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Anonymous
Hey /fit/, just thought I would post a little something and maybe get a nice healthy discussion going on (excuse the pun). The topic I would like to talk about is Low Carbohydrate diets. I for one, support this type of diet very strongly; due to the fact that it helped me lost 50kg. Although I have gained 20kg of it back, I have restarted it and it has been very easy to get back into the swing of things.

I don't understand why low carb diets have a negative image attached to them. I believe a lot of this stems from ignorance and peoples reluctance to accept something other than their own beliefs, I'll put out a few arguments that have been presented to me in the past:

1. You're not getting sufficient nutrients when eating a low carb diet..

I for one, am providing my body with a lot more nutrients while on low carb then I ever did when I was stuffing my face with junk food... I take a multivitamin every day, snack on small bits of bacon, an egg or some cheese and eat non-starchy vegetables liberally at meal times. This is contrasted to eating potato chips, chocolate and eating mostly potatoes at dinner time. Which sounds healthier to you?

2. You're not getting enough energy in a low carb diet / You're not eating enough on a low carb diet.

I think this is pretty ridiculous and stupid. The whole purpose of a diet is to take in less energy then your body needs, and your body must turn to itself for energy. People need to understand that while eating on a low carb diet, most of the food you are eating (cheese, eggs, meat) are very calorically dense; meaning there is a lot of energy for the food that is eaten. Just because I am not eating 4-6 servings of bread a day does not mean I am not getting enough energy to allow for a steady weight loss.
>> Anonymous
3. While doing a low carb diet, you are always tired because you're not eating enough!

This is complete and udder bullshit. I don't know about anyone else, but after about a day of starting low carb, I generally have a lot more energy then I do while eating junk food and bread. I don't know why but I find myself drinking less caffeine and drinking more water, sleeping less and generally being more alert and happy while on a low carb diet. Now this may be a placebo effect because I believe what I'm doing is good for me, but I hope it isn't.

4. How do you poo properly without eating a lot of bread/high fibre containing products?

Psyllium Husk (Found in Metamucil) and eating non-starchy vegetables, also the occasional piece of fruit. Nuff said.

5. Your breath stinks while on Low carb!!

That's because I'm going through a state of Ketosis. My breath smells like acetone (nail polish remover) because of a process going on in my body known as Ketosis. Now this process is perfectly healthy and usually occurs when the body does not have enough glucose to maintain itself. Ketosis is a state in which the liver turns fat into fatty acids and ketone bodies. These are used by the body in the place of glucose (a lot of that energy is actually used by the brain!). This method is extremely inefficient which is good for someone with excess body fat. The body must work harder to find it's energy from itself. Read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketosis if you're interested.
>> Anonymous
6. Yeah but you're just being unhealthy.

This is one that really pisses me off. Being told I'm unhealthy because I refuse a slice of bread or potato. The people who tell me this are usually overweight, drinks soft drinks like coke, eats a lot of chocolate and lives a sedentary lifestyle. You tell me who'se being unhealthy...

7. We we're made to eat carbohydrates, you're doing it wrong!

I think of it this way, our bodies are very versatile machines, and are able to get energy from a variety of sources. Glucose is not the only form of energy our body can use, and usually we eat way too much then we need, meaning we only get fatter. If you provide yourself with enough nutrients to keep your body functioning in a good manner, what is the point of consuming excess energy that you just don't need?

8. All that bacon and cheese, your cholesterol must be through the roof!

Well, I may be an oddity, but I had a blood test done before I started a low carb diet, and then another about 6 months into one, my cholesterol lowered... yes... LOWERED. What do you have to say about that?
>> Anonymous
For those who don't want to read the whole thing I'll summarise it like this:

Low carb diets are fine, and a very effective use of weight loss. The arguments against it are made by ignorant people who have no idea what they are saying and just believe the propaganda put out by medical professionals who most likely get paid from diet companies who are competing against low carb diets (Atkins in particular).

If you are looking to lose weight, give a low carb diet a try, you may be pleasently surprised with your results.

Sorry for such a long post, needed somewhere to rant and this place opened up. If there is anything else to discuss please do so.
>> Anonymous
>>1917
carbohydrates are a necessary nutrient, and on a low-carb diet you're depriving yourself of the necessary nutrient called HOLYTITTYFUCKING CARBOHYDRATES