Hi Carb Alert!!!

GSW

I know Im gonna sound like a twit but I gotta know, are high carb foods a food to be avoided, especially to be avoided being consumed EVERY day when trying to loose weight? I know theyre a slow release energy, but this this mean that me being inactive causes this energy to be turned into fat? I eat pasta or noodles everyday, please tell me if I shouldn't.

pwd

Carbohydrates can be a slow release energy, or a very fast release energy.
It depends how processed they are as a rule of the thumb. The more processed they are, the faster the energy is released from them.

In my opinion you should avoid processed carbohydrates as much as possible if you are trying to lose weight, with the exception of immediately after intense exercise. In my opinion they are more likely to make you fat than fat is.

Avoiding simple carbs (ie: fast release ones) is the basis of the GI diet. In my opinion, the Atkins diet works by the same mechanism, only it takes a kamikazee tactic by ruling out all carbs.

pasta and noodles are fast release, unless they are wholegrain.

The speed energy is released is effected by what other foods are consumed at the same time also

mack1

As PWD said - "white" carbs - ie white rice/pasta/bread etc are generally high GI (~ fast processed carbs) - "brown" carbs (wholegrain) are low GI (~slow release).

Personally I would cut ALL white carbs. But keep wholegrain carb sources for breakfast and pre & post exercise.

PS - If this sounds a bit daunting at the start dont worry, it did to me too - having being brought up on the standard Irish diet of meat, veg and spuds/pasta/rice for dinner - the idea of a dinner without a those seemed weird- but its not at all - on non-gym days I am perfectly happy with meat/fish and a pile of different green veg!

EileenG

There is a place for carbs, but I'd confine them to before and after an intense workout. You don't need them for regular, day-to-day energy.

Replace the pasta and noodles with leafy veg like broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, kale, brussel sprouts, and you'll be amazed at how many calories you save without suffering. Not to mention all that veg is good for you.

rubadub

pwd wrote:

pasta and noodles are fast release, unless they are wholegrain.

Wholegrain noodles can be hard to come by, and usually expensive if you do find them. I just use roma wholegrain pasta in place of noodles, same thing pretty much.

And in place of bread I use iceberg lettuce as wraps. I was looking at brown baps yesterday (bread people), they were 255kcal each! while the burger going in them was 130kcal.

Roper

Carbs aren't bad per se. You need carbs, you probably just don't need as much as is in your diet at the moment.

The one carb you should avoid more than any other is the ultimate carb- sugar.

ag1975

whats a good low carb breakfast cereal to have, i know porridge is slow release, any other suggestions..

rubadub

ag1975 wrote:

whats a good low carb breakfast cereal to have, i know porridge is slow release, any other suggestions..

Well porridge is pretty high carb, low GI, and suited to the morning since it "sets you up for the day". You might want extra protein in there too, so eat some eggs too. I make oat pancakes, porridge oats, eggs & skim milk all in a mini blender, ratios do not really matter, thick or runny as you want. If you have a nonstick pan you dont really need any oil, thicker crumpet type pancakes are easier to turn if you have no oil.

Also I make french toast with wholemeal brown sliced pan, eggs, milk & sliced pan.