Opinions on Carbs please

kirsty736
kirsty736 Posts: 65
in Food and Nutrition
Can people post their relationship with carbs, did you limit them and find better losses? Or do you have some with each meal and enjoy losing? I know it is ultimately about burning more calories than you take in, but I'm interested in the whole carb issue! Thanks :)

Replies

  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    You will find there is a wide range of opinions re carbs and weight loss, it's a hotly debated topic around here.

    As a runner I try to get about 60% of my calories from carbs.
  • nml2011
    nml2011 Posts: 156 Member
    I tend to carb-backload - eat the majority of my carbs in my evening meal if I am training the following morning;

    I also consume quite a few in my post workout shake;

    Apart from that I limit them especially on rest days when I drop them to 50 - 100g.
  • elri1908
    elri1908 Posts: 160 Member
    I'm not an expert, but I can tell you that for me limiting carbs have worked. I am very overweight, and used to eat a lot of carbs in the form of bread, rice, potatoes etc. By cutting that out I've been losing steadily. I do however still eat brown rice from time to time, and the odd slice of bread or water crackers etc. On a limited calorie eating plan, I just find that carbs are so high in calories that I can eat better and more healthy by focusing on rather eating more protein, and vegetables (excluding the white stuff) etc.

    Not a great deal of help, but that's my take on things.
  • hongruss
    hongruss Posts: 389 Member
    I don't have an opinion, as I eat A LOT of carbs. I struggle to maintain, currently eating 3300 daily BUT what I don't understand, is, if I cut carbs don't my Protien & Fat macros become unhealthy??

    Russ
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    I am trying to limit my carbs to under 100g net--50 net would be better. I have a tendency towards insulin resistance, and my Doctor instructed me to cut my carbs down....
  • naomi8888
    naomi8888 Posts: 519 Member
    I used to eat mostly vegan and it ended up being low protein and high carb which I never really gave much thought to. However when I made an effort to increase my protein and reduce carbs I found that I was able to control my appetite a lot better. I still eat over 100g carbs most days but try to get over 100g protein too. These days I don't come home after work feeling absolutely starving.
    BTW I've also increased my fat intake so that is meant to control appetite too.

    Edited to add - I also eat seafood and dairy now
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    I'm a low carber, less than 30g of carbohydrates excluding fibre.

    My calorie intake is 60% fat, 25-30% protein and a few carbs.

    Dropping carbs reduced my calorie intake but also left me without any hunger. In total I've lost 56 pounds (the ticker is from when I set it up on here) and am now below 25 BMI.
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    I eat rice, pasta, bread, fruit etc, carbs don't seem to be a problem for me.
    I think the low- carb thing is just the latest fad really (I've lived through the "low fat years and saw how that didn't work!)
    Having said that, I think we at all different and some people seem to feel much better on low carbs, for others it's not an issue.
  • mom2mozart
    mom2mozart Posts: 307 Member
    I eat everything in moderation. I try to stay within the MFP default settings for my carbs. I have lost most of weight this way. I've found that when I go considerably over on my protein my losses slow down, or I gain some... My diary is open.

    I try to eat keeping in mind the food pyramid now (6-7 servings of grains, 3-4 servings of vegetables, 2-3 servings of fruit, 2-3 servings of lowfat/non-fat dairy, 2 servings of meat, limit fat and added sugar). It works for me.
  • kirsty736
    kirsty736 Posts: 65
    Thanks for your replies! I may try low carb for a few weeks to see if it helps to reduce my appetite a little.
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    I make sure to eat mainly high-fiber whole-grain, vegetable and legume carbs. I limit refined sugars and processed junk, etc. Pasta is my favorite food and I refuse to live without it. Luckily, there are some pretty tasty whole grain pastas out there now. (I can't stand that gritty, cardboard flavored whole wheat stuff, though.) I've never had any trouble taking off or maintaining weight while eating carbs as my primary food source. I enjoy carbs throughout the day, every day. Everybody is different, though. I don't have blood sugar problems, but if I did, I'm sure I'd have to limit my intake a bit more. I think the key for me is just eating within my calorie requirements. :drinker:
  • SRH7
    SRH7 Posts: 2,037 Member
    It's all a very personal choice and what works for one person doesn't work for another. Personally, if I go overboard on carbs then I eat and eat and eat. Reducing carbs and increasing protein curbs my appetite and makes it easier for me to stay within my calorie limit. It also means I'm more likely to eat fresh, homecooked food as you can't just reach for processed quick food if low carbing as there are usually hidden sugars and refined carbs.

    I haven't cut carbs out altogether but now get most of them from green vegetables and milk (can't give up my cups of tea!) and also eat wholewheat tortillas, brown rice or ryebread if I'm doing a lot of exercise. Midweek I try to keep to under 100g of carbs a day, higher if I'm doing a big hike at the weekend.

    It also makes preparing meals easier - which means my weightloss plan is easier to stick to! You just have to think about two main items on your plate - veg and protein: big salads with meat, curries with cauliflower 'rice', eggs on rye cripbreads for breakfast etc etc.

    I've also increased my fats as they do make food taste better and keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer. If I have a big fruit salad I simply want to have chocolate half an hour later (I'm certain that all sugars give me a spike and lead to cravings). If I have a big salad drizzled with olive oil, I feel full for hours.

    For me reducing carbs is all about cutting out sugar and processed foods, which has got to be a healthy way to eat.
  • daintyrunnergirl
    daintyrunnergirl Posts: 1
    when I was losing weight from August to January (started my journey in July) I ate a very minimal amount of starchy carbs, meaning I ate no bread, pasta, rice, flour, wheat, cereal, oatmeal, etc. but I did have a few luna bars a week. I lost weight very very quickly because I am a runner. (It ended up being unhealthy for me...a drop of 124 to 87 pounds! whoops! I've gained about 13 pounds back now, so no worries!)

    But the answer for me is, carbs have helped me gain weight. Getting rid of them helped me lose weight.
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    I am not anti carb (except for simple sugar carbs like candy and other crap) but I did cut out all grain related foods.

    As a result of cutting out grains, my carb totals are lower which I replaced with protein and fats.

    I have never felt better since cutting out grains.

    I am usually around 100 or so on my carbs with berries, yogurt, occasional sweet potato and lots of green vegetables.

    It is a little inconvenient cutting out grains because of sandwiches mainly, but it is well worth it for me.
  • tlo5
    tlo5 Posts: 16
    I believe eating whole grains is better than regular carbs. Moderation is key. It also depends on what type of athlete you are. Runners should definitely eat more carbs than weight trainers. Maybe introduce Quinoa (keen-wa) into your diet... much better
    than regular pastas, potatoes, etc...
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    I believe eating whole grains is better than regular carbs. Moderation is key. It also depends on what type of athlete you are. Runners should definitely eat more carbs than weight trainers. Maybe introduce Quinoa (keen-wa) into your diet... much better
    than regular pastas, potatoes, etc...

    I wonder why ypu think grains are better than other carbs? Do you mean grain carbs are better than those from fruit and vegetables?
  • twinmom01
    twinmom01 Posts: 854 Member
    Everyone is different....every single person...

    I tried the whole eat in moderation and counted calories and exercised and such...weight came off very slowly....very slowly...to the point I went crying to my Dr. because surely something must be wrong if I am doing all the "right" things but not loosing weight...blood tests came back - everything pretty much in the normal range...

    Read a lot and changed my eating to clean eating - got rid of most processed foods and ate whole fruits, veggies, lean meats and fish and "good" carbs (sprouted wheat bread, brown rice, wheat pastas)...still watching calories....still exercising - nudged down a little bit but still no go...

    Took out grains - bye bye breads, pastas, rice...still not a whole lot of budging....

    Along the way I read A LOT of books about nutrition, diets, etc...tons of confusing information out there...tons of "different" ways to loose weight (cause like I said everyone is different)

    took a look at my macros and really focused on my carbs and sugars - even though I was eating clean with no grain sources I was still eating a ton of fruit and higher carb veggies...worked it around so my carb intake was about 60/day and my sugar intake was low... = lost weight....

    I know FOR ME...it isn't calories in calories out...maybe my resting rate is really low - all I know is if I follow the numbers MFP give me - unless I also watch my carb/sugar intake I am not going to loose weight.

    For the past month i have been maintaining my calorie intake, working out but let my carbs and sugars go up a bit..to about 100/day for carbs...and I have been cycling around the same three pounds all month long...

    For some people - simply eating lower calories works wonders - they can still have their pastas and breads and tons of fruit and veggies..or make simple swaps in what thay have been eating and loose weight....for me this simply doesn't work - I have spent 2 years trying to find what works for me...
  • FR89
    FR89 Posts: 186 Member
    i :heart: carbs... no matter how hard i try i always end up with them in some shape or form!! :frown:
  • spngebobmyhero
    spngebobmyhero Posts: 823 Member
    I don't have an issue with carbs in general, but I do have an issue with grains.

    I have cut most grains from my diet and all foods containing gluten. When I eat grains, I eat too much. Cutting out grains and gluten has naturally reduced my carb intake, but I don't worry about it too much about my intake percentage. I'm typically below 100g a day, depending on my fruit and sweet potato intake. I have changed my macros to reflect this so I'm not constantly seeing red due to my higher protein and fat intake.

    My carb intake usually consists of: sweet potatoes, berries, whole fat dairy, veggies, occasional corn (gah, I love tortilla chips!), and occasional white potatoes (love me some fries too!). I'm working on cutting out the corn and white potatoes, but weekends and lack of planning are my weakness.
  • kris4chloe
    kris4chloe Posts: 245 Member
    moderate carbs here. i used to be ultra low carb and doing atkins, but have found that eating moderate carbs (around 100 grams a day) and keeping them healthy carbs has helped. i mostly eat whole wheat, oats, and quinoa/brown rice and typically skip the carbs at dinner.

    most of my carbs come from veggies
  • cmurray234
    cmurray234 Posts: 112 Member
    Carbs? Love 'em! :)

    I have carbs at every meal. I try to make them of the whole grain variety, and I definitely do limit portion sizes. And sometimes "carbs" just means fruit. Sometimes it's grains. Sometimes both. For instance, for dinner, I'll have a small amount of potatoes or a half cup of couscous. I've done very low-carb diets. I can't stick to them because I start craving them.

    I believe it works differently for everyone, though. If I could stick with very low carb, I would...I just know that it doesn't work for me and I wont self-sabotage that way.
  • Doomfrog
    Doomfrog Posts: 79
    I don't eat what I would consider a "low carb" diet, but I try to get 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat. Trying to get so much protein just kind of naturally steers be towards a lower carb diet because it is kind of a lot of work for me to get that much protein in. I think it depends on what kind of exercise you do more heavily. I don't tend to engage in endurance sports. I do moderate running/cardio and lift heavyish weights, so this mix makes more sense for me. When I was barely exercising at all, very low carb did the trick. But now I'm here trying to lose weight again so I don't think it is sustainable.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    I make sure to eat mainly high-fiber whole-grain, vegetable and legume carbs. I limit refined sugars and processed junk, etc. Pasta is my favorite food and I refuse to live without it. Luckily, there are some pretty tasty whole grain pastas out there now. (I can't stand that gritty, cardboard flavored whole wheat stuff, though.) I've never had any trouble taking off or maintaining weight while eating carbs as my primary food source. I enjoy carbs throughout the day, every day. Everybody is different, though. I don't have blood sugar problems, but if I did, I'm sure I'd have to limit my intake a bit more. I think the key for me is just eating within my calorie requirements. :drinker:
    This is me for the last 12 or so years. Slow carb/low crap. Best thing I ever did. I eat mainly whole grains that are high in fiber. Lots of vegetables and legumes. No white bread, no white rice, added sugars, and limit my processed junk. The weight (about 20LBS) came off and stayed off.
  • losinit_4_good
    losinit_4_good Posts: 731 Member
    I'm a big believer in moderation. I've been at this for a year and here's a tid bit of what this experience has taught me:

    I stick to a low cal diet. When I first started I was eating all "real foods" for the first 6 months, which did include some carbs but were in moderation. I focused on green leafy veg, lean protein with fruits and whole grains incorporated as well. Then after about 6 months I felt like I had done well and "deserved some treats" so I started eating more and more carbs (cuz for me, there is NO better treat then something starchy!). I was still keeping it low cal, but less and less focused on the veg/protein side of things. I continued to lose but much slower, I had to fight for every pound. For the last month or so, I've been back to my original habits and am feeling much better. The weight is coming off eaiser (which is nice!) but the real differnce that I'm noticing is that I have more energy and my digestion is better.

    All that being said, I do not consider my self a true low carb-er. I still love me some carbs and eat them everyday. I just try to balance them in moderation and make the choices that will help me to feel my best.

    Basically, what I'm saying is, try it out. A girlfriend of mine encouraged me to make one "low carb" subsitituion a day to see how i liked it. Well, within a week, I remembered exactly how good I had felt before I started carbo loading and I've been content on this path since. See how you feel and do what works best for you. The journey to your healthiest you is a long one, and the only way to find which path works for you is to take a venture down a side road once in awhile. If it doesn't work out, you can always revert back to what you are doing now, or try something else new and exciting.

    Good luck!:flowerforyou:
  • AbbsyBabbsy
    AbbsyBabbsy Posts: 184 Member
    Carbs don't seem to have any affect on my weight loss. I'm losing the weight I should based on calorie deficit, and no matter how I play around with the macros it doesn't change. I've never like rice or pasta and rarely eat potatoes, so for me it's just bread and cereal (Cheerios, specifically). I am trying to eat grains fewer times a day, down to two meals from three, and keep my carbs under 100 grams. That's just because my hypochondriac self won't let go of the idea that I might be insulin resistant because of my weight and develop diabetes.
  • Spanaval
    Spanaval Posts: 1,200 Member
    I'm kind of a carbaholic. I don't limit it at all, just eat within my macros. The only significant diet change I've made is to up my protein consumption, which had been seriously lacking.
  • acragle
    acragle Posts: 26 Member
    Burn The Fat Feed The Muscle is a good resource for learning about carbs and macros. I have discovered over time and by listening to my body that i am quite carb sensitive so have no hesitations on doing a low carb macro split when cutting. I went from 236 down to @ 195 before I plateaued and had to get creative ... carb split is currently right around 50p/20c/30f but I will carb up every fourth day and pretty much double my intake. The majority of these calories come from the following: yams, brown rice, oatmeal, baby spinach, some fruit (but not much), broccoli, asparagus, cabbage, whole wheat bread, steel cut oats, and black beans. I NEVER eat starchy processed carbs like white bread, pasta, white rice, regular potatoes, etc ... if it's white, it's not right ;)
  • indigenousnudity
    indigenousnudity Posts: 21
    I do my best to limit my net carbs to under 30g a day or about 5% of my calories. I feel much better doing this than eating a "balanced" diet and I don't have any cravings or hunger even eating at a significant deficit.

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