Low Carb fad

[aerodiver]

I was just wondering what everyone thinks about the whole low carb diet that seems to be everywhere. Personally I can see where it might work for some, but not me. I work out 3 days a week (if not more when I can find the time). Plus, I'm a full time engineering student, and work part time job. I always crave carbohydrates. My fiancee says its because I'm so active, but I'm not sure. What do you guys think?

 

[ScubaMarc]

I lost 35# on Atkins/South Beach in 5/6 months. It was pretty easy to loose the weight. Plenty of food to eat. My workouts got better. I run a few miles a day or free weight in the gym. I have no issues on not enough energy. I think the extra protien helps in the gym.

Do not eat the "Low Carb" junk food. Calories do count!

 

[Green_Manelishi]

The reason "Atkins" works is because fat makes you feel full faster and longer than white bread and other non-whole-grain
breads, etc.

It's not typically the carbs that are the problem. It's the excess (and empty) calories regardless of carb, fat or protein. Your body uses carbs as a ready source of energy and it's
"carbs" that contains some very important vitamins, etc.

The poor baked potato (as well as pasta and bread) has
taken a bad rap because many people will not eat a baked
potato (100 or so calories) or bread (reasonable number
of calories) without slathering 400 calories worth of very-little
nutritional value butter, sour cream or cream cheeze all over "those evil carbs".

If I was to educatedly guess, I'd say my diet consists of about 45% carbs, 45% protein and 10% fat.

 

[MikeFerrara]

I don't trust any fad. I think the rebutals on the low carb diests are starting to come out now too.

 

[gt2003]

Aerodiver, look at the thread below on carb blasters/fat blasters. Thanks, GT

 

[justleesa]

Aerodiver, look at the thread below on carb blasters/fat blasters. Thanks, GT

ummmm, which thread?

 

[DivePartner1]

I don't trust any fad. I think the rebutals on the low carb diests are starting to come out now too.

Decades ago the AMA tried to defrock Atkins for promoting the heresy of a low carb diet, and he was investigated from fraud for claiming it might work. Mainstream dieticians preaching the gospel of low fat and only low fat have presided over an era of record increases in obesity. At the same time, surgeons were prescribing the diet for morbidly obese patients who needed to lose weight to survive surgery. Go figure.

Frankly, I don't think anything works without excerise, and anything to control calories to a reasonable level or entice people to think about what they eart is probably a good thing. I can live with junk (Ok, pizza is tough) but I don't buy the Atkins claim that fruits and veggies are bad.

 

[Green_Manelishi]

At the same time, surgeons were prescribing the diet for morbidly obese patients who needed to lose weight to survive surgery. Go figure.

Assuming that is true, obesity is increasing because activity is decreasing. Fast food is the meal-of-choice for most people and regardless of what contains the calories: fat, carbs or protein, the simple fact is that more calories than you need will be stored for later. Sugar water (soda) and candy is a compact and rich source of too many calories at one time.

 

[Scott Riemer]

As for the whole good/bad thing, I don't know whether in the end Atkins is bad for you. But, I do know for sure that the extra 50 pounds I carried around 6 months ago was bad. I didn't do Atkins per se, I modified the Lean For Life Program designed for Lindora. It has similarities to Atkins but teaches portion control at the same time. Eating 5 pounds of red meat everyday can't be good. (exageration intended)

I'm lighter and happier because of low carb dieting and at less risk of heart attack. At this point, I'll say it is worth it. BTW, after the first few days, I had no energy deficiency.

I would recommend drinking a lot of water.

 

[CameronMartz]

I think the thing to keep in mind is that the majority of people who might succeed on this kind of diet long term are rather sedentary to begin with. Carbohydrates are a valuable fuel during exercise, regardless of how well "trained" your body is to burn fat.

Also, body composition is only one component of health, and I believe it gets too much emphasis when people think of "fitness." It is certainly one of the most asthetic attributes, though.

For an alternative view on carbohydrates, you can read an article of mine called "Carbohydrate's Role in Weight Loss" under the "Nutrition" section at http://divefitness.com/html/articles.html.

Cameron