Alright, time to have a chat...
I've got two things that bug me about misconceptions people have about low carb and ketogenic diets, and it's time to set some things straight :)
One is that all carbs are bad. No. Just no. I didn't gain weight eating potatoes, white rice and a plethora of fruits and vegetables. Trust me. It was the fast food, the donuts, the cakes, the cookies, the candy (can you tell that sweets are my weakness?) and yes, even my beloved beer.
Second is that low carb is equivalent to no carb. Sure, if you're following a ketogenic diet and have a low tolerance for carbs, it might be. But in general there is no set number that defines what a low carb diet actually constitutes. So whether you eat 150g, 100g or 50g of carbs per day, it's alllllll low carb in comparison to the standard American diet that recommends eating up to 300g of carbs per day. Make sense?
I've got two things that bug me about misconceptions people have about low carb and ketogenic diets, and it's time to set some things straight :)
One is that all carbs are bad. No. Just no. I didn't gain weight eating potatoes, white rice and a plethora of fruits and vegetables. Trust me. It was the fast food, the donuts, the cakes, the cookies, the candy (can you tell that sweets are my weakness?) and yes, even my beloved beer.
Second is that low carb is equivalent to no carb. Sure, if you're following a ketogenic diet and have a low tolerance for carbs, it might be. But in general there is no set number that defines what a low carb diet actually constitutes. So whether you eat 150g, 100g or 50g of carbs per day, it's alllllll low carb in comparison to the standard American diet that recommends eating up to 300g of carbs per day. Make sense?
Next, I want to take a moment to remind you that carbs aren't evil. Just like fat was unfairly demonized, carbs are at risk of suffering the same misconception. There are good carbs and bad carbs, just as in fats. The best way to spot the good ones? Keep it real. Eating a potato, white or sweet, is going to be much more nutritious (potassium, magnesium and vitamin C, anyone?) than a stack of Pringles. It really is that simple.
Lastly, you also have to consider your own personal need for carbs. Just the same as you have to do with your overall food intake, the amount of carbs one person eats is really dependent on their activity level and training needs. I do believe if you feed your body real, unprocessed and nutrient dense food, it will naturally learn to tell you when to eat and when to stop. However, this isn't the case for everyone and you will have to go a step further to ask yourself what your own bodies needs are in regards to carb intake.
The reality is that there is no one formula fits all to answer that question and to be honest I've been having to play around a lot with that amount myself. I haven't been in Ketosis since February and my work/life schedule has been too demanding to maintain any sort of dietary consistency. Because of this my eating has been off, my weight and inflammation have been up and forget about a solid nights sleep. So for now I am just trying to get back on track with my workout/sleeping routine and sticking to real food (including carbs like potatoes, white rice and fruit). Once I re-establish a good foundation, I will start to tinker with adjusting carbs to match my training routine and even play around with Ketosis once again.
Lastly, you also have to consider your own personal need for carbs. Just the same as you have to do with your overall food intake, the amount of carbs one person eats is really dependent on their activity level and training needs. I do believe if you feed your body real, unprocessed and nutrient dense food, it will naturally learn to tell you when to eat and when to stop. However, this isn't the case for everyone and you will have to go a step further to ask yourself what your own bodies needs are in regards to carb intake.
The reality is that there is no one formula fits all to answer that question and to be honest I've been having to play around a lot with that amount myself. I haven't been in Ketosis since February and my work/life schedule has been too demanding to maintain any sort of dietary consistency. Because of this my eating has been off, my weight and inflammation have been up and forget about a solid nights sleep. So for now I am just trying to get back on track with my workout/sleeping routine and sticking to real food (including carbs like potatoes, white rice and fruit). Once I re-establish a good foundation, I will start to tinker with adjusting carbs to match my training routine and even play around with Ketosis once again.
What kind of carbs agree best with your body and lifestyle? Let me know in the comments below!
