I freaking LOVE carbs

[Anonymous]

I eat way too many of them. Some people eat protein and two veg, no carb. I eat protein and two carbs, no veg. Or sometimes veg but two carbs. And I eat way too big portions of carbs. Like an entire box of rice pilaf. Three portions of spaghetti. Help.

[Anonymous]

The deprivation mentality doesn't help. It's ok to eat carbs, just in moderation. If you know they make your body bloated or feel bad, reduce that moderation but don't cut them out entirely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The deprivation mentality doesn't help. It's ok to eat carbs, just in moderation. If you know they make your body bloated or feel bad, reduce that moderation but don't cut them out entirely.

Huh? Did you mean to respond to someone else? Carbs don't make me feel bloated or bad at all. I don't have a deprivation mentality - I have a "eat all the carbs!" mentality.

[Anonymous]

So it’s unclear from your post whether you are just sharing your love of carbs or concerned that you can’t stop eating carbs.

Eating carbs makes you crave more carbs. Going low carb is really the only way to reduce the carb cravings.

[Anonymous]

You have the answer for obesity crisis in America.

[Anonymous]

Eat good vegetables and nuts. Mix that into your recipes.
At some point you'll intuitively feel that carbs don't satisfy your cravings, and you'll reach for them less.

Stop buying prepared carbs at the store. Only by uncooked carbs ther go into recipes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eat good vegetables and nuts. Mix that into your recipes.
At some point you'll intuitively feel that carbs don't satisfy your cravings, and you'll reach for them less.

Stop buying prepared carbs at the store. Only by uncooked carbs ther go into recipes.

Can you give examples of that? Because I bought a box of rice pilaf and ate the whole thing last night with dinner. So that’s not good.

[Anonymous]

Do a google search on freezing carbs - nat geo and guardian had done articles on this.
If you freeze the carb before eating it, then heat it up really hot, it’s overall better for you and moderates the effect.
Remember, whole grains are great carbs and no need to freeze.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eat good vegetables and nuts. Mix that into your recipes.
At some point you'll intuitively feel that carbs don't satisfy your cravings, and you'll reach for them less.

Stop buying prepared carbs at the store. Only by uncooked carbs ther go into recipes.

Can you give examples of that? Because I bought a box of rice pilaf and ate the whole thing last night with dinner. So that’s not good.

NP here.

I feel like adding any of the following to carbs can lead to me being satisfied with less: Texture, flavor, protein, fat, fiber. Luckily, all those things can also make the carbs more delicious.

So, for example, I might stir lentils or small white beans (fiber) and cashews (texture, fat, protein) or shredded rotisserie chicken into that rice pilaf.

Or instead of eating multiple bowls of oatmeal, I might make baked oatmeal, and add some nut butter (fat, protein), and a lot of apples (fiber, texture if I leave the skin on) and cinnamon (flavor).

I also find that I can sub out something else white for some of the carbs in a recipe without it bothering me. I make the following:

Fried rice that's half brown rice and half riced cauliflower (not the frozen stuff, fresh raw riced cauliflower that I toast in the skillet) with a lot of eggs and frozen mixed veggies.

Beef stew and sub rutabaga for the potatoes, but still serve it with really good whole grain bread.

Stuffed zucchini boats with a spicy sausage pasta sauce and cheese, salad, and garlic bread.

[Anonymous]

I went low carb a year ago and it was painful at first. I was like the op — for decades I treated carbs as the centerpiece of every meal. I was skinny (crazy metabolism) but unwell. I feel so much better after a year of low carb. This means I cut out ALL grains. The only carbs I eat are those naturally occurring in fruit and veggies. I also limit sugar other than naturally occurring. I get some carbs in beans but try to stick to low carb beans (split lentils that have been soaked overnight). I was always having blood sugar issues and this has fixed it. Also reduced my bloat.

[Anonymous]

How big are you? 3 servings of spaghetti? That’s a $hit ton for a normal person. I love carbs but that’s a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How big are you? 3 servings of spaghetti? That’s a $hit ton for a normal person. I love carbs but that’s a lot.

I’m just guessing - but it was a BIG handful. I always worry it won’t be enough abs I’ll be hungry. You’d think I survived the Depression or something the way I worry about not having enough food.

[Anonymous]

Is this a change in behavior, op?
Or same behavior but now in a context where everyone advises low carb?

Trying to understand your motivation in posting. Concern? Or the opposite: a celebration of something that’s too often vilified?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I eat way too many of them. Some people eat protein and two veg, no carb. I eat protein and two carbs, no veg. Or sometimes veg but two carbs. And I eat way too big portions of carbs. Like an entire box of rice pilaf. Three portions of spaghetti. Help.

It's an addiction and evolutionary.
Humans used to gorge on fruits during the warm months, and pack on tons of fat, to help them get through the less bountiful winter months. So we are programmed by evolutionary nature to gorge on carbs when we have them available.

It takes discipline to avoid them. They elicit the same response in the brain that many recreational illegal drugs do.

[Anonymous]

Can you try to start substituting whole-grain, high-fiber versions of the carbs, in place of the ultra processed low-fiber versions? Subbing brown rice for white rice, for example, is healthier and much more filling ... but I still get the pleasure of eating rice.