Are all carbs created equal?

tayusuki
tayusuki Posts: 194 Member
I've nosedived off the wagon for several months since I moved in with my boyfriend and his family. I had no issues before cause I didn't keep bad foods in the house and no one was offering me bad thing daily. Thus I'm trying to devise a game plan to get back on track.

Roughly a year ago when I discovered this WOE, the hardest thing for me to cut was soda. So I would work my calories around being able to have one a day. However, weight wouldn't budge. I was still within a low-carb range though. (probably 80g a day).

Once I cut the soda a day and replaced the 160 cal with food, the weight melted off. It was very confusing, because I'd stuck within my calorie range religiously beforehand.

Now that I'm working on myself again, I figured my best choice is to ignore calories for about a week and just focus on foods and being full while my body burns thru the excess carbs. I end up eating closer to a Keto lifestyle when im being good (probably 25-30 carbs), because I'm scared that if I go much higher the weight won't come off.

And then I look at my diary today. The foods aren't terrible but I'll have eaten 58g of carbs by the end of the day -- mostly veggies (mmmm).

Why do you think I couldn't lose the weight before even though my calories were spot on? Does the single soda make that much of a difference? Because if I consume lots of veggies and the carbs are where it was with the one soda, will it hinder me? I'm nervous that if my carbs creep up to what it is today, even if it's not breads and so forth, that I can't lose the weight.

I'm sorry for the essay, there's still points I'm unsure of and trying to learn about. I appreciate the patience of anyone reading and being willing to help. ;-;

Replies

  • hmikkola92
    hmikkola92 Posts: 169 Member
    As far as I know, you can't have any sugar. I'm not 100% on the exact reasoning, but I haven't had any trouble with diet cokes or sweetener in general.
  • tayusuki
    tayusuki Posts: 194 Member
    Yeah I'm not sure if it's the sugar that's the issue...Or the carbs overall. You may have a point!

    I'm really hoping that someone who has more knowledge or experience can help! >.<
  • tayusuki
    tayusuki Posts: 194 Member
    I do use scales and measuring cups! I learned that lesson when I first started eating this way.

    As for the kind of vegetables I eat, admittedly I do prefer mixed vegetables. I do focus on broccoli and cauliflower every now and again but they are not enjoyable for me. Which also means the carb count starts to add up a little
  • blambo61
    blambo61 Posts: 4,372 Member
    I've read certain things buffer the effects of eating carbs like fiber, protein eaten with the carbs, and also ACV is supposed to buffer it too.

    I've also read that if your insulin is high, you can't metabolize fat so if you drink a sugary soda, that sure should spike insulin and if that is true, that could be a cause.

    Other causes could possibly be you didn't measure accurately but sounds like you were trying to track that well.
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    It absolutely matters the kind of carbs.
    It's not about calories as much as the hormones.
    Your blood only has about 5g of glucose in it at one time. That's all it needs. If you provide something that hits the blood fast with more glucose than your body can use at that time, it gets stored as fat by insulin.
    Drinking a soda, which hits the blood fast and hard and also has a lot of fructose which gets stored as fat because your body can't use that kind of sugar, and eating green leafy veggies which will slowly become glucose without a bunch of fructose are entirely different things.
  • tayusuki
    tayusuki Posts: 194 Member
    That makes more sense! But can the body really not use fructose? I very well might be wrong, but isn't that also the sugar in fruit? (Or it is converted? I don't remember).

    I'm glad though it's the fact it was sugar -- might be able to relax more!
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    Dr Ludwig explains how the body processes fructose, yes the sugar in fruit.
    https://youtu.be/dBnniua6-oM
  • AlexandraCarlyle
    AlexandraCarlyle Posts: 1,603 Member
    edited April 2017
    No, not all carbs are created equal - and neither are calories.

    If you eat 300 calories' worth of protein, it's going to have a markedly different effect on your system than 300 calories' worth of carbs and/or sugars.

    As @RalfLott says, buy measuring cups/spoons, and a good pair of scales. but as to the last, do not obsess....

    To be honest, I have absolutely no deliberate carbs in my diet - I have cut out anything that is blatantly, obviously carb; that's pasta, rice, potatoes, bread, any wheat products, and anything overly starch-ridden.
  • motorcyclekopp
    motorcyclekopp Posts: 96 Member
    I've recently started drinking Zevia. They are a bit pricey, but if you find them on sale then it's not too bad. They got their own versions​ of most of the popular soda flavors. I personally really like their Dr Pepper & Root Beer versions (not too fond of their Mt Dew version though). And I've verified with my breathalyzer & sticks (and the scale & tape measure) that drinking them doesn't affect my weight & fat loss.
  • tayusuki
    tayusuki Posts: 194 Member
    Coolio.

    Like I said portions and so forth isn't the problem.

    But rather I noticed when I first started that drinking one soda was enough to keep me from losing weight even though I was within my calorie goal.

    So my concern was if it's the sugar or carbs. Because if I eat that much carbs from other sources, I don't want my weight to stall
  • TravellerRay
    TravellerRay Posts: 94 Member
    The one that seems unfair to me, is that there are carbs in carrots. This is one of my major foods. Am starting to cut back on them but surely carrots should be good for you?
  • RalfLott
    RalfLott Posts: 5,036 Member
    The one that seems unfair to me, is that there are carbs in carrots. This is one of my major foods. Am starting to cut back on them but surely carrots should be good for you?

    So should... milkshakes! (For starters...)
  • kpk54
    kpk54 Posts: 4,474 Member
    I ate piles of vegetables during weight loss including carrots and beets and had no problem losing weight. Today, eating keto level of carbs, I pout (sometimes) when I have to skimp on the carrots in a pot roast.
  • AlexandraCarlyle
    AlexandraCarlyle Posts: 1,603 Member
    [/url]
    The one that seems unfair to me, is that there are carbs in carrots. This is one of my major foods. Am starting to cut back on them but surely carrots should be good for you?

    Spiralise your carrots. Don't include the central core which is where all the sugar is stored.... As I've said before, it seems a dreadful waste - but I want my waist!
    This is a handy little gizmo - I use it all the time.

  • tayusuki
    tayusuki Posts: 194 Member
    [/url]
    The one that seems unfair to me, is that there are carbs in carrots. This is one of my major foods. Am starting to cut back on them but surely carrots should be good for you?

    Spiralise your carrots. Don't include the central core which is where all the sugar is stored.... As I've said before, it seems a dreadful waste - but I want my waist!
    This is a handy little gizmo - I use it all the time.

    I have the spirally thing too!! I didn't know that's where all the sugar is. Maybe we can kinda core them like you might an apple?
  • AlexandraCarlyle
    AlexandraCarlyle Posts: 1,603 Member
    As long as you use the darker, more opaque 'flesh' alone, and leave the more translucent central core out, your carb intake will be reduced. Insofar as counting the carrot calories are concerned, i simply note half the amount, rather than registering use of a whole carrot....
  • bjwoodzy
    bjwoodzy Posts: 593 Member
    "mixed vegetables" brings to mind the Green Giant frozen pack or the Libby ones in the can, which is mostly carrots, peas, and corn, and sometimes little potato hunks. All not ideal veggies at all. I mean, obviously, 2 shavings of carrot in a bag of salad greens or shredded cabbage mix isn't going to throw anyone out of ketosis, but eating peas, carrots, and corn regularly instead of other veggies would be something I'd question.

    I prefer to stick to as green and/or leafy as possible. Spinach, green beans, broccoli, cabbage, collards/mustard greens, baby greens/romaine/Boston/arugula/green leaf lettuces, all have a place in my crisper drawer week in and week out. Usually, the green beans and broccoli switch places and only hang out in there one at at time--the rotation depending upon what's on sale/in season at my store that week.

    Oh, and celery and cucumbers (with the skins on them both). I lurve celery and cucumbers.



  • MyriiStorm
    MyriiStorm Posts: 609 Member
    The one that seems unfair to me, is that there are carbs in carrots. This is one of my major foods. Am starting to cut back on them but surely carrots should be good for you?

    I giggled when I read your post. You need to read this: https://whole30.com/2012/08/carrot-train-to-crazytown/
  • EryOaker
    EryOaker Posts: 434 Member
    Type of carb matters! If the carb is a low G.I. Carb like almonds that doesn't instantly spike your blood sugar, your body is going to react differently. If I go over on my carbs, it is at least Keto approved carbs. I also experienced gastrointestinal distress the one time I went completely off the path and had popcorn and peanut m&m's and Swedish fish at the movie theater. Granted, this was a planned cheat and I carb fasted the day before and after.... but I felt like *kitten* for 48 hours after. Won't do that ever again!
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    If you stick to these veggies, you will be golden!
    wu3u5p5ac8k1.png
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    tayusuki wrote: »
    Yeah I'm not sure if it's the sugar that's the issue...Or the carbs overall. You may have a point!

    I'm really hoping that someone who has more knowledge or experience can help! >.<

    @tayusuki out of the blue I came up on the link at the bottom tonight when reading some research. Perhaps is is not just the sugar/carbs in soda but perhaps there is really an "acid" factor or other toxic like factor.

    Sounds like you are making great progress. Best of success.

    There was some stuff on page 14 and 20 in the ebook below was talking about why we can not some time lose weight as well. It was on page 20 where it talked about some German research on the dehydration factor. Sodas could pay into poor hydration. Do not let what you read get you off track and it got my interest because it was talking about factors I never really read much about before.

    nhe.net/ebook/CleanArteriesForever.pdf
  • EryOaker
    EryOaker Posts: 434 Member
    If you stick to these veggies, you will be golden!
    wu3u5p5ac8k1.png

    Where did you get this picture? Is there a link? I tried to save it but it won't save from here.
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    CRZYFTM wrote: »
    If you stick to these veggies, you will be golden!
    wu3u5p5ac8k1.png

    Where did you get this picture? Is there a link? I tried to save it but it won't save from here.

    I got it off Ted Naiman's twitter
    Maybe it's on his website too. Not sure about that.
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    Here's a link to it in my Dropbox if you can save it that way.
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/rgxpzo9h8s12v59/File Apr 17, 7 30 52 PM.png?dl=0
  • EryOaker
    EryOaker Posts: 434 Member
    Here's a link to it in my Dropbox if you can save it that way.
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/rgxpzo9h8s12v59/File Apr 17, 7 30 52 PM.png?dl=0

    Thx!!!!
  • TravellerRay
    TravellerRay Posts: 94 Member
    MyriiStorm wrote: »
    The one that seems unfair to me, is that there are carbs in carrots. This is one of my major foods. Am starting to cut back on them but surely carrots should be good for you?

    I giggled when I read your post. You need to read this: https://whole30.com/2012/08/carrot-train-to-crazytown/

    And you have returned the laughs. Thanks for that one