Eating out help please - white carbs

Maldivesbeachbodplease
Maldivesbeachbodplease Posts: 444 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Hi all,

So as rule of thumb I always avoid white carbs apart from one meal a week where i have slightly more calories and it is fine if i have white carbs.

My problem is me and my other half like to eat out at the weekends and everywhere in the UK is white pasta, white wraps, white bread etc etc.

Does it matter if i choose the healthiest option even if it includes white carbs? if it still fits within my calorie intake for the day i mean? or will white carbs completely stall my weight loss? (particualrly given i normally avoid starchy carbs at dinner time).

thank youuu xxx

Replies

  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Eat the white carbs and enjoy, just stick within your calorie limit and watch the portion size. If you think about it, there are far lower levels of obesity in countries where white pasta and rice form part of the everyday diet!
  • zoeluiisa
    zoeluiisa Posts: 392 Member
    Hi all,

    So as rule of thumb I always avoid white carbs apart from one meal a week where i have slightly more calories and it is fine if i have white carbs.

    My problem is me and my other half like to eat out at the weekends and everywhere in the UK is white pasta, white wraps, white bread etc etc.

    Does it matter if i choose the healthiest option even if it includes white carbs? if it still fits within my calorie intake for the day i mean? or will white carbs completely stall my weight loss? (particualrly given i normally avoid starchy carbs at dinner time).

    thank youuu xxx

    Where are you eating out? Lots and lots of restaurants serve meals that don't include white bread or pasta!

    Edit - In case it's useful: The last meal I had out was brunch at a cafe and I had falafel and salad. The one before that was dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant where I had chilli prawns and veg. The one before that was a pub lunch - tempura seafood with a dip thing. Can't remember before that, but I don't eat pasta or bread and I eat out a lot!
  • MrsSWW
    MrsSWW Posts: 1,585 Member
    Carbs don't have to be the devil! Keep within your calories and you'll be fine - if you want carbs that'll also have great health benefits then go for a jacket potato :smile:

    I regularly eat carbs, and sometimes even 'white' carbs, I LOVE THEM, and I've managed to lose a fair amount...:drinker:

    4558573.png
    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Nutrition Facts For Foods
  • leenites
    leenites Posts: 166 Member
    Eat them. They are sweet and tasty. Just do it in moderation.
    I myself avoid white carbs because they make me doze off in office.... NOT FUN. If someone understands why I get food coma eating white rice, white bread and pasta but not when I eat stir-fry veggies + chicken breast, please let me know too. =D
  • theartichoke
    theartichoke Posts: 816 Member
    Eat them. They are sweet and tasty. Just do it in moderation.
    I myself avoid white carbs because they make me doze off in office.... NOT FUN. If someone understands why I get food coma eating white rice, white bread and pasta but not when I eat stir-fry veggies + chicken breast, please let me know too. =D

    Hi. Your food coma is likely from insulin resistance. Also called pre-diabetes. I have it too. I would highly recommend a trip to the Dr but you're doing the right thing by avoiding white carbs. Stick with 20 grams of carbs per meal and you should feel okay. Getting it under control with diet will prevent you from becoming insulin dependent. A quick Google search will give you a great deal of information but this really should be.monitored by a doctor.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Hi all,

    So as rule of thumb I always avoid white carbs apart from one meal a week where i have slightly more calories and it is fine if i have white carbs.

    My problem is me and my other half like to eat out at the weekends and everywhere in the UK is white pasta, white wraps, white bread etc etc.

    Does it matter if i choose the healthiest option even if it includes white carbs? if it still fits within my calorie intake for the day i mean? or will white carbs completely stall my weight loss? (particualrly given i normally avoid starchy carbs at dinner time).

    thank youuu xxx

    There would be no significant difference in weight loss if you ate white carbs or brown carbs all the time. Eat the ones yuo like the taste of.
  • zoeluiisa
    zoeluiisa Posts: 392 Member
    Eat them. They are sweet and tasty. Just do it in moderation.
    I myself avoid white carbs because they make me doze off in office.... NOT FUN. If someone understands why I get food coma eating white rice, white bread and pasta but not when I eat stir-fry veggies + chicken breast, please let me know too. =D

    Hi. Your food coma is likely from insulin resistance. Also called pre-diabetes. I have it too. I would highly recommend a trip to the Dr but you're doing the right thing by avoiding white carbs. Stick with 20 grams of carbs per meal and you should feel okay. Getting it under control with diet will prevent you from becoming insulin dependent. A quick Google search will give you a great deal of information but this really should be.monitored by a doctor.

    I don't think that's necessarily true - most people find a big carby lunch makes them a bit snoozy in the afternoon!
  • Masterdo
    Masterdo Posts: 331 Member
    The main significant difference is usually in fibers. If you compare the rest of the nutritional facts, it barely makes a difference. The calories don't change significantly either, so just make sure you get fibers from another source that day, and enjoy your night out :p
  • Christina1007
    Christina1007 Posts: 179 Member
    Bella Italia has wholemeal pasta. Try it, it's nice!
  • theartichoke
    theartichoke Posts: 816 Member
    Eat them. They are sweet and tasty. Just do it in moderation.
    I myself avoid white carbs because they make me doze off in office.... NOT FUN. If someone understands why I get food coma eating white rice, white bread and pasta but not when I eat stir-fry veggies + chicken breast, please let me know too. =D

    Hi. Your food coma is likely from insulin resistance. Also called pre-diabetes. I have it too. I would highly recommend a trip to the Dr but you're doing the right thing by avoiding white carbs. Stick with 20 grams of carbs per meal and you should feel okay. Getting it under control with diet will prevent you from becoming insulin dependent. A quick Google search will give you a great deal of information but this really should be.monitored by a doctor.

    I don't think that's necessarily true - most people find a big carby lunch makes them a bit snoozy in the afternoon!

    You're absolutely right. However, a bit snoozy from a great meal and insulin spikes are two very different kinds of sleepy. It's closer to a non functional state instead Thanksgiving satiated and the fact that the above poster has suffered.enough consequences to cut carbs out on his/her own is a red flag. Being cautious about diabetes is far better than going ahead and eating ourselves into insulin dependency. It's worth checking out.
  • torizia
    torizia Posts: 140 Member
    Hi all,

    So as rule of thumb I always avoid white carbs apart from one meal a week where i have slightly more calories and it is fine if i have white carbs.

    My problem is me and my other half like to eat out at the weekends and everywhere in the UK is white pasta, white wraps, white bread etc etc.

    Does it matter if i choose the healthiest option even if it includes white carbs? if it still fits within my calorie intake for the day i mean? or will white carbs completely stall my weight loss? (particualrly given i normally avoid starchy carbs at dinner time).

    thank youuu xxx

    I completely agree! We love eating out, but everywhere seems to have white pasta/rice/wraps only. I think the poster who disagreed with you may have missed the point slightly - it is easy to find alternatives to white carbs (i.e. meals without carbs at all), but not to find brown rice, pasta etc!

    I tend to just limit the amount of them I eat, and count it as a treat (but try and stay within calories)
  • delilah47
    delilah47 Posts: 1,658 Member
    White carbs are not poison. Whole wheats and grains are healthier and help your metabolism avoid sugar spikes, but eating white carbs is not going to kill ya.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    It's the same with most restaurants here in the US. When eating out I will usually go for a small steak filet or grilled chicken breast and a veg side over any sandwich or pasta dish because of the white grains. Unless I really want a burger or pasta and I haven't slurged in a while. Then I'll just order what I want and not stress about it. Once in a while is okay with me, but in general I avoid it.
  • DANCHAN1
    DANCHAN1 Posts: 113 Member
    Someone offered me a trick once that I use in this type of situation or if I am going out and going to have some alcohol. I know it will sound funny but I take a glass of metamucil. The fibre in the metamucil helps balance out the carb just like high glycemic foods are high in fibre well I get that through the metamucil. Hope that helps
  • kmacgera
    kmacgera Posts: 137 Member
    Eat them. They are sweet and tasty. Just do it in moderation.
    I myself avoid white carbs because they make me doze off in office.... NOT FUN. If someone understands why I get food coma eating white rice, white bread and pasta but not when I eat stir-fry veggies + chicken breast, please let me know too. =D

    Hi. Your food coma is likely from insulin resistance. Also called pre-diabetes. I have it too. I would highly recommend a trip to the Dr but you're doing the right thing by avoiding white carbs. Stick with 20 grams of carbs per meal and you should feel okay. Getting it under control with diet will prevent you from becoming insulin dependent. A quick Google search will give you a great deal of information but this really should be.monitored by a doctor.

    I don't think that's necessarily true - most people find a big carby lunch makes them a bit snoozy in the afternoon!

    I think it was worth pointing out. Diabetes is no picnic, and her reaction sounded extreme. You never know, so it was a good call.
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,793 Member

    Does it matter if i choose the healthiest option even if it includes white carbs? if it still fits within my calorie intake for the day i mean? or will white carbs completely stall my weight loss? (particualrly given i normally avoid starchy carbs at dinner time).

    thank youuu xxx

    In that context, no it won't make any difference, expect maybe put pressure on yourself based on an extreme view of carbohydrates that should be deligated to the misinformation slot.
  • Phrak
    Phrak Posts: 353 Member
    I am assuming you wont be fasted for more than 24hrs before consuming this meal, and also this meal probably will contain protein, fats, and carbs. This means it wont make a lick of difference in digestion rate/insulin spikes or what ever other anti white carb voodoo you have heard.. People need to stop the carb racisim.
  • BronnersHarris
    BronnersHarris Posts: 247 Member
    What about eating at places that are more pan-asian like Wagamamas or similar? Stir frys/curries etc but they seem to have a lot more meals where white carbs do not make up the majority of the meal? I don't tend to eat much wheat in general but I do eat white rice so maybe that's why I find it easier.

    I think Jamie's Italian has wholmeal pasta too.
  • connie_messina
    connie_messina Posts: 495 Member
    Eat the white carbs and enjoy, just stick within your calorie limit and watch the portion size. If you think about it, there are far lower levels of obesity in countries where white pasta and rice form part of the everyday diet!

    so true!!
  • JeepBrah
    JeepBrah Posts: 150 Member
    Doesnt matter what you eat aslong as you hit your macros
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Hi all,

    So as rule of thumb I always avoid white carbs apart from one meal a week where i have slightly more calories and it is fine if i have white carbs.

    My problem is me and my other half like to eat out at the weekends and everywhere in the UK is white pasta, white wraps, white bread etc etc.

    Does it matter if i choose the healthiest option even if it includes white carbs? if it still fits within my calorie intake for the day i mean? or will white carbs completely stall my weight loss? (particualrly given i normally avoid starchy carbs at dinner time).

    thank youuu xxx

    There would be no significant difference in weight loss if you ate white carbs or brown carbs all the time. Eat the ones yuo like the taste of.
    This. Carbs are carbs. Besides, insulin spikes are dependent on the entire meal. If you eat the exact same meal, and just swap out a side of rice between brown rice or white rice, there won't be a significant difference at all. As long as you get enough fiber in your diet, the "color" of the carbs doesn't matter. (Also, poor cauliflower, always being avoided for being white... Apples are also white carbs, now that I think about it.... Huh..)
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    I didn't cut back on white carbs at all while I was losing. My weight loss actually proceeded ahead of schedule, despite all the pasta, pizza crust and even... cake! :-)
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