Carbs ARE Evil!!

[Tinkerdreams]

I can now confirm with certainty that carbs are evil. Over the past year my blood sugar has steadily gone up and after the last doctor’s appointment, he indicated that I really needed to shed pounds as I was pre-diabetic.

So, I’ve been doing carb counting and doing substations for all the foods I enjoy. One of my big sacrifices was going to be bread (toast, sandwiches, etc), however, I found a bread made by Pepperidge Farms called Carb Style. It’s only 5 carbs per slice!!!!

So over the past 8 weeks, with NO exercise, I’ve lost 17 lbs. I actually did not exercise on purpose because the doctor said I would be amazed on how much weight I would lose by reducing/eliminating carbs without exercise. I thought he was full of it but wanted to see if there was any credence to his statement. Well, there is.

Beginning today, I start my exercise regime. If I’ve lost that much in 8 weeks with no exercise, I can only imagine how much I’ll lose with it!!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Congrats on your weight loss so far and your determination!

 

[PebblesMK]

I can now confirm with certainty that carbs are evil. Over the past year my blood sugar has steadily gone up and after the last doctor’s appointment, he indicated that I really needed to shed pounds as I was pre-diabetic.

So, I’ve been doing carb counting and doing substations for all the foods I enjoy. One of my big sacrifices was going to be bread (toast, sandwiches, etc), however, I found a bread made by Pepperidge Farms called Carb Style. It’s only 5 carbs per slice!!!!

So over the past 8 weeks, with NO exercise, I’ve lost 17 lbs. I actually did not exercise on purpose because the doctor said I would be amazed on how much weight I would lose by reducing/eliminating carbs without exercise. I thought he was full of it but wanted to see if there was any credence to his statement. Well, there is.

Beginning today, I start my exercise regime. If I’ve lost that much in 8 weeks with no exercise, I can only imagine how much I’ll lose with it!!

It's too funny that you just posted this. I just ate a bagel and a banana and my insides are screaming CARBS MORE CARBS! I'm trying to fight against my cravings but don't think I'll win.

However, you seem to be doing well with it! Keep up the good work, sometimes it's getting over the initial cravings that is helpful. Also, I have a bread that is only 3 carbs for 2 slices, I'll try to remember the name for you. It was good bread too!

 

[Shagley]

Congratulations! Today is day 1 for me of trying to eat low carb. I hope I can do as well as you have done!

 

[Tinkerdreams]

I would love to know that bread. Only 3 carbs for 2 slices!! You would be amazed at how the cravings go away. I still enjoy all the foods I ate before but have eliminated the "refined" stuff. I have switched out regular flour for almond flour and whole wheat (organic). I use mostly the almond flour and have made muffins, cookies, etc. All delicious and very low carbs. I also use raw sugar and raw brown sugar and Agave versus the refined sugars.

Also use the almond flour for breading for chicken or pork cutlets with adding seasonings.

It's amazing what a difference in a few changes makes! I don't even consider it a diet since I really have not eliminated any foods. Any foods that are not good - such as white potatos, rice, etc., I have as a special treat - maybe once a month.

 

[wiigirl]

Congrats!

 

[IUTBAM]

Any foods that are not good - such as white potatos, rice, etc., I have as a special treat - maybe once a month.

If you have a family that loves rice and potatoes (not excessive, but we do eat them often as side dishes), what do you do?

 

[daemom]

Congrats!! That's wonderful! I KNOW that carbs are bad for me and I MUST break up with them--but it's very hard. Did you use any specific web sites or books for recipes or did you just make the swaps? Keep up the good work!!

 

[npmommie]

I am trying to cut out carbs as well. The refined bad ones. I bought some coconut flour but i havent made anything with it yet. Almond meal/ flour is on my list.
Its hard.....i love bread!
This blog has tons of good recipes. I made the mashed cauliflower this weekend and it was really good. I also made the pizza crust with cauliflower also ver very good. Kids didnt even realize they were eating veggies.

http://yourlighterside.com/

 

[Tinkerdreams]

If you have a family that loves rice and potatoes (not excessive, but we do eat them often as side dishes), what do you do?

If you love potatoes, try doing "mashed potatoes" - using cauliflower (medium head), 2 tablespoons of creamcheese, some minced garlic (if you like garlic) and mis in a blender after the cauliflower is cooked and you have mashed potatoes - they are very good.

For rice, try brown rice. It's really the only alternative I've found so far.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Some people do great on a low-carb diet. For me, it does absolutely nothing. I've tried it several times and was very careful about what I ate. I gave it one last college try in Nov/Dec. I lost nothing in almost two months. Then I switched over to Weight Watchers in January, which includes good carbs like brown rice and whole grain bread. I've since lost 15 pounds. I guess my body likes carbs and won't give up a single pound unless it gets some!

 

[Tinkerdreams]

Congrats!! That's wonderful! I KNOW that carbs are bad for me and I MUST break up with them--but it's very hard. Did you use any specific web sites or books for recipes or did you just make the swaps? Keep up the good work!!

I actually talked to a dietician - cost me $25 for a 2 hour private session and she indicated to stay away from ANY refined product, processed foods and only drink water if possible. She did allow me coffee (black) which I drink that way anyway and a small glass of juice in the morning.

I also bought a juicer and now have fresh, no processed juices. What a difference!!

I did just experiment with recipies and trading out one ingredient for another but have since bought a couple of cookbooks aimed at almond flour recipes.

 

[Tinkerdreams]

I am trying to cut out carbs as well. The refined bad ones. I bought some coconut flour but i havent made anything with it yet. Almond meal/ flour is on my list.
Its hard.....i love bread!
This blog has tons of good recipes. I made the mashed cauliflower this weekend and it was really good. I also made the pizza crust with cauliflower also ver very good. Kids didnt even realize they were eating veggies.

http://yourlighterside.com/

Keep at it and read labels. There are a lot of products out there that are low carb. One I just recently found is called Blaze. Its a balsamic glaze that is delicious and you can put it on salads (with nothing else), add it to veggies or BBQ with it - its 4 carbs per serving.

 

[Tinkerdreams]

Some people do great on a low-carb diet. For me, it does absolutely nothing. I've tried it several times and was very careful about what I ate. I gave it one last college try in Nov/Dec. I lost nothing in almost two months. Then I switched over to Weight Watchers in January, which includes good carbs like brown rice and whole grain bread. I've since lost 15 pounds. I guess my body likes carbs and won't give up a single pound unless it gets some!

Be careful, there are 2 types of carbs that the doctor described, complex and simple. He explained it as this. The complex carbs are found in breads, white flour, white sugar, potatoes, etc. Your liver turns complex carbs to sugar almost instantly. With simple carbs - those found in vegtables, fruits, etc, the liver tries to turn it to sugar but gives up and passes it through the rest of your system.

Also be careful with whole grains - the dietician said that just because it says whole grain does not mean it doesn't contain "enriched" something in it - which is a no-no.

 

[Shagley]

Some people do great on a low-carb diet. For me, it does absolutely nothing. I've tried it several times and was very careful about what I ate. I gave it one last college try in Nov/Dec. I lost nothing in almost two months. Then I switched over to Weight Watchers in January, which includes good carbs like brown rice and whole grain bread. I've since lost 15 pounds. I guess my body likes carbs and won't give up a single pound unless it gets some!

I agree that different things work for different people. I think anything that helps people eat healthier is wonderful. WW used to work great for me, but for some reason the last couple of times I have had a hard time sticking to the plan. I think it is great that it is working for you! Keep up the great work!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Be careful not to cut out all carbs. Your body, especially your brain, need some carbs to process protein for energy. Just cut back on the bad ones.

 

[Shagley]

Have any of you read the book "Wheat Belly" by William Davis? It is very interesting. I don't ever believe everything I read in those books 100%, but it is a very interesting read. I did cut down on carbs last year for a few months and I did lose quite a bit of fat from my belly and thighs. Unfortunately I fell off the wagon and started eating carbs again, so now I am back where I started. But, starting today I try again!

 

[npmommie]

Be careful, there are 2 types of carbs that the doctor described, complex and simple. He explained it as this. The complex carbs are found in breads, white flour, white sugar, potatoes, etc. Your liver turns complex carbs to sugar almost instantly. With simple carbs - those found in vegtables, fruits, etc, the liver tries to turn it to sugar but gives up and passes it through the rest of your system.

Also be careful with whole grains - the dietician said that just because it says whole grain does not mean it doesn't contain "enriched" something in it - which is a no-no.

You have this backwards
Complex carbs are found in fruits veggies whole grains beans starchy veg
Simple carbs are sugar, honey fruit drinks, etc

And the simple carbs are what causes an immediate rise in blood sugar, causing a chain reaction........They are a very short acting
Complex carbs are more even and steady in the reaction they cause in the body.
because they have fiber and a longer chain of molecules if that makes sense

 

[ManyMinnie]

Be careful not to cut out all carbs. Your body, especially your brain, need some carbs to process protein for energy. Just cut back on the bad ones.

Agreed. Not all carbs are bad.

It's having one extreme or the other that is bad (ie, no carbs or all carbs).

 

[Tinkerdreams]

Have any of you read the book "Wheat Belly" by William Davis? It is very interesting. I don't ever believe everything I read in those books 100%, but it is a very interesting read. I did cut down on carbs last year for a few months and I did lose quite a bit of fat from my belly and thighs. Unfortunately I fell off the wagon and started eating carbs again, so now I am back where I started. But, starting today I try again!

The dietician I spoke with said women should have 45 carbs per meal and men 60. So, for instance, I have 3 slices of toast and 1 egg in the morning. The bread has 5 carbs per slice and the egg has less than 1 carb. This fills me up for the morning and I've only taken in 16 carbs for that meal.

Lunch may be a salad (romane and spinich with the Blaze) or if it's a sandwich, its usually tuna. Again 10 carbs for the sandwich and a couple carbs for the salad.