Carbs

[mrtristan]

Man, all this hype about zero carbs is ridiculous. I swear half the commercials on every station on the radio are about some kind of anti-carbohydrate pill or diet.

Where the hell did the idea that carbohydrates are evil come from? Know what your body metabolizes on a cellular level? Glucose, which is a CARBOHYDRATE. We are designed to run on sugar. How in the hell are people honestly trying to promote a no carbohydrate diet? It's unfucking healthy to starve your body of it's primary source of energy. Starving your body of sugars forces it to metabolize fat, but that's exactly where the problem is. Fat is your backup energy source. We weren't designed to run on backup. Carbs only become fat when they build up in excess.

I have a radical idea. It's called moderation and exercise. DON'T super size your McDonald's and go for a walk. Eat some fruits and vegetables.

Nah, we'd rather drink our magical carb blocking pills and get skinny and healthy overnight. Doesn't matter how I damage my body's metabolism in the long run.

[Faustus]

Where the hell did the idea that carbohydrates are evil come from?

http://atkins.com/

Never tired it, in its defence however my Doctor says there is something to it, and the guy who invented it did spend a huge portion of his life putting his money where his mouth is.

[Cobra]

There IS something to it, and it does help weight loss but in an unhealthy way.

Mrtristan is completely right - you must eat a balanced diet in order to stay fit and healthy. I wonder, has Dr Atkins heard of this revolutionary new weight loss technique called exercise?

I used to be a little overweight. Then we got a springer spaniel. 'Nuff said.

CobraDMX

[Ripper2860]

It was originally designed as a diet for Diabetics. Upon seeing substantial weight-loss and reduction along with a substantial reduction in blood sugar, it was adopted as a means for obese people (over 10% above their target body weight) to loose weight and reduce the possibility of becoming diabetic.

I'm not going to argue for or against, but I have lost over 20lbs and reduced my blood pressure on a LOW carb diet (I am not a diabetic). There are some radical deviations from Atkins and thinking that one can exist on a "0" carb diet is absurd and un-healthy. The body does require some carbohydrates in the diet and I do not believe that Atkins intent was to eliminate carbs -- but to control the amount we intake.

The Atkins INDUCTION period to achieve a state where the body burns fat is 2 weeks long and does require a pretty strict and low carb limit. After that period addtional carbs are introduced and the menu is quite healthy. Those that think Atkins or other Low Carb diets is all about eating 2 dozen eggs and 1-1/2 pounds of bacon a day are completely wrong.

[Devanshu]

One molecule of Glucose produces 34 ATP(38 in a perfect lab setting) and one molecule of fat makes about 500. Thats why its really difficult to lose weight. Carbohydrates, lipids, and protiens can all generate ATP. If you cut carbs out of your diet, you can survive on protiens, since that's the next link in ATP synthesis.

[slimmx]

the problem is. Fat is your backup energy source. We weren't designed to run on backup.

I think now days we don't need that backup, so it is not wise to get fat just to have backup.

As far as eating low carb diet, I think there is someting to it but all you got to do is to watch the amount of calories you consume. Human body needs a little of everything!! JUST WATCH THE CALORIES.

[Bricktop]

The best diet is the following:-
40% Calorie intake from COMPLEX carbs
40% Calorie intake from protein
20% Calorie intake from fats (Try to limit staurated fat/animal fat)

Reduce calorific intake below your daily expenditure so your in a calorific deficit of 400 calories per day.
Exercise combination of weights and cardio 5 times a week.
I achieved a 7% bodyfat level using this method in just over 2 months although i was only 12% when i started.
Remember to metabloise 1 gram of fat you need to expend 3500 calories........there is 300 calories in 1 mars bar.
Happy dieting.

[Bricktop]

Oh yeah...i would guess Steve Reeves in my avatar is about 6 to 7% body fat....just so you got an idea.....

[slimmx]

Bricktop
What are complex carbs.

[stiltman]

Bricktop
What are complex carbs.

Ones that are hard to figure out ? ? 8)

I remember my mitsubishi truck a one with about 50 linkages on it...thats a complex carb alright...

[Bricktop]

slimmx Posted: Feb 05, 2004 20:55

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Bricktop
What are complex carbs.

Well.....when they say carbs are the enemy they mean refined carbs like sugar, white rice, sweets, doughy breads like pasta bases and white bread. White rice and so on.
Try swapping those for carbs that are more complex in nature. These are slower to digest therefore not causing fluctuations in insulin levels. This is what makes us fat.
Wholewheat breads, leafy vegetables, brown rice, wholewheat pasta, oats, wholewheat cereals etc are examples of complex, slow release carbs. These will stop the insulin spikes and give energy in a sustained manner.

[Ziffelpig]

It was originally designed as a diet for Diabetics

No diabetic should go on the Atkins diet, for Atkins to actually work you body has to reach ketosis, Protein and fat are very inefficient fuels for your body. You can only convert 70 percent of the protein and 30 percent of the fat you eat to glucose. The nitrogen from the protein is excreted in the urine. This leaves no protein for repair or maintenance of muscles and organs. In diets containing fewer than 130 grams of carbohydrates, ketosis occurs and your body starts breaking down muscle and lean tissue to provide glucose for brain and nerve fuel. Your body's first need is for fuel. Your body's use of dietary fuels cannot be changed drastically by altering your diet.

Your body can and does take stored fat (as triglycerides) and incompletely breaks it down into ketones, which can be used as a fuel source for muscles and organs. To completely breakdown body fat, you need glucose and oxygen. If glucose is not available for fuel by your limiting dietary carbohydrates, your body learns to run on ketones, but your brain doesn't. Your brain gets sluggish because it only runs on glucose. Your body starts breaking down muscle and organ tissue to provide the needed glucose for brain tissue. Protein contains glucose in its structure and it can be scavenged for use by the brain and nerves. Quick weight loss diets claim they spare muscle protein, but they don't. A diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates does not spare muscle protein from being broken down, unless you eat enough carbohydrate. As you continue on a high protein, low carbohydrate diet, the amount of ketones increases and ketosis occurs. Ketones are very irritating to your kidneys and the kidneys try to get rid of the ketones through the urine.
Carbohydrates should make up approximately 55% of your total calories, fat 30% and protein 15%. Excess fat and protein can be very harmful to the "interior of your body". Eating fat while limiting carbohydrate will increase blood fats which can build up to harmful levels. A high fat diet has also been closely linked in many studies to a high incidence of heart disease and many cancers, such as prostrate and colon.
[/quote]

[slimmx]

Bricktop
Is there a book that you read about nutrition and body building that you thought is very good?

[indolikaa]

Mr. Tristan, what the hell is wrong with you?

I have a radical idea. It's called moderation and exercise. DON'T super size your McDonald's and go for a walk. Eat some fruits and vegetables.

How dare you suggest we should take individual responsibility for ourselves! What age are you living in? You obviously fail to grasp the concept that we are not responsible for our own problems, SOCIETY IS! We didn't choose to Super Size that Double Quarter Pounder meal, McDonalds made us do it!



.indolikaa.
Not Moderate

[Bricktop]

Bricktop
Is there a book that you read about nutrition and body building that you thought is very good?

slimmx - I have read a few BBing books and nutrition books yes but that was before my time on the internet. The books i read are dated now, but i did enjoy them. You can get really accurate tried and tested info on pretty much anything training related from a good bodybuilding forum. From training to nutrition right through to hard core steroid use.
There is no real answer to loosing fat and gaining muscle....just guidlines. Its a matter of finding what works for you.

[Devanshu]

@ zifflepig...cant fructose be used as a substitute for glucose?

[Ziffelpig]

Although assimilated into the body more slowly than white sugar, fructose has essentially the same nutritional value. Fructose is the sugar that is primarily found in fruit. It breaks down more slowly because it does not use insulin but is broken down by an enzyme in the bowel. Fructose sugar looks identical to common white sugar, but is significantly sweeter. It is a safer sugar to use for diabetics, hyperglycemics and hypoglycemics.
Fructose is certainly more desirable than common sugar, but is still void of nutrients. Use sparingly.

[foulplay]

As we have discussed, keep a well balanced diet, that is plenty of fruit and veg, low on bread, pasta, rice and ready made (McDonalds etc).

About 500 calories less per week and extra exercise, should loose te required excess!

It does work, I'm 18 feet tall and look like a porn star! No but seriously, common sense here prevails..............

[Devanshu]

Although assimilated into the body more slowly than white sugar, fructose has essentially the same nutritional value. Fructose is the sugar that is primarily found in fruit. It breaks down more slowly because it does not use insulin but is broken down by an enzyme in the bowel. Fructose sugar looks identical to common white sugar, but is significantly sweeter. It is a safer sugar to use for diabetics, hyperglycemics and hypoglycemics.
Fructose is certainly more desirable than common sugar, but is still void of nutrients. Use sparingly.

Cool...you learn something new everyday.