Why carbs during weight loss?

L0Lnikki
L0Lnikki Posts: 41 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Why does this app want me to eat so much carbs? Do they burn the most during exercise?

Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    edited July 2017
    What do you call 'so much'? MFP default is 50% isn't it?
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    The app doesn't "want" you to do anything, it's simply giving you a goal based on nutritional recommendations for fat and protein. You can adjust it if you want more protein or fat, but there's no reason to avoid or minimize carbohydrates during weight loss unless it makes it easier for you to meet your calorie goal.

    That said, carbohydrates are an excellent macronutrient to eat if you're exercising regularly and they're abundant in awesome foods like vegetables, grains, beans, and fruit.
  • toxikon
    toxikon Posts: 2,383 Member
    It gives you a default. You can customize your macros to whatever you want. Some people like to eat lots of carbs, others don't. It wont affect your weight loss either way.
  • L0Lnikki
    L0Lnikki Posts: 41 Member
    I was under the impression that carbs are what you want little of during weight loss. Understand if it's wanted during exercises, just wanted to clear things up as I am new to this fitness lifestyle.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    L0Lnikki wrote: »
    I was under the impression that carbs are what you want little of during weight loss. Understand if it's wanted during exercises, just wanted to clear things up as I am new to this fitness lifestyle.

    Macro Splits aren't as important as calories. Adjust them as you like in order to balance micronutrient requirements and fullness(satiety)
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    L0Lnikki wrote: »
    I was under the impression that carbs are what you want little of during weight loss. Understand if it's wanted during exercises, just wanted to clear things up as I am new to this fitness lifestyle.

    Calories in vs. calories out....not carbs in vs. carbs out. If you have medical issues, then of course....monitor your carbs.

    Lifestyle......is low carb going to be something you use just to lose weight? OR Would low carb be something you use to lose weight AND keep the weight off.

    I don't low carb because that's not how I would maintain. My lifestyle change is eating less (watching portions) for all kinds of foods and moving more.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    L0Lnikki wrote: »
    I was under the impression that carbs are what you want little of during weight loss. Understand if it's wanted during exercises, just wanted to clear things up as I am new to this fitness lifestyle.

    Calories are what matter for weight management of any kind...a low carb diet works on the same premise as any other diet...reduction in calories. I keep protein and fat relatively constant whether I'm cutting weight or maintaining...something has to give, so that something is usually a reduction in carbs when I cut. I don't do keto or super low carb or anything like that though.

    For some people, low carb is just an easier way to go about things.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    L0Lnikki wrote: »
    Why does this app want me to eat so much carbs? Do they burn the most during exercise?

    You can change the percentages here:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/my_goals
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    L0Lnikki wrote: »
    I was under the impression that carbs are what you want little of during weight loss. Understand if it's wanted during exercises, just wanted to clear things up as I am new to this fitness lifestyle.

    No, lots of people (including myself) have had success losing weight while eating at or even above MFP's carbohydrate recommendations. Cutting carbohydrates is only worthwhile if it makes it easier for you to meet your calorie goals.
  • chelllsea124
    chelllsea124 Posts: 336 Member
    I tried to cut all carbs out at first and my body hated me for it. I've recently started adding them back in. I've lost 20 pounds in 3 months, so i guess i'm doing something right! lol
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    edited July 2017
    I usually hover around 150g of carbs a day, roughly 32%. 50% is a tad overkill for me.

    ETA: Just change your carb % to whatever you want.
  • L0Lnikki
    L0Lnikki Posts: 41 Member
    TeaBea wrote: »
    L0Lnikki wrote: »
    I was under the impression that carbs are what you want little of during weight loss. Understand if it's wanted during exercises, just wanted to clear things up as I am new to this fitness lifestyle.

    Calories in vs. calories out....not carbs in vs. carbs out. If you have medical issues, then of course....monitor your carbs.

    Lifestyle......is low carb going to be something you use just to lose weight? OR Would low carb be something you use to lose weight AND keep the weight off.

    I don't low carb because that's not how I would maintain. My lifestyle change is eating less (watching portions) for all kinds of foods and moving more.

    In all honesty, I'm not sure what to do. To change it or not to change it. I have been definitely cutting them into small portions & not eating them for breakfast, limit on lunch. Not sure what works for me yet since it's only been 2/3 weeks. I work out on a stationary bike for an hour, having a good amount of carbs for all that would be great right? Thank you for your input
  • L0Lnikki
    L0Lnikki Posts: 41 Member
    Thank you for all your inputs!
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    I didn't lower them for any reason other than I'm not a naturally high carb eater. I gravitate more toward high protein and fat foods, so i changed the setting to better reflect that.
  • Ejcejcejc
    Ejcejcejc Posts: 26 Member
    My advice regardless of the method you choose to loose or maintain is to keep reading, researching, comparing trusted sources of info and then making your choices. A moderate keto diet (medically supervised) has been my method for losing and I am working on creating my maintenance plan which will change over time I am sure.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories