Help with Carbs

[Baddicus B itch]

So I've been looking at a lot of websites, and they've all told me different things about carbs. Apparently your body burns carbs instead of fat, so I have been looking high and low.
One website says carbs are good and to eat a generous amount. Others say to eat them sparingly and only whole ones.
When I don't break my habits, I usually eat fruit and nuts as snacks, but some say I shouldn't.
What do you do?

 

[vanilla_bean_frappichino]

well I think it is cheifly calories, I have a friend with a thyroid problem who gains weight if she eats ANY carbs, but her body does not produce any thyroid hormone. I guess asking a nutritionist will be the best thing my adopted aunt is a nutritionist, I will ask her and put her answer up.  

[Almost Poetic]

Just went over carbs and fats in my Biology class. xp

Since unused carbohydrate/glucose energy gets converted into fats for longer energy storing (your carb stores deplete themselves after a day if not replenished, so it's nothing great), limiting your carbohydrate intake (sugars, mostly), lowers what you can convert into energy to store, meaning your body will have to use a different source of energy (fat).

Carbs are a form of energy, just like fats are. Carbohydrates only offer 4 calories per gram, while fat has 9 (2x+ more energy). I'd say that fats are the thing to limit, though lowering any form of energy intake is good enough to loose weight.

So yes, according to what I understand, lowering carbs can help you loose weight. Though don't expect anything great; I eat minimal fat/carbs each day (I'm a relatively picky eater sweatdrop ), and I'm not exactly of a healthy weight for that matter. >.>

I'd also say that it depends upon how much carbs/fat you eat each day prior to limiting your intake. Though fiber is still incredibly important for your health (lowers cholesterol, prevents cancer, etc.), so remember to include enough carbs in your diet to include the necessary daily amount. ^^

 

[Gabrielle_AnimalLuver]

Carb TYPE is a big factor in wether or not to limit it. I would say look at the glycemic index. A donut, compared to oatmeal, not the same at all! I use whole grains, and whole wheats. But don't forget your body NEEDS carbs. Don't cut anything out altogether. You cut out too much energy, be it fat or carbs, don't expect to have energy to workout. Also, you cut down too much, and your metabolism will dive.

Strive for a high protein to calorie ratio, avoid stuff you KNOW is bad for you. Try to fill up on stuff you KNOW is good for you and don't worry too much about the in between.  

[squeakygirl]

KaiKashi Shion

So I've been looking at a lot of websites, and they've all told me different things about carbs. Apparently your body burns carbs instead of fat, so I have been looking high and low.
One website says carbs are good and to eat a generous amount. Others say to eat them sparingly and only whole ones.
When I don't break my habits, I usually eat fruit and nuts as snacks, but some say I shouldn't.
What do you do?

The body apparently does burn carbs instead of fat. When I began my doctor supervised diet I was told 'NO CARBS" which included all tropical fruits and bananas.

I was told that by eliminating the carbs the body starts to burn the fat stored on the body.

I have lost 70 pounds and have some carbs back in my diet. I only eat brown rice, wheat bread (1 slice when I do eat it) and dreamfield's pasta (I make 1/2 of the listed serving size because I fill up so fast now).

I was allowed any berries, apples, peaches, nectarines; fruit like that.  

[Yur-Yur Yuri]

To get a clearer picture of what you should be doing with carbs, I'd talk to a nutrition doctor. Their bound to know more than the interweb.

 

[Baddicus B itch]

squeakygirl

KaiKashi Shion

So I've been looking at a lot of websites, and they've all told me different things about carbs. Apparently your body burns carbs instead of fat, so I have been looking high and low.
One website says carbs are good and to eat a generous amount. Others say to eat them sparingly and only whole ones.
When I don't break my habits, I usually eat fruit and nuts as snacks, but some say I shouldn't.
What do you do?

The body apparently does burn carbs instead of fat. When I began my doctor supervised diet I was told 'NO CARBS" which included all tropical fruits and bananas.

I was told that by eliminating the carbs the body starts to burn the fat stored on the body.

I have lost 70 pounds and have some carbs back in my diet. I only eat brown rice, wheat bread (1 slice when I do eat it) and dreamfield's pasta (I make 1/2 of the listed serving size because I fill up so fast now).

I was allowed any berries, apples, peaches, nectarines; fruit like that.

Thanks, that helps. I eat apples and berries a lot, that was the main thing I was worried about.  

[Euphoric Ghost]

One thing people don't really know is carbs are not only used for energy, it also triggers fat storage. That's why a lot of low to now carb diets work. If you don't have carbs, fat storage will be really small to none. :]

But some of it is essential to working out since it's what muscles use first since fat takes awhile to burn.  

[Lady Kayura]

You shouldn't cut out all carbs. To burn fat, there's a specific cycle used, chemical cycle. It uses carbs to burn fats more efficiently. The key to losing weight and being healthy is watching calories and eating a balanced diet. High fiber things will help you feel full longer. And high fiber things usually are found in foods made from carbs. That's something to keep in mind.  

[__penguin__]

From what I've heard, weight loss literally boils down to only burning more calories than you consume, no matter what those calories are.

However, lots of carbs are unhealthy (not to mention high in calories). White bread/pasta/rice is a common one that raises your blood sugar in almost the same way as eating straight candy or cake. For general lifetime heart health, stick to whole grain bread/pasta/crackers/whatever and brown rice (in general; obviously white rice/pasta sometimes isn't going to kill you, and they're still better than pastries, etc). Fruits and veggies are also "good" carbs.  

[Edochi]

I'm not entirely sure myself-- I know carbs are important, but too many and the wrong types aren't healthy.
My mom and one of my grandmother's friends were put on a diet where they can have wholesome carbs, but only until 3pm. And after 3pm they can't have any carb intake until they wake up the next morning. The friend has lost 20 pounds so far doing this.

My mom hasn't really tried this (she's just suppose to try it). She's vegan though, and has lost 25 pounds since she cut meat, dairy, and poultry from her diet.

o.o I know I lost 5 pounds when I started eating whole grain bread instead of my grandparent's white bread.