Low Carb, High Fat, I Can't Keep Up...

[Scarlett]

So after decades of calorie counting, being told that high fat is bad, and that grains were healthy, we are now being told that sugar is the devil, carbs are bad because they become sugar (except for a very few), fat is good (good fat, not bad fat), and only green veg that grow above the ground should be eaten.
And the main rule is to fast.
Is anyone else bewildered by all the mixed messages (my poor 77 year old mum is still trying to wean herself off the Hip & Thigh diet)? And has anyone here had success with low carb-high fat (not Atkins) in comparison with the previous types of diets?

[Scarlett]

Oh, and since fruit contains sugar, that should be strictly limited too.

[Sqad]

LOL.....count me in on your comments.

I assume that you are referring to weight reduction? Yes, not confused, not surprised as i have always felt that to lose weight, one cuts down on one's food....simple as that.

What is the relationship between high fat diet and cholesterol? No idea and nobody has convinced me either way.

What is the relationship between high blood cholesterol and heart attacks? No idea and nobody has convinced me either way.

Sorry my post is unhelpful

[rsvp]

Eat less, move about more

[Scarlett]

Sqad- spot on. The latest research shows that we have all been wrong this whole time. It is very interesting. But you're right- fat / cholesterol have been wrongly reported on. Similarly exercise.. people who use exercise to lose weight do not achieve that. They feel better, they tighten up, but it's not a way to control weight. Apparently it is all linked with insulin- which is what makes us gain weight- ie- through sugar and carbs. Fat is not the issue. Read The Obesity Code by Jason Fung. It's interesting but frustrating that he so simply explains why some of us have struggled our whole lives simply by getting the science wrong.

[pastafreak]

I switched to low carb about 5 years ago...initially to lose some weight and break my carbs addiction. I was not terribly overweight,but I was stuffing myself with rice, pasta,sugary cakes,etc. I ate...and still do...good home cooked food with very little starchy carbs. I lost 1.5 St in 3 months and have kept 1+ stone off. In the process I've learned to read a lot about low carb/high fat research, and find it all fascinating. Not just the science,but also the politics behind why low fat became accepted...when there was no concise research to back it up.
I've yet to read Jason Fung's book...but I intend to soon.

[Bazile]

In order for the body to function , it needs energy.

We get that energy from the food and drink we consume.
One measurement of that energy is the calorie
The body needs a set amount of energy ( calories ) each day , to function normally .
Typically for men 2500 kcal daily - for women 2000kcal daily (These values can vary depending on age, metabolism and levels of physical activity, among other things.)

If you consume more energy than the body requires ; then the body will store the excess energy in the form of fat .

If you consume less energy daily ,than the body requires , then the body will have to get the additional energy it requires from somewhere else .

It will therefore go to where the body has stored energy – the fat bank – and take the extra requirement from there .
Continual less daily intake of energy than the body requires, will force the body to return again and again to the fat bank - thus the fat bank will deplete and you will thus lose weight .

That's my simple explanation
No Mystery

[Cloverjo]

I lost weight on the Speed Your Metabolism diet, which is based on low carbs, with good fats being eaten 3 days a week.

[Old_Geezer]

You are getting confused by all the fads. The thing is that excess or deficit of anything is not good. Just eat healthily with a good mix of foodstuffs.

Fat is high in calories, and so is sugar. So don't pig out on either food group; just eat enough and don't worry if you indulge in a treat or so every now and again.

I am unconvinced fasting is a benefit but do so for the rare day if you feel so inclined. Try not to put all your faith into the latest celebrity recommended "diet".

[pastafreak]

The body is not a machine,and does not burn calories to a set mathematical equation (the law of thermodynamics). Each food we consume is utilised differently...be it carb,fat or protein. How it's utilised will also vary between individuals.

Here are some past and current opinions on calories...fat...and other things.

http://www.caloriegate.com/calories-in-calories-out/9-more-experts-lay-waste-to-the-calories-in-calories-out-cico-model-of-obesity

[pastafreak]

O_G...I beg to differ. The idea of low carb high fat has been around for over 150 years. The only reason low fat became dogma was because a lot of political and industry groups benefited from it. NOT because it's healthier.

[pastafreak]

The idea of fasting that is under a lot of scientific scrutiny at the moment involves leaving a longer window or period without food...ie 16 hours...NOT some form of starvation. It does not involve necessarily eating less,but allowing time for the body to burn fat. It's been shown to be very beneficial for diabetics. Better in fact than drugs.

[Scarlett]

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jason+fung All of these videos will illustrate the 'new' thoughts. Seriously, I thought I knew everything about diets and nutrition! But then I read Jason Fung. I really don't think this is a celeb fad diet. The science makes complete sense, and alongside fasting, seems to be proving why conventional diets cannot be sustained.

[Bazile]

Further to my post .

Then there are the ' lucky' folks , who can shovel a lorry load of grub into their stomachs , whils't not putting on any weight

[dunnitall]

IMO..all is genetics. Our 'books' are written and no matter what we do....nowt will change it. I think..take each day as it comes, do as you do and it's a case of 'que sera sera'. My philosophy in this life is.....go with the flow....we get what is coming to us whether we try to deviate from the course or comply with 'the norm'. IMO we cannot escape our fate....if you do right that's how it's meant to be...if you do wrong that is your fate too. Survive and be as happy as you can....enjoy what you can and make your life as happy and safe as is possible.