Exhausted with Low/No Carb Eating

Emma1903 · August 2011

How many carbs have you been eating a day? In g? I went 6 months on under 50 g of carbs a day and felt absolutely fine, I know many others that have too, the first few weeks you will feel groggy but after you will have loads of energy! I thi you need to think more on not about carbs but nutrients, eat as many vegetables as you want and take a good multi vitamin.
Many people believe that you can't survive without grains but this is simply not true, before agriculture we survived just fine on carbs from fruits and vegetables it's how we evolved to eat. Grains or simply not necessary.

linsben · August 2011

EXACTLY! to the original poster please do your research. Check out the links and make your decision on what low carb is and isnt from that. Not from people telling you its a fad and that you need carbs. You can get all the carbs you need from veggies and fruit and maybe the rare sweet potatoe. You do not need grains !!!

Emma1903 · August 2011

Could not agree more eat primally for a month and then say you don't feel great! Our bodies have not evolved fully to cope with grains yet.

FairyMiss · August 2011

funny because personally i have more energy on hi pro, hi fat,/very low carb. I eat what is usually consider the healthy amount of carbs i feel draggy.

there is no one size fits all cookie cutter eating plan do what makes YOU feel good, thats what i do

FairyMiss · August 2011

um babe fruit is carbs

Grokette · August 2011

I really wish people would stop with the "We NEED" grains or carbs in general.

Actually the human body does not need carbs in any form. Fats and proteins can supply all the glucose we need for our bodies to function properly.

We don't need fiber like our government tells us. They are merely pushing their Monsanto agenda on people and most fall for it hook, line and sinker.

hpsnickers1 · August 2011

YES!! My fad diet is a lifestyle consisting of eating real, whole, natural foods and not eating processed crap from a box. When I give in to my addiction and binge I pay the price in the form of water retention, bloat, pain, constipation, acne, heartburn and very bad sleep. My eczema comes back. My TOM pains get worse. My low back pain comes back. I could keep going on.

And the fiber thing is a complete myth. It is based on no study, no clinical trial. Nothing. They couldn't prove one thing (and I would have to go back to my research to find out what that thing was) so the "experts" said it must be the lack of fiber or roughage therefore we should eat more fiber. The more fiber I got - mainly from whole grains - the worse my digestive issues and IBS got.

Grokette · August 2011

Your day is starting with you being "un-nice" because your body is on a blood sugar roller coaster from the fruit and muesli. The carbs from fruit and muesli is going to send you on a wild ride on the ups and downs of the blood sugar roller coaster which directly affects your moods.

Start your day with some eggs fried in coconut oil and some nitrate free, uncured bacon and see how pleasant you are toward others..........

Wilfred808 · August 2011

idk if low carb is a fad but its completely unneccesary. please explain to me with a reliable source not from atkins.com or anecdotal evidence how your body composition will differ if you are in a caloric deficit without eating carbs as opposed to a diet with carbs and with the same deficit

FairyMiss · August 2011

i eat very low carbs and do insanity 6 days a week along with strenght training 2-3 evenings aweek and zumba on thursdays, oh along with a job that has me on my feet for 9-10 hours, wrestling large dogs.
and all that with apperantly no energy LOL

futurefitgirl88 · August 2011

I lost 38 pounds eating carbs every single day..haha not even 'good' carbs all the time. Just sayin'...

Wilfred808 · August 2011

i meant to quote you, please read above ^^^

and why cant you enjoy cake, cookies, or ice cream on a diet? please say the sugar content lol

alisonhayes266 · August 2011

Hi,
Last year I cut out ALL complex carbs due to the Gilbert's syndrome, I was diagnosed with, which gave me worsening IBS, (due to inability to process them due to missing enzymes).

After 4 months I reintroduced, some complex carbs one by one and found I could tolerate small amounts of corn, oats, and things made from cassava or tapioca flour. I don't eat wheat, potatoes or rice which have consequences for my digestion. I lost two stone in 1 month and two stone since.

Breakfast: I eat a small portion ( 30g) cornflakes or porridge oats for breakfast,

Lunch: home made flapjack, or oat savoury biscuits, or corn thins ( like rice cakes) with protein cheese/ salmon/pate or occasionally crisps made from corn, cassava or tapioca flour with hummus

Tea: meat/ dairy with salad /veg

snacks: ( small amounts of) seeded bites, sesame halva, or fruit,

The results are that I can go for long walks in the country, go camping and am regaining my figure and can increase my fitness with running and riding .
Good luck X

Wilfred808 · August 2011

you could have had the same results eating carbs LOL

AlyRoseNYC · August 2011

And as I predicted when this post first popped up, this has become a pissing contest. Both low carb and low fat diets have been around for a very long time. Neither of them are fads at this point, IMO. Some people like to eat their bread, others enjoy full fats. Really, both can work, and it pretty much comes down to preference. My mom prefers low fat and she follows WW. I prefer Atkins. We are both losing weight.

OP, if you really don't think you can live a low carb lifestyle for the long run, then maybe a different appraoch is best for you. But, from what you have described, all your symptoms are completely normal for starting out low carb. For some people it takes a few weeks to overcome. Good luck with your decision, whatever that may be.

Grokette · August 2011

It is not part of my lifestyle.

Cake and cookies are processed white flour, sugar and preservatives. Ice cream I will eat IF and a big if..........I make it using RAW cream from a farmer, raw sugar and it is home made.......

I don't eat anything processed or from a box or container from the store.

My meats, eggs, raw dairy and raw cheese ALL come from local farmers. I get vegetables and fruits from my CSA club, farmers markets and local pick your own gardens and orchards.

When my husband eats bread - it is because I make it for him and it is gluten free.

I make my own sugar scrubs, shampoo, soaps, cleaning supplies and lotions. I use soap nuts for laundry washing and household cleaning in additon to the cleaning supplies I make at home.

There is no need for the crap in our eating. My lifestyle and my opinion.

You do what makes you happy and what you can live with.

Emma1903 · August 2011

We are not saying you will loose more weight by going low carbs we are saying your body does not need carbs, and going low carbs certainly makes it easier to loose weight

TS65 · August 2011

This is exactly why people need to make this a lifestyle and not a diet. You need to find something you can do for the long haul. 7 lbs IS FABULOUS - but only if you can keep it off (which isn't the case when you go on some extreme diet)!

Personally, I try to eat clean - FOR ME... this means complex carbs (in the form of veggies mostly, but on a rare occassion whole grain like brown rice) & protein for most meals. I try to keep my carbs (again, mostly complex) under 100g and sugar under 28g (I'm not much of a fruit person). My desserts/snacks tend to be sugar free pudding, nuts (my favorites are cashews and butter toffee flavored almonds from Blue diamond) or an occassional skinny cow ice cream. If I "blow it," it's no big deal, just hop back on the next day. Life happens... and you need to live it (enjoy the occassional treat - birthday cake, for example) - just don't allow it to become an every day thing.

It's not always possible to stay clean due to life, but it is A LOT easier than what you're doing (and definitely do-able for the long run). If you find yourself slipping into simple carb-ville again, then shoot for a couple of days of really low carbs/sugar (like what you're doing) in order to banish cravings.

I've tried allowing simple carbs in moderatio, (sugar/potatoes/breads/pasta, etc) , but my body won't allow it (it leads to serious sugar/carb cravings).

This is only what I do, not that it's right for everyone. Try to find what works FOR YOU (whether it's low carb or just low calorie with everything in moderation). It may take some playing around, but once you find it, you should be able to lose (and most importantly MAINTAIN that loss for the long term!)

FairyMiss · August 2011

not me i do not do well on carbs, I feel crabby , sluggish and my stomach acts up.
infact 'carb loaded ' this past weekend, today was the first day i felt good and energetic, being back on my 25 gms or less for a few days.

klhiggs32 · August 2011

I love Josephs Flax and Omega 5 net carb whole wheat flour tortillas. They do the trick for me. I make sandwiche on them for lunch every week day. Load them with veggies like lettuce and tomato and onions and turkey or tuna for protein. Sometimes I use one and dip it in hummus for snack. They're only 70 Calories for the entire piece and 5 net carbs.

Wilfred808 · August 2011

if you dont like to eat sweets then dont. but your not going to experience any benefit of body composition by cutting them out. there is no one food that makes a person fat, its there overall diet for the day. i know it makes a lot of peoples diets much easier to know that if at the end of the day they have reached their protein and fat macros and can fit it a dessert they like then they can eat it. there is no reason you cant enjoy the foods you love and still get healthier. as long as most of your calories and nutrition come from whole foods (something we both agree on) then you are fine

the only reason i replyed to you was bc you made it sound like there is some magical benefit to cutting out carbs and if youre eating carbs youre doing it wrong

that being said you have lost 100 pounds which is a fantastic acheivement and is definitely something you should be proud of

thegoodner · August 2011

This is so untrue. Carbs absolutely can make you fat - in fact they are the single macro that does control fat gain/loss becase unlike protein and fat, they are the only macro that create an insulin response. When insulin is present in the body, the body can't release stored body fat until all carbs are either burned or stored as fat. All calories are not created equal, and calories in/calories out is an outdated approach to weight loss.

OP, what you are experiencing is often called the "carb flu". It's a period of adjustment where your body transitions from burning carbs to burning fat. It very often happens during the first week or two, then once the body is converting stored body fat, your energy comes back plus some. Carbs are not essential although not harmful in proper amounts. Grains are not necessary just because they appear on a pyramid/plate/whatever, but that's up to your own preference and opinion.

Your rapid first week weight loss is from burning liver glycogen. It carries a lot of water with it. If you add a bunch of carbs back into your diet (and it doesn't matter what kind), you will restock your glycogen and all the water with it - this can be up to about 10 pounds alone.

Easy trick for effortless weight loss and eating whatever you think is best for you??? Keep your carbs under 100 g per day, eat about 1g per pound of lean body weight worth of protein, and fill the rest of your day with healthy fat - as much as you need to not feel hungry or cranky. You will easily lose weight. Go lower with the carbs to lose even more fat, or if you are diabetic or getting there.

Wilfred808 · August 2011

show me your research that says that in order to successfully diet you need to cut carbs. why would that be better than a standard caloric deficit?

dont post something from a dot com.

Grokette · August 2011

Umm, there is huge benefit from cutting out sugar and refined carbs. The result is fat loss and reducing inflammation and oxidation in the blood due to grains and sugar.

I am no longer putting anything in my body that my body doesn't need. My body needs FATS, protein and carbs in the form of vegetables.

If I feel I need something sweet, sitting down and enjoying an apple or some berries is good for me.

I have never been a big cookie or cake eater as I didn't grow up having things like that in my house. My mom made home made cakes for our birthdays and cookies and candies around the holidays - again home made. I didn't grow up eating chips, cookies and stuff like that from a grocery store.

My weight was gained from eating inflammatory grains and caused insulin issues and other endocrine issues.

Grokette · August 2011

Go to Netflix and watch Fat Head.

thegoodner · August 2011

200 Calories is 200 Calories. Right?

“What’s that in the road ahead?”

vs.

“What’s that in the road!? A head!?”

Context is important.

Many people think weight loss is simply about cutting calories. But context counts here, too. Calories do have context and that’s what I want to explore today. Is a calorie from fat the same as a calorie from protein or carbohydrate? Depends on the context. Does day-to-day calorie monitoring make any difference if your week-to-week weight and energy expenditure are dialed in? Maybe not.

Most people (even many scientists) believe that the body composition challenge is a relatively simple equation: to lose weight you must reduce calories (either eat less or burn more), to gain weight you must add calories, and to maintain weight you keep calories constant. Calories in over calories out.

The truth is, it’s more like a complex equation where you have to factor in many other very important variables: Do I want to lose weight or just body fat? Do I want to gain weight or just muscle? How much muscle do I want to put on and how fast? What is my personal genetic “range” or limit for body fat or muscle? These are all different contexts. And these are further affected by supply (types and quantity of foods as well as frequency of meals) and metabolic demand (your relative immediate need for either energy, repair, or building). In the short-term, they are rate-limited by hormones (insulin, glucagon, epinephrine, nor-epinephrine, cortisol etc). And in the long-term the range (or limits) of possible outcomes is determined by gene expression (5’8” ectomorphs simply can’t become 275-lb body-builders, but they can be well-proportioned 165-lb men or 135-lb women.). The context can also change day-to-day. That’s where you come in as the director.

Fat burning, glucose burning, ketone burning, glycogen storage, fat storage, gluconeogenesis, and protein turnover. All of these energy-related processes are going on simultaneously in each of us at all times. But the rate at which each of these processes happens is different in each of us and they can increase or decrease (sometimes dramatically) depending on the context of our present circumstances and our long term goals. All of these contexts utilize the same gene-based principles of energy metabolism – the biochemical machinery that we all share – but because they all involve different starting points as well as different goals or possible outcomes, they often require different action plans. We can alter the rate at which each of these metabolic processes happens simply by changing what and when we eat. We can change the context.

The RD’s will tell you that protein has four calories per gram, so when you figure your daily intake, budget calories accordingly. But protein is used by the body mostly for maintaining structure and function. Yes, it can be burned as fuel, but really only as a secondary source, and even then, it must be converted to glucose to be utilized. So, depending on the need within the body, the first 10, 20 or 30 grams of protein might go towards repair and growth – not energy. Do we therefore discount those first 30 grams when we “count calories?” Depends on the context. If you don’t exercise much and eat frequently and copiously all the time, maybe most of the protein you eat will count more towards your calorie budget (since your structural protein turnover is relatively less). On the other hand, if you run yourself ragged, are under a great deal of stress (lots of catabolic hormones) and generally don’t get much protein, maybe most of that one high-protein meal goes toward repair and won’t be called upon as fuel for days or weeks. Or maybe you’re coming off an IF day. Does it really count as calories today if it isn’t burned or stored as fat? If those protein calories today go to adding lean mass (muscle) that is retained for years, do those calories count today? Then again, as muscle it does offer a potential long-term stored source of energy when gluconeogenesis is increased. See what I mean? Depends on the context.

Fats aren’t just for fuel either. They can be integral parts of all cell membranes and hormones and can serve as critical protective cushioning for delicate organs. At what point do the fats we consume stop becoming structural and start becoming calorically dense fuel? Depends again on the context. If there’s a ton of carbohydrates accompanying the fat on a daily basis, it’s pretty certain that that fat will be stored as adipose tissue sooner rather than later. That’s nine calories per gram in the tank for future use (if ever). And that’s what adds up over time when you weigh yourself. OTOH, if you’ve withheld carbs for a few days and your insulin remains low, the fats from this meal might be used quickly to provide fuel for normal resting metabolic processes.

Keep your carbs low enough long enough and you get into ketosis, a fat-burning state that creates what many now refer to as the “metabolic advantage.” In this context, fats are fueling most of the body’s energy demands either directly as fatty acids or as the fat-metabolism byproducts called ketones. To the delight of those looking to burn off unwanted fat, it gets better. The body balances the acidic effect of any excess ketones by either excreting them in the urine (in today’s $5 a gallon economy, isn’t that wasting fuel?) and by using ketones and fatty acids to create a bit more glucose for the brain via gluconeogenesis in a fairly “energy inefficient” process.

Finally, let’s look at the lowly carbohydrate and its four calories per gram. All carbs are broken down into simple sugars, and eventually (and almost always) into glucose. The primary use of glucose from all carbohydrate food is as fuel, whether burned immediately as it passes by different organs and muscles or whether stored for later use. The brain, red blood cells, and nerve cells prefer glucose as primary fuel (but don’t absolutely require it – they can use ketones). Muscles that are working hard will prefer glucose if it is available, but don’t absolutely require it unless they are working very hard for very long. If it is not burned immediately as fuel, excess glucose will be first stored as glycogen in muscle and liver cells and then, if or when these glycogen storage depots are full, it will be converted to fatty acids and stored in fat cells as fat. The things to remember about carbs and to put into context: Carbs are not used as structural components in the body – they are used only as a form of fuel; glucose in the bloodstream is toxic to humans UNLESS it is being burned immediately as fuel. (For reference, “normal” blood sugar represents only about one teaspoon of glucose dissolved in the entire blood pool in your body). That’s why insulin is so critical to taking it out of the bloodstream and putting it somewhere FAST, like muscle cells or fat cells. Moreover, humans can exist quite easily without ever eating carbs, since the body has several mechanisms for generating glucose from the fat and proteins consumed, as well as from proteins stripped from muscle tissue. For all these reasons, in the PB-style of eating, carbs are lowest priority. Unless your context includes lots of endurance activities (or storing fat) there’s little reason to overdo the carbs (USDA and RDs’ recommendations notwithstanding).

So what’s the take home message from all this? To be honest, I thought maybe you could tell me! Maybe it’s that by understanding how these metabolic processes work, and knowing that we can control the rates at which each one happens through our diet (and exercise) we needn’t agonize over the day-to-day calorie counting. As long as we are generally eating a PB-style plan and providing the right context, our bodies will ease into a healthy, fit, long-lived comfort zone rather effortlessly.

Wilfred808 · August 2011

ok, lets use this as an example.

person A needs 2000 calories to maintain the tissue they currently have( and also cellular processes etc.). that person eats 1800 calories that day.

how is that persons body going to create more tissue( fat ) when it doesnt even have the energy to maintain the tissue it already has?

carbs may result in temporary fat storage but if you are in a caloric deficit at the end of the day you will have a loss of total fat

thegoodner · August 2011

ditto watching "Fat Head"... it's free on Hulu too...

www.hulu.com/watch/196879/fat-head

Another resource, is Why We Get Fat by Gary Taubes. Read it and it will change the way you think about the overweight completely.

lockef · August 2011

Thegoodner... Great info and great post, but not totally true. Protein will also cause an insulin spike, but it does not raise your blood glucose levels.

Wilfred808 · August 2011

if you dont believe me then please read this.

http://weightology.net/weightologyweekly/?page_id=319

if you click the blue words in the article it will take you to pubmed.gov, one of the best places you can get your info from on the internet

now lets see your sources and it better not come from a dot com

Exhausted with Low/No Carb Eating

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