Why Did Carbs Used to Not Be A Problem? (carbohydrates, proteins, exercise)

[Luckyd609]

Originally Posted by EvilCookie

Meh, I still don't really buy into that whole carb hype. I think it's primarily calories in vs calories out. I couldn't live without my carbs, especially considering I'm not a huge fan of meat or fish, I eat a lot of carbs and dairy - well, a lot meaning in proportion to my intake, but I don't eat much overall, generally 1000-1500 calories. I don't starve myself, in fact I can't handle larger meals as I start feeling sick, I eat when I'm hungry and allow myself to have anything I'm craving, like sweets or baked goods which are my downfall, just in very moderate amounts - a couple squares of chocolate, not a whole bar, or if I feel like having some cake or a donut, I'll pass on the pasta or potatoes at dinner and just have some chicken with salad or soup instead. So far this allows me to stay at a weight of 110-115 lbs at 5'5 without constantly feeling like I'm depriving myself.

Great post. I think the key is moderation not eliminating whole food groups. And it is calories in vs calories out.
When people are told they should not or can not eat a specific type of food they will usually fail. That said junk food should be avoided as much as possible and nutrient and fiber dense foods should be eaten instead.

[stepka]

Originally Posted by greatblueheron

Likely the advent of highly processed foods.

There is NOTHING wrong with potatoes...they have good nutrients and are especially good for you when eaten with skins. What people put ON them or how they cook them is an issue of course=fried/salty, butter/sour cream etc.

The "carb" obsession is relatively new....while the glycemic index is a great tool, it seems to me way too much is made of this unless diabetes etc is in the picture. No way am I going to give up one of the best meal sides ever...mashed potatoes. (use chicken broth and/or skim milk and reduced fat butter = good).

Yes even authors of low glycemic diet books are saying that because the index only works if you eat the food all by itself. Add a sauce or a pat of butter and it throws the whole thing off.

[greatblueheron]

I do this too...loved roasted veggies.

BTW: the lowly baked potato/peel, has
7 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein.

Not exactly "empty" calories as stated by an earlier poster....!

Originally Posted by Luckyd609

Who says you have to boil it? You can bake it. I love baked potatoes with a little drizzle of olive oil, or salsa, or a little pesto.
I make oven oven fries too that are delicious. And its not just the skin that has the nutrients.
I also cut them up and put them in a roasting pan with some carrots and roast them.

[♥♥PRINC3Ss♥♥]

Originally Posted by jazzcat22

I'm cooking dinner now. It's a vegan dumpling stew, so I'm using white potatoes and flour. I try to use sweet potatoes as much as possible, but they wouldn't be right with this. And instead of enjoying it, I'm feeling guilty about it being a high glycemic dish. Thinking "there goes my blood sugar!" and "I'm adding five pounds to my hips!"

But then I began to wonder what has changed. A well balanced, nutritious meal was considered to include white potatoes and bread, like a roll. And there were less diabetics and overweight people back in the day when people ate like this.

So---what changed?????

Nothing.

If you eat in moderation, you shouldn't be adding 5 pounds to your hips

The problem now days is that people eat large portions and eat snacks all the time. There is more temptation now. Food is cheaper and there are many places where you can buy a hot meal full of fat, salt and sugar.

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by EvilCookie

Meh, I still don't really buy into that whole carb hype. I think it's primarily calories in vs calories out. I couldn't live without my carbs, especially considering I'm not a huge fan of meat or fish, I eat a lot of carbs and dairy - well, a lot meaning in proportion to my intake, but I don't eat much overall, generally 1000-1500 calories. I don't starve myself, in fact I can't handle larger meals as I start feeling sick, I eat when I'm hungry and allow myself to have anything I'm craving, like sweets or baked goods which are my downfall, just in very moderate amounts - a couple squares of chocolate, not a whole bar, or if I feel like having some cake or a donut, I'll pass on the pasta or potatoes at dinner and just have some chicken with salad or soup instead. So far this allows me to stay at a weight of 110-115 lbs at 5'5 without constantly feeling like I'm depriving myself.

totally agree. i've lost 20 lbs over the past 5 months by managing what i eat, nothing off limits, no "low carb" or any specific diet. just making better choices, and tracking what i eat. if i want 3 oreos, i'll have 3 oreos and have a light lunch or run a little longer. i've learned that if i deprive myself i'm doomed to fail. i'm now 115lbs at 5'7".

my carb intake is around ~225g a day, i've done atkins in the past and limiting yourself to 20 is insanity!

[Luckyd609]

Originally Posted by tahiti

totally agree. i've lost 20 lbs over the past 5 months by managing what i eat, nothing off limits, no "low carb" or any specific diet. just making better choices, and tracking what i eat. if i want 3 oreos, i'll have 3 oreos and have a light lunch or run a little longer. i've learned that if i deprive myself i'm doomed to fail. i'm now 115lbs at 5'7".

my carb intake is around ~225g a day, i've done atkins in the past and limiting yourself to 20 is insanity!

So true! Diets that restrict an entire food group are destined to fail.

[Bosco55David]

Originally Posted by EvilCookie

Meh, I still don't really buy into that whole carb hype. I think it's primarily calories in vs calories out.

That's all it is. All low carb diets do is restrict calories by way of food choice rather than portion control. Different method for achieving the same resulting calorie deficit.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by Luckyd609

So true! Diets that restrict an entire food group are destined to fail.

I will say it's a lot easier to go low carb than low fat. I could happily subsist on meat and vegetables. Cutting out fat to try to lose weight is a miserable experience.

[hiknapster]

Because in my grandmother's day - even my mother's to some extent - people shopped from the perimeter of the store. In fact, in my grandma's time that was almost all there was and she grew up on a farm where they rarely bought food from a store. People ate fruits, vegetables and meat. There was no such thing as Hamburger Helper and a spaghetti dinner was considered exotic and often unheard of. I'm 50 and when I was a child I would order spaghetti and meatballs every time we went out to eat because it was something rarely served at home.

[Luckyd609]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

I will say it's a lot easier to go low carb than low fat. I could happily subsist on meat and vegetables. Cutting out fat to try to lose weight is a miserable experience.

I think that is why a lot of people fail when they try and diet. They think fat is the enemy. Good fats are they KEY to dieting. They make you feel satisfied and keep you fuller longer. A little bit of good fat goes a very long way.
Complex carbs that have lots of fiber are also a great tummy filler. Not as effective a protein but a balanced meal that includes both with a little fat and some veggies and you have the perfect meal.