one serving of protein like egg or meat. Top it with a low calorie sauce like salsa or homemade mushroom sauce (water, mushrooms, seasonings, cook down until it thickens). Fills me up til my next meal. 1 serving if rice doesn't look like a lot by itself but once you bulk it with the veggies it will fill you up!
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Unless you've been advised to lower carbs by a Dr. then you don't need to. But, most people find protein and fat more satiating than carbs. I eat a lot of carbs but I make sure to eat protein with them (usually). And I set a high fiber goal because fiber really helps keep me full for a long time. I like to add ground flax seed to rice dishes to up the fiber content.0
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Weight loss comes down to calories not carbs.
Low carb has its place, for example some people with medical conditions benefit from a lower carb diet. But it's absolutely not necessary for weight loss.
I lost all my weight and have been maintaining my goal weight for 2+ yrs so far while eating carbs. Carbs don't cause people to gain weight or not lose weight. That's a myth.
For weight loss all you need is a calorie deficit . eat less then you burn and you'll lose weight. Get yourself a food scale, learn how to weigh and log you foods.0 -
No you do not have to go low carb, but you could if you want to. In order to lose weight, you just have to eat at a calorie deficit, no matter what you're eating
Rice is actually something I consume very often, and found easy to moderate. I bought a single cup rice cooker from Amazon and cook 1/4 cup or 49g of rice at a time, and use it for meals however I need to. Once that serving is gone, I'm not waiting 30 minutes to boil a new batch, so. I've even done the packaged seasoned rice that makes about three servings at once and have been doing fairly well with that, too
No need to eliminate any food - eat what you like, but you'll need to figure out how to do it all at a deficit, in order to lose weight0 -
Hi all, so I haven't been very consistent using MFP but I'm going to try again. I need your help because i really don't know what I'm doing with regards to nutrition.
Rice is such a massive part of my diet especially since my background is south Asian. And to cut out rice, bread pasta etc is really proving to be difficult. I have so much weight to lose and it's so demotivating that nothing is going.
Any south Asians out there that can help me?
And is low carb healthy for the body? I've noticed it really impacts me and that's another reason why I'm not keen on going low carb.
Hope someone can help!
The bold is a large part of the problem, not carbs. If you discover that low carb is how you successfully cut calories, then ok.
As someone that does very low carb, you can't just "sort of" do it. You either need to do it or don't. It sounds like you don't want to do it, so don't. You can cut back carbs, if you feel the need, but it's not required to lose weight. A calorie deficit is required to lose weight. Cutting back carbs is just one way to do it.
Be consistent with your measuring and logging. That will give you an idea of where you can make small cuts. Sometimes, that's all that's necessary. If you make the necessary cuts to your calories and you still don't lose, that's likely a medical issue and you should see a doctor.
I'm a fan of lab work as a baseline. Sometimes, you can have a nutrient deficiency that can negatively impact weight loss. If you start with a baseline set of blood work, you can also see improvements as your diet and health improve, because the scale number isn't the only measure of success.
Good luck.
this is pretty on point.
The only thing I would sort of side eye is- the 'do it or don't" bit. Only because When I'm cutting I do low carbish- but not for keto- mostly for controlling calories- they are just calorie heavy- but I still eat them. If you're trying to go keto- then yes- it's a "do it or don't"0 -
No. You simply have to eat less calories than you burn. The MFP food diary is set up that way and it's simple.0
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Nope! all you need to do is eat less calories than you burn.0
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I'm asian too. I find alternatives...sweet potato. Brown jasmine rice. Quinoa. You don't have to cut carbs out completely. Just eat it moderately in smaller portion.0
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Hi all, so I haven't been very consistent using MFP but I'm going to try again. I need your help because i really don't know what I'm doing with regards to nutrition.
Rice is such a massive part of my diet especially since my background is south Asian. And to cut out rice, bread pasta etc is really proving to be difficult. I have so much weight to lose and it's so demotivating that nothing is going.
Any south Asians out there that can help me?
And is low carb healthy for the body? I've noticed it really impacts me and that's another reason why I'm not keen on going low carb.
Hope someone can help!
The bold is a large part of the problem, not carbs. If you discover that low carb is how you successfully cut calories, then ok.
As someone that does very low carb, you can't just "sort of" do it. You either need to do it or don't. It sounds like you don't want to do it, so don't. You can cut back carbs, if you feel the need, but it's not required to lose weight. A calorie deficit is required to lose weight. Cutting back carbs is just one way to do it.
Be consistent with your measuring and logging. That will give you an idea of where you can make small cuts. Sometimes, that's all that's necessary. If you make the necessary cuts to your calories and you still don't lose, that's likely a medical issue and you should see a doctor.
I'm a fan of lab work as a baseline. Sometimes, you can have a nutrient deficiency that can negatively impact weight loss. If you start with a baseline set of blood work, you can also see improvements as your diet and health improve, because the scale number isn't the only measure of success.
Good luck.
this is pretty on point.
The only thing I would sort of side eye is- the 'do it or don't" bit. Only because When I'm cutting I do low carbish- but not for keto- mostly for controlling calories- they are just calorie heavy- but I still eat them. If you're trying to go keto- then yes- it's a "do it or don't"
Yeah, could have worded that better. I meant "do it or don't" for a keto level of low carb. For lower carb, as in lower than SAD, whatever works. Keto is pretty much all in.0 -
Hi all, so I haven't been very consistent using MFP but I'm going to try again. I need your help because i really don't know what I'm doing with regards to nutrition.
Rice is such a massive part of my diet especially since my background is south Asian. And to cut out rice, bread pasta etc is really proving to be difficult. I have so much weight to lose and it's so demotivating that nothing is going.
Any south Asians out there that can help me?
And is low carb healthy for the body? I've noticed it really impacts me and that's another reason why I'm not keen on going low carb.
Hope someone can help!
The bold is a large part of the problem, not carbs. If you discover that low carb is how you successfully cut calories, then ok.
As someone that does very low carb, you can't just "sort of" do it. You either need to do it or don't. It sounds like you don't want to do it, so don't. You can cut back carbs, if you feel the need, but it's not required to lose weight. A calorie deficit is required to lose weight. Cutting back carbs is just one way to do it.
Be consistent with your measuring and logging. That will give you an idea of where you can make small cuts. Sometimes, that's all that's necessary. If you make the necessary cuts to your calories and you still don't lose, that's likely a medical issue and you should see a doctor.
I'm a fan of lab work as a baseline. Sometimes, you can have a nutrient deficiency that can negatively impact weight loss. If you start with a baseline set of blood work, you can also see improvements as your diet and health improve, because the scale number isn't the only measure of success.
Good luck.
this is pretty on point.
The only thing I would sort of side eye is- the 'do it or don't" bit. Only because When I'm cutting I do low carbish- but not for keto- mostly for controlling calories- they are just calorie heavy- but I still eat them. If you're trying to go keto- then yes- it's a "do it or don't"
Yeah, could have worded that better. I meant "do it or don't" for a keto level of low carb. For lower carb, as in lower than SAD, whatever works. Keto is pretty much all in.
I kind of felt like that's what you were saying- but just wanted to be clear
But I consider myself low-carbish- only again- b/c carbs = $$$$ in terms of calories- so when cutting they go away other than ice cream LOL0 -
you need to be consistent....you don't need to low carb. be consistent and manage your portions of everything appropriately.0
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Unless you've been advised to lower carbs by a Dr. then you don't need to. But, most people find protein and fat more satiating than carbs. I eat a lot of carbs but I make sure to eat protein with them (usually). And I set a high fiber goal because fiber really helps keep me full for a long time. I like to add ground flax seed to rice dishes to up the fiber content.
Actually, medical literature typically finds that fat is the least sating (protein being the most) leaving carbohydrate in-between. url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8475895"]ref[/url
On the other hand, if you control for calorie density, then fat versus carbohydrate show no significant difference. url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10721887"]ref[/url. Fat is least sating because it is the most energy dense, but it's the overall energy density that matters most in terms of satiety.0 -
Do what works for you. We ate tons of rice for years, and still eat a decent bit. But over time we found some alternatives that are higher in protein and similar as a side dish. We actually like Farro, don't care much for Quinoa, but there are other choices.
The level of carbs you take in is up to you. Personally I find that most carbs in our diet are the lowest form of food and used more as just filling up carbs and not my stomach. But not always. I tend to lean more towards the proteins and fats as the things that I want to hit first if I want to stay satisfied after a meal.0 -
Thanks everyone for your comments. I really appreciate it!0
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Short answer - No.
Longer answer - A low-carb diet won't make you lose weight any faster than any other way of eating, given equal calories between them. Nothing wrong with doing it if it works better for personal preference, satiety or adherence, but it's certainly not necessary in any way, shape or form. Some like it better, others find it difficult to adhere to. The best diet for weight loss is whichever one that will allow you to stick to your calories most consistently and provide the most satiety.0 -
Cutting out and overly restricting carbs just set me up for carb binges. Like others have said, I try to eat them in moderation and be wise about selection of them. I like some fruits like clementines, occasional apple, berries. I like oats. Sweet potato. Those are my main carb sources aside from vegetables and pb2 having some carbs in it. Otherwise I tried to increase my proteins (chicken, tuna, salmon, greek yogurt, tilapia) recently & heslthy fats (almonds, avacado) mostly. Been helpful. The less carbs the less sugar cravings I found too though.0
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I'm not having much trouble controlling my energy intake even though my diet has a large percentage of rice. i eat white basmati rice and its only 1000 kJ (225-250 cal) for 200g (takes up half the plate i use) which is pretty good. Controlling the amount of meat i can eat is far harder for me. Oh and avoiding bad snacks of course.0
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I'm South-east Asian. Yes, rice, bread and pasta are really hard to avoid (rice particularly has been THE staple food in my daily life). I've been trying to cut them, lessening the portion daily... can't run away from them.0
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