Low calorie diet? Or low carb diet?

shannonmelek
shannonmelek Posts: 34 Member
edited November 9 in Health and Weight Loss
which one is better? Or which do you prefer?
«13

Replies

  • ExerciseGeek
    ExerciseGeek Posts: 183 Member
    Low carb diet, or carbs when I feel I need them :tongue:
  • jenlarz
    jenlarz Posts: 813 Member
    Very much prefer counting caloies! If I deprive myself of something it makes me want it more. I LOVE bread and pasta and want it in my diet. I did swich to whole grain though
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    which one is better? Or which do you prefer?

    Define better? Personally I wouldn't do either, you can create a moderate deficit and still eat carbs and lose just fine.
  • Nelski
    Nelski Posts: 1,607 Member
    Not too low on either.
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,222 Member
    Actually both give identical results on a calorie for calorie basis. If by consuming lower carbs you stave off sugar cravings if you have them, which results in better satiety and it fits into your lifestyle, then you'll probably have more success with it, otherwise it doesn't matter.
  • shannonmelek
    shannonmelek Posts: 34 Member
    Low carb diet, or carbs when I feel I need them :tongue:


    I feel the same way I counted my carbs before in a former diet and saw good results, calorie counting im not seeing much results.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    I'm not sure what "low" means in this conversation, but why would you want either??? Your body needs both, in healthy balance with fats and protein.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Low carb diet, or carbs when I feel I need them :tongue:


    I feel the same way I counted my carbs before in a former diet and saw good results, calorie counting im not seeing much results.

    Was it the low carbs that gave you success, or other factors? Is it the calories that are causing you to not see results, or the types of calories.

    If you keep total cals the same and reduce carbs, you necessarily increase fat and/or protein (in most cases both). The increase in protein is a VERY GOOD thing for most people.

    If you reduce carbs and as a result reduce cals, are you seeing results because you cut carbs, or because you cut total cals?
  • agentscully514
    agentscully514 Posts: 616 Member
    For some people, NOT EVERYONE, low carb works much better. I am one of them. You could try it and see if it works for you.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    For some people, NOT EVERYONE, low carb works much better. I am one of them. You could try it and see if it works for you.

    And I'll ask you the same question... is it really the low carbs that "work"?

    Did you keep your total cals the same when you went low cal? If so, I assume in increased protein and fats? Could that be why you had success? If not, then could the success actually be from the fewer total cals?
  • MacMadame
    MacMadame Posts: 1,893 Member
    And I'll ask you the same question... is it really the low carbs that "work"?
    According to studies, yes. Low-carb diets tend to lead to better weight loss compared to low fat diets (which are also high carb).

    That's because protein and fats are more satiating than carbs so most people aren't as hungry.

    To answer the OPs question: you have to have a calorie deficit to lose weight. So eating low carb but not counting calories only works if your calories in naturally stay lower than your calories burned. So to some extent you need both. But eating a lot less carbs than the so-called experts call for works a lot better for keeping your calories low enough to lose weight IME.

    It also depends on whether or not you are insulin resistant. If you are, then too many carbs will slow your weight loss disproportionately to the amount of calories they have because your insulin response to them will lower your metabolism.
  • agentscully514
    agentscully514 Posts: 616 Member
    For some people, NOT EVERYONE, low carb works much better. I am one of them. You could try it and see if it works for you.

    And I'll ask you the same question... is it really the low carbs that "work"?

    Did you keep your total cals the same when you went low cal? If so, I assume in increased protein and fats? Could that be why you had success? If not, then could the success actually be from the fewer total cals?

    Absolutely yes. I am insulin resistant. I CANNOT lose weight if I reduce calories without reducing carbs. I lose more weight on 1500 calories a day low carb than on 1200 low cal.
  • sharleengc
    sharleengc Posts: 792 Member
    I've tried both and I was more successful and able to keep it up with low calorie. Low carb I can do for a bit at a time but I can never manage it long term...
  • sharonsjones
    sharonsjones Posts: 574 Member
    I just watch my calories and stay in my carb allowance. If I go over some it doesn't bother me. I run and I need my carbs for energy.
  • chefkev
    chefkev Posts: 155 Member
    I was a type 2 until I drastically reduced carbs. I do both. Low carbs and 1500 calories a day.

    Works great for me. I get monthly blood work done, numbers are incredible. Cholesterol dropped to 155 total without drugs. normal BP, no diabetes drugs anymore.
  • staceyfish416
    staceyfish416 Posts: 1
    Low carb for sure!! Then you can eat lots of meat and thats what I love!!
  • traci2612
    traci2612 Posts: 40
    I've done both. Yes, the low carb got me results..I couldn't stick with it and ended up gaining more than I had in years. Right now I am just eating healthy. Paying attention to nutrient rich foods that are also low in calories. This is working so much better than any other way I have done in the past. Good Luck!!
  • Juliedhoward
    Juliedhoward Posts: 8
    I'm gonna try healthy carbs in the morning and tapper off by the end of the night for intense not many carbs for dinner. cause I'm not doing as much moving at night. has anyone done this any advise?
  • shine_
    shine_ Posts: 150 Member
    I have PCOS so for me the answer is low carb as that's what crucial with PCOS. Having said that I struggle (not on purpose!) to reach 1200 most days so in reality I'm doing both at the moment, though only the low carb one is intentional.
  • agentscully514
    agentscully514 Posts: 616 Member
    my advice, honestly, is do that in reverse. From years of experience, I do better if I eat less carbs in the morning and more in the evening. It keeps my insulin and blood sugar even much better if I do it that way.
    I'm gonna try healthy carbs in the morning and tapper off by the end of the night for intense not many carbs for dinner. cause I'm not doing as much moving at night. has anyone done this any advise?
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    And I'll ask you the same question... is it really the low carbs that "work"?
    According to studies, yes. Low-carb diets tend to lead to better weight loss compared to low fat diets (which are also high carb).

    That's because protein and fats are more satiating than carbs so most people aren't as hungry.

    So is it the low carbs that work or the increase fat/protein that works?

    Maybe it's semantics, but I'd rather see people going on high protein diets than low carb diets, even if at the end of the day they are eating the same thing either way.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    For some people, NOT EVERYONE, low carb works much better. I am one of them. You could try it and see if it works for you.

    And I'll ask you the same question... is it really the low carbs that "work"?

    Did you keep your total cals the same when you went low cal? If so, I assume in increased protein and fats? Could that be why you had success? If not, then could the success actually be from the fewer total cals?

    Absolutely yes. I am insulin resistant. I CANNOT lose weight if I reduce calories without reducing carbs. I lose more weight on 1500 calories a day low carb than on 1200 low cal.
    Then you are a special case. Offering advice without disclosing this can be considered, at the very least, misleading.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    I'm gonna try healthy carbs in the morning and tapper off by the end of the night for intense not many carbs for dinner. cause I'm not doing as much moving at night. has anyone done this any advise?
    This is a very old school, tried and true approach. My girlfriend and I are working with a nutritionist/trainer and he suggested a very similar approach for her.
  • gretchenwb
    gretchenwb Posts: 70 Member
    OK! Of all the reading I've done I've come to the conclusion that very restrictive carbs-like Atkins-can make you drop weight quicker-but as you get close to goal weight and keep up a good exercise routine I don't think that is practical to maintain. As you eat a balanced healthy diet (as every dietician who has counseled diabetics will tell you) combined with exercise, your body becomes more efficient. So.... carbs, calories, proteins, and yes even good fats combine to do the work our bodies were designed to do. If you lose weight eating all these in moderation, I would imagine it would be easier to keep the weight off after you have reached your goal. Just my opinion.
  • 2Bgoddess
    2Bgoddess Posts: 1,096 Member
    I don't know which one works better, or if there is a difference, but I do know that by lowering the amount of carbs (and sugar, natural or otherwise) I consume and increasing the amount of protein I eat, I am losing weight. Yeah, my calories are probably lower, as a bonus, but I find it easier to manage than specifically focusing on my calorie count.

    I find if I eat more carbs, like pasta and bread, I crave them more, as well as sweets. I don't care if it's all in my head either, cuz I have had to change the way I think about food, to break my unreasonable and crazy addiction to it. Now I feel more in control. So it's working. (For me).
  • agentscully514
    agentscully514 Posts: 616 Member


    Absolutely yes. I am insulin resistant. I CANNOT lose weight if I reduce calories without reducing carbs. I lose more weight on 1500 calories a day low carb than on 1200 low cal.
    Then you are a special case. Offering advice without disclosing this can be considered, at the very least, misleading.

    If insulin resistance were rare, this would be true, however, if you look around this site, there are MANY members who have insulin resistance and/or PCOS. and that is why I said low carb is best for SOME people. A lot more people than you seem to think.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member


    Absolutely yes. I am insulin resistant. I CANNOT lose weight if I reduce calories without reducing carbs. I lose more weight on 1500 calories a day low carb than on 1200 low cal.
    Then you are a special case. Offering advice without disclosing this can be considered, at the very least, misleading.

    If insulin resistance were rare, this would be true, however, if you look around this site, there are MANY members who have insulin resistance and/or PCOS. and that is why I said low carb is best for SOME people. A lot more people than you seem to think.

    Yes it is fairly common. But it is not the rule. Is it even the majority?

    By posting a recommendation based on your success without giving context to your success, you in effect, give bad advice to people without insulin resistance problems.

    I don't have ANY problem with you giving advice or with what that advice is. My issues is the fact that it's not qualified.
  • agentscully514
    agentscully514 Posts: 616 Member


    Absolutely yes. I am insulin resistant. I CANNOT lose weight if I reduce calories without reducing carbs. I lose more weight on 1500 calories a day low carb than on 1200 low cal.
    Then you are a special case. Offering advice without disclosing this can be considered, at the very least, misleading.

    If insulin resistance were rare, this would be true, however, if you look around this site, there are MANY members who have insulin resistance and/or PCOS. and that is why I said low carb is best for SOME people. A lot more people than you seem to think.

    Yes it is fairly common. But it is not the rule. Is it even the majority?

    By posting a recommendation based on your success without giving context to your success, you in effect, give bad advice to people without insulin resistance problems.

    I don't have ANY problem with you giving advice or with what that advice is. My issues is the fact that it's not qualified.

    It seems to me you were giving unqualified advice yourself.
  • mgmlap
    mgmlap Posts: 1,377 Member
    I think it depends on your body. I dont do low calorie..but I do low carbs...because I have insulin resistance..so restricting carbs to only fruits and veggies helps me tremendously..and if I do eat grains..I do the gluten free stuff..my body thanks me

    You have to play around to see what works for you...
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member


    Absolutely yes. I am insulin resistant. I CANNOT lose weight if I reduce calories without reducing carbs. I lose more weight on 1500 calories a day low carb than on 1200 low cal.
    Then you are a special case. Offering advice without disclosing this can be considered, at the very least, misleading.

    If insulin resistance were rare, this would be true, however, if you look around this site, there are MANY members who have insulin resistance and/or PCOS. and that is why I said low carb is best for SOME people. A lot more people than you seem to think.

    Yes it is fairly common. But it is not the rule. Is it even the majority?

    By posting a recommendation based on your success without giving context to your success, you in effect, give bad advice to people without insulin resistance problems.

    I don't have ANY problem with you giving advice or with what that advice is. My issues is the fact that it's not qualified.

    It seems to me you were giving unqualified advice yourself.
    I guess you could make that argument... but it's much safer to assume, when no context is given, that the advice is based on the "norm", for lack of a better word.

    So yes... when I give advice, I guess I'm assuming that people who read it will assume I don't have any special health issues/concerns governing my advice. You can't say that about your advice. And if you're giving advice based on a health issue, who's to say what issue it is?
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