To be confused about carb heavy diet?

[GreenestValley]

Just reading a thread on here about weight loss and diet. Many posters commenting that the Op in that thread has a very carb heavy diet.

I feel quite confused about it as I always thought carbs were an important part of a balanced diet and a source of energy. Obviously not too much white bread, white pasta etc, but from a personal perspective I have to have a fairly carb based diet or else I get hungry and end up snacking. And I’ve always had a normal weight.
I was also under the impression that the “low carb” diets of the early 2000s eg Atkins etc that were very popular, were kind of debunked now.
Am I missing something? Do carbs affect some people differently to others? Would welcome a bit of de mystifying here if anyone has expertise just for my own understanding!

SpuriouserAndSpuriouser thank you!!

I think a lot of people need to consider the source of their carbs more than the quantity.
Complex carbs coming from plants and wholegrain are very different than those that are refined.
More and more research is realising the importance of a healthy and balanced gut microbiome which is achieved by eating plenty of prebiotic foods such as garlic, onions, leeks, bananas etc, followed by naturally probiotic (usually fermented) such as kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut etc) high levels of sugar is bad for the gut microbiome and encourages the wrong kinds of bacteria, it can also affect stomach acids levels which will leave you with deficiencies in many important nutrients as they cannot be released and absorbed properly.
Wholegrain and wholefood carbs are also an important source of fibre which is important for gut health and satiety.
The quality of the carbs is important alongside moderation of everything.

@SpuriouserAndSpuriouser

There’s a lot of misinformation on this thread, wrapped up to sound legit...

It would be helpful if you actually came up with some scientific evidence to counter the points made... You know actually engage with the discussion instead of just pouring out scorn!

I don't think many have actually advocated a no carb diet. There aren't many about. Low carb mainly involves cutting right down on simple carbs. The more nutritious complex carbs are usually eaten as part of a low carb diet.

Then you have no imagination when it comes to food and cooking

you need to try harder

But why would I try harder when I can be slim without that extra effort? It's unnecessary (for me and I gather for most people) to cut carbs out of my life to lose weight. Cut quantities perhaps but not entire good groups. It's simply not sustainable for most people. Not where I live anyway - I would have to avoid everyone houses!

I went for dinner yesterday to a really nice tapas style restaurant and all the food was glorious, instagram worthy fare but the carb elements definitely enhanced the dishes and thus the experience.

I'm not saying everything tastes horrible without carbs, it doesn't. But give me a meal example that tastes better without carbs? I can't think of a single one so why would I do that to myself when there are other FAR more sustainable and enjoyable ways to keep the weight off.

Horses for courses though and I know a lot of people are more food=fuel so whatever works for you I just think it's unnecessary and unenjoyable.

We all needs carbs. It's just another of those diet myths that people feed into because they want a quick fix rather than going the healthier (but longer) route.

I honestly think when people think low carb they fixate on those stories of people eating bacon, eggs and double cream all day long. I rarely eat bacon as it’s too salty, I have a tiny bit of cream and maybe one egg every few days. You don’t have to lose your mind to it.

My DP is a great example of low carb and moderation. He’s lost 16 lbs now in 5 weeks. He looks AMAZING and now has perfect stats. He has an autoimmune condition and we’re going to analyse his hospital results in November. They do a full bloody count twice a year so it will be really interesting to see if his stats have improved.

*blood

😂 oh ok so now James Cracknell is supposed to convince us!

The OP didn’t say she was hungry on a high carb diet, but that they are hungry on a low one!

@SpuriouserAndSpuriouser

Yep, in the real world carbohydrates (especially complex carbohydrates) are an important part of most people’s everyday diet. On mumsnet even looking at a slice of bread makes you obese and we should all be putting butter in our coffee 🤷🏼‍♀️

This is pretty much what I was about to say.

But what would I know, I only studied nutrition and diet and incorporated it into my job...

However, I do like my carbs, and they haven't killed me yet. Never followed a fad diet in my life and not going to start now.

A balanced diet works, less carbs if you like, but no need to cut them out.

[quote Zebrasandfairytales]@SpuriouserAndSpuriouser interested to know why you think MM needs to be stopped?

I thought the whole point of Mumsnet was that someone posted a question and then people discussed it?

I’ve been clear on my posts that this has worked for me but every body is very different and haven’t given advice, more an account of my lived experience.[/quote]
Discussion is fine, but I’ve seen posts on this thread that step over the line between discussion and dishing out advice that only a professional should be giving out, in the proper setting and with access to your medical history.

I have a few criticisms of MM, but in a nutshell, he isn’t properly qualified and I don’t think his approaches to nutrition are healthy. He qualified as a doctor 35 years ago but never actually practiced medicine, he is not on the medical register, and he does not seem to hold any relevant qualifications in nutrition or dietetics. Obviously his methods may be effective for some, but I don’t think that that sort of restrictive diet is healthy or sustainable in the long term, physically or mentally.

It would be helpful if you actually came up with some scientific evidence to counter the points made... You know actually engage with the discussion instead of just pouring out scorn!

Why? Most wont understand the science remotely and most suggestions and opinions here are nonsense. Conclusions made from their anecdotal evidence and personal beliefs. That’s it. There’s no reason to engage sensibly when the conversation isn’t a sensible fact-based one.

Low carb/ high fat - zero food cravings, lost weight, kept it off. Not tempted any more by sweets or bread, crisps etc.
For years. Super easy to maintain, eat loads of veg, healthy fats and protein. Still get some carbs through veg and dairy.
The main thing is that the food cravings and snacking urge I was always fighting just vanished.

@Onxob

Then you have no imagination when it comes to food and cooking

you need to try harder

But why would I try harder when I can be slim without that extra effort? It's unnecessary (for me and I gather for most people) to cut carbs out of my life to lose weight. Cut quantities perhaps but not entire good groups. It's simply not sustainable for most people. Not where I live anyway - I would have to avoid everyone houses!

I went for dinner yesterday to a really nice tapas style restaurant and all the food was glorious, instagram worthy fare but the carb elements definitely enhanced the dishes and thus the experience.

I'm not saying everything tastes horrible without carbs, it doesn't. But give me a meal example that tastes better without carbs? I can't think of a single one so why would I do that to myself when there are other FAR more sustainable and enjoyable ways to keep the weight off.

Horses for courses though and I know a lot of people are more food=fuel so whatever works for you I just think it's unnecessary and unenjoyable.

No one on here has an issue with insulin sensitive people who can eat a mixed diet and remain slim. Good for you!

People are trying to help those who are insulin resistant, struggling to lose weight, teetering on the brink of diabetes with a myriad of metabolic health issues and no idea how to feel better. For those people (and there are many of them) low carb could basically change their lives and even save their lives. It’s an important message.

eat loads of veg Then you’re not low carb! Which is great :) veg is important.

@ktp100 is that not a generalisation though?

I’m following a lowish carb diet but my diet is still full of a variety of foods (including carbs in moderation eg. some root veg, pulses and grains) just no white refined carbs or sugar. I always have a colourful and really delicious plate of healthy food and I feel better than I have in years, plus my visceral fat, weight and BMI are all significantly reduced.

I don’t think there is a one size fits all rule that works for everyone; although I generally follow low carb principles I am eating healthy, feeling full and full of energy. It works for me and I am happier and healthier than I have been in a long time!

For those people (and there are many of them) low carb could basically change their lives and even save their lives. It’s an important message

Are you a dietitian? Otherwise you’re not qualified to say that to anyone.

carbs are absolutely ok for most people as part of a varied diet.
most veg are loaded with carbs aka fibre.
fibre is pretty essential for our gut and general wellbeing.

whole grain and veg, including potatos are great for you. and a piece of cake ocassionally is absolutely fine.

... and back in the 70s it was all about low carb!

Yep! Plain boiled potatoes were "evil" and "too calorific" then in the 80's/90's it was all about fats being evil...

Truth is we need all food groups, all nutrients (inc fibre and carbs!)

@justanotherneighinparadise while your dhs efforts appear laudable I hope you're both aware that too rapid weight loss has risks too?

Zebrasandfairytales No it’s not a generalisation to say everyone needs carbs, it’s a fact.

A traditional Mediterranean style diet has been proven to be beneficial for many health problems and help you to live longer. This is based around fruits, vegetables, complex carbs, fish, beans, pulses, healthy fats and low red meat consumption. This is quite a carb heavy diet, but is healthy. Why? Because these are foods in a more natural form, more satiating, more nutrient dense. But we group all carbs together, and then you get people saying wholewheat toast with banana is as bad as a bag of sugar donuts

There are carbs which are higher in additional nutritional content and then there are carbs with practically no nutritional content. We all know vegtables are better for us than candyfloss and wine

[quote veryvery]**@SpuriouserAndSpuriouser

There’s a lot of misinformation on this thread, wrapped up to sound legit...

It would be helpful if you actually came up with some scientific evidence to counter the points made... You know actually engage with the discussion instead of just pouring out scorn!

I don't think many have actually advocated a no carb diet. There aren't many about. Low carb mainly involves cutting right down on simple carbs. The more nutritious complex carbs are usually eaten as part of a low carb diet.[/quote]
I am not going to counter any of the points by posting links to studies because you can pretty much find a published study that supports any point you want to make about anything ever. It doesn’t mean that the research was done properly and that the right conclusions were drawn. Even if you do find a particularly methodologically sound article, one paper alone is not enough evidence to support what is a pretty substantial lifestyle change.

Ultimately people can eat what they want, and yes, I would go so far as to say that eating less cake is probably a good move for weight loss. I just don’t think a rigidly low-carb approach is necessarily the best.

@MillyMollyFarmer

Then you’re not low carb! Which is great :) veg is important.

Yes, you can be as lots of veg is low carb. Lots of colourful veg. It's only like vegetables potatoes and swede that you particularly cut down on low carbing. But you can still eat them in moderation. They just don't fill half your plate!

@SpuriouserAndSpuriouser

2. Like most things in medicine, nutrition is quite a lot more complicated than most people realise and can’t really be summed up in a post on an internet forum so please stop bleating on about insulin.

It was this comment that prompted me to say you weren't really engaging in countering any of the points. Whilst I admittedly posted about insulin quite simplistically you didn't actually say what exactly you objected to, specifically, in terms of being inaccurate.

It's almost as if you believe nutrition isn't for ordinary people just for the initiated elite few who converse in a complex magical language that only they can appreciate.....

I think a lot of people need to consider the source of their carbs more than the quantity
Complex carbs coming from plants and wholegrain are very different than those that are refined

^This 100%, it's easy to discard carbs as bad like in white bread or pasta. But there is so much more to carbs than the naughty basics.

I'm for a well balanced diet with good unprocessed ingredients wher possible & I lost weight with this!