Carbs, no carbs....I’m so confused

Southpawcj
Southpawcj Posts: 12 Member
edited November 24 in Health and Weight Loss
I am still pretty new to MFP premium. I am trying to get a good game plan and I am so confused. I know that low carb, high protein diets are what some people do while others say it’s all about calories. I’d surely welcome some thoughts and suggestions. Thanks so much!

Replies

  • Southpawcj
    Southpawcj Posts: 12 Member
    Oh my stars! I never dreamed I’d get so much help and so quickly! I want to thank y’all so very much for your guidance! Y’all are great!
  • Southpawcj
    Southpawcj Posts: 12 Member
    One quick question.....what are you thoughts on diet drinks/diet sodas??
  • 100_PROOF_
    100_PROOF_ Posts: 1,168 Member
    I enjoy a diet soda every afternoon with my lunch. It's zero calories and tastes good, I get bored with plain water.
    A well balanced diet with my plenty of nutrient dense foods still can make room for snacks and treats . If you want a regular pop , that is fine too. Just make room for it in your calorie allotment. I don't have much room so pick a diet soda instead.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    megs_1985 wrote: »
    Southpawcj wrote: »
    One quick question.....what are you thoughts on diet drinks/diet sodas??

    They have no calories, so they have no bad effect on your weight loss.

    Some people claim that the artificial sweeteners make them crave sugar and then they overeat, but I have not found that to be the case with me personally.

    Scientists think the sweetness tricks your brain into releasing insulin anyway in preparation of the incoming sugar but then when it’s not there you just have extra insulin floating around which may or may not lead to insulin sensitivy. I’m sure having too many could be bad for this reason but if it’s something you like then having it in moderation probably won’t do any long term damage.

    They may be a theory that espouses that but all the theories regarding diet beverages so far have shown nothing more than a corollary relationship between diet beverages and weight gain and nothing causative regarding insulin triggers or anything else. Correlation =/= causation.
  • musicfan68
    musicfan68 Posts: 1,143 Member
    Southpawcj wrote: »
    One quick question.....what are you thoughts on diet drinks/diet sodas??

    Do a search in the forums for it. There have been numerous discussions.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    kimny72 wrote: »
    megs_1985 wrote: »
    Southpawcj wrote: »
    One quick question.....what are you thoughts on diet drinks/diet sodas??

    They have no calories, so they have no bad effect on your weight loss.

    Some people claim that the artificial sweeteners make them crave sugar and then they overeat, but I have not found that to be the case with me personally.

    Scientists think the sweetness tricks your brain into releasing insulin anyway in preparation of the incoming sugar but then when it’s not there you just have extra insulin floating around which may or may not lead to insulin sensitivy. I’m sure having too many could be bad for this reason but if it’s something you like then having it in moderation probably won’t do any long term damage.

    It is a bit misleading to say "scientists think". Some researchers have looked at some data and theorized perhaps that might happen. But considering diabetics are routinely encouraged to switch out regular soda for diet soda, and they are constantly monitoring their numbers, one would think there would be plenty of evidence if this really happens. And there isn't. Also, we have a pretty good handle on how the body monitors blood sugar levels and releases insulin, and it does not happen based on taste. Otherwise eating stuff like mint (which hits the sweet taste receptors on the tongue) would have the same effect.

    Agree!
  • evileen99
    evileen99 Posts: 1,564 Member
    Southpawcj wrote: »
    One quick question.....what are you thoughts on diet drinks/diet sodas??

    You will pry my Diet Coke from my cold, dead hands.

    Ditto
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
    edited January 2018
    I don't care for diet soda at all because I hate the taste of it... But I do like those low-calorie powders that you put in your water to add flavor. My favorite is the TruLime brand, watermelon Fresca flavor.... it's absolutely the best. It's very very sweet though so a little package meant for 16 oz of water does probably about 32 to 36 ounces for me
  • Marykaylady2010
    Marykaylady2010 Posts: 69 Member
    Some diets will have people avoid certain types of foods to appeal to a particular audience. Like everyone said weight loss is about a calorie deficit and finding out what works for you may take some trial and error. Some people will prefer diets that eliminate certain foods that they tend to over eat because they are all or nothing people, some like that they don’t usual involve counting each calorie and just sticking to certain foods. The fad diets will come and go if your a carb lover and do low carb no carb that’s hard to sustain for the rest of your life and once you stop the diet most gain the weight back cause they didn’t learn how to moderate themselves.

    I like tracking calories because there is no food I’m not allowed to eat. If there is a day where I want to eat a donut for breakfast I can as long as I plan it into my calories. The second I tell myself I can’t have that on my ‘diet’ it becomes all I can think about. Now that’s said I know if I eat nothing but junk food I will run out of calories for the day and be hungry and then I will end up going over my calories.
  • stevencloser
    stevencloser Posts: 8,911 Member
    100_PROOF_ wrote: »
    megs_1985 wrote: »
    Southpawcj wrote: »
    One quick question.....what are you thoughts on diet drinks/diet sodas??

    They have no calories, so they have no bad effect on your weight loss.

    Some people claim that the artificial sweeteners make them crave sugar and then they overeat, but I have not found that to be the case with me personally.

    Scientists think the sweetness tricks your brain into releasing insulin anyway in preparation of the incoming sugar but then when it’s not there you just have extra insulin floating around which may or may not lead to insulin sensitivy. I’m sure having too many could be bad for this reason but if it’s something you like then having it in moderation probably won’t do any long term damage.

    If this were true, I don't see why the ADA would recommend diet drinks for diabetics the way they do. Surely it would harm them? Which scientists believe this and through what kind of studies, because it's certainly not part of mainstream health advice

    Wow! This is a very good point. I never thought about that as a counter to the argument but that makes a lot of sense. I have heard the myth about" it tricks your body into thinking sugar is incoming" but I never really thought about your statement as a counter to that myth. Very insightful.

    Another thing, if the taste was the thing that determined insulin, then your insulin wouldn't rise with carb foods that aren't sweet.
  • vingogly
    vingogly Posts: 1,785 Member
    megs_1985 wrote: »
    Scientists think the sweetness tricks your brain into releasing insulin anyway in preparation of the incoming sugar but then when it’s not there you just have extra insulin floating around which may or may not lead to insulin sensitivy. I’m sure having too many could be bad for this reason but if it’s something you like then having it in moderation probably won’t do any long term damage.

    And I've used artificial sweeteners all over the place while losing weight as well as in maintenance. They've had zero impact. "May or may not lead..." is another way of saying "This is probably B.S...."
  • BexB42
    BexB42 Posts: 32 Member
    I am trying the no carbs, it makes me actually crave bread, chips, bagels, pizza... Oh the pizza. What happened to me was I felt deprived, so then I binge on carbs. I have taken to LOW amounts of carbs, and they have to be worth it. Not a bag of chips, but a piece of freshly baked bread with olive oil. Is that martini I had going to derail my weight loss? No, but I do plan it into my eating for the week. People who are physically active, like myself, need a certain amount of carbs to be able to "run." There is science for everything, but it definitely individual. SO it is not less confusing, but the bottom line is, everyone who posted is correct. It is up to what works for you.
  • valine128
    valine128 Posts: 14 Member
    edited January 2018
    Just eat a balanced diet. Eat carbs, protein and fat. It's silly to restrict any of them.

  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Southpawcj wrote: »
    I am still pretty new to MFP premium. I am trying to get a good game plan and I am so confused. I know that low carb, high protein diets are what some people do while others say it’s all about calories. I’d surely welcome some thoughts and suggestions. Thanks so much!

    It's about calories either way...low carb is just one of many ways to control calories...when you substantially cut out an entire macro-nutrient, you're cutting out a lot of calories.
This discussion has been closed.