Do you really need to cut out the bread??

DoyleNYCfitness

As a personal trainer,  I always have clients tell me, "well I'm doing good,  I've cut out all carbohydrates and don't eat any bread or pasta"

This "Low" carb diet basically has a death grip on the fitness and health industries right now,  and I don't really see it changing for a while.  Case in point,  the Glycemic Index.  Its basiaclly THE standard of judging food, I too thought this was the way to go for weight loss.

After working with a famous nutritionist who is less swayed by the media and more so by the research,  I realized the GI might not be the best approach.  And the evidence shows it isnt. 

The GI was designed in the 80's to help diabetics blood sugar in check, it was never intended for weight loss.

This article by Dr Len Kravitz,  who is THE authority on weight loss goes on to show that there is no difference between eating a low carb or high carb diet, when both groups are calorie restricted over a years time.

http://www.drlenkravitz.com/Articles/glycemicDLK.html

Really interesting, but goes back to the point that if you are exercising,  you don't have to cut out bread,  just cut overall caloric intake moderately. 

and eat alot of vegetables and fruits, and lean meats. 

It goes back to the basics.

Greg

anna.oskar

Greg,

while I agree 100%, I think the major reason that people choose an allegedly low-carb diet (i say allegedly because usually it's just anti breads and pastas not veggie carbs) is because they're honestly addicted to them.  Some people just have no self-control at all when it comes to a big bowl of pasta, endless breads at restaurants, or giant bowls filled with pounds of potatoes whether as fries or chips.  I feel these commercial anti-carb diets can be a great way for people to break that addiction if they've failed otherwise. Sometimes the willpower just isn't there to do it individually.  But they aren't really a necessary full lifestyle change.

I'm doing South Beach starting next week in an attempt to break a plateau, but it's not a huge change for me since I generally stay bread-carb low due to my gluten intolerance.  So all I'm really cutting out is excess sugars, which I admit to being addicted enough to that I crave them.

Lobsters25

I completely agree with Anna on the addiction level, but I also agree with Greg about it being blown a bit out of proportion.

I lost over 100 lbs without cutting carbs, but instead switching to 'better' carbs.  Whole grain and whole wheat cereals, breads and pastas, and I made sure to check the sodium level on all of it, as many breads are loaded with surprising levels of sodium.  I also scaled back the amount of carbs compared to the amount of veggies on my plate.

I could never, ever go carb free.  I'd rather give up chocolate.

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_do-you-really-need-to-cut-out-the-bread?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:5fa44233-e7d4-4f11-9627-58c51eaeb1b4Post:61c250db-ca6a-42e8-ad6d-2123ff6d27e2">Re: Do you really need to cut out the bread??</a>:
[QUOTE]I completely agree with Anna on the addiction level, but I also agree with Greg about it being blown a bit out of proportion. I lost over 100 lbs without cutting carbs, but instead switching to 'better' carbs.  Whole grain and whole wheat cereals, breads and pastas, and I made sure to check the sodium level on all of it, as many breads are loaded with surprising levels of sodium.  I also scaled back the amount of carbs compared to the amount of veggies on my plate. I could never, ever go carb free.  I'd rather give up chocolate.
Posted by Lobsters25[/QUOTE]

Agreed.  I love bread and pasta SO much.  Stupid gluten.  i love it so much that i eat it sometimes even though it makes me sick.

Now chocolate.. I'd die without an occasional piece of super dark chocolate. it's so good.

JacklovesSarah

I agree! Absolutely. If I hear one more person ask the key to my small frame, I think I'll get snarky and answer "magic."

Don't deprive yourself of anything (Don't eat the whole chocolate cake, but a nibble won't kill you.)

Portion correctly (Second helpings don't help!)

Ask yourself "how is this helping my body" (If sugar is the first thing on the list of ingredients, it's not going to help your body.)

Drink a ton of water. (Get a new water bottle; it makes it more fun to drink!)

OH and exercise. It doesn't have to be intense. 30 minutes a day is fine. Start slow.

The point to weightloss is education. People just don't know enough to know the answer. There should be a mandatory intense nutrition class taught in public schools. Not just your regular ol' goof-off-health-class.

angelsong21

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_do-you-really-need-to-cut-out-the-bread?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:5fa44233-e7d4-4f11-9627-58c51eaeb1b4Post:7a6ad54f-d7b3-45d6-a1b5-f8f68cbd1bab">Re: Do you really need to cut out the bread??</a>:
[QUOTE]I agree! Absolutely. If I hear one more person ask the key to my small frame, I think I'll get snarky and answer "magic." Don't deprive yourself of anything (Don't eat the whole chocolate cake, but a nibble won't kill you.) Portion correctly (Second helpings don't help!) Ask yourself "how is this helping my body" (If sugar is the first thing on the list of ingredients, it's not going to help your body.) Drink a ton of water. (Get a new water bottle; it makes it more fun to drink!) OH and exercise. It doesn't have to be intense. 30 minutes a day is fine. Start slow. The point to weightloss is education. People just don't know enough to know the answer. <strong>There should be a mandatory intense nutrition class taught in public schools. Not just your regular ol' goof-off-health-class.</strong>
Posted by JacklovesSarah[/QUOTE]

I could not agree more!

I do understand both Greg and Anna's sides.  I think there is definitely a component of addiction there.  However, at the same time, I think people who are not truly addicted to these foods have removed them from their diets for no reason.  I feel that is definitely the case with gluten-free.  Most people do not need a gluten-free diet.  If you are eating everything in moderation and getting the recommended amount of fruits and veggies in your diet every day, I promise that you will have a much lower amount of gluten in your diet as-is.  Plus many gluten-free products are more dense and thus higher in calories, so using it for a weight-loss plan and nothing else is a bit ridiculous.  There are some people who are gluten-intolerant and need to be on a gluten-free diet.  However, the majority of us do okay with gluten but should keep it to a minimal amount.

Dr. Oz does not help the "education" of people regarding nutrition and medical information though.  When I watch his show when I get home from my advanced nutrition classes, I start arguing with my TV set lol.  He has people come on and talk about these GREAT new supplements every day (introduces probably 15-20 per week that are "essential" for x, y, or z) but they never go over who truly needs them and who doesn't AND what the consequences are of taking that many vitamins and in that high of doses.  More is not better.  Too much of a good thing can actually promote free radicals, which are known to cause cancer.  We definitely need REAL nutrition courses in our schools!

DoyleNYCfitness

Hahaha, I know what you mean Angel,  Dr. Oz is great at coming up with these quick fix type things, which I was dissapointed seeing him do,  he's undoubtedly one of the best heart surgeons in the world,  but thats what he is,  he is not a nutritionist, and it is tough to hear him say some things.  But hes got a show and an audience to please I guess.  Many top nutritionists that I work with are also annoyed with him because then they have to go to their clients and defend sound nutrition everytime Dr. Oz comes out with a claim.  

Gluten free stuff is great if you have celiecs or a gluten intolerance,  but there is no need to be going all gluten free.  As an active person (which I know you all are )  you NEED carbs to fuel your workouts.  

And Yes,  if there is one thing that we need, it is mandatory nutrition classes in ALL elementary and middle schools. 

Good  luck getting past all the misinformation out there!

J&K10910

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_do-you-really-need-to-cut-out-the-bread?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:5fa44233-e7d4-4f11-9627-58c51eaeb1b4Post:d73bc47c-655f-485b-bcd4-7dd70433802f">Re: Do you really need to cut out the bread??</a>:
[QUOTE]Hahaha, I know what you mean Angel,  Dr. Oz is great at coming up with these quick fix type things, which I was dissapointed seeing him do,  he's undoubtedly one of the best heart surgeons in the world,  but thats what he is,  he is not a nutritionist, and it is tough to hear him say some things.  But hes got a show and an audience to please I guess.  Many top nutritionists that I work with are also annoyed with him because then they have to go to their clients and defend sound nutrition everytime Dr. Oz comes out with a claim.   <strong>Gluten free stuff is great if you have celiecs or a gluten intolerance,  but there is no need to be going all gluten free.  As an active person (which I know you all are  )  you NEED carbs to fuel your workouts.</strong>   And Yes,  if there is one thing that we need, it is mandatory nutrition classes in ALL elementary and middle schools.  Good  luck getting past all the misinformation out there!
Posted by DoyleNYCfitness[/QUOTE]

I completely, 100% agree with this--but I'd like to point out that even though I don't eat gluten, I still consume between 100-150g carbs a day on a normal  day, more  some days.