To Low Carb or Not to Low Carb

Well ketosis isn't that important as you should know reading that book. I think 150-200g is considered low-carb.

Then everyone I'm friends with on MFP is low carb haha. 200g of carbs is pretty high, in my opinion. This debate could go on forever - I just know what works for me, I'm happy with the body composition changes I've made in the last 6 months; what everyone else does and whatever dietary ideology they choose to subscribe to is ultimately up them.

To each their own

no set gram amount is right for everyone. a percentage of calories is a better way of looking at it.

"low carb" is usually defined as active carbs making up 20% or less of your calories. on a 1500 calories per day diet, 20% or less active carbs would be 75g or less for the day.

I am not reading the whole debate (been there, done that). I'm just adding my vote. I'm an eat-your-carbs kinda gal.

Why, you ask?

Three major reasons:

1) I'm a neuroscientist. Neurons can "eat" ketones, but I personally feel their optimal fuel is glucose. There are some studies out there that suggest ketogenic diets may be neurobeneficial for people with Alzheimer's disease- I won't get into that because it's too complicated to explain right now- but for the most part, I think neurons do best on glucose. Now there aren't a TON of studies that back me up. If you look, you might find some studies about low-carb altering cognitive function, reading comprehension, and so forth... but it's really not clear right now if that's truly the case. However, I grow neurons in a petri-dish and I know they're happier with glucose, so I'm biased in that direction.

2) Back before I completed my Ph.D., I tried low-carb. I was absolutely miserable. I stuck with it for a month or two (can't remember exactly which). I could not even walk up the damned stairs. I was nauseous all the time. I had a headache all the time. MISERABLE. Not everyone responds the way I do to ketosis... but my response was enough for me to say: hey... if this makes me feel like crap, maybe it's not the best idea.

3) I can lose weight on a normal low-calorie diet eating foods that I think taste delicious (carbs!). I like the occasional steak, but I'm really just not a huge meat-fan... and bacon is only yum sometimes... sooo... low carb has no appeal.

Oh yah... just for fun... to throw a wrench into the "NO" carb thing (cause I saw it hanging out up there a few posts up).

It's almost impossible to go zero carb. Muscle tissue has glycogen in it. Even an all meat diet is going to have some carbs. I think it's only like 7 grams, but hey, 7 =/= 0

I used to be low carb but I am glad I broke that habit as, the more you work your muscles, the more carbs you need to repair them.

Carbs are not bad unless they are consumed in excess.

Carbs (or lack thereof) doesn't have to be a hinderance. Eating low-carb doesn't mean you have to deprive your muscles of anything. Unless you are an Olympic athlete, you can control/restrict your carb intake, and just happen to eat most of your carbs around exercise. That's what I do, and my strength and endurance has increased (also from hard work and a bit of weight loss).

I am in training for a marathon and found I simply don't need carbs during most of my runs. I'll add them for high intensity and long runs, but other than that fat burning is good enough. I always eat them during recovery though.

I used to be low carb but I am glad I broke that habit as, the more you work your muscles, the more carbs you need to repair them.

Carbs are not bad unless they are consumed in excess.

Carbs (or lack thereof) doesn't have to be a hinderance. Eating low-carb doesn't mean you have to deprive your muscles of anything. Unless you are an Olympic athlete, you can control/restrict your carb intake, and just happen to eat most of your carbs around exercise. That's what I do, and my strength and endurance has increased (also from hard work and a bit of weight loss).

I am in training for a marathon and found I simply don't need carbs during most of my runs. I'll add them for high intensity and long runs, but other than that fat burning is good enough. I always eat them during recovery though.

plus, carbs have absolutey nothing to do with muscle repair.

I don't think that's true though, but I think they are overrated for muscle repair. I remember studies showing as long as glycogen stores are adequate, protein alone is adequate for recovery. However as an endurance athlete who depletes glycogen intentionally, I think I need some post-workout carbs.

I am not reading the whole debate (been there, done that). I'm just adding my vote. I'm an eat-your-carbs kinda gal.

Why, you ask?

Three major reasons:

1) I'm a neuroscientist. Neurons can "eat" ketones, but I personally feel their optimal fuel is glucose. There are some studies out there that suggest ketogenic diets may be neurobeneficial for people with Alzheimer's disease- I won't get into that because it's too complicated to explain right now- but for the most part, I think neurons do best on glucose. Now there aren't a TON of studies that back me up. If you look, you might find some studies about low-carb altering cognitive function, reading comprehension, and so forth... but it's really not clear right now if that's truly the case. However, I grow neurons in a petri-dish and I know they're happier with glucose, so I'm biased in that direction.

2) Back before I completed my Ph.D., I tried low-carb. I was absolutely miserable. I stuck with it for a month or two (can't remember exactly which). I could not even walk up the damned stairs. I was nauseous all the time. I had a headache all the time. MISERABLE. Not everyone responds the way I do to ketosis... but my response was enough for me to say: hey... if this makes me feel like crap, maybe it's not the best idea.

3) I can lose weight on a normal low-calorie diet eating foods that I think taste delicious (carbs!). I like the occasional steak, but I'm really just not a huge meat-fan... and bacon is only yum sometimes... sooo... low carb has no appeal.

Winner!!!

bump

If you look at it from a practical perspective, low carbing is great because it usually means you don't need to think in terms of calories.

BRB, eating 6,500 calories of bacon and eggs everyday and still losing weight.

NICE!!!

That's what I am doing now. Love it! for a few reasons:

1. The huge losses (especially in the beginning) provide motivation to keep going.
2. I am forced to walk away from cookies, candy, and other sugary treats this way. The whole "everything in moderation" mantra only works if you can handle it, but I am truly a food addict and need restrictions to stop myself from bingeing.
3. I am less likely to go through a drive-thru or snack on junk food without thinking, because finding low-carb foods is just not as easy as grabbbing something from the vending machine.
4. Nothin about meat, cheese, eggs, or vegetables makes my body want to overeat. I can go through a family-size bag of Doritos or package of Oreos in one sitting, but I have NEVER EVER EVER felt the need to gorge myself on green beans LOL.
5. I have a ot more energy and focus when I eat low-carb. I am not groggy or sleepy all day, and I know longer feel like a bear dragged out of hibernation prematurely. There is truly a pep in my step.

Low-carb is not for everyone, but it's for this chick

Couldnt have said it better myself :-)

Thank you for the responses so far. I see myself in a few of them. I guess my main reason for asking is to help me justify going back on the low carb plan. The hard part about it is eating different from the rest of the family. Spaghetti and hamburger helper are quick and easy meals for the kids and make it hard to stay away from the carbs.

We're not no carb in this house but we do tend to be low carb (by low carb I mean around 170g or less a day) but that leaves plenty of room for a balanced diet -- also we tend to make low-glycemic choices and eat higher fiber foods -- as for spaghetti, I'm eating it for dinner right now made from a brand of pasta called Dream Fields -- tastes just like any other pasta but its low glycemic.... its all a matter of moderation though -- I am not a carb fan personally but even with that being said, I wouldn't cut them out completely, its just not practical for the long term.