tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post6873430064946344737..comments2024-03-15T04:01:53.036-04:00Comments on Cranky Fitness: Carb is a four-letter wordCrabby McSlackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12108791388350253344noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-43580597868835515622009-02-16T08:13:00.000-05:002009-02-16T08:13:00.000-05:00One should not look at GI in isolation. It is impo...One should not look at GI in isolation. It is important to take Glycaemic Load into account.<BR/><BR/>Carrots are ok to eat in moderation even on a low carb diet, because although the type of carbs you find in carrots have a high GI, there aren't all that many carbs per gram of carrot. This means that you have to eat quite a large helping of carrot before you get an unhealthy increase in blood sugar levels. <BR/><BR/>Pasta, which people think they can eat loads of because it has a low GI, has a lot of carb per gram of pasta, so you should only eat a small amount of this.<BR/><BR/>Also, one should avoid combining fat and large amounts of carbs in the same meal.<BR/><BR/>Simple carbs (high GI) increase your blood sugar levels a lot. Your body will produce a correspondingly large amount of insulin in an effort to keep your blood sugar level within an acceptable range. In addition to lowering blood sugar levels, insulin tells your body to store fat. If you simultaneously provide your body with fat, it will be very efficient at piling on the pounds for you. <BR/><BR/>For this reason, pizza is excellent for fattening you up, should you ever need to do a Charlize Theron and put on some weight for an oscar winning performance :)<BR/><BR/>When considering what foods to eat, counting calories is not always accurate. Fiber is a carb, and has the same amount af calories as other carbs, but as we are unable to digest them, you can ignore any calories that come from fiber.<BR/><BR/>You should never cut carbs completely for longer periods of time. An extreme low carb diet will put your body in a state called ketosis, which is great for kicking off your diet, but bad for you in the long run.<BR/><BR/>Complex carbs will release a slow trickle of glucose into your blood stream. This will help you stay alert throughout the day. Your brain needs glucose, but certainly nowhere near the amounts we usually provide it with. <BR/><BR/>Focus on eating lean proteins(white meat, fish, soy flakes, etc), healthy fats(oily fish, granola oil, virgin olive oil), and small amounts of complex carbs (=loads of veggies, as there are few carbs per gram, and lots of fiber).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-29081461453407988132009-02-14T21:25:00.000-05:002009-02-14T21:25:00.000-05:00If I try to go without eating what people usually ...If I try to go without eating what people usually refer to as carbs - bread, potatoes, etc. - I end up feeling weak and lacking energy. Also, my brain fogs up. My boyfriend, on the other hand, doesn't feel that way quite so much - in his case, he needs fairly large portions of protein to feel his best. So whenever I make dinner, I make sure there's protein, a "carb" of some kind, and of course veggies/green stuff, and just give him a larger portion of protein and less carbs, and me t'other way around. <BR/>With all these studies, you do have to keep in mind, that PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT!! What's better for one person isn't necessarily going to be better for the other. <BR/>PS. (And if anyone's picturing me as the size of a house and my boyfriend a neanderthal, we're both normal sized, but even he admits that I'm thinner and fitter. So there.) :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-30252868346909835872009-02-13T08:27:00.000-05:002009-02-13T08:27:00.000-05:00I considered looking into the glycemic index, unti...I considered looking into the glycemic index, until I found out that carrots were "bad". I don't think so, and I'm not giving them up. Neither do I agree with the "starchy vegetables are bad" theory. Who ever got fat from eating radishes? Or rutabagas or beets? Sweet potatoes? Please. I eat as unprocessed as I can get, though I'm not a nut case about it. If friends want to go for pizza, I can eat pizza. If I'm on the road and there's nothing on the menu that I'll eat other than fish and chips, I can eat that. It may feel like I ate a rock for the next 6 hours, but it's tasty on occasion.<BR/><BR/>Regarding language: I find it distracting if spelling is awful, even if first and last letters are the same. In extreme cases, I just can't read it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-51504972116625554422009-02-13T08:12:00.000-05:002009-02-13T08:12:00.000-05:00Great example of all the nonsense weight-loss diet...Great example of all the nonsense weight-loss diets get us into. They've confused us so much about healthy eating that we think it requires a nutrition degree to do it. To keep it simple, I just encourage eating foods close to their natural state (altho I do cook mine) and eating balanced -- the Plate Model is a good tool for that. Then just enjoy!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-29238695100750511642009-02-13T08:03:00.000-05:002009-02-13T08:03:00.000-05:00Trying to eat low-carb can be annoying sometimes (...Trying to eat low-carb can be annoying sometimes (when people keep trying to stuff you with lasagna!) and it can be a little confusing, but it's really not that hard once you get into it. <BR/><BR/>I started eating low-carb in 2000 and 9 years later I am still 50 pounds lighter than I was when I started the program.<BR/><BR/>If I was more strict with myself I could probably lose another 20 pounds, but I introduced some carbs back into my diet (mainly low-carb bread and pasta and a daily piece of dark chocolate), so my current size is my own fault.RedHeadedQuilterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15286467143780969475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-30643322524789074022009-02-13T02:06:00.000-05:002009-02-13T02:06:00.000-05:00I second the recommendation to read Gary Taubes' ...I second the recommendation to read Gary Taubes' "Good Calories Bad Calories". It really spells out the biological function of macronutrients, as well as providing a history of the biases that pervade public health policy and insight as to why the reporting is a lot more confusing than the known facts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-51187759843072867092009-02-13T00:36:00.000-05:002009-02-13T00:36:00.000-05:00I agree that all these studies all saying differen...I agree that all these studies all saying different things are completely confusing.<BR/><BR/>One of the most sensible diets I have read involves eating whole foods and cutting out the processed crap. Keep breads, pastas, rice etc to a minimum but eat lots of vegetables including the ones that have carbs. That sounds sensible to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-80096152505968502042009-02-12T22:35:00.000-05:002009-02-12T22:35:00.000-05:00I fear I have never will never begin to wrap my br...I fear I have never will never begin to wrap my brain around carbs... calories make SO much more sense to me. How do you burn a carb? How many is too much? It's all so far over me - eek! <BR/><BR/>hehe the argument is CRAP - love it. And I totally thought it said CRAB not CARB - who knew they shared the same letters?fittingbackinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03936508772597439162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-89927769369910549842009-02-12T19:18:00.000-05:002009-02-12T19:18:00.000-05:00bunnygirl, when you said "Since going homemade, I'...bunnygirl, when you said "Since going homemade, I've found that my food cravings have disappeared." I was right with you, thinking maybe that explains why I don't seem to <I>have</I> cravings. But then you said "I can eat two homemade cookies and be satisfied, but could never say the same of the store-bought cookies that didn't taste half as good." and I figured it's more complicated than that, since I can easily eat a dozen hot from the oven cookies, and after a full meal, too, but store bought cookies are something I would only nibble on if I were hungry and they were all that was available. <BR/><BR/>But even so I think "Buy ingredients, not food" is my motto.<BR/><BR/>Mary Anne in Kentuckysolarityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03606487180967915130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-35253665357133504632009-02-12T17:42:00.000-05:002009-02-12T17:42:00.000-05:00Merry,I hear you! Of course, sugar is not broccoli...Merry,<BR/><BR/>I hear you! Of course, sugar is not broccoli. Also, to add to your annoyance (it's the devil in me), low carb on something like Atkins means 20 grams of net carbs per day. BUT, since the US Gov., suggests 300 grams of actual (not net) carbs per 2000 calories (I'm pretty sure I'm right about this, but to lazy right now to look it up), I've heard about studies regarding "low carb" that are 150 carbs per day! Who defines low carb? ARGHHH!!!!!!!<BR/><BR/>But, enjoy your weekend anyhoo.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12503183987906575422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-60982082412723149242009-02-12T16:01:00.000-05:002009-02-12T16:01:00.000-05:00I totally embrace "low carb" but not "no carb".......I totally embrace "low carb" but not "no carb".......<BR/><BR/>For me, I have had the best success at losing by eliminating the "whites" and excessive carbs.........also if I am going to eat grains, I try to do it earlier in the day. I think you can never overdo the veggies but there is a limit to how much fruit......at least for me.....in order to keep losing.<BR/><BR/>I think the concept going around these days is that you should try to pair up your complex carbs at each meal and snack with protein and healthy fat. That's what I do 90 percent of the time. I have never felt better!new*mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05147814248509745599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-17891812290546089992009-02-12T15:37:00.000-05:002009-02-12T15:37:00.000-05:00Ruth, that is helpful -- thank you! It's also irri...Ruth, that is helpful -- thank you! It's also irritating, but that's not your fault :)<BR/><BR/>I'm glad to know what most people mean when they use the term.<BR/><BR/>However, it sounds like they lump carrots, broccoli, rice, and sugar all together, subtract the fiber, and call it low-carb. That, I find irritating. <BR/><BR/>Good thing it's almost Friday!The Merryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09660495393832517684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-67219040334097994522009-02-12T15:23:00.000-05:002009-02-12T15:23:00.000-05:00Merry,Most people who are talking about "low carb"...Merry,<BR/><BR/>Most people who are talking about "low carb" are taking about "net carbs". Essentially, net carbs are carbs-fiber carbs (since the body can't digest fiber)=net carbs.<BR/><BR/>The scientists SHOULD be more specific, but I hope this helps.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12503183987906575422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-64769995293119870992009-02-12T15:09:00.000-05:002009-02-12T15:09:00.000-05:00Marste, I'm sorry about the headache. I can relate...Marste, I'm sorry about the headache. I can relate.<BR/><BR/>Anon, I've heard great things about the Taubes book, and it's definitely on my TBR list, but it wouldn't answer my question. I want to know what the scientist who did the excess liver fat study meant when he wrote about a 'low-carb' diet being effective.<BR/><BR/>Hopefully scientists all over the world have now read my <I>cri du coeur</I>, a.k.a. whine, and are rushing to amend their abstracts with specific dietitic details.The Merryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09660495393832517684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-90949759330699217952009-02-12T14:42:00.000-05:002009-02-12T14:42:00.000-05:00Wow. I read the post and all the comments.Now I ha...Wow. I read the post and all the comments.<BR/><BR/>Now I have a headache. LOL.<BR/><BR/>I personally feel better if I go low grain-based carbs. (Does that mean I do it? Um, SURE! Yeah . . . )<BR/><BR/>But like Dragonmama said, everyone is different, and the best thing to do is experiment with what makes *you* feel best.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-39463952920289022542009-02-12T14:24:00.000-05:002009-02-12T14:24:00.000-05:00Read "Good Calories, Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes....Read "Good Calories, Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes.<BR/><BR/>It has the answers you're looking for. In particular, competent analysis of the scientific research.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-45583107677894383202009-02-12T13:57:00.000-05:002009-02-12T13:57:00.000-05:00Very good carb-points.Then again, I have the same ...Very good carb-points.<BR/><BR/>Then again, I have the same problem with calories as I do with carbs-- ever since forever ago, when I read the millionth dietician writing "A calorie is a calorie is a calorie; too many apples can make you fat just like too many candy bars can," I've felt a little exasperated with them. The day I get fat off eating too much fruit or healthy by giving up carrots, I'll let you know...tfhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10735303292996192352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-38763515396835151402009-02-12T13:51:00.000-05:002009-02-12T13:51:00.000-05:00It's ridiculous, isn't it? I heart the carbs.It's ridiculous, isn't it? I heart the carbs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-19022825047054218222009-02-12T13:10:00.000-05:002009-02-12T13:10:00.000-05:00There's big money in complicating the matter, when...There's big money in complicating the matter, when it's really quite simple.<BR/><BR/>We should eat real foods, as close to nature as is safe and reasonable. Buy ingredients, not food. The taste difference alone is mind-blowing.<BR/><BR/>It really doesn't take a long time to prepare meals from scratch, if you don't need a gourmet feast each night. Dump ingredients into the rice cooker, crock pot, veggie steamer, and bread maker, set your timer and walk away. Store the finished meals in glass or ceramic containers in the fridge and pop in the microwave as needed.<BR/><BR/>Since going homemade, I've found that my food cravings have disappeared. I can eat two homemade cookies and be satisfied, but could never say the same of the store-bought cookies that didn't taste half as good.<BR/><BR/>I don't know what's in our processed crap that makes us keep stuffing our faces, but I'm glad to be off that hamster wheel!Ann (bunnygirl)https://www.blogger.com/profile/04938134750150653386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-44150195113621175902009-02-12T12:28:00.000-05:002009-02-12T12:28:00.000-05:00Besides the obvious difference between processed a...Besides the obvious difference between processed and non-processed , I PERSONALLY need to cut out grains. When I eat grains, be it whole wheat, oatmeal or brown rice, I definitely start poofing out, with water AND fat.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, I do just fine with mountains of fruit, potatoes, beans, and vegetables.<BR/><BR/>Just one of those things where we need to experiment and figure out how our own bodies react to specific foods.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-65878935652961055272009-02-12T12:27:00.000-05:002009-02-12T12:27:00.000-05:00Don't we inherently know what's good for us and no...Don't we inherently know what's good for us and not good for us? If you're sitting at a table with a bowl of fruit to your left and a a slice of pizza on your right, you know which one is good for you. The answer is not low carb, low fat, low calorie, low anything. The answer is learning how to resist the bad stuff more often. Does anyone know how to do that?Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10066852282205921107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-56826621088317707832009-02-12T12:10:00.000-05:002009-02-12T12:10:00.000-05:00I suspect most of the studies are done by research...I suspect most of the studies are done by researchers who are not in the best of shape anyway. For me, the less processed the food is by man, the better. If you follow this rule, you can ignore all of these studies, imo.<BR/><BR/>- DaveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-44154585509953333522009-02-12T11:53:00.000-05:002009-02-12T11:53:00.000-05:00I think any study that concludes that food (regard...I think any study that concludes that food (regardless of what that food is) is bad for you is stupid, so I ignore them. Some foods make me feel better than others. Salads usually make me feel better than corndogs, so I usually prefer salads. If I eat tons of 'refined' foods, I feel yucky - so I tend to stick to fruits, veggies & whole grains. but no one will ever convince me that bananas & baked potatoes are bad for me. EVER!Amy - the gazellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06290343648184416057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-4440254461859092642009-02-12T11:05:00.001-05:002009-02-12T11:05:00.001-05:00I think that all carbs are not created equally. Fr...I think that all carbs are not created equally. Fruit carbs cannot be as bad for you as chocolate carbsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-17463875597290451812009-02-12T11:05:00.000-05:002009-02-12T11:05:00.000-05:00I used to be confused, but now i figure if it's a ...I used to be confused, but now i figure if it's a veggie or fruit it's good. If it's white bread or regular pasta it's not so good. French fries and cheeseburgers or fried chicken - probably not the best for you!<BR/><BR/>You still need carbs. Carrots, fruit, etc. have vitamines and minerals that are good for you. Whole grains? Yes! It's the "crap" food that's bad. <BR/><BR/>Hardest part? Giving up the "crap" food! lol. But, is anyone else FREAKED out by the liver thing...especially aishchai's friend (the first post). Ugh.Dianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04912893452584170970noreply@blogger.com