What's your opinion on carbohydrates?

[Starlight53a]

Like grains, sugar, that stuff. :) Do you think they're good or bad? Do you think they make you gain weight, lose it, or what? I've been reading some books and websites, and I no longer have any idea about carbs, at all. So... Just looking for opinions. :)

[Ophelia]

I think we've been programmed into thinking that carbs are bad, even though our bodies need them.

& now that I'm trying to lose weight & am eating a fairly low amount of calories, they scare me somewhat & I try to avoid them.

To be honest, I'm really confused as well, so will be interested to see what people post about it..

Lia. x

[Nubzor]

In terms of dieting and losing weight, "simple" carbohydrates (such as sugar, white breads, etc) are "bad" for you. These carbohydrates are metabolized rather quickly and broken down into sugar where they then enter the bloodstream. This causes a rapid spike in blood sugar levels which results in the pancreas producing large amounts of insulin to compensate. The rising insulin levels quickly convert the blood sugar (glucose) into glycogen which is stored in the liver/muscles. However, once glycogen stores are completely filled, the remaining glucose is essentially turned into fat and stored (short version).

Complex carbohydrates (whole wheats, bran, etc) are, as the name states, complex. It takes longer for these carbohydrates to be broken down and released into the bloodstream. The increased & prolonged duration of release cause blood glucose levels to rise gradually (rather than spike), meaning insulin levels also rise gradually. This prevents the insulin from rapidly converting & storing the glucose.

Your body was made and designed to use carbohydrates (glucose) as its primary source of energy. When you restrict or eliminate carbohydrates from your diet completely, your body must then switch to another source of fuel (fat). This is the main idea behind diets such as the Atkins Diet. By eliminating carbohydrates, your body will first use the remaining glycogen stores before entering a state of ketosis. While in ketosis, your body uses fat as its primary source of energy. However, for ketosis to work effectively, one must consume the majority of their calories from fat (something that seems scary and counterproductive to those attempting to lose weight).

TLDR: Your body essentially needs carbohydrates to function and run properly. Complex carbohydrates should be consumed over simple whenever possible (whole wheat, whole grain, etc.). If you are trying to lose weight, avoid sugars & simple carbohydrates as much as possible.

[Jacklinger]

Like grains, sugar, that stuff. :) Do you think they're good or bad? Do you think they make you gain weight, lose it, or what? I've been reading some books and websites, and I no longer have any idea about carbs, at all. So... Just looking for opinions. :)

My opinion on carbohydrates is that while I support their stance on abortion and freedom of religion, I can't reconcile myself with their belief that the government should be in charge of regulating the sale and use of didgeridoos.

They are also mighty tasty and keep your brain healthy but will make you heavy if you spend too much time with them.

[twentyone]

My opinion on carbohydrates is that while I support their stance on abortion and freedom of religion, I can't reconcile myself with their belief that the government should be in charge of regulating the sale and use of didgeridoos.

They are also mighty tasty and keep your brain healthy but will make you heavy if you spend too much time with them.

Haha I love it.

[Ophelia]

Haha Jack, brilliant.

& 'Nubzor', thanks for that, it was a useful post. =)

Lia. x

[Mkay]

There are good carbs and bad carbs. Stay away from the white bread, starchy pasta, and refined sugar. Eat whole wheat, & other complex carbs. The end.


/What I live by.

[Rhiannon]

i have to say the only carbs i eat are the "good" carbs that naturally come from fruits and veggies.. i stay clear away from pasta and bread as much as possible.. i consider whole grain/brown/or gluten free rice to be ok.. and Quaker Oats oatmeal.. not the packaged shit.

[skinny1doll]

I agree with Rhiannon. Read Grain Damage by Dr. Douglas graham. You can find the ebook on torrentz.

[smalasussie]

You need carbohydrates for energy- It's like starting a fire. First you have some stuff that burns quick, like newspaper (carbs), then you add some smaller chunks of wood or kindling (like proteins) and then you have a log (fat) which burns over time. You are technically supposed to eat 40%carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat- that's what my friend who majored in nutrition said.

[Elizabeth]

I think carbs make for great binge food.

[be_noticed]

i only have carbohydrates for energy, but there are good and bad carbs. wholegrain foods are good and energy drinks for me are good. i cant really say i have that many carbohydrate solid foods.

[stevenson]

Eating too much will lead to weight gain, regardless of what food to get energy from carbohydrates containing 3.75 calories.Carbohydrates from.1g are an ideal source of energy for the body. This is because they can be more easily converted into glucose, the sugar that is transported and used by the body protein and fat can.

[kallista93]

Sometimes I'm terrified of carbs, & other times I can't stay away from them.
I try to not have any white bread, white pasta or white rice, & stick to the whole grain stuff. It makes me feel a little better about it, but I still don't have too much. It's kind of silly how scared of carbs I get, I think it's because so many people are on low-carb diets.
Of course, carbs are totally what I grab for in binge mode, which is another reason I try not to keep them around the house.
And don't get me started on potatoes. I don't remember the last time I had one of them...

[pixxiedust]

luv em! sugar and wheat (not wholewheat) and simple simple simple carbs xxx

[TinyTabby]

carbs are not evil! This is a HUGE misconception. It is easy to go overboard and many people just consume empty carbs. It always annoys me when people worry about carbs but eat meat and dairy... but I guess that's the vegan in me speaking. Almost everything good for you is carbs, including fruits and veggies.

[happytapeworm]

carbs are evil , to me they are satins food

[kira-kira]

I like what's been said thus far about carbs- it's interesting to see how food "works" together in your body. (I loved the fire analogy) My opinion on carbs? Well, if I don't think about them too much they don't get to me. But now I'm starting to worry about carbs in everything, even in things like apples. :/

[iliketurtles]

Is the s p a m becoming sentient or what's going on?
Anyways. Carbs like fruits and veggies are grand, grains not so much (speaking from a purely weightloss orientated perspective). Whole grain stuff is obviously better but I've always found cutting them down dramatically to help with losing weight. But I fucking love them so I find that impossible to do most of the time. Mmm toast.

[icicle]

Objectively: a bit of everything is good in moderation.

What my ED says: fibre=good. sugar=bad. starch=ok sometimes.

[Cloudy]

WHen I am about to go for a run I like to eat carbs because I have more energy. I try not eat a whole alot of carbs but I don't mind them. I don't usually keep track.

[Arianne]

avoid avoid avoid, for me.
obviously all foods have carbs. but good carbs = vegetables, some fruits, meats...
Bad, avoid at all cost carbs = breads, pastas, oatmeals, snacky things, potatoes, grains, rice, etc...even protein bars

but I also have a condition called PCOS which makes me gain weight very easily from carbs, so I'm more neurotic about them than most people. I know that I literally -cannot- lose weight unless I eliminate all carby things from my diet

[Beckytea]

Unrefined carbohydrates are GOOD! All meals should be carbohydrate based. My dietician was explaining this to me, because I'd fallen into the Atkins trap of thinking carbs were bad. Carbohydrates make you feel full, make you less likely to want to binge, contain fibre, controll blood-glucose levels etc.

[The Bright Side]

It's brain food. The important thing is to eat the "proper" grains...whole grains, low glycemic index.

[elzie]

school teacher mode: all foods are good for you in certain amounts.

[CherryPie]

I tend to be more of a protein heavy person, but I never fully cut out carbs. Like stated, good, hearty complex carbs keep you going, and they help with concentration, unlike refined white flour which is literally like sugar, those are the carbs that make you lethargic after eating, and will spike your blood sugar, then drop you down.

[Twiggy_]

carbs are evil , to me they are satins food

same here, carbs really make me put on weight. but I am not saying is the same for everyone...

[tweedledum]

I think we've made them out to be the big bad, when in reality they do serve a purpose. I think that all the no carb, low carb diets really just set you up to binge on carbs later on

[Matthewww]

carbs are evil , to me they are satins food

Satan's*
And they can't be Satan's food because Satan is all about indulgence. Something people who cut out carbs heavily in an attempt for weight loss do not have.

[controlledbyanorexia]

Hmmm they suck but we need them :/

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[Matthewww]

Hmmm they suck but we need them :/

Really, they aren't that bad...

[Bathory]

There are good carbs and carbs which are not so good.
I never eat white carbs for example, (white rice, pasta, bread, etc) There is zero nutrition in white carbs, so I don't go out of my way to eat them. It's just trash, really.