Eat your carbs

As with most things... there's a time and a place for both. The trick is knowing the difference, and knowing how to apply them to your needs/goals/preferences.

Lovelyveggie wrote: »

I’ve come across a lot of people who absolutely avoid carbs at all cost, why?

If you mean why do people do low carb, some find they are less hungry or more able to be satisfied on their calories doing that. Others find they control calories without counting, which they like, or control blood sugar issues (IR), or just tend to eat better as it gives them a reason they accept for cutting way down on foods they tend to overeat or which provoke cravings.

Im pretty sure carbs will not turn into fat.

They can, but it makes no difference. Excess calories lead to added fat, whatever the macro mix. So if they control calories better on low carb, they may have an easier time losing or not gaining.

Carbohydrates turn into glucose, which your body burns immediately or converts to glycogen to be stored in the muscles and liver for between meals. If you eat more calories from carbs or other sources than your body can use, the cells store the excess as fat.

Yes, exactly.

I’ve also realized people with a high metabolism can better handle a keto diet.... so all you endomorphs beware....

I don't think people have a "high metabolism" or not, and lots of people who do well on keto were quite overweight, probably because it can be helpful for people with IR. (Endomorphs is not a real thing.)

I tried the keto diet for one month and I put on weight while also having excessive oil secretion from my pours so I smelled

Sounds like it didn't work for you and maybe like you could have implemented it better, but no need to, no one needs to do it.

I tried it and didn't experience any great benefits, but I thought it was fine, and I certainly did not experience excessive oil in my pores or such oil smelling. Some have a weird breath thing, but I did not.

I like many higher carb foods, though, so without benefits did not see the point for me, but I understand why others might think it is a good approach for them.

Carbs aren't really needed, so if you're going to get rid of anything, carbs are usually a pretty good place to start for most people. Protein and fat, on the other hand, are both necessary. Certainly you don't have to get rid of carbs, and there's nothing wrong with them, but there's nothing wrong with stocking to a low carb diet either (provided you're getting sufficient micronutrients).

I personally tend to be fairly high carb, but different people prefer different things.

Each to their own at the end of the day and if it works then do it, but I always strive for sustainability and enjoyment. I tried Keto/atkins/paleo and I honestly didn't enjoy it. I've seen lots of videos, articles and studies on low carb and there definitely is evidence of increased fat burning potential as this is what a lot of bodybuilders use a few weeks before competition.

danc12674 wrote: »

sardelsa wrote: »

danc12674 wrote: »

I love my carbs but I’m just trying to get lean that’s why I cut my carbs for now.

You don't have to cut them out completely to get lean. Remember ultra low carbs can impact your gym performance, which will affect your results..so keep that in mind

Yes, I have noticed that I don’t lift as heavy. Also, I get tired so quickly. What I meant about cutting carbs. I meant heavy carbs like rice & bread. Thank you Sardelsa for info.

Try timing your carbs around your workouts to see if that helps.

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danc12674 wrote: »

I guess it makes sense to have carbs b4 workout. I’ll try that after this keto diet thing. Do you compete or something?

Yea on keto that would even be difficult because your carbs are so low, but it is possible. Again up to you.. depends on your goals and all that.

I compete with myself but no not in bodybuilding

I find that I “run” better on a moderately high carb diet- 65/20/15. The days I eat more protein, I feel heavy and bloated. But I am active and eat around 23-2500 to maintain at 125lbs.

Lovelyveggie wrote: »

I’ve come across a lot of people who absolutely avoid carbs at all cost, why? Im pretty sure carbs will not turn into fat. —Carbohydrates turn into glucose, which your body burns immediately or converts to glycogen to be stored in the muscles and liver for between meals. If you eat more calories from carbs or other sources than your body can use, the cells store the excess as fat.

I understand the benefits of GOOD fats and whole fats via flax, avo, chia, and many more but this whole keto diet is insane.... Other than needed for medical conditions.... which that’s how the keto diet was created through dr trying to help patients with seizures...

I’ve also realized people with a high metabolism can better handle a keto diet.... so all you endomorphs beware....

I tried the keto diet for one month and I put on weight while also having excessive oil secretion from my pours so I smelled

I wouldn't quite go so far as to say the keto diet is INSANE. I agree it's excess calories that cause fat storage and those can come from any source. However when I eat low carb I naturally eat less calories. I am less hungry. I feel better and have fewer cravings. Everyone is unique. This diet suits me best. Moderate to high carb leaves me bloated and constantly hungry. Also keto seems to help control my rheumatoid arthritis. Just because I don't typically eat many carbs doesn't mean I think high carb diets are INSANE. I think everyone needs to find what works for them without judgment.

If I eat high carb food, I am hungry after 1 hour. If I eat high fat/protein, I am hungry after 5 hours. Helps me saving calories.

sardelsa wrote: »

Try timing your carbs around your workouts to see if that helps.

^^^^THIS! I actually add carbs to my intra-workout shake.

The theory is that when you're in ketosis your body is in an optimal state for using body fat for energy. It doesn't avoid the requirement of a caloric deficit but it's supposed to make it easier to stay in that deficit because your body can get more calories from body fat instead of your plate.

I can't claim it works for everyone but it worked for me. I tried both low-carb, high-fat and low-fat, high-carb and I found that I had to eat more calories on low-fat than on low-carb to avoid going hungry. In fact, when I did strict keto this summer I had a few extreme days when I barely ate 800 calories and still had lots of energy without feeling hungry. I didn't force myself to do it, I just wasn't hungry so I didn't eat much. I'd never recommend deliberately going that low in calories on a regular basis but it does show how efficient your body can get at using your body fat when in ketosis.

CICO will always be the bottom line, going low carb is just supposed to help control the "CI" part of it.

Just an FYI to future posters, the entire 1st page happened in January and the OP hasn't been here since February, so arguing with them is futile

coderdan82 wrote: »

The theory is that when you're in ketosis your body is in an optimal state for using body fat for energy. It doesn't avoid the requirement of a caloric deficit but it's supposed to make it easier to stay in that deficit because your body can get more calories from body fat instead of your plate.

I can't claim it works for everyone but it worked for me. I tried both low-carb, high-fat and low-fat, high-carb and I found that I had to eat more calories on low-fat than on low-carb to avoid going hungry. In fact, when I did strict keto this summer I had a few extreme days when I barely ate 800 calories and still had lots of energy without feeling hungry. I didn't force myself to do it, I just wasn't hungry so I didn't eat much. I'd never recommend deliberately going that low in calories on a regular basis but it does show how efficient your body can get at using your body fat when in ketosis.

CICO will always be the bottom line, going low carb is just supposed to help control the "CI" part of it.

Yep, that's the key! Figuring out how to eat so hitting that calorie goal is easier. Glad you found your way