Low carb diet did not work for me !
vasinger1
Posts: 11 Member
I tried the high fat low carb diet, and I actually gained weight! I was told to avoid potatoes like the plague, that pasta was "bad", and that carbs make you hungry. Non sense! I am now eating plenty of potatoes, pasta, pizza, and I am NEVER HUNGRY! I eat plenty of high fiber such as oatmeal , (I take psyillium husk) , and plenty of Mexican food such as burritos, rice and beans, etc. I am losing weight and it feels so much easier than the low carb diet. I get irked when people say low fat diets don't work. I did bacon and eggs for breakfast (did nothing to curb my appetite), cheese burgers without bun, it just made more hungry! Maybe low fat doesn't work for some people, but it's working for me !
32
Replies
-
Low fat, low carb, whatever. As long as it fits your calories. Glad you found something that worked for you.26
-
The thing is, in the late 80’s/early 90’s we were told that low fat was the only way to lose weight. They came out with replacements for tons of high-fat foods (most of which had the same kcals as the original), people were advised to fill up on bread at restaurants, and the population kept getting heavier and heavier because “low fat” doesn’t address what actually controls our weight.
So the notion that you could eat eggs and avocados and olive oil and still lose weight was revolutionary, and still feels shocking to a lot of people, but it’s no more magical to cut carbs than to cut fat.
All that works is to eat at a deficit. How you do that is between you and your brain!19 -
Good points FlyingMolly. I would add that the other thing about most (not all) low fat diets is that by substituting simple carbs they can alter blood sugar (glucose) and cause the body to store the excess glucose as energy (fat). Correlation is not cause and effect but there is a very strong correlation between the rise of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance . and cardiovascular disease with the recommendations to eat low fat/high carb issued by many government and other organizations for the past few decades.
vasinger, pleased you found something that works for you.19 -
For me, calling any food "bad", "unhealthy", "fattening", or being told - even telling myself - there is something I should/must avoid, sets off a never seen before craving for it
8 -
I also find carbs more satiating. I tried Atkins, back when it was so popular. I got so *kitten*y, my hubby threw a cookie at me and ordered me to eat it. No carbs makes me uber-crabby.14
-
I tried the high fat low carb diet, and I actually gained weight! I was told to avoid potatoes like the plague, that pasta was "bad", and that carbs make you hungry. Non sense! I am now eating plenty of potatoes, pasta, pizza, and I am NEVER HUNGRY! I eat plenty of high fiber such as oatmeal , (I take psyillium husk) , and plenty of Mexican food such as burritos, rice and beans, etc. I am losing weight and it feels so much easier than the low carb diet. I get irked when people say low fat diets don't work. I did bacon and eggs for breakfast (did nothing to curb my appetite), cheese burgers without bun, it just made more hungry! Maybe low fat doesn't work for some people, but it's working for me !
That's good you found what helps you. I tried low carb in the past as well and gained 30 pounds. My current eating habits are 90% what people consider junk food and lose weight no problem. Low carb made me miserable.5 -
It's about finding what style of eating works for you to get you in a deficit...5
-
quantum_racer wrote: »Good points FlyingMolly. I would add that the other thing about most (not all) low fat diets is that by substituting simple carbs they can alter blood sugar (glucose) and cause the body to store the excess glucose as energy (fat). Correlation is not cause and effect but there is a very strong correlation between the rise of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance . and cardiovascular disease with the recommendations to eat low fat/high carb issued by many government and other organizations for the past few decades.
vasinger, pleased you found something that works for you.
1) There is no net storage of any substrate while in a caloric deficit.
2) De novo lipogenesis (creating fat from carbohydrates) is a lot more rare and limited than most people think it is. And it doesn't magically happen because you eat a few simple carbs.17 -
I also find all the 'oh so bad' carbs most satiating. Proper bread, baguette, flatbread, rice, potatoes, pasta, bulgur, couscous... Everybody is different.4
-
I tried the high fat low carb diet, and I actually gained weight! I was told to avoid potatoes like the plague, that pasta was "bad", and that carbs make you hungry. Non sense! I am now eating plenty of potatoes, pasta, pizza, and I am NEVER HUNGRY! I eat plenty of high fiber such as oatmeal , (I take psyillium husk) , and plenty of Mexican food such as burritos, rice and beans, etc. I am losing weight and it feels so much easier than the low carb diet. I get irked when people say low fat diets don't work. I did bacon and eggs for breakfast (did nothing to curb my appetite), cheese burgers without bun, it just made more hungry! Maybe low fat doesn't work for some people, but it's working for me !
A diet consisting of low carbs or fats, medium carbs or fats, and/or high carbs or fats is just a preferable way of eating, if you don't keep your calories in check (aka deficiency), you will gain weight regardless of your choice.
You don't specify in your comment how many calories you were eating (with high or low carbs), so your assumption that a low carb diet didn't work for you is sort of meaningless; maybe you were eating more calories that your should in order to lose weight. However, I am glad that you found what is best for you.9 -
I know plenty of people who lost weight on Atkins or some variance of the “Low-Carb diet” and most of them gained it back and then some.
Without getting into all of the science: Carbs retain more water and anybody who steer’s clear of one macronutrient is bound for failure OR to a lesser degree, a pretty bad binging eventually. I find it funny that the Atkins new spokesperson is a genetic freak who doesn’t age and has looked that way for 2+ decades. Even then the diet has changed to include carbs on the lower end of the GI Index.
Everybody is different & I’m glad you found something that works for you!9 -
Congrats on your weightloss!
I wonder, when you tried the LCHF, did you also monitor your calories? Weigh your food? Since you eat a lot more homemade stuff, it's very easy to go over. Also, the high fat is not something you consume (nor for weightloss), the name is very misleading; the fat comes from what's already on your body. Burgers (unless made from a leaner cut) have tons of calories, and then more when you add cheese (which quickly adds up if not weighed). You'd be amazed!
I've lost several pounds doing LCHF, but everyone is different, and it's good that you found what works for you! Again, a major congratulations to you \o/8 -
What helps with satiety is really individual. Good for you for recognizing that!2
-
Congrats on your weightloss!
I wonder, when you tried the LCHF, did you also monitor your calories? Weigh your food? Since you eat a lot more homemade stuff, it's very easy to go over. Also, the high fat is not something you consume (nor for weightloss), the name is very misleading; the fat comes from what's already on your body. Burgers (unless made from a leaner cut) have tons of calories, and then more when you add cheese (which quickly adds up if not weighed). You'd be amazed!
I've lost several pounds doing LCHF, but everyone is different, and it's good that you found what works for you! Again, a major congratulations to you \o/
What you're describing is low carb low fat, which isn't a good idea for a prolonged diet for several reasons, including that it tends to mean chronically undereating (I sure hope you aren't still on it). People on true LCHF do eat high fat. More than 50% of their calories can come from fat. It's just that for some people, such a high fat diet blunts their hunger. This response tends to be individual. I gained on LCHF, too. I was counting calories, but I was so hungry all the time that I kept going over. I didn't get that hunger blunting response some people get, which appears to be the case for OP as well. It's just not the right diet for him.8 -
No single diet is right for all people. The most important thing is to find what is sustainable and healthy for each of us as individuals. Congrats on finding what works for you!
6 -
I have been eating keto (low carb, high fat) for about 10 weeks now and have lost 30lbs. It's about finding what works for you, and it sounds like you've done that! Way to go!
12 -
It's very helpful to figure out what types of foods help you feel full. I also find that realizing that I can enjoy my sweets and still meet my weight loss and nutritional goals to be extremely helpful. I think I will be able to sustain my goals much better because of this understanding.3
-
quiksylver296 wrote: »I also find carbs more satiating. I tried Atkins, back when it was so popular. I got so *kitten*y, my hubby threw a cookie at me and ordered me to eat it. No carbs makes me uber-crabby.
Have a Snickers 7 -
I know plenty of people who lost weight on Atkins or some variance of the “Low-Carb diet” and most of them gained it back and then some.
I mean...you could say that about any diet. The statistics aren't fantastic when you look at who is successful at keeping the weight off. If there was such a successful diet then the fitness and weight loss industry wouldn't be booming.Without getting into all of the science: Carbs retain more water and anybody who steer’s clear of one macronutrient is bound for failure OR to a lesser degree, a pretty bad binging eventually.
I think that's variable as well. Many people have been successful in changing their relationship with food by limiting carbs. I also mean limiting and not cutting out the entire macro. Anecdotally, for me, reducing sugars and carbs has drastically improved my health and my attitudes towards foods.7 -
So like...you could eat a balanced diet. And lose weight. HOLY CRAP!10
-
I tried it also. 20 carbs per day. I lost 10 lbs fairly quickly and then slowly started gaining it back. I truly think I was eating fewer calories at first and then later ate too many while still staying under 20 carbs. For me, I need to focus on calories and portions.1
-
Tacklewasher wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »I also find carbs more satiating. I tried Atkins, back when it was so popular. I got so *kitten*y, my hubby threw a cookie at me and ordered me to eat it. No carbs makes me uber-crabby.
Have a Snickers
Yuck! No. I hate Snickers. How about a Skor?4 -
quiksylver296 wrote: »Tacklewasher wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »I also find carbs more satiating. I tried Atkins, back when it was so popular. I got so *kitten*y, my hubby threw a cookie at me and ordered me to eat it. No carbs makes me uber-crabby.
Have a Snickers
Yuck! No. I hate Snickers. How about a Skor?
I'll take your Snickers, I love them.2 -
quiksylver296 wrote: »Tacklewasher wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »I also find carbs more satiating. I tried Atkins, back when it was so popular. I got so *kitten*y, my hubby threw a cookie at me and ordered me to eat it. No carbs makes me uber-crabby.
Have a Snickers
Yuck! No. I hate Snickers. How about a Skor?
I'll take your Snickers, I love them.
If you can beat mom to them.
0 -
I’m glad you found what works for you. For me, I found a higher fat and moderate carb intake is what works. Just another example of how we are all different and shouldn’t get hung up on what someone else is doing.7
-
Yes, been on the low carb train. I am obviously a slow learner because I have been unsuccessful at it several times now. Smh. I can keep my carbs low but not my cals. I am a volume eater so to have to limit veggies and almost completely cut out fruits it makes it hard for me to bulk up my meals with enough volume to stay satiated. I do lose about 3-5lbs water weight within days of going super low carb and my tummy flattens but then it stalls and I quit losing because at 5’1 133lbs I don’t have a ton of calories to play with. Low cal volume foods for the win for me!!3
-
It's very individual. I don't eat a ton of refined carbs, but mostly because there is very little volume for the impact they make in my daily calories. Anything that cuts out the better part of an entire food group I see as being a bit of a "fad."
Gotta do what works for you and your body and situation. I've actually had to start adding a few more carbs back in (still try to avoid refined grains/sugars for the most part) as I found my recovery from my workouts was MUCH better with a few more carbs. Go figure.3 -
I know plenty of people who lost weight on Atkins or some variance of the “Low-Carb diet” and most of them gained it back and then some.
I mean...you could say that about any diet. The statistics aren't fantastic when you look at who is successful at keeping the weight off. If there was such a successful diet then the fitness and weight loss industry wouldn't be booming.Without getting into all of the science: Carbs retain more water and anybody who steer’s clear of one macronutrient is bound for failure OR to a lesser degree, a pretty bad binging eventually.
I think that's variable as well. Many people have been successful in changing their relationship with food by limiting carbs. I also mean limiting and not cutting out the entire macro. Anecdotally, for me, reducing sugars and carbs has drastically improved my health and my attitudes towards foods.
I wasn’t making a blanket statement, but I think you know that.
My 2nd statement might have been made in haste, however I don’t think it’s variable. Limiting and cutting out are 2 separate things as we both pointed out. If you could show me someone who has cut out a macro completely (not cycling, doing it for a couple of months, etc...), I’ll show you somebody with a problem.
The main point here is like you said: One’s relationship to food. Everybody is different.So like...you could eat a balanced diet. And lose weight. HOLY CRAP!
That can’t be true!!!!!3 -
Update: I forgot to add while trying the low carb diet I was having a lot of red meat and hamburgers. For some reason, I tend to gain weight on that- even if my calories are in check. I was aiming for 2,000 calories but always went up to 2500, because I did "cheat" a lot with ice cream stuff and other junk food. I find that eating high protein or high fat doesn't necessarily keep me any fuller than eating carbs. It just was hard to stick to. So I decided instead to try high fiber/low fat. I eat very little red meat- more fish, vegetables, but I also allow myself "No no" foods such as bagels (I'm not even Jewish, lol), and bread, spaghetti, pizza, etc. I avoid "trigger" foods- I find that pancakes make me gain weight and so do high fat hamburgers. So I guess it really is different for every person.3
-
Those two things (in bold) are related.Update: I forgot to add while trying the low carb diet I was having a lot of red meat and hamburgers. For some reason, I tend to gain weight on that- even if my calories are in check. I was aiming for 2,000 calories but always went up to 2500, because I did "cheat" a lot with ice cream stuff and other junk food. I find that eating high protein or high fat doesn't necessarily keep me any fuller than eating carbs. It just was hard to stick to. So I decided instead to try high fiber/low fat. I eat very little red meat- more fish, vegetables, but I also allow myself "No no" foods such as bagels (I'm not even Jewish, lol), and bread, spaghetti, pizza, etc. I avoid "trigger" foods- I find that pancakes make me gain weight and so do high fat hamburgers. So I guess it really is different for every person.
If you were "always going up to 2500" and cheating a lot, your calories weren't in check.
(Not advocating for keto, just sayin'.)
11
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions