Should I eat less carbs?
Replies
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tennisdude2004 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »It won’t hurt to reduce your carbs, just ensure you are covering your micro nutrients
you don't even know how many carbs the OP is eating and yet you are advising them to cut carbs?
The OP is clearly eating a reasonable level or they wouldn’t be questioning reducing the levels - you don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to deduce that my friend!
As long as they are covering their micro nutrient requirements it doesn’t matter how little carbs they eat. Remember carbs are the non essential macro
Not necessarily...
FWIW I always questioned the ‘non-essential macro’ since fiber which is essential to a good diet is a carb (yes our bodies process different) but it’s a carb...so doesn’t that actually make at least some carbs essential?
Carbs and fibre (particularly soluble fibre) is optimal for a healthy diet, but neither are essential for survival. For an optimal diet no more than 100g of carbs are required!
I’m pretty sure if the OP is a fan of her mash and jacket potatoes she’s probably consuming more than 100g. Besides apart from some quick burning fuel, there’s little micro nutrient benefit from mash or jackets! So straight away there’s some candidates for carb reduction!
Wait, are you saying potatoes aren't nutritious?
No that’s not what I am saying.
I said they are a quick burning fuel and give back little micro nutrient benefits!
Potatoes have potassium, vitamin c, B6 and fibre. But there are plenty of other carb choices which deliver a lot more bang for the buck.
A healthy optimal diet doesn’t require potatoes, but can include potatoes if that’s ones preference.
8 -
I heard a talk from an NHS dietitian early this week, who said the amount of carbs on your plate should be the size of your clenched fist, so very little if you are eating pasta but probably about the size helping of potatoes I would choose. Her recommendation was the portion of protein should be the size of the palm of your hand, and the thickness of your little finger. And then fill the rest of your plate with veggies. This struck me as really easy advice to follow.
I would find it really hard to restrict the quantity of pasta to such a small helping, so I have found it easier to just not eat it. I think it is about finding what works for you. Personally I have found it easier to reduce carbs and eat more protein, as it seems to keep me full, but this might not be the same for everyone. I have not cut carbs completely as on the few days I have done this without intending to, I have felt very odd.11 -
Low carb diets do usually have an initial bigger loss due to water weight. After that you would lose at the same rate with the same calorie intake as someone eating more carbs.
Some people find it easier and more satisfying to eat more protein and fats and less carbohydrates.
A no carb diet is not really a great idea long term. Vegetables and fruits have carbs. Dairy has carbs. Whole grains have carbs. All those foods have tons of nutrients and fiber that help your body function well. You can reduce carb intake more moderately though if you wish.
You should eat in a way you like and can sustain in your life long term. It does you very little good to lose a bunch of weight fast and regain it all because you can not stick to a diet without potatoes. You just need to eat the right amount of calories to lose weight though so you can keep eating any food you like.5 -
JanetBiard wrote: »I heard a talk from an NHS dietitian early this week, who said the amount of carbs on your plate should be the size of your clenched fist, so very little if you are eating pasta but probably about the size helping of potatoes I would choose. Her recommendation was the portion of protein should be the size of the palm of your hand, and the thickness of your little finger. And then fill the rest of your plate with veggies. This struck me as really easy advice to follow.
I would find it really hard to restrict the quantity of pasta to such a small helping, so I have found it easier to just not eat it. I think it is about finding what works for you. Personally I have found it easier to reduce carbs and eat more protein, as it seems to keep me full, but this might not be the same for everyone. I have not cut carbs completely as on the few days I have done this without intending to, I have felt very odd.
Ya, it's easier for me to reduce rice than pasta, so I have pasta less. I can be satisfied with 50-100 g of cooked rice, depending on what all else is with it, but for pasta I want at least 113 g (4 oz) and more like 142 (5 oz).
Meals also feel odd to me if they don't have the "right" (for me) macro mix, most notably when I lived in vegetarian yoga communities for three years and had to really work to get in enough protein for me.2 -
deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »It won’t hurt to reduce your carbs, just ensure you are covering your micro nutrients
you don't even know how many carbs the OP is eating and yet you are advising them to cut carbs?
The OP is clearly eating a reasonable level or they wouldn’t be questioning reducing the levels - you don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to deduce that my friend!
As long as they are covering their micro nutrient requirements it doesn’t matter how little carbs they eat. Remember carbs are the non essential macro
Not necessarily...
FWIW I always questioned the ‘non-essential macro’ since fiber which is essential to a good diet is a carb (yes our bodies process different) but it’s a carb...so doesn’t that actually make at least some carbs essential?
Carbs and fibre (particularly soluble fibre) is optimal for a healthy diet, but neither are essential for survival. For an optimal diet no more than 100g of carbs are required!
I’m pretty sure if the OP is a fan of her mash and jacket potatoes she’s probably consuming more than 100g. Besides apart from some quick burning fuel, there’s little micro nutrient benefit from mash or jackets! So straight away there’s some candidates for carb reduction!
Really? A 100g carbs is optimal...please show me some scientific studies supporting this hypothesis published in a peer reviewed journal with more than 50 participants
Yes, I would like to see that also.0 -
deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »It won’t hurt to reduce your carbs, just ensure you are covering your micro nutrients
you don't even know how many carbs the OP is eating and yet you are advising them to cut carbs?
The OP is clearly eating a reasonable level or they wouldn’t be questioning reducing the levels - you don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to deduce that my friend!
As long as they are covering their micro nutrient requirements it doesn’t matter how little carbs they eat. Remember carbs are the non essential macro
Not necessarily...
FWIW I always questioned the ‘non-essential macro’ since fiber which is essential to a good diet is a carb (yes our bodies process different) but it’s a carb...so doesn’t that actually make at least some carbs essential?
Carbs and fibre (particularly soluble fibre) is optimal for a healthy diet, but neither are essential for survival. For an optimal diet no more than 100g of carbs are required!
I’m pretty sure if the OP is a fan of her mash and jacket potatoes she’s probably consuming more than 100g. Besides apart from some quick burning fuel, there’s little micro nutrient benefit from mash or jackets! So straight away there’s some candidates for carb reduction!
Really? A 100g carbs is optimal...please show me some scientific studies supporting this hypothesis published in a peer reviewed journal with more than 50 participants
Yes, I would like to see that also.
Here’s a few to start with
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/23-studies-on-low-carb-and-low-fat-diets
Maybe you have some to disclaim that 100g are not optimal?11 -
deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »It won’t hurt to reduce your carbs, just ensure you are covering your micro nutrients
you don't even know how many carbs the OP is eating and yet you are advising them to cut carbs?
The OP is clearly eating a reasonable level or they wouldn’t be questioning reducing the levels - you don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to deduce that my friend!
As long as they are covering their micro nutrient requirements it doesn’t matter how little carbs they eat. Remember carbs are the non essential macro
Not necessarily...
FWIW I always questioned the ‘non-essential macro’ since fiber which is essential to a good diet is a carb (yes our bodies process different) but it’s a carb...so doesn’t that actually make at least some carbs essential?
Carbs and fibre (particularly soluble fibre) is optimal for a healthy diet, but neither are essential for survival. For an optimal diet no more than 100g of carbs are required!
I’m pretty sure if the OP is a fan of her mash and jacket potatoes she’s probably consuming more than 100g. Besides apart from some quick burning fuel, there’s little micro nutrient benefit from mash or jackets! So straight away there’s some candidates for carb reduction!
Really? A 100g carbs is optimal...please show me some scientific studies supporting this hypothesis published in a peer reviewed journal with more than 50 participants
I would love to hear a LCHF evangelist explain away the Blue Zones. It gets brought up often but always gets ignored.
I think tennisdude said that "For an optimal diet no more than 100g of carbs are required." I took that to mean that one does not need more than 100g to hit optimal, but more would not subtract from that.
But... I'm quite a bit below that so I want to know why 100g is optimal too.
I'm assuming he doesn't mean it for everyone in all circumstances 
Thank you for reading my comment with intelligence13 -
tennisdude2004 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »It won’t hurt to reduce your carbs, just ensure you are covering your micro nutrients
you don't even know how many carbs the OP is eating and yet you are advising them to cut carbs?
The OP is clearly eating a reasonable level or they wouldn’t be questioning reducing the levels - you don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to deduce that my friend!
As long as they are covering their micro nutrient requirements it doesn’t matter how little carbs they eat. Remember carbs are the non essential macro
Not necessarily...
FWIW I always questioned the ‘non-essential macro’ since fiber which is essential to a good diet is a carb (yes our bodies process different) but it’s a carb...so doesn’t that actually make at least some carbs essential?
Carbs and fibre (particularly soluble fibre) is optimal for a healthy diet, but neither are essential for survival. For an optimal diet no more than 100g of carbs are required!
I’m pretty sure if the OP is a fan of her mash and jacket potatoes she’s probably consuming more than 100g. Besides apart from some quick burning fuel, there’s little micro nutrient benefit from mash or jackets! So straight away there’s some candidates for carb reduction!
Really? A 100g carbs is optimal...please show me some scientific studies supporting this hypothesis published in a peer reviewed journal with more than 50 participants
Yes, I would like to see that also.
Here’s a few to start with
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/23-studies-on-low-carb-and-low-fat-diets
Maybe you have some to disclaim that 100g are not optimal?
That is not a comparison to a broad range of diets. Is is only lF vs. LC. So, yes I would agree. But it proves nothing about 100gr. CHO being optimal as an overall diet.
I don't need to disclaim anything. I didn't make any assertion. I only stated that I would like to see any objective info that support your assertion. It was a statement made without prejudice. What you posted did not succeed in supporting your assertion in my view. It was far too narrow a comparison.
You seem to view everything as some kind of argument.11 -
Additionally, after looking more closely at the study summaries, kcals and protein were not held constant in any of them as far as I could see. If I am mistaken, please point to specifically where this is shown.6
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deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »It won’t hurt to reduce your carbs, just ensure you are covering your micro nutrients
you don't even know how many carbs the OP is eating and yet you are advising them to cut carbs?
The OP is clearly eating a reasonable level or they wouldn’t be questioning reducing the levels - you don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to deduce that my friend!
As long as they are covering their micro nutrient requirements it doesn’t matter how little carbs they eat. Remember carbs are the non essential macro
Not necessarily...
FWIW I always questioned the ‘non-essential macro’ since fiber which is essential to a good diet is a carb (yes our bodies process different) but it’s a carb...so doesn’t that actually make at least some carbs essential?
Carbs and fibre (particularly soluble fibre) is optimal for a healthy diet, but neither are essential for survival. For an optimal diet no more than 100g of carbs are required!
I’m pretty sure if the OP is a fan of her mash and jacket potatoes she’s probably consuming more than 100g. Besides apart from some quick burning fuel, there’s little micro nutrient benefit from mash or jackets! So straight away there’s some candidates for carb reduction!
Really? A 100g carbs is optimal...please show me some scientific studies supporting this hypothesis published in a peer reviewed journal with more than 50 participants
0 -
tennisdude2004 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »It won’t hurt to reduce your carbs, just ensure you are covering your micro nutrients
you don't even know how many carbs the OP is eating and yet you are advising them to cut carbs?
The OP is clearly eating a reasonable level or they wouldn’t be questioning reducing the levels - you don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to deduce that my friend!
As long as they are covering their micro nutrient requirements it doesn’t matter how little carbs they eat. Remember carbs are the non essential macro
Not necessarily...
FWIW I always questioned the ‘non-essential macro’ since fiber which is essential to a good diet is a carb (yes our bodies process different) but it’s a carb...so doesn’t that actually make at least some carbs essential?
Carbs and fibre (particularly soluble fibre) is optimal for a healthy diet, but neither are essential for survival. For an optimal diet no more than 100g of carbs are required!
I’m pretty sure if the OP is a fan of her mash and jacket potatoes she’s probably consuming more than 100g. Besides apart from some quick burning fuel, there’s little micro nutrient benefit from mash or jackets! So straight away there’s some candidates for carb reduction!
There's not much micronutrient benefit in bacon, butter, MCT oil, bulletproof coffee or "fat bombs" either. What was your point again?
That. Is. Perfect.4 -
JanetBiard wrote: »I heard a talk from an NHS dietitian early this week, who said the amount of carbs on your plate should be the size of your clenched fist, so very little if you are eating pasta but probably about the size helping of potatoes I would choose. Her recommendation was the portion of protein should be the size of the palm of your hand, and the thickness of your little finger. And then fill the rest of your plate with veggies. This struck me as really easy advice to follow.
I would find it really hard to restrict the quantity of pasta to such a small helping, so I have found it easier to just not eat it. I think it is about finding what works for you. Personally I have found it easier to reduce carbs and eat more protein, as it seems to keep me full, but this might not be the same for everyone. I have not cut carbs completely as on the few days I have done this without intending to, I have felt very odd.
Uh, vegetables have carbs also...8 -
tennisdude2004 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »It won’t hurt to reduce your carbs, just ensure you are covering your micro nutrients
you don't even know how many carbs the OP is eating and yet you are advising them to cut carbs?
The OP is clearly eating a reasonable level or they wouldn’t be questioning reducing the levels - you don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to deduce that my friend!
As long as they are covering their micro nutrient requirements it doesn’t matter how little carbs they eat. Remember carbs are the non essential macro
Not necessarily...
FWIW I always questioned the ‘non-essential macro’ since fiber which is essential to a good diet is a carb (yes our bodies process different) but it’s a carb...so doesn’t that actually make at least some carbs essential?
Carbs and fibre (particularly soluble fibre) is optimal for a healthy diet, but neither are essential for survival. For an optimal diet no more than 100g of carbs are required!
I’m pretty sure if the OP is a fan of her mash and jacket potatoes she’s probably consuming more than 100g. Besides apart from some quick burning fuel, there’s little micro nutrient benefit from mash or jackets! So straight away there’s some candidates for carb reduction!
There's not much micronutrient benefit in bacon, butter, MCT oil, bulletproof coffee or "fat bombs" either. What was your point again?
Bacon - protein (essential macro nutrient)
Butter - fat over 400 fatty acids (essential macro nutrient)
Bulletproof coffee - well coffee!8 -
tennisdude2004 wrote: »Bacon - protein (essential macro nutrient)
Butter - fat over 400 fatty acids (essential macro nutrient)
Bulletproof coffee - well coffee!
Let's not move the goalposts here. Protein and fat are essential macronutrients. Not micronutrients.11 -
tennisdude2004 wrote: »Bacon - protein (essential macro nutrient)
Butter - fat over 400 fatty acids (essential macro nutrient)
Bulletproof coffee - well coffee!
Let's not move the goalposts here. Protein and fat are essential macronutrients. Not micronutrients.
Straw man much?
I haven’t moved the goal posts, your body needs protein and fat for survival!
If you don’t want to get essential fats and protein from those sources then choose others!
You don’t have to eat those foods to follow an optimal LCHF diet - other foods are available.
14 -
tennisdude2004 wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »Bacon - protein (essential macro nutrient)
Butter - fat over 400 fatty acids (essential macro nutrient)
Bulletproof coffee - well coffee!
Let's not move the goalposts here. Protein and fat are essential macronutrients. Not micronutrients.
Straw man much?
I haven’t moved the goal posts, your body needs protein and fat for survival!
If you don’t want to get essential fats and protein from those sources then choose others!
You don’t have to eat those foods to follow an optimal LCHF diet - other foods are available.
There's no sense discussing this any further with somebody who doesn't know the difference between macro- and micronutrients.10 -
JanetBiard wrote: »I heard a talk from an NHS dietitian early this week, who said the amount of carbs on your plate should be the size of your clenched fist, so very little if you are eating pasta but probably about the size helping of potatoes I would choose. Her recommendation was the portion of protein should be the size of the palm of your hand, and the thickness of your little finger. And then fill the rest of your plate with veggies. This struck me as really easy advice to follow.
I would find it really hard to restrict the quantity of pasta to such a small helping, so I have found it easier to just not eat it. I think it is about finding what works for you. Personally I have found it easier to reduce carbs and eat more protein, as it seems to keep me full, but this might not be the same for everyone. I have not cut carbs completely as on the few days I have done this without intending to, I have felt very odd.
Uh, vegetables have carbs also...
Most low carbers are LOW carbers and not NO carbers. Low carb is not all or nothing when it comes to carbs.3 -
tennisdude2004 wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »Bacon - protein (essential macro nutrient)
Butter - fat over 400 fatty acids (essential macro nutrient)
Bulletproof coffee - well coffee!
Let's not move the goalposts here. Protein and fat are essential macronutrients. Not micronutrients.
Straw man much?
I haven’t moved the goal posts, your body needs protein and fat for survival!
If you don’t want to get essential fats and protein from those sources then choose others!
You don’t have to eat those foods to follow an optimal LCHF diet - other foods are available.
No strawman at all. He stated micronutrients. You started listing macronutrients. You changed the terms of the discussion, I can only guess, to avoid addressing the question in MICROnutrients. Kind of intellectually dishonest.
And you keep playing this "essential for survival" card. Kind of bogus. Surviving and thriving are 2 different things as has already been pointed out.11 -
JanetBiard wrote: »I heard a talk from an NHS dietitian early this week, who said the [b}amount of carbs on your plate should be the size of your clenched fist, so very little if you are eating pasta but probably about the size helping of potatoes I would choose[/b]. Her recommendation was the portion of protein should be the size of the palm of your hand, and the thickness of your little finger. And then fill the rest of your plate with veggies. This struck me as really easy advice to follow.
I would find it really hard to restrict the quantity of pasta to such a small helping, so I have found it easier to just not eat it. I think it is about finding what works for you. Personally I have found it easier to reduce carbs and eat more protein, as it seems to keep me full, but this might not be the same for everyone. I have not cut carbs completely as on the few days I have done this without intending to, I have felt very odd.
Uh, vegetables have carbs also...
Most low carbers are LOW carbers and not NO carbers. Low carb is not all or nothing when it comes to carbs.
That is not how the post she responded to read though. The person identified carbs, then protein amounts. Then fill the rest of your plate with veggies (aka more carbs).7 -
tennisdude2004 wrote: »tennisdude2004 wrote: »Bacon - protein (essential macro nutrient)
Butter - fat over 400 fatty acids (essential macro nutrient)
Bulletproof coffee - well coffee!
Let's not move the goalposts here. Protein and fat are essential macronutrients. Not micronutrients.
Straw man much?
I haven’t moved the goal posts, your body needs protein and fat for survival!
If you don’t want to get essential fats and protein from those sources then choose others!
You don’t have to eat those foods to follow an optimal LCHF diet - other foods are available.
No strawman at all. He stated micronutrients. You started listing macronutrients. You changed the terms of the discussion, I can only guess, to avoid addressing the question in MICROnutrients. Kind of intellectually dishonest.
And you keep playing this "essential for survival" card. Kind of bogus. Surviving and thriving are 2 different things as has already been pointed out.
Correct. Micronutrients was the original topic, from several of his previous posts:It won’t hurt to reduce your carbs, just ensure you are covering your micro nutrientsAs long as they are covering their micro nutrient requirements it doesn’t matter how little carbs they eat. Remember carbs are the non essential macroI’m pretty sure if the OP is a fan of her mash and jacket potatoes she’s probably consuming more than 100g. Besides apart from some quick burning fuel, there’s little micro nutrient benefit from mash or jackets! So straight away there’s some candidates for carb reduction!I said they are a quick burning fuel and give back little micro nutrient benefits!3
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