Calling all CARB Kings and Queens?

Carbs are heavenly! I love love love bread! And potatoes, and pasta, and anything that's stuffed with a lovely bunch of carbs I don't have a ton of ideas on how to reduce this problem... or habit, but we can figure it out together! I definitley need to kick the habit!

Look for carbs that are high fiber, low sugar. Helps keep you full, and it's definitely healthier. The main problem people have with high carb diets is that it causes more cravings, inflammation and water retention, so you look and weigh heavier than you actually are. I've varied between no-carb and all-carb diets, and have finally settled at a happy median. If you can, definitely try to get more protein in your diet.. since you don't care for meat, try sourcing your protein from dairy products or protein shakes/supplements.

I love Carbs!! I could eat potatoes, bread or pasta with every meal. I love muffins, granola bars and pizza. Any carb will do. I do like protein though, I enjoy most foods but carbs always have a special place in my food heart...haha I think it's really about limiting calories though and eating more protein rich foods. I see nothing wrong with yogurt or granola bars... add in almonds or walnuts and some cheese for protein. Find a veggie you like and eat that...really it doesn't have to be rainbow, just find some healthy things you can enjoy and stick to that.

Carbs are by far the hardest thing for me to reduce. I have realized that as I replace many carbs with lean proteins and fruits/veggies I am having less and less cravings for them. In the past few weeks I have really only had one Carb Craving. I still eat sufficient carbs daily and have lots of room for improvement. This is obviously an area that I will always be working on.

I know it goes against *popular* thinking, but carbs keep me full longer. A nice amount of pasta (with vegetables and protein, of course) will keep me full until the next meal. I'm not much of a snacker.

I think carbs are so vilified because it's easy to overdo on the simple carbs.

But the way you eat carbs is fine. Whole-grain carbs as part of a balanced meal is a great way to get fiber and micronutrients.

Just don't listen to the carb haters.

I am definitely among friends here! I have never been a big meat eater, but it really depends strongly on my hormone cycles. Thank god for apps that track that info! I have devised a method that has helped me out a bit however...I've dropped a few pounds spreading my carb-heavy meals out. The trouble with carbs (this is from a few sources that I feel are trustworthy) is that the release of insulin tells your body to stop burning fat and start storing fat. When I work out, I don't have carbs for 2 hours on either side. That means eggs, protein shake, cottage cheese with veggies, etc for breakfast on workout days. Rest days or evening workout days I make some fruit filled whole grain or oatmeal pancakes. I live for those days.

On am workout days, I also have a carb heavy lunch. It has to be at least 2-3 hours after my workout. That is my time to have a wheat bread sandwich, some Trader Joe's Indian Fare with whole grain naan, some thai noodles with fish or a slice or two of pizza. Dinner? I try to make sure that even with carbs they aren't the main focus. Lasagna roll ups were last week, so it was a lot of part skim dairy. (I stayed away from dairy the rest of the day). That may not work for everyone, but I feel better with this method. I don't have to resort to eliminating my favorites - but I definitely don't crave them as much.

Now if I can stop finishing the night at happy hour with beer and appetizers, the weight should come falling off a lot faster!

Thanks for starting this post - I have had a long journey. Its great to read stuff from people who are going through the same struggles as I am!