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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'm a fairly serious runner, and I can't tell you how many times people who do Paleo or Atkins have told me I should give up carbs.  It's ridiculous.  (I could lose 5-10 lbs but don't really need to, so it's not like I actually need dieting advice in the first place.)  [b]Our brains need carbs to function[/b], and strenuous cardio activity runs on carbs.[/quote]

This happens to be my area of research so I'll chime in. To say this as a blanket statement is, simply put, untrue. Strenuous cardio activity also does not need to "run on carbs". There are epileptics for whom an extremely low carb diet is the only way to control seizures. Are you implying their brains do not function? There are indigenous cultures whose diets consist almost solely of animal products and very little carbohydrate, yet they spend entire days on their feet, hunting. How do they keep it up without carbs?

What is true: For YOU, eliminating carbs may be bad. But that doesn't mean it's bad dieting advice.

What gets on my nerves about the most vocal haters is the inability to accept that diet advice is not one-size-fits all. The unfair truth is some people can maintain their health and weight just fine on a low fat, snackwells-laden diet. Some can't. There is plenty of science-based research out there to support intermittent fasting, ketogenic, low carbohydrate, as the solution for many who've otherwise struggled. But unfortunately the noise of the "It's just a craze" crowd is loud enough to drown it out, and it will likely take decades to undo what your primary care physician is currently telling you about diet and exercise. I know plenty of people who think if they just keep their processed food choices within their WW points range and keep pounding out that Couch-to-5k, they're going to get there. And they're probably not, and they're probably doing themselves more harm in the process.[/quote]

From the first word to the last, this is almost entirely wrong or skewed.

1. Processed food will never be a good choice, not nutritionally, but isn't by its very nature anathema to weight loss.
2. This entire paragraph assumes diet is all and only about weight loss. Complex Carbohydrates provide essential fiber, nutrients, and fuel at the cellular level.
3. No, you do not NEED carbohydrates for energy. However, if you are eating a low carb diet, and are not overweight, you will begin burning muscle proteins for energy.
4. Back to weight loss--since loss of muscle mass is the number one cause of lowered metabolism, you create a vicious cycle  by never really building muscle.
5. Most of the research suggests that these diets are good for people with some health issues, such as diabetes or epilepsy. The long term effects are not well-known.
6. but I am pretty sure, using common sense, that a diet without complex fiber, vegetables and fruits is an impoverished one.

You can survive,  but not thrive.
[/quote]

Hi, did you even read what I said? I said some people maintain their HEALTH and weight fine on a diet of processed foods. So, I don't think it's anathema to weight loss by any means. And I agree that complex carbs provide essential elements, and a varied diet is quite positive for most people, and fiber, vegetables, and fruits can be good for you. As I stated, I'm a proponent of a one-size-does-not-fit-all philosophy. But, I cringe to hear the blanket statements that you and PP have used (or maybe you're the same person): "If you are eating a low carb diet and are not overweight you will begin burning muscle proteins for energy." "Loss of muscle mass is the number one cause of lowered metabolism." Neither of these are necessarily true statements. If you are eating a low carb diet and are not overweight, you need to eat a sufficient amount of fat. From a clinical perspective, metabolic issues are likely triggered by obesity, insulin resistance, and yes, lack of muscle mass. But the ONE factor studies consistently point to as contributing to all of the aforementioned conditions? Excess carbohydrate intake. Not excess fat intake, not excess calorie intake (though certainly that is not blameless), not lack of jogging 2 miles a day. CARBS. [/quote]

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