Carbs versus Fats. This site needs to update its recommendations.
Options
Replies
-
AlexandraCarlyle wrote: »Being born in the mid fifties I have seen the changes in diet advice.
<snip>
Whatever you find works for you is your system and if you can maintain your weight without extremes and feel happy; stick to it. Relying on exercise in my opinion is a very bad thing as if injured your intake is too high and harder to adjust down.
Great post, @boneuf; I too am a mid-late 50's 'child'. I am also Italian, and a trained cook (I won't say 'Chef' as I have never run, supervised or worked in a 'Professional' kitchen) and I was manager of an Italian Deli-cum-bistro for 5 years.
My problem regarding exercise, is that, due to a spinal injury 15 years ago, I have lost partial use of my lower left leg; the sciatic nerve is partly damaged and compromises my movement, which means a lot of sports or exercise is limited, as I can't support my weight on my leg sufficiently to walk, run, jog or do aerobics. A lot of exercise types are closed to me. I can swim, but again, my right leg does most of the work. I can cycle, but I feel a little insecure knowing that if I need to stop suddenly, putting my leg down to maintain balance is going to be risky, be it the left or right....
If anyone can suggest something at this point, I'd welcome input on that score, too!
Have you looked into recumbent cycles? They make them for outdoor use and that would take care of balance issues ...1 -
Oh noes...devil carbs!!!!
Never mind that blue zone regions of the world have carb heavy diets...healthiest populations in the world...15 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »Oh noes...devil carbs!!!!
Never mind that blue zone regions of the world have carb heavy diets...healthiest populations in the world...
And the 'carb-heavy diets' are... where, exactly?Family – put ahead of other concerns
Less smoking
Semi-vegetarianism – except for the Sardinian diet, the majority of food consumed is derived from plants
Constant moderate physical activity – an inseparable part of life
Social engagement – people of all ages are socially active and integrated into their communities
Legumes – commonly consumed
Buettner in his book provide a list of nine lessons, covering the lifestyle of blue zones people:[11]
Moderate, regular physical activity.
Life purpose.
Stress reduction.
Moderate calories intake.
Plant-based diet.
Moderate alcohol intake, especially wine.
Engagement in spirituality or religion.
Engagement in family life.
Engagement in social life.
From here:0 -
AlexandraCarlyle wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »Oh noes...devil carbs!!!!
Never mind that blue zone regions of the world have carb heavy diets...healthiest populations in the world...
And the 'carb-heavy diets' are... where, exactly?Family – put ahead of other concerns
Less smoking
Semi-vegetarianism – except for the Sardinian diet, the majority of food consumed is derived from plants
Constant moderate physical activity – an inseparable part of life
Social engagement – people of all ages are socially active and integrated into their communities
Legumes – commonly consumed
Buettner in his book provide a list of nine lessons, covering the lifestyle of blue zones people:[11]
Moderate, regular physical activity.
Life purpose.
Stress reduction.
Moderate calories intake.
Plant-based diet.
Moderate alcohol intake, especially wine.
Engagement in spirituality or religion.
Engagement in family life.
Engagement in social life.
From here:
Yeah...plenty of carbs in their diets...plant based diets tend to be heavier carb diets...
<<<eats plenty of carbs...is lean, healthy, and fit...very active...mostly whole foods based diet...plenty of carbs from things like oats, legumes, lentils, whole food starches, veg, and fruit....I also eat mostly fish for my "meat" and take in an appropriate amount of fat...6 -
In all things balance. This is not that hard.
1. Eat carbs but make sure that they are the kind of carbs that give real nutritional value and have fiber so that you don't feel hungry again in 10m.
2. Eat fat but not in a way that is wasteful like deep frying things. Eat fats that come with good things like nuts, avocados, cheese, or even bacon.
3. Eat protein, always and often, our bodies process animal proteins best but if you just cannot bare to eat a cube of cheese then go find some nuts or beans.
4. Food that is fresh takes more energy to process than food that is processed for you so eat fresh when you can.
5. Food is fuel but it has both a social and pleasure component and you have to develop methods that allow you to use it as only fuel most of the time so that the times that you use it for social or pleasure do not derail your progress.
Do all the above and you will have a healthy balanced diet that is maintainable long term.5 -
What the world eats
People have decided that carbs are the bad guy lately, and this is the current dogma. Carbs magically turn into body fat. Other foods don't do this. You can eat bacon 24/7 and you'll get skinny and toned, but if you look at a raspberry you'll have to buy two seats on an airplane. Also, if you stop eating gluten you'll gain 20 points on your IQ.
But weight gain comes from overeating and weight loss comes from having a calorie deficit. That's all there is to it. It's actually very simple, it seems way more confusing than it has to be because of all the woo.
I've lost about 75 pounds eating a carb rich diet.18 -
Relying on exercise in my opinion is a very bad thing as if injured your intake is too high and harder to adjust down.
People love to say this, and it makes a bit of sense at first blush. But in reality, it doesn't work like you'd think. For example, I was hit by a car while doing hill repeats on my bike. Wasn't able to walk for a couple of weeks without pain. Wasn't able to do any real exercise for a few months. My appetite shrank tremendously, probably because I suddenly wasn't burning so many calories, and didn't need to eat as many as a result. I kept losing weight through this sad period.1 -
AlexandraCarlyle wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »It is true that we don't actually need carbs (the body makes is own sugar from fat and protein), but as you say, carbs are found in a lot of foods that provide nutrients we do need, and those foods tend to be delicious, and people tend to like delicious food.
My point is that Fat per se isn't bad for you, but most dietary recommendations are that you cut it out or restrict intake, to specific fats (such as oils found in flax, olives, avocados and fish). Fats don't need to be reduced or eliminated. It's a globally-accepted premise, due to much influence from the 'wrong' quarters, but it;s a trend that seriously needs reversing.
And it's nothing new, either. But the voices that have needed to be heard, are only just being heard, now.
So interesting to be discussing this with you!
There absolutely was a low fat craze (1980's). But that is old fashioned thinking. I really don't believe most people think that way now.
The low carb brigade has been pretty vocal for decades; true it's on again/off again but it's been around since the 1970's.
I'm not low carb because I know (from experience) that's not how I will maintain.3 -
Moderate, regular physical activity.
Life purpose.
Stress reduction.
Moderate calories intake.
Plant-based diet.
Moderate alcohol intake, especially wine.
Engagement in spirituality or religion.
Engagement in family life.
Engagement in social life.
So regular exercise, not over-eating and a good amount of carbs.
Sounds a pretty reasonable idea to me. Wonder if it will ever catch on?
8 -
Moderate, regular physical activity.
Life purpose.
Stress reduction.
Moderate calories intake.
Plant-based diet.
Moderate alcohol intake, especially wine.
Engagement in spirituality or religion.
Engagement in family life.
Engagement in social life.
So regular exercise, not over-eating and a good a amount of carbs.
Sounds a pretty reasonable idea to me. Wonder if it will ever catch on?
7 -
AlexandraCarlyle wrote: »Current global research confirms that advice given by Government Health Bodies everywhere, is in serious need of review.
It now seems that Carbohydrates are the culprits, while Fats are the friends.
Sarah Hallsberg (a Doctor treating obesity and Diabetes, in the USA) has much to say, and furthermore, Dr Andreas Eenfeldt supports her assertions. To add, an article in a British Newspaper, puts it in black and white.
Even Time Magazine, as long ago as 2014, admitted they printed - and got it wrong. It's a long article. But well worth reading.
In brief, the way this site - and others - recommends weight loss seems, by current assertions, to be flawed.
And if any relief is wanted from the intensity of Science, you only need turn to Butter Bob, who has caused a little bit of a stir with his assertion that "Butter makes your Pants fall off!" videos. (They even wrote a song about it!)
However, even if I ignore guidelines outlined here, and reverse the quantities of fat and carbs recommended to me at my registration (40g and 150g daily, respectively) the assessment each day is going to show an inaccurate conclusion, because according to the way calories are counted on here, I'd be way off the path.
I have actually been following a LCHF diet for 2 weeks now and have lost 6 lbs. Butter Bob will give you a better run-down on the types of foods i've been eating, but sticking with his tried-and-tested formulas, and listening to the Medics, above, has certainly been an eye-opening experience.
Incidentally, my Husband, who is a type 2 Diabetes, has also been adhering to this regime, and has lost weight. If he carries on like this (his Doctor has said) he will come off his meds completely, and rid himself of Diabetes for good. All he will need to do, is continue with his new way of eating....
Please note: I'm sure people have lost a lot of weight by sticking with a specific regime recommended here. I'm merely putting forward the point that it may not all be as it has always been put to us....
How do other folks on here feel about this?
I've been following a near zero carb, near zero fat cut for six days, and have dropped 6.4 lbs. Neener neener.
What does this prove? Water loss happens pretty fast when carbohydrates are restricted.6 -
AlexandraCarlyle wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »It is true that we don't actually need carbs (the body makes is own sugar from fat and protein), but as you say, carbs are found in a lot of foods that provide nutrients we do need, and those foods tend to be delicious, and people tend to like delicious food.
My point is that Fat per se isn't bad for you, but most dietary recommendations are that you cut it out or restrict intake, to specific fats (such as oils found in flax, olives, avocados and fish). Fats don't need to be reduced or eliminated. It's a globally-accepted premise, due to much influence from the 'wrong' quarters, but it;s a trend that seriously needs reversing.
And it's nothing new, either. But the voices that have needed to be heard, are only just being heard, now.
So interesting to be discussing this with you!
The only fats that have been globally accepted as beneficial are MUFA. There is still a lot of debate over SFA and no one recommends transfats. There isn't enough evidence to suggest some unlimited quality of fats. It takes a lot of research before the government will make a sweeping change. And MFP is following the government stands. But to suggest that carbs are bad but fats are good, is utterly wrong. You can't sit there an tell me that quinoa, beans, rice, fruits and veggies are bad for you. What is bad for you, is an over abundance of calories, obesity and inactivity. Personally, if you find increasing fats and decreasing carbs is beneficial, you can certainly change it, but fats do not fill me up and I definitely struggle on my low carb days as compared to my high carb days (130g on LC days, and 320g on high carb days); fats just don't provide the volume I need.5 -
I have familial hypercholesterlemia. There is no debate to be had for me.
Fortunately, I can set my own macros here and have.
I follow a low fat plan, keep an eye on a protein goal (I aim to eat at least 100 grams per day) and fill in the rest with carbohydrates. I also, thanks to being able to customize what I see, follow my intake of saturated fat and be sure to keep this low.
Thanks to my diet, weight loss, and exercise, I have lowered my cholesterol to within regular range and I have good ratios. I do not need statins. I am very fortunate. A lot of people with FH are unable to do this. It helps that I've only inherited the gene from one parent.
ETA: On the heels of what psuLemon said, fats are not satiating for me. Protein and fiber and starch? Those three are my love language.0 -
Half the links in the first post only mention an insulin response with carbs and sugars.
Yet they were supposedly written by Doctors who should be smart enough to realise that your insulin spikes with proteins also.
Makes me not read any thing else they say.4 -
AlexandraCarlyle wrote: »Current global research confirms that advice given by Government Health Bodies everywhere, is in serious need of review.
It now seems that Carbohydrates are the culprits, while Fats are the friends.
How do other folks on here feel about this?
Carbohydrates are the culprits for what, and fats are the friends to whom?
2 -
WinoGelato wrote: »AlexandraCarlyle wrote: »Current global research confirms that advice given by Government Health Bodies everywhere, is in serious need of review.
It now seems that Carbohydrates are the culprits, while Fats are the friends.
How do other folks on here feel about this?
Carbohydrates are the culprits for what, and fats are the friends to whom?
The articles outline this.
Really interesting to see all the responses here, I must take a moment to thank you all for being so civil.
I posted a discussion on this subject in another (non-food-based) forum and I can't repeat some of the responses I got. Really.
I have no idea where people get off being so rude....0 -
AlexandraCarlyle wrote: »WinoGelato wrote: »AlexandraCarlyle wrote: »Current global research confirms that advice given by Government Health Bodies everywhere, is in serious need of review.
It now seems that Carbohydrates are the culprits, while Fats are the friends.
How do other folks on here feel about this?
Carbohydrates are the culprits for what, and fats are the friends to whom?
The articles outline this.
Really interesting to see all the responses here, I must take a moment to thank you all for being so civil.
I posted a discussion on this subject in another (non-food-based) forum and I can't repeat some of the responses I got. Really.
I have no idea where people get off being so rude....
Probably based on how you wrote the OP. You essentially tell people who are eating carbs that they are unhealthy because fat guidelines are erroneous, which completely ignores the healthiest countries in the world are 70% carb based, the amount of research already done to date and backed up your view with YouTube and NYT articles as opposed to scientific research.
In general, bashing one diet in support of another is pretty much not going to end well. At least that is the experience in my 5 years of modding this site.8 -
WinoGelato wrote: »AlexandraCarlyle wrote: »Current global research confirms that advice given by Government Health Bodies everywhere, is in serious need of review.
It now seems that Carbohydrates are the culprits, while Fats are the friends.
How do other folks on here feel about this?
Carbohydrates are the culprits for what, and fats are the friends to whom?
Interestingly, there are cultures that thrive on both.
My point being that contrary to what some might like to think (not you, WinoGelato), I don't think that there's 100% definitive answer to this debate.
I have seen reference made to some preliminary research pointing to there being a genetic factor behind which macro distribution best suits a certain individual.
We can only hope that more study is done to hone in on such a finding and put discussions like this to bed for once and for all. I've grown weary of the need for there to be a "winner" in these types of discussions. I know a lot of us have.
OP, you've found out how to set a macro distribution to suit your preferences. I wish you the best with your efforts.1 -
This site does need to update it's recommendations. I would love to be able to tweak my protein, carb and fat levels but there isn't an option (that I know of) to do so.0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.5K Getting Started
- 259.7K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 394 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 7.8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.3K MyFitnessPal Information
- 23 News and Announcements
- 940 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.3K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions