Why are carbs so addicting?

[Anonymous]

Because your brain needs carbs for quick energy. The key is to eat mostly whole grains. If you can get away from processed carbs, you will be satisfied and still very healthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carbs are not necessary. Once you stop eating them, you don’t miss them.

This is not true.

Carbs are necessary and your body will miss them and crave them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carbs are so satisfying and filling. Lean protein and vegetables are not. I just don't feel sated the same way after a meal with no carbs

Eating starchy carbs just makes me want to eat more starchy carbs. So for me, they’re delicious— but not particularly satisfying, and definitely not filling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carbs are not necessary. Once you stop eating them, you don’t miss them.

This is just false as applied to the entire population of humans. Some people do fine with a low or no carb diet. Just about anybody engaged in any form of endurance exercise will not.

Some people can’t eat carbs without overdoing it. Some people don’t respond well. All these absolutes aren’t helpful and just result in people bouncing around looking for a “quick fix” instead of figuring out what works for them.

[Anonymous]

First, you need carbs so your body wants them and if you don’t eat enough good ones, your body will crave easy carbs all day.

Second, if your blood sugar is not optimal you will crave carbs. 30 mins of exercise does wonders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Carbs are not necessary. Once you stop eating them, you don’t miss them.

Maybe you mean refined carbs? Because yes your body misses carbs if you don’t have them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gut bacteria that feed on sugars.

This has got to be a huge part of it. One of my favorite facts about the human body is that - IIRC - we don’t know much about the gut microbiome. Some of the microbiota can’t even be cultured effectively yet because they don’t survive outside the body. Our nutrition is moderated through our gut biome, just like trees receive nutrients via fungi. Think about malabsorption issues that originate in the gut.

If I’m trying to cut junk carbs, I’ll remind myself that some of the “demands” are quite probably coming from chemical signals in the gut.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carbs are not necessary. Once you stop eating them, you don’t miss them.

This is just false as applied to the entire population of humans. Some people do fine with a low or no carb diet. Just about anybody engaged in any form of endurance exercise will not.

Some people can’t eat carbs without overdoing it. Some people don’t respond well. All these absolutes aren’t helpful and just result in people bouncing around looking for a “quick fix” instead of figuring out what works for them.

+1. Going without carbs is not sustainable in the long term for the vast majority of people, nor is it healthy or conducive to building muscle.

[Anonymous]

Mmmmmm they’re delicious…warm bread slathered with butter…heaven

[Anonymous]

I virtually stop farting when I don’t eat refined carbs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gut bacteria that feed on sugars.

This has got to be a huge part of it. One of my favorite facts about the human body is that - IIRC - we don’t know much about the gut microbiome. Some of the microbiota can’t even be cultured effectively yet because they don’t survive outside the body. Our nutrition is moderated through our gut biome, just like trees receive nutrients via fungi. Think about malabsorption issues that originate in the gut.

If I’m trying to cut junk carbs, I’ll remind myself that some of the “demands” are quite probably coming from chemical signals in the gut.

The sad part is that because of widespread use of antibiotics, we have destroyed gut bacteria that lived for millennia in our guts. We won’t ever know what we lost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure addicting is the right word but what is it abut carbs that makes you want to eat them. I’m talking about bread, pasta, rice and potatoes. None of these has particularly astounding flavor. I feel so much better when I don’t eat the above along with no sugar/sweets. I love awesome. I can honestly saw that a strawberry takes way better than a potato. I don’t have a sweet tooth so avoiding sweets isn’t a problem but it’s those dumb carb heavy fillers that always get me.

Addictive. Not “addicting.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure addicting is the right word but what is it abut carbs that makes you want to eat them. I’m talking about bread, pasta, rice and potatoes. None of these has particularly astounding flavor. I feel so much better when I don’t eat the above along with no sugar/sweets. I love awesome. I can honestly saw that a strawberry takes way better than a potato. I don’t have a sweet tooth so avoiding sweets isn’t a problem but it’s those dumb carb heavy fillers that always get me.

I doubt that you’d eat them on their own, absolutely plain. Have you ever eaten a potato with no butter, no oil, no salt? I doubt you’d find it addicting. These carbs are addicting because they act as delivery devices for the things your body likes— fat, salt, sugar, etc.

[Anonymous]

We have to differentiate between simple and complex carbs. Simple carbs are cake, cookies, wonder bread, etc. Complex carbs are sweet potatoes, potatoes, brown/black rice, beans, etc.

Complex carbs good. Simple carbs bad.

[Anonymous]

Carbs are the most efficient and optimal energy source for your body. Fat and protein are harder for your body to breakdown and use for energy. You need some carbs, preferably whole grain/complex carbs and fruits

Foods high in fat and sugar are the most “addicting” so stay away from those or be mindful of portions