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Running and eating low-carb?

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  • 18-11-2014 11:17am
    #1
    This Fat Girl Runs
    Registered Users Posts: 1,776 ✭✭✭


    Is being a runner and eating low-carb doable? Is it advisable?

    Of course every runner is different and body type, metabolism and muscle tone are a factor so maybe, for some runners, maybe going low-carb would be feasible? I just wanted to see what other people might think.


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    #2
    Run and Jump
    Registered Users Posts: 159 ✭✭Run and Jump


    I consulted a nutritionist this year, who advised me to stick to a balanced diet with good hydration and where every meal is 1/3 protein, 1/3 fruit or veg and 1/3 carb. Carbs are necessary for everyone, including runners, for physical and mental energy, but I think I had been overdoing the bread, pasta and sugary fruit. A balanced diet saw me reduce my excess carb intake while still having enough carbs. Before long runs and races I topped up the carbs a little but not with huge extra plates of pasta.

    As a result I had a good diet and I shed a few kilos and a few minutes off my race times.

    The major caveat here, of course, is that diet is a personal thing and any radical changes should be checked with a doctor or nutritionist first. What works for some mightn't work for others.


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    #3
    Krusty_Clown
    Registered Users Posts: 19,497 ✭✭✭✭Krusty_Clown


    Personally I'd be of the opinion that carbs are an important part of a distance runner's diet, but I can't be blind to the fact that there are many runners (many of whom are quite successful) who follow diet plans that feature low intakes of carboydrates (for example, Paleo, Barry Murray's Optimum Nutrition etc).

    On the balance of things, the fastest marathon runners in the world eat high carb diets, and that certainly paints a picture, but we're not the fastest marathon runners in the world here on Boards, so diets with a different focus may also be just as relevant. If your focus is not distance running, then certainly there's room for low-carb diets. A well-balanced diet with an eye towards avoiding processed foods is typically what will yield the greatest gains in terms of weight management, performance and health.


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    #4
    clear thinking
    Registered Users Posts: 558 ✭✭✭clear thinking


    This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »
    Is being a runner and eating low-carb doable? Is it advisable?

    Of course every runner is different and body type, metabolism and muscle tone are a factor so maybe, for some runners, maybe going low-carb would be feasible? I just wanted to see what other people might think.

    There is an awful lot of guff out there about diet. New Scientist debunks a lot of them http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn26549-14-myths-and-maybes-about-burning-fat.html?cmpid=ILC|NSNS|2014-10-GLOBAL-topteaserbarlinks|hometopteaser&utm_medium=ILC&utm_source=NSNS&utm_campaign=Topteaserbarlinks&utm_content=hometopteaser

    For example, multiple small meals rather than 3 decent meals is touted as a way to keep your metabolism going, turns out to be BS.

    Or, to your question, eating fat to burn fat is also BS. There is little difference between high fat-low carb and low fat-high carb diets.

    Some extra protein MAY make you feel fuller and help burn a few extra calories, 60-120 per day, thats about 7-14grams of olive oil or butter


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    #5
    ger664
    Registered Users Posts: 2,400 ✭✭✭ger664


    My view is similar to KC. Carbs are essential but that is nutrient dense carbs and not your processed white/sugary carbs. A balanced diet is essential, plenty of veg and fruit with wholemeal grain is the way to go for carbs and have an adequate level of protein especially oily fish which as an island nation we don't eat half enough of.


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    #6
    This Fat Girl Runs
    Registered Users Posts: 1,776 ✭✭✭This Fat Girl Runs


    I'm wondering now, after reading your responses, just what 'low-carb' really means.

    Occasionally I keep a food diary, and this week have started one just to see how I'm doing. I don't eat processed foods, most of my intake is fresh food or homemade.

    Yesterday I ate 72.73g of protein and 195.94g carbohydrates (most of which comes from fruit and this week also the lentil/barley soup I made for my lunches at work). Overall calories from yesterday was 1474.76. Today will be the same.

    I would consider that to be high carb, but I can't see how I can lower that so maybe I'm eating low-carb without realising it?


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    #7
    clear thinking
    Registered Users Posts: 558 ✭✭✭clear thinking


    Seems normal, the only thing you didn't mention was fats, are you eating the good stuff, avocados, olive oil, nuts etc.?


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    #8
    This Fat Girl Runs
    Registered Users Posts: 1,776 ✭✭✭This Fat Girl Runs


    clear thinking wrote: »
    Seems normal, the only thing you didn't mention was fats, are you eating the good stuff, avocados, olive oil, nuts etc.?

    I had 43.29g of fat. The two biggest culprits were the hummous which I had with lunch, and a pat of butter I had at dinner. Oh, and some some peanut butter.


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    #9
    pistol_75
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,682 ✭✭✭pistol_75


    What goals are you trying to achieve from your diet? and if you feel like it maybe give us a breakdown of what your meals/snacks are for a typical day.


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    #10
    Krusty_Clown
    Registered Users Posts: 19,497 ✭✭✭✭Krusty_Clown


    I don't know about low-carb, but it sounds like a perfectly healthy diet to me! You never really explained why you were considering changing your diet. Is it about weight management?

    TRR has a very good (but flippant) post about the simplicity of weight management. Not suggesting that you eat quite the same amount of purple snacks, but the approach to analysis and action is worth reviewing.


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    #11
    inigo
    Registered Users Posts: 646 ✭✭✭inigo


    I suggest reading Tim Noakes' book Challenging Beliefs (Part 3 - Nutrition 101). Be warned it's controversial, but it comes from a scientist who never claims to have the absolute truth, which is precisely a central part of the book, hence its title.


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    #12
    This Fat Girl Runs
    Registered Users Posts: 1,776 ✭✭✭This Fat Girl Runs


    pistol_75 wrote: »
    What goals are you trying to achieve from your diet? and if you feel like it maybe give us a breakdown of what your meals/snacks are for a typical day.

    I'm trying to ensure I get a ratio of protein/carb where it's more even. 40% protein, 40% carb, something like that. I don't 'diet' really, I've been eating the same way for a couple of years now because it's healthy and sustainable, for me at least. But because I'm running now and doing weights and pilates, I want to be sure my muscles are getting the right amount of protein.
    Krusty_Clown wrote: »
    I don't know about low-carb, but it sounds like a perfectly healthy diet to me! You never really explained why you were considering changing your diet. Is it about weight management?

    TRR has a very good (but flippant) post about the simplicity of weight management. Not suggesting that you eat quite the same amount of purple snacks, but the approach to analysis and action is worth reviewing.

    That's a great post! But I don't eat any of the stuff mentioned in it! I don't eat chocolate, crisps or cakes or cookies and haven't had a fizzy drink in 3 years. I have the occasional beer like once every other weekend (and when I say one, I really mean one!). I very rarely eat bread. I don't add sugar to anything, I only drink water and decaf coffee (no milk, no sugar). Anyway, it's good advice to cut out the bad stuff, but I've already done that ages ago!

    Actually, to heck with it. Here's a google doc to show you what I had yesterday. It's a very typical day for me, except for dinner. I don't usually eat potato but I had a craving so I indulged!

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LiF-OEQx0F5wO9iBVQ-1NHbZFFFbPzCZ6ykZSnSBFMU/edit?usp=sharing


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    #13
    menoscemo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,915 ✭✭✭✭menoscemo


    This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »
    I'm trying to ensure I get a ratio of protein/carb where it's more even. 40% protein, 40% carb, something like that. I don't 'diet' really, I've been eating the same way for a couple of years now because it's healthy and sustainable, for me at least. But because I'm running now and doing weights and pilates, I want to be sure my muscles are getting the right amount of protein.



    That's a great post! But I don't eat any of the stuff mentioned in it! I don't eat chocolate, crisps or cakes or cookies and haven't had a fizzy drink in 3 years. I have the occasional beer like once every other weekend (and when I say one, I really mean one!). I very rarely eat bread. I don't add sugar to anything, I only drink water and decaf coffee (no milk, no sugar). Anyway, it's good advice to cut out the bad stuff, but I've already done that ages ago!

    Actually, to heck with it. Here's a google doc to show you what I had yesterday. It's a very typical day for me, except for dinner. I don't usually eat potato but I had a craving so I indulged!

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LiF-OEQx0F5wO9iBVQ-1NHbZFFFbPzCZ6ykZSnSBFMU/edit?usp=sharing

    I think you would be better off posting this in the health and Fitness Forum (specifically the N&D subsection) for more detailed and knowledgeable replies, but to my untrained eye you are
    a) undereating compared to activity levels. Your calories burned through excercise are almost equal to calories consumed, giving you a net intake of pretty much zero.
    b) you seem to be eating way too little protein. The only decent source of protein seems to be a single pork chop for dinner


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    #14
    This Fat Girl Runs
    Registered Users Posts: 1,776 ✭✭✭This Fat Girl Runs


    menoscemo wrote: »
    I think you would be better off posting this in the health and Fitness Forum (specifically the N&D subsection) for more detailed and knowledgeable replies, but to my untrained eye you are
    a) undereating compared to activity levels. Your calories burned through excercise are almost equal to calories consumed, giving you a net intake of pretty much zero.
    b) you seem to be eating way too little protein. The only decent source of protein seems to be a single pork chop for dinner

    I thought of posting elsewhere but my question is specifically because I want to aid/improve my running by changing my protein:carb ratio. Because of my running I know carbs are important, that's why I asked the question here. I'm ok if a mod feels they have to move this thread though.

    I do know I don't eat enough protein (although the lentils/pulses etc I eat are a good source too). What I don't know is a) I could possibly eat any more than I already do b) what carbs I can drop to bring the ratio more in line and c) if that's a wise thing to do, as a runner.


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    #15
    generic2012
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,013 ✭✭✭generic2012


    This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »
    I'm wondering now, after reading your responses, just what 'low-carb' really means.

    Occasionally I keep a food diary, and this week have started one just to see how I'm doing. I don't eat processed foods, most of my intake is fresh food or homemade.

    Yesterday I ate 72.73g of protein and 195.94g carbohydrates (most of which comes from fruit and this week also the lentil/barley soup I made for my lunches at work). Overall calories from yesterday was 1474.76. Today will be the same.

    I would consider that to be high carb, but I can't see how I can lower that so maybe I'm eating low-carb without realising it?

    That's nearly 800 calories from carbs, over half of your calories. The scientific literature has differing opinions on the definition of 'low carb', but low carb (/high fat) advocates seem to define LC as either <20 g or <50 g of carbs. These numbers are given regardless of age, height, weight, sex, activity level or lean body mass.

    LC advocates tend to follow a few authors of books rather than actual information. These authors have a massive following of people who post on forums that only like minded people post on reinforcing their ideas.

    Science has not found the benefits these authors (eg. Robb Wolfe, Tim Noakes and Mark Sisson) claim. The LC community uses the same technique as UFO believers, 911 skeptics and Climate change deniers etc. - conspiracy claims. The government, big agriculture, food companies and independent scientists want to kill the people financing them through diet, and they suppress evidence showing the benefits of LC and make up evidence against it.

    Some people may get benefits from a LC diet as high fat foods can make certain people full quicker and/or longer, especially if those high fat foods are also high protein. Any weight loss from LC is not because of LC per se but rather its effect on overall consumption. I would endlessly on LC/High fat foods so it wouldn't work for me.

    You count calories so there is no benefit to doing this, also carbs lend themselves to physical activity much more than fats. I would advice you to search for independent research and opinion on the matter as there is a high carb community equally as blinkered as the low carb. Be careful not to get sucked in my sciencey sounding language, if you read about insulin being evil it's a sign to hit backspace.


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    #16
    This Fat Girl Runs
    Registered Users Posts: 1,776 ✭✭✭This Fat Girl Runs


    generic2012 wrote: »
    That's nearly 800 calories from carbs, over half of your calories. The scientific literature has differing opinions on the definition of 'low carb', but low carb (/high fat) advocates seem to define LC as either <20 g or <50 g of carbs. These numbers are given regardless of age, height, weight, sex, activity level or lean body mass.

    LC advocates tend to follow a few authors of books rather than actual information. These authors have a massive following of people who post on forums that only like minded people post on reinforcing their ideas.

    Science has not found the benefits these authors (eg. Robb Wolfe, Tim Noakes and Mark Sisson) claim. The LC community uses the same technique as UFO believers, 911 skeptics and Climate change deniers etc. - conspiracy claims. The government, big agriculture, food companies and independent scientists want to kill the people financing them through diet, and they suppress evidence showing the benefits of LC and make up evidence against it.

    Some people may get benefits from a LC diet as high fat foods can make certain people full quicker and/or longer, especially if those high fat foods are also high protein. Any weight loss from LC is not because of LC per se but rather its effect on overall consumption. I would endlessly on LC/High fat foods so it wouldn't work for me.

    You count calories so there is no benefit to doing this, also carbs lend themselves to physical activity much more than fats. I would advice you to search for independent research and opinion on the matter as there is a high carb community equally as blinkered as the low carb. Be careful not to get sucked in my sciencey sounding language, if you read about insulin being evil it's a sign to hit backspace.

    Thanks for that. I wouldn't be a fan of a high fat diet myself. I'm just trying to bring my carbs down and protein up. As you say, carbs lend themselves to physical activity so I'm wondering if I actually should lower my carb intake.

    As for counting calories, I only do that twice a year. I do a week long food diary in the spring and again in the winter. Just to see where I'm at.


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    #17
    generic2012
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,013 ✭✭✭generic2012


    This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »
    Thanks for that. I wouldn't be a fan of a high fat diet myself. I'm just trying to bring my carbs down and protein up. As you say, carbs lend themselves to physical activity so I'm wondering if I actually should lower my carb intake.

    As for counting calories, I only do that twice a year. I do a week long food diary in the spring and again in the winter. Just to see where I'm at.

    I don't know any of your stats but 1,400 calories is very low for anyone who exercises. Protein requirements are inversely correlated with calorie intake, so when calories are higher protein requirements are lower and vice versa. This is because fat tissues often cannot provide energy quick enough (if running or anything that raises your heart rate much above normal levels) and glucose/glycogen may not be in enough supply, so protein may have to be used as an emergency energy source. This is only likely with a low calorie diet so extra protein should be eaten to buffer potentially negative outcomes.

    As to lowering your carb intake it depends on your goals. Fore performance that is the last thing you should do, for weight loss it's calories that matter. But be cognisant of the fact that if you are using exercise as a means to weight loss, lower carbs will reduce your capacity to exercise and hence reduce it's effects on weight loss.

    The best advice would be not to try and lose weight too fast as large calorie deficits are associate with muscle loss, the higher the deficit the greater the effect. This is bad as your metabolism will suffer. It has also been shown that the slower your weight loss the more likely you are to maintain that weight loss.


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    #18
    This Fat Girl Runs
    Registered Users Posts: 1,776 ✭✭✭This Fat Girl Runs


    generic2012 wrote: »
    I don't know any of your stats but 1,400 calories is very low for anyone who exercises. Protein requirements are inversely correlated with calorie intake, so when calories are higher protein requirements are lower and vice versa. This is because fat tissues often cannot provide energy quick enough (if running or anything that raises your heart rate much above normal levels) and glucose/glycogen may not be in enough supply, so protein may have to be used as an emergency energy source. This is only likely with a low calorie diet so extra protein should be eaten to buffer potentially negative outcomes.

    As to lowering your carb intake it depends on your goals. Fore performance that is the last thing you should do, for weight loss it's calories that matter. But be cognisant of the fact that if you are using exercise as a means to weight loss, lower carbs will reduce your capacity to exercise and hence reduce it's effects on weight loss.

    The best advice would be not to try and lose weight too fast as large calorie deficits are associate with muscle loss, the higher the deficit the greater the effect. This is bad as your metabolism will suffer. It has also been shown that the slower your weight loss the more likely you are to maintain that weight loss.

    Thanks for that. It makes sense.

    I'm not trying to lose weight exclusively. I mean I'm not running and working out in order to lose weight. I'm doing it to be healthy. I've been eating healthy for 3 years, running for a year and a half and working out with a trainer for 6 months (twice a week) and I haven't lost more than a few kilos. Instead, I've lost inches and put on muscle. And I'm ok with that. I know that as my muscle tone improves my metabolism will improve and that will benefit my running.

    I've guessed for a while that I don't eat enough, I just struggle with finding ways to eat more than I already do. I thought that changing my protein:carb intake would help. Maybe I was wrong. It seems to be the general sense I'm getting from replies to my post.


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    #19
    RacoonQueen
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 20,364 Mod ✭✭✭✭RacoonQueen


    LCHF diets aren't necessarily that low in carbs, they're a change to the type of diet that has become the norm (cereals, bread, pastas etc) they generally look at eating the right things at the right time.

    Barry Murray, who trained on LCHF and now works with BMC professional cycling team (who would require a slightly different approach but would still largely be LCHF) and Martin McDonald who is a big advocate of it also will offer up some good reading for you.

    These are more about eating whole foods rather than processed food than anything else.

    Many people would say they feel better on this type of 'diet' because they're not get the insulin spikes that carbs can give, hence why you'll hear them talk of nutrient timing.

    From your response to meno is sounds like you are reluctant to add more protein?


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    #20
    generic2012
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,013 ✭✭✭generic2012


    RacoonQueen wrote: »
    LCHF diets aren't necessarily that low in carbs, they're a change to the type of diet that has become the norm (cereals, bread, pastas etc) they generally look at eating the right things at the right time.

    Barry Murray, who trained on LCHF and now works with BMC professional cycling team (who would require a slightly different approach but would still largely be LCHF) and Martin McDonald who is a big advocate of it also will offer up some good reading for you.

    These are more about eating whole foods rather than processed food than anything else.

    Many people would say they feel better on this type of 'diet' because they're not get the insulin spikes that carbs can give, hence why you'll hear them talk of nutrient timing.

    From your response to meno is sounds like you are reluctant to add more protein?

    Not to be confrontational but if 'LCHF diets aren't necessarily that low in carbs' they wouldn't be called low carb diets. What is wrong with eating 'cereals, breads & pasta' as part of a balanced diet? Cheery picking athletes who do well in sports looks good initially but it's kind of dishonest to not also mention that the vast vast majority of athletes and, as far as I know, most of the best athletes in the their respective sports, will implement a high carb diet. Any sports scientists I have ever read all promote high carb diets too. The 'insulin is evil' argument holds no water and, along with nutrient timing, has been thoroughly debunked.

    Sorry if that seemed harsh, but you are recommending a low carb diet but then protect yourself from any rebuttal by saying 'These are more about eating whole foods rather than processed food than anything else'.

    You are either advocating it or you aren't, it's not fair to be so obtuse when someone is looking for specific advice.


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    #21
    RacoonQueen
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 20,364 Mod ✭✭✭✭RacoonQueen


    generic2012 wrote: »
    Not to be confrontational but if 'LCHF diets aren't necessarily that low in carbs' they wouldn't be called low carb diets. What is wrong with eating 'cereals, breads & pasta' as part of a balanced diet?

    Processed foods with no real nutritional value. You can get good quality carbs elsewhere.

    Can't really be arsed discussing the rest of it with you. You look like you're after one thing and I can't be bothered.
    However, if you read enough about the supposed LCHF diets (I don't think Barry or Martin for example refer to it as that really it's more of what Noakes has named it that has stuck) you would see they are not necessarily low carb at all - they're lower than what we've transitioned too via processed crap but they still promote the intake of good quality carbohydrates. Plenty of science to it...nutritionists will contradict each other all the time based on their own studies and experience. What Barry and Martin advocate is based on their studies and experience and show nutrient timing to be effective.

    A few people on here would have similar diets to what the 'LCHF' advocates TFGR's I'm sure they'll be able to post more info on the idea for you.


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    #22
    This Fat Girl Runs
    Registered Users Posts: 1,776 ✭✭✭This Fat Girl Runs


    RacoonQueen wrote: »
    LCHF diets aren't necessarily that low in carbs, they're a change to the type of diet that has become the norm (cereals, bread, pastas etc) they generally look at eating the right things at the right time.

    Barry Murray, who trained on LCHF and now works with BMC professional cycling team (who would require a slightly different approach but would still largely be LCHF) and Martin McDonald who is a big advocate of it also will offer up some good reading for you.

    These are more about eating whole foods rather than processed food than anything else.

    Many people would say they feel better on this type of 'diet' because they're not get the insulin spikes that carbs can give, hence why you'll hear them talk of nutrient timing.

    From your response to meno is sounds like you are reluctant to add more protein?

    I'd be ok adding protein, I'm more unsure HOW to add more protein without adding fat. I really don't want to add fat. I'm pretty good at avoiding processed foods, I cook for myself and make most of my meals from scratch. I'm not sure if what I do eat counts as whole foods though.


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    #23
    This Fat Girl Runs
    Registered Users Posts: 1,776 ✭✭✭This Fat Girl Runs


    generic2012 wrote: »
    Not to be confrontational but if 'LCHF diets aren't necessarily that low in carbs' they wouldn't be called low carb diets. What is wrong with eating 'cereals, breads & pasta' as part of a balanced diet?
    RacoonQueen wrote: »
    Processed foods with no real nutritional value. You can get good quality carbs elsewhere.

    I should clarify, I'm not looking to cut out cereals and grains and pasta altogether, though I have drastically reduced my bread intake and now rarely eat it.


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    #24
    generic2012
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,013 ✭✭✭generic2012


    RacoonQueen wrote: »
    Processed foods with no real nutritional value. You can get good quality carbs elsewhere.

    Can't really be arsed discussing the rest of it with you. You look like you're after one thing and I can't be bothered.
    However, if you read enough about the supposed LCHF diets (I don't think Barry or Martin for example refer to it as that really it's more of what Noakes has named it that has stuck) you would see they are not necessarily low carb at all - they're lower than what we've transitioned too via processed crap but they still promote the intake of good quality carbohydrates. Plenty of science to it...nutritionists will contradict each other all the time based on their own studies and experience. What Barry and Martin advocate is based on their studies and experience and show nutrient timing to be effective.

    A few people on here would have similar diets to what the 'LCHF' advocates TFGR's I'm sure they'll be able to post more info on the idea for you.

    I just don't know why someone would willingly label a diet that isn't low in carbohydrates as 'low carb', it just seems me to be willfully causing confusion.

    Sorry, I'll clarify, when I say science/studies, I mean independent, controlled studies published in peer reviewed journals.


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    #25
    Enduro
    Registered Users Posts: 3,620 ✭✭✭Enduro


    The best bit of advice on this thread so far is to look for good science to back up any given piece of advise. There are a lot of people with quasi-religous views on nutrition, so you get a lot of deeply held opinions. The best thing you can do is question absolutely everything and try to find out if there is any good eveidence to support any given opinion. Nutrition is an area where there is an awful lot of relatively poor quality science, so it is quite hard to pick out what's good and what's not. There is also an awful lot of baseline startpoints (like "fat is bad", "carbs are necessary for running") that seem very obvious, but don't necessariily have anything more than tradition rather than evidence to back them up. The history of science is littered with "obvious truths" which turn out to be spurios or wrong (like "the earth is flat", or a more recent well known example throroughly debunked "nothing can live in the stomach"). It's also always worth checking who is funding any given research.

    Anyone who says you need carbs for long distance running is plain wrong. I doubt you'll find a poster on this forum who has run longer distances than me, and the last thing I'd want to be doing on long distance runs is eating carbs. I'd regard it as counter-productive to eat carbs on long distance runs.

    As for general diet, there's lots of interesting reading and viewing out there. Barry Murray's site OptimumNutrtion4Sport has already been mentioned (Barry has been a team mate of mine on the Irish team at the World ultra-trail running championships, and is a very accomplished ultrarunner himself, as well as being a highly respected sports nutritionist). Another good one (on general nutrition, not specifically sport) is Authority Nutrition. It's great for reference the science behind the articles, and also has a good section on how to differenciate between the different types of research).

    You'll find plenty of ideas and examples out there about how to change your diet to have less carbs and more fat and protein.


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    #26
    Enduro
    Registered Users Posts: 3,620 ✭✭✭Enduro


    This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »
    I'd be ok adding protein, I'm more unsure HOW to add more protein without adding fat. I really don't want to add fat.

    Why don't you want to add fat? Are you starting from the viewpoint that "Fat is bad"?


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    #27
    This Fat Girl Runs
    Registered Users Posts: 1,776 ✭✭✭This Fat Girl Runs


    Enduro wrote: »
    Why don't you want to add fat? Are you starting from the viewpoint that "Fat is bad"?

    Good question. I'm starting from the viewpoint that I have enough fat on me to last a good while before I need to add any to my diet. I know certain kinds of fat are beneficial, and I'm not opposed to those when I need them. I just don't think I need any kind of fat right now.

    For the sake of clarity, I'm 5 foot 7 and weigh 16.5 stone (105.3 kilos). I've been around this weight for the last three or so years. My thyroid is normal, my blood is normal, I'm slightly iron deficient but not anemic. Everything works fine, my heart, lungs etc. My cholesteral is normal. Everything about me is normal. :p


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    #28
    SamforMayo
    Registered Users Posts: 2,297 ✭✭✭SamforMayo


    You are saint if you exist on that. Are trying to drop weight?


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    #29
    This Fat Girl Runs
    Registered Users Posts: 1,776 ✭✭✭This Fat Girl Runs


    SamforMayo wrote: »
    You are saint if you exist on that. Are trying to drop weight?

    Not specifically no! To me, that's actually a lot of food, I feel like I'm constantly eating. Hence the asking for advice, I know things need to change but I want to change in a way that will help my running, not hinder it.


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    #30
    Enduro
    Registered Users Posts: 3,620 ✭✭✭Enduro


    This Fat Girl Runs wrote: »
    Good question. I'm starting from the viewpoint that I have enough fat on me to last a good while before I need to add any to my diet. I know certain kinds of fat are beneficial, and I'm not opposed to those when I need them. I just don't think I need any kind of fat right now.

    For the sake of clarity, I'm 5 foot 7 and weigh 16.5 stone (105.3 kilos). I've been around this weight for the last three or so years. My thyroid is normal, my blood is normal, I'm slightly iron deficient but not anemic. Everything works fine, my heart, lungs etc. My cholesteral is normal. Everything about me is normal. :p

    Eating fish doesn't make you a better swimmer. Eating vegetables doesn't turn you into a vegetable. Eating fat doesn't make you fat! I think your startpoint is one of the "obvious" ideas in nutrition that in reality is at best disputed, and possibly just plain wrong. Avoid processed fats (especially trans-fats) for sure, but there is a growing body of evidence and opinion which debunks the "fat makes you fat" idea. In fact the reverse is quite often the case, as most low-fat foods replace fat with sugar (which is much more likely to actually cause you to get fatter and more unhealthy).

    It sounds like you're generally on the right track anyway. You've taken the most important step of choosing to try to eat as healthily as possible.


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    #31
    generic2012
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,013 ✭✭✭generic2012


    There is definitely a lot of promising data coming out on high fat diets for ultra endurance athletes all right. It will be very interesting to see how it affects certain sports. I don't think the benefits are useful to your average jogger though.


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