100 lb. Club - Study shows calories, not carbohydrates, affect weight loss

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070419/hl_nm/glycemic_load_dc
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - When it comes to losing weight, the number of calories you eat, rather than the type of carbohydrates, may be what matters most, according to a new study.

just a fyi

This was recently posted in the "Weight Loss News" forum of this site.

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1657837

Well!I always suspected that.

I wish they had done the study with a larger group of people...I really dont think 34 people is enough. And, I dont know who was included in the study. I'd like to see a large study with men and women, with various amounts of weight to lose and various ages....including menopausal women! Speaking from experience, I can tell you that I tried numerous diets, and was committed, before finding one that works for me...Southbeach. Of course, my insulin resistance plays a big part in my ability to lose weight easily.

Bottomline is calories in vs. calorie out. But for me personally, in order for me to STAY within my calorie range, really stick to it that is - those calories have got to be the low fat proteins and veggies and fiber with my carbs coming from veggies and the occasional fruit.

Boy, I've had the exact opposite result. Calorie counting NEVER worked for me, whereas the low carb lifestyle has been very successful.

I was a complete failure at calorie counting. First, it was too difficult to keep track of everything. Second, it frequently made me feel deprived and led to overeating. When I could count calories correctly, I often splurged and then ate less the rest of the day. So, calorie counting always resulted in yo-yo dieting syndrome for me.

One might think that perhaps the low-carb diets help us lose weight because they cut cravings that come with insulin resistance and then lead us to eat less. But I still eat until I am full and never feel deprived on South Beach diet. Can't say the same for calorie counting, no way.

Of course, exercise surely helps. Did the study factor in exercise at all? I could not tell from the article.

Booklover, have you ever counted your calories on South Beach though? Those who do low carb (or slow carb) diets are actually restricting their calories, they just don't realize it as much. So for instance, if you ate the same amount of calories that you eat on South Beach while doing calorie counting, then you would lose the same amount of weight. To you, it appears you are counting carbs (or being careful about carbs) while in reality you are cutting back on calories.

Boy, I've had the exact opposite result. Calorie counting NEVER worked for me, whereas the low carb lifestyle has been very successful.

I was a complete failure at calorie counting. First, it was too difficult to keep track of everything. Second, it frequently made me feel deprived and led to overeating. When I could count calories correctly, I often splurged and then ate less the rest of the day. So, calorie counting always resulted in yo-yo dieting syndrome for me.



That's why it's so important that we each find what works for us. Booklover it wasn't that keeping to your calorie allotment didn't work and give you a weightloss. Am I correct? It was that you couldn't STICK to your calorie allotment. So you were having more calories in then out. Hence, the not working part.

That's why it is VITAL that we find something healthy that we can stick to. Cause that's what it's all about, IMO.

Those who do low carb (or slow carb) diets are actually restricting their calories, they just don't realize it as much.

Exactly.

Eliminating most nutritionally weak carbs also eliminates a lot of the calories most Americans consume. Hard to eat horribly when soda, frappamochamegaccinos, bread, pasta, pizza, rice, candy, junk food, cookies, cake are severely limited. Or in other words, how many cups of plain broccoli does it take to get to 1000 calories?

Nelie, I agree that South Beach probably works as well as it does because it helps you inadvertantly lower your total calories per day. I don't count calories or carb grams on the Southbeach diet - I just follow the guidelines. However, on Southbeach, I can eat a lot of otherwise high-calorie, high-protein food (meat, cheese, nuts) that low calorie dieting simply would not permit. On the other hand, I definitely have increased my veggie and fruit intake, making me feel less hungry, and eating less overall. (Hence less calories.)

For me, I find I must restrict the kinds of food I eat, rather than the total number of calories. For example, when I ate nutrition bars for breakfast (300 cals a piece) I thought I was on track. In reality, I was ingesting 13 g of sugar per bar, making my blood sugar rise and leading me to want more food. Even on days when I resisted the urge to eat more and stayed within my calorie alotment, I always felt deprived and never could stay on the diet for more than a week.

Robin, you are exactly right. Each person has to find the program that works best for her own needs.

Boy, I've had the exact opposite result. Calorie counting NEVER worked for me, whereas the low carb lifestyle has been very successful.

I was a complete failure at calorie counting. First, it was too difficult to keep track of everything. Second, it frequently made me feel deprived and led to overeating. When I could count calories correctly, I often splurged and then ate less the rest of the day. So, calorie counting always resulted in yo-yo dieting syndrome for me.

One might think that perhaps the low-carb diets help us lose weight because they cut cravings that come with insulin resistance and then lead us to eat less. But I still eat until I am full and never feel deprived on South Beach diet. Can't say the same for calorie counting, no way.

Of course, exercise surely helps. Did the study factor in exercise at all? I could not tell from the article.

Hi Booklover,

I agree with most of what you've said. Calorie counting is not very 'user friendly' for me either. However, Southbeach is not a low carb diet. Carbs are encouraged on SB..however, only healthy carbs with a low glycemic index. I eat 3-4 cups of veggies a day, plus oatmeal and, occasionally, fruit.

Nelie, you are right. I'm sure I'm eating a lower amount of calories...but, I dont have to track them (yet!) and that definitely works for me. I can say that I was eating a lower amount of calories on WW, Dr.Phils and Slim Fast...and walking on the treadmill for an hour each day...and still not losing.

Well I should've also really said that the research isn't saying "this diet works just the same as this diet" because there are little nuances but it is saying if someone follow a low/slow carb diet vs following a high carb diet, as long as their calories are the same, they will lose the same. Now that isn't to say that low carb doesn't work better for some because if I ate a high carb diet, I'd feel miserable. I'd be hungry and cranky. While on a lower carb/healthier carb diet, I feel a lot better and have more energy.

i love calorie counting. it forced me to make better food choices. there are no surprises when i step on the scale. i mean i can literally tell you how much weight ive lost in the past week just by looking at my notes. if i hit a plateau i can look and see whats causing it. i just love the riddle part of it. "if i eat x, i will be hungry again at y, resulting in z calories for the day." but im a nerd. to each their own i suppose

I've always believed in calories in vs. calories out. That's all any diet or new way of eating really is. It's scientifically impossible for it not to be. However, there are different ways of achieving this calorie deficit. Lower carb plans (like SB) may be easier to stick to, which is why some may have success with it over just being able to eat 1500 calories of whatever. When I eat refined carbs, I want MORE which is setting myself up for sabotage. So I follow the principles of SB and similar plans, but I still calorie count because that's what it boils down to.

I haven't read what this study says because from reading so many different study results in newspaper, magazines and hearing about them on the news I've come to the conclusion that most studies show what the researchers want them to show. IMHO the bottom line the quantity and quality of food you eat vs your activity level. This is a slightly different way of saying calories in vs calories burned. I have tried counting calories and it isn't for me, I prefer to look at the quantity and quality of food rather than nitpick over numbers.

I've come to the conclusion that most studies show what the researchers want them to show.

I completely agree. If the obesity epidemic is worse than ever -- can't we assume at least some of the study advice must be wrong? Maybe this is one area where we should start paying more attention to our own bodies.

Under the theory of calories in vs. calories out, fasting works for the same reason that exercising like a demon will. But will either dieter succeed in the long run on such programs? And what price will they pay for the adverse health effects of these programs?

This is why I truly believe that the "calories in vs. calories out" formula is an oversimplification. All diets rely upon reducing caloric intake in relation to caloric expenditure. So, if this basic premise is true, then it follows that all diets should work the same for everyone, regardless of age, weight, disease, insulin resistance, blood type, self-discipline, emotional makeup, psychological health, genetics, or heritage. And all weightloss should be permanent. Of course, that's not the world we live in. The prevalence of the yo-yo dieting phenomenon proves that "calories in vs. calories out" -- while a nice mathematical formula -- is not enough by itself.

Anyway, sorry for the long posts. It's time to get off my soapbox now (and back to my healthy eating and exercises).

Good luck to all.

So, if this basic premise is true, then it follows that all diets should work the same for everyone, regardless of age, weight, disease, insulin resistance, blood type, self-discipline, emotional makeup, psychological health, genetics, or heritage. And all weightloss should be permanent. Of course, that's not the world we live in. The prevalence of the yo-yo dieting phenomenon proves that "calories in vs. calories out" -- while a nice mathematical formula -- is not enough by itself.

Good luck to all.

Huh? Weightloss should be permanent? Says who? Although it would be kinda nice. Yo-yo dieting has nothing to do with the fact that it really and truly is bottom line calories in vs. calories out. Bottom, bottom line.

The ONLY way calories in vs. calories out will WORK is well, duh, if you STICK with it. The ONLY way Weight Watchers will WORK is if you stick with it. The ONLY way that South Beach or Atkins or on and on and on will work is if you STICK with it. It really all does boil down to calories in vs.calories out. Getting people to stick to their diets is a whole other matter. Of course different "diets" work for different people because someone prefers one method to another. They're able to STICK to it better. And that's fine. We all need to find that method. The one we can stick to. Not always easy. It's not the diet itself that is the problem. It's the people (us) straying from them. Eating more calories then your body needs is what causes people to gain weight.

In order to lose and then maintain weight loss, it takes a whole lot of determination and commitment, self-discipline and sacrifice. No matter what your method is. And it most certainly is very, very difficult to sustain.

Robin, you are absolutely right. (And, I suspect I should probably shut up and listen to you because you're definitely better at sticking to your diet than me. :o ) Congratulations on your success do far.:hug:

My only point is that finding a program you can stick with IS the key.

Robin, you are absolutely right. (And, I suspect I should probably shut up and listen to you because you're definitely better at sticking to your diet than me. :o ) Congratulations on your success do far.:hug:

My only point is that finding a program you can stick with IS the key.

Booklover, we are all entitled to our opinions. You, me and the whole rest of the gang. We are here to learn from one another and bounce ideas off of one another.

Though "sticking" with it is the key, we should all keep in mind that there is no way humanly possible, IMO of course, that ANYone can stick to something 100% of the time. It's impossible. Luckily there is room for error. I think perhaps if we all stuck to our plans 90% of the time, we'd all be okay and there wouldn't be any more FATchicks, just healthy, normal sized - something or other chicks. :smug: