I've heard that low-carb diets help certain people burn more calories, but by what % more on average?

Answer 1

I am no nutritionist, but after years of yo-yo dieting and virtually starving myself to remain out of plus sizes I finally lost 70 lbs by eating very well and just cutting out most carbs and starches, and rationing sweets.

The way it was explained to me was that some people process carbs differently and for them it alters the metabolism and basically prevents weight loss even if on paper you are eating far less calories....few enough the lbs should be dropping off.

So this is the way I see it. We were raised and taught that to lose weight you count calories and if reach a low enough figure you do. I have found that never worked for me. BUT when I stopped paying attention to calories and instead focused on what was on my plate, the weight fell off literally. So I think instead of looking for percentages and numbers etc it might be helpful to just look at what foods should be cut out of a diet, what foods should be cut back on, and what should be allowed in virtually unlimited amounts.

That is what worked for me, and eventually I got to the point where I could cheat far more, although I do think it's time I cut back on the major carbs again, since I notice a little weight coming back on and I want to nip it in the bud. And truthfully I've been really bad lately. Plus my back has stopped me from getting any useful exercise, which really helps in any weight loss attempt. Although I really didn't do much exercise when I lost the 70 lbs...it was 85% a change in my diet and grossly limiting my simple carbs.

To me the main change was to cut bread, remove the starch/potato/rice from my daily dinnerplate, and have single serving desserts a couple times a week. Eventually I would add a baked potato (preferably sweet potato), or have a side dish that includes a little pasta. But I always made sure I ate enough to be full and not feel punished. I can honestly say it was the easist diet I was every on, and by far worked the best.

Last thought, since this varies with everyone's metabolism, I'm not sure anyone could come up with an exact number. I have friends who can eat a cake in a sitting an not gain an ounce (GRRRRRR). I look at a cake and I feel my waist stretching. So I think it's far to subjective for each person. Same way it's trial and error to see what your body responds.

Took me some trial and error, so I really think the answer is just in changing what you eat and forgetting the calorie counting that someone invented years ago. Wonder if it was the same person who invented 9-5? I think we need to re-vote on these things lolol

Answer 2

a low carb diet is not healthy long term, but short term it can help lose weight. Burning carbs is based off of physical activity, so being on a low carb diet does not help burn carbs; it just lowers the calorie intake because carbs are high in calories. Anything in excess is bad. Think of this, just stading and not sitting loses 100calories per hour.

Answer 3

Low carb is kind of a misleading term. The idea is to replace simple carbs like sugar, alcohol, white bread-flour-rice, pasta, sweets, desserts, etc. with complex carbs (brown rice, whole grains, etc.). This helps your body to burn "fuel" more efficiently, rather than relying on the constant quick hit of sugars for energy.