Cutting Carbs?

[lorihart]

Hi Everyone,
Just a quick question. I was thinking about just eating carbs in the middle of the day.For lunch and a snack.In the morning, I will eat protein and the same for dinner, a serving of protein and a salad.Maybe I could pick up some atkins bars while I am at it.(a big sweets lover here)
When I eat carbs, and its never simple carbs.Its always ww or high fiber stuff.I feel bloated.Yesterday morning I had 1 1/2 slices of toast,1/2 banana and peanut butter.I ate it and shortly after my pants were tighter.It wasn't in my mind.
A friend of mine stayed here last fall and she works at a gym.She told me that she realized that she couldn't eat certain kinds of carbs.It just doesn't agree with her.Im wondering if I am not the same way.
Does anyone have anything to back my theroy up? And does anyone else cut their carbs out after lunch? It is in alot of fitness mags.Or is this the new hype?
I thought of something the other day.I like sweets and I figure if I don't go over my calorie in take for that day,then I won't gain weight(I read that somewhere to).Then I read the other day(which makes sense and maybe I read to much )That simple carbs get turned to fat faster then anymore other food and you will gain weight.
Anywayyyyy...thinking of cutting back on the carbs.Anyone every have nay results from this?
Lori

 

[toastythemosty]

I would like to know what everyone else thinks on this subject too. Personally, I don't think there is anything wrong with having some carbs in general as long as you are eating healthy. I too get bloated if I eat too many carbs which I don't do anymore. I really love the russell stovers low carb chocolate candies. Atkins has the caramel nut crunch bar which taste very close to a snickers bar..YUM! I find my grocery bill is alittle bigger, but I am just glad it is not my butt!
Charlotte

 

[icklemoley]

I think the Atkins bars are #### and don't bother with them. They're not worth wasting your money on. Better to try and curb that sweet tooth, or better yet, just eat some normal chocolate. Sure it's higher in carbs, but hey ho... less expensive.

I think it is a good idea to eat your carbs during the morning and lunch, and then decrease as the day goes on. Your breakfast of 1/2 toast, banana, etc... isn't very well balanced. It is toooo high in carbs and not enough good fat and no protein (i would not count the peanut butter as a good source of protein).

I honestly believe that cutting back on carbs is one the of best things you can do for your health and fat loss. Also try adding coconut oil to your foods (cooking with, etc...) it is sweet and really filling. When i eat cottage cheese i add a desertspoon full and i'm full about another 2 hours more than i would be without it.

 

[lorihart]

Yesterday was an exception.I was at work so I waslimited to what I could have.If I had been home I would have had protein with my meal.You wouldn't think I would get quit as bloated when I had been up for 4 hours and was starving! I work at 6 and I can't think of eating that early.When the flight leaves, I have my breakfast,when its breakfast time (9-10)
I have tried the atkins bars before,I didn't think they were to bad.And I can't stop at one peice of choc....one of my many downfalls!
Lori

 

[cheryllynn]

Oh My Stars!! The Russell stover toffee tastes EXACTLY like a heath bar... and I aint even kidding!
I couldn't live without them. I use them in a pinch when I am freaking out for sweets.
The peppermint patties and peanut brittle are pretty good too.

 

[Author]

Hi!

Thing is that so many of the experts disagree on what sort of diet is best to do, that unless you read alot and form your own opinion, it kinda looks like chicken soup out there.

The evidence is beginning to leak in, however, that lo carb, higher protein, higher fat than was once thought was necessary, gets rid of fat faster and in a safer way than the low fat, high carb diets.

Think about this: the body cannot live without protein or fat or water -- however, it can live without carbs. Not saying you have to do without them, just that the body can live without them.

But no matter what diet you choose, eating refined sugar just isn't good for the body. It is so toxic for the body that the body over compensates for it by shooting insulin into the system in order to get it out of the blood stream. If you must eat sugar, try to switch to Maple syrup or honey, and as unrefined as possible. Or make the switch to stevia -- after a year or so of experimentation, I can safely say that I can make wonderful desserts with stevia -- absolutely no sugar and very lo carb as well -- and they are delicious.

But if you have questions on this, I would highly recommend that you read all you can about the various diets on the market and form your own decision.

 

[Snazzy]

Are you trying to lose body fat, or just lose the bloat?

If you're trying to lose body fat, the best thing to do is to cycle your carbs. Just like your body gets used to your workouts, and you have to change them up to keep getting results, your body also gets used to your diet, and will plateau. If you cycle your carbs, you keep your body guessing.

My current carb rotation starts the first day of the week with carbs at meals 1, 2, 3, and 4. None with meal 5. The next day, carbs only with meals 1, 2, and 3. So on, until I get to one or two days with zero carbs. On those days you have to increase the fat to fuel the body.

My plan changes up nearly weekly depending on if my body plateaus. This is NOT what my maintenance plan will look like. This is specifically to get me from 17% body fat to around 14% bodyfat, while maintaining my weight the same. It's working great!!

 

[CurlyQ]

I've never been a fan of the low carb thing, it reminds me of the low/no fat trend of the early 90's.

Muscles need carbs to function. They use glycogen to contract which comes from carbs... if they have no carbs (or very little carbs) your performance is going to decrease and you'll have very little endurance. You're body will use it's protein stores (aka muscle) for energy and you'll be sabotaging all your efforts. You will lose weight but it will be muscle and water. Carbs hold water so any initial weight loss will be water. Keep in mind that professional athelets and body builders eat carb heavy diets for proper fuel (although some body builders will cut carbs before a competition to lose water weight so they look as cut as possible). Your brain also needs carbs to function properly.

Edited to say that calories are calories. If you eat less calories than you use you'll lose weight (as long as you're not eating too few)

 

[KarenL]

I have been having oatmeal with almonds and and frozen fruit stirred in the morning. Yummy! Snack is an orange, about 15 almonds and a piece of string cheese. Lunch is usually a big salad with some chicken and lots of veggies, full fat dressing. For snack...a protein bar and then a sensible dinner with an apple. I eat alittle bit of chocolate everyday. Have had really good results. Just feel better and notice a change around my waist. I kind of took Oprah's challenge and modified it a bit.