Why do so many people believe they need a low carb diet to lose weight when it's actually a calorie deficit that causes them to?

[Anonymous]

I got in an argument with someone over a low carb diet vs calorie deficit for weight loss. They said eating low carb diet is the only way to lose weight and I told its the calorie decifit that causes people to lose weight.

They just would not believe me its the calorie deficit that causes the weight loss (law of thermodynamics) and kept saying only low carb diets work wtf.

I told them the only reason low carb works is becuase those people in a calorie dicifit now but still no they wouldn't believe me.

They really got fired up when I told them fruit, wholegrain bread, potatoes and sweet potatoes and brown rice are good for you. They said they are really bad for you but could not give a reason except its bad for your blood sugar. These carbs are loaded full fiber, vitamins and antioxidients ffs.

[DasVoz]

You have to study the work of Dr. Peter Attia and Gary Taubes.

Low carb diets are basically low calorie diets, but when you cut carbs low enough (lower than low) you enter a fat-adapted state called nutritional ketosis.

In this state, insulin levels are low, causing the break down of triglycerides and allow fatty acids to mobilize from the cell. The liver converts fatty acids into ketones, which serve as an alternative fuel source for the brain.

The benefits of being "fat adapted" include reduced brain fog (gaining mental clarity), higher endurance for anaerobic exercises, and reduced hunger.

In the end, it's all about the calories, sure. But some people are insulin resistant and they can't metabolize carbohydrates as well as others. That leads to overeating and fatigue.

[Kiwedin]

I know, I don't get it. Carbs do not make you fat! The countries who eat the most carbs are almost always the healthiest, the slimmest, and have the least amount of chronic disease. Restricting our intake of plants is just stupid. Trust me, as a nutritional science student, it's so frustrating to hear people demonizing carbs. Carbs are life <3.

[DasVoz]

Nutritional science students are NEVER wrong or biased.

It's disgusting to see self proclaimed "scientists" speak in such slant, because that is anti-scientific.

[Kiwedin]

@DasVoz I guess some students are, but from what I've learned, every study done on human health tells us that the more plants we eat, the healthier we are. That isn't exactly shocking and I have a hard time understanding why you'd consider that "slant" or "anti-scientific" lmao.

[DasVoz]

Right, and low carb doesn't exclude leafy greens like spinach, kale and arugula. It doesn't exclude flax seed and walnuts or raspberries and blackberries.

"Lmao lol"

[Kiwedin]

@DasVoz K relax, eat all the arugula you want. I'm just saying that a truly healthy diet does not include restricting healthy foods. There are low-carb diets that literally instruct people to never eat more than 12 grapes in one day because the sugar will make them fat and that's absolutely ridiculous. If low-carb works for you and it's what you feel that your body thrives on, then that's great, but I don't like the message it sends. Carbs are healthy and good for the body as long as it's a whole food and isn't overly-processed. I really have no idea why you're getting so defensive over this.

[DasVoz]

1. "I'm just saying that a truly healthy diet does not restrict healthy foods"
They don't restrict healthy foods. They restrict soluble carbohydrates and lower serum glucose, which benefits insulin-resistant individuals.

2. "There are low carb diets that 12 grapes ;("
Red Herring.

3. "Sugar will make them fat and that's absolutely ridiculous"
Sounds like a value judgement, not a scientific one. Sugar alone doesn't make you fat, and fat alone doesn't make you fat.

4. "Carbs are healthy and good for the body"
Fibers as a micro nutrient are good for gut health, but soluble carbs are a macronutrient that converts to glucose used for energy. The liver already produces enough glycogen to live, and can store up to a week's worth of glycogen from one meal. And the brain operates more efficiently on ketones over glucose.

5. "I don't like the message it sends"
A personal opinion.

Why the offense? Because you are pursuing a title you haven't shown competency in.

[CrazynKinky]

Whoa how are fruit, bread, potatoes sweet potatos and brown rice bad for you. The only way to lose weight is work it off

[Asker]

Yeah that's what I don't get about that person

[fallingleaves11]

Can you explain to me how the calorie deficit works? I don't understand! Say I eat 1,200 calories a day, how on earth is it possible to burn more than that when I only burn up to 300 in the gym?

[Asker]

Your body naturally burns calories throughout the day just to keep you alive with breathing etc. If you slept all day your body would still burn like 1400 calories at least. Then any actinity on top of that walking around the house, watching tv, exercising at the gym, doing house work, eating all burn calories. When you eat food it gives you calories like fuel for a car.

A deficit is when you eat less calories than what you burn. Google it calories explained and it will tell you everything.

[Yellow_]

I don't think brown rice is good, but yeah the others are good.

[Asker]

Brown rice has a reasonable amount of fiber in it

[Memora]

some people must not be well informed. But don't stress to much they are going to be the ones who see no results.