# Low carb diet for 4 weeks - Anyone care to join me? \[Continung discussion\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 10, 2018, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913 "2018-05-10T11:21:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/121 "2018-05-17T17:40:02Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > My experience with dieting and losing weight – any temporary diets resulted in temporary results. The only time I’ve had permanent results (still going, though I’m pushing to lose another 15 lbs or so) was with a permanent change in diet. Which has lead me to the following rule (when dieting for weight loss and general health) – any diet change should be permanent, or else there’s no point in doing so. Speaking as someone who has lost the same 25-50 pounds repeatedly, this is absolutely true. That in a nutshell is the problem with losing through just cutting calories. You can only go hungry for so long before you unhinge your jaw and empty the pantry and fridge. ---
**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/122 "2018-05-17T17:42:20Z")
I hope my posts are not hijacking this thread. I’ll shut up now. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/123 "2018-05-17T17:45:58Z")
> [@Chicken\_Fingers](#): > > It’s not temporary for me, (due to multiple autoimmune issues), but I’ve had to get strict with a low-carb, anti-inflammatory diet since April. I also do intermittent fasting. It’s the only way I can feel human anymore. I need to lose weight, but can’t, even eating this way. Herds of us middle-aged Hashimotos women will roam the planet after famine has wiped the rest of you out. > > I crave and eat a lot of raw, shredded cabbage seasoned and dressed with unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Makes the gut happy and helps with cravings for crunchy things, since grains and nuts are out for me. Losing weight means a calorie deficit not a carb or fat deficit. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/124 "2018-05-17T17:52:57Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > Hey, we all know the coconut oil trick to lowering the glycemic index and calories in rice, right? If not, here’s a good article to check out: [Low Carb Rice? How to Hack Your Rice With Coconut Oil](https://blog.bulletproof.com/low-carb-carbs-hack-your-rice-with-coconut-oil-recipe/) Unless one is eating rice in a fasted state with no other food, no trick is needed. Simply eating something else with rice will do the trick. Worrying about the glycemic index of foods is overrated. The way glycemic index is measured is having fasted individuals eat one food in isolation. Eating that same food with some food containing protein, fat and/or fiber essentially creates a new food, just like adding coconut oil to rice. Unless one has a blood sugar issue and is on a hyper-caloric diet, fretting about glycemic index is a waste of time. We secrete insulin (and worrying about that is also a waste of time). ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/125 "2018-05-17T17:58:18Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Losing weight means a calorie deficit not a carb or fat deficit. I don’t see how that pertains to what Chicken Fingers wrote. He/she said she had to get strict with eating low carb because of autoimmune issues, not because of an erroneous idea regarding carbs and/or fat. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/126 "2018-05-17T18:00:21Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > My experience with dieting and losing weight – any temporary diets resulted in temporary results. The only time I’ve had permanent results (still going, though I’m pushing to lose another 15 lbs or so) was with a permanent change in diet. Which has lead me to the following rule (when dieting for weight loss and general health) – any diet change should be permanent, or else there’s no point in doing so. Thanks for your input, but that’s not what this thread is about. Mmm Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/127 "2018-05-17T18:06:01Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Yes I’m doing 16/8 That’s what I am doing too. I can report now on Day 3. It was easier - yay! Maybe my body is adjusting. 🙂 Second group question - thoughts on whether or not to weigh yourself everyday? I’ve heard both that it’s a good thing, and that your weight will fluctuate on a daily basis so much that a weekly weigh in is more helpful. How is everyone doing? ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/128 "2018-05-17T18:15:45Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Bored. Was supposed to go run but waiting for line of t-storms to move out. Decided to read this…while eating [Pretzel Crisps](http://pretzelcrisps.com/flavor/everything/). :o > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > **Undeclared:** > kayaker > **Spiderman** > wonky Oh Hells No! I am in no way shape or form joining you. I know what the first three letters of **DIE** t are. :eek: Seriously, I am planning on doing an ultramarathon in July; going low-carbs would be contraindicated. I wasn’t trying to threadshit but I was sitting there reading this thread about low-carbs when I realized I was reading it while eating _all_ carbs. Just found it amusing. (& yes, I did eventually get my run in.) Good luck to you trying to do it. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/129 "2018-05-17T18:45:30Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#): > > Unless one is eating rice in a fasted state with no other food, no trick is needed. Simply eating something else with rice will do the trick. Worrying about the glycemic index of foods is overrated. The way glycemic index is measured is having fasted individuals eat one food in isolation. Eating that same food with some food containing protein, fat and/or fiber essentially creates a new food, just like adding coconut oil to rice. Unless one has a blood sugar issue and is on a hyper-caloric diet, fretting about glycemic index is a waste of time. We secrete insulin (and worrying about that is also a waste of time). Well, my reason for starting this regimen was getting an A1C test result that indicated the low end of pre-diabetes so yeah, for me glycemic index is an issue. Also, I really love rice, it’s my favorite carb on the planet, pretty much, so being able to actually throw some lower carb rice under my meat and veg stir fry makes me very happy. My Type II diabetic mom has similar preferences and was very happy to find out she can get her rice fix in too. And hand waving glycemic index is not helpful when you really need a little sugar fix, and finding out that instead of using white sugar with an index of 98 you can use coconut sugar with an index of 68 is a lifesaver. As most of us know, putting something completely off limits is counterproductive and likely to result in uncontrollable cravings–better to go with harm reduction if that’s the better method of staying on track. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/130 "2018-05-17T19:13:32Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#): > > I don’t see how that pertains to what Chicken Fingers wrote. He/she said she had to get strict with eating low carb because of autoimmune issues, not because of an erroneous idea regarding carbs and/or fat. Right. But Chicken Fingers said couldn’t but needed to lose weight while on low carb. Well, that implies there is some misconceptions about how to lose weight. Low carb is not intrinsically low calorie. That’s all I was saying. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/131 "2018-05-17T20:44:03Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > Well, my reason for starting this regimen was getting an A1C test result that indicated the low end of pre-diabetes so yeah, for me glycemic index is an issue. I could debate that it’s not necessarily an issue unless on a hyper-caloric diet, eating high-glycemic foods in isolation after prolonged fasting (not being sensible) but I’ll refrain from it in this thread. > [@](#): > > And hand waving glycemic index is not helpful when you really need a little sugar fix, and finding out that instead of using white sugar with an index of 98 you can use coconut sugar with an index of 68 is a lifesaver. I wasn’t hand-waving anything away and it wasn’t in the context of pure sugar; it was regarding most people not eating plain rice alone in a fasted state. Dropping it now. > [@octopus](#): > > Right. But Chicken Fingers said couldn’t but needed to lose weight while on low carb. Well, that implies there is some misconceptions about how to lose weight. She said was on low carb and intermittent fasting diet due to multiple autoimmune issues and was still having a rough time despite eating that way. When people go on low carb diets, weight loss frequently results. The same is true for other restrictive diets. One of the reason low carb diets works well for lots of people because high carb foods generally offer less satiety (potatoes are an exception) than higher protein and fat containing foods. I interpreted what Chicken Fingers said as “despite eating a low carb diet and intermittent fasting out of necessity [which helps others lose weight] I am not losing weight.” Chicken Fingers, you might be interested in this: First study in humans showing consuming all of your calories in a 6hr period provides metabolic advantages vs eating the exact same amount over 12 hrs or more, even if you don’t lose weight. > **[Nutrition research study shows intermittent fasting helps certain health issues](https://www.wafb.com/story/38185156/nutrition-research-study-shows-intermittent-fasting-helps-certain-health-issues/)** > > A pilot study conducted at LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center shows that eating all of your meals by mid-afternoon and fasting the rest of the day improves blood sugar control, blood pressure and oxidative stress, even when people don't... ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/132 "2018-05-17T20:50:32Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > **Undeclared:** > kayaker > Spiderman > wonky I’m a cheerleader! ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/133 "2018-05-17T21:18:57Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#): > > I could debate that it’s not necessarily an issue unless on a hyper-caloric diet, eating high-glycemic foods in isolation after prolonged fasting (not being sensible) but I’ll refrain from it in this thread. > I wasn’t hand-waving anything away and it wasn’t in the context of pure sugar; it was regarding most people not eating plain rice alone in a fasted state. Dropping it now. > She said was on low carb and intermittent fasting diet due to multiple autoimmune issues and was still having a rough time despite eating that way. When people go on low carb diets, weight loss frequently results. The same is true for other restrictive diets. One of the reason low carb diets works well for lots of people because high carb foods generally offer less satiety (potatoes are an exception) than higher protein and fat containing foods. > > I interpreted what Chicken Fingers said as “despite eating a low carb diet and intermittent fasting out of necessity [which helps others lose weight] I am not losing weight.” > > Chicken Fingers, you might be interested in this: First study in humans showing consuming all of your calories in a 6hr period provides metabolic advantages vs eating the exact same amount over 12 hrs or more, even if you don’t lose weight. > > [Nutrition research study shows intermittent fasting helps certain health issues](http://www.wafb.com/story/38185156/nutrition-research-study-shows-intermittent-fasting-helps-certain-health-issues) I know what I read. And the solution is recognize that intermittent fasting and low carb are not necessarily low calorie. For example, a large T-bone steak is low carb. Eat a couple of those in a 4 hr eating window and you might not lose weight. What I’m trying to say is track your calories if you aren’t losing weight and you want to. The OP plans on doing that while keeping carbs low because the OP recognizes keeping carbs low isn’t a sufficient constraint. ---
**Author:** ![Nayna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ebca7d/32.png) [@Nayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nayna)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/134 "2018-05-18T03:10:09Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Please check into the tread, everyone, even if only to say you are struggling. I’m really just hitching a ride on this thread so I can be in the same general boat with you guys, but low-calorie has always worked best for me, so I don’t have a lot to contribute regarding a low-carb diet. I can easily stick to 1,200 calories or less because it’s just math. Maybe it’s not the fastest way to lose weight, but it’s the easiest way for me. I can have 12 100-calorie snacks in a day! I can’t remember who was asking about daily vs. weekly weigh-ins - daily is always best for me. A little gain pisses me off enough to do a better job that day, and a little loss is a big incentive. I’ve had times where I plateau for weeks, and for some reason, rather than getting discouraged, I woke up every morning thinking, “This is the day!” This time … meh. Sticking to the low calories, worked out three times this week so far, and nothing. Maybe tomorrow is the day! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/135 "2018-05-18T09:34:24Z")
Daily weigh-ins seem like a bad idea to me personally. There is a significant amount of day-to-day variation that cannot be helped (or explained) that the daily numbers just aren’t very meaningful. Maybe I’ll try it for a week at some point to see how it goes, but for me, for now, it’s weekly. Weekly weigh-ins give me a reason to look forward to Mondays. 🙂 In other news, I’ve been pretty much sticking to salads and meats. I’ve been limiting cheese to 2 cheese sticks at bedtime. Staying under 1500 calories a day, haven’t had more than 20 carbs in a day so far. Even though it’s only been a few days I feel noticeably more energetic, more ‘bouncy’. On to Day 5! mmm ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/136 "2018-05-18T10:24:56Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Milk is an ingredient, not a drink. 😛 > > A google search says that a serving of nonfat milk contains 12 g of carbohydrates. Soy milk has 15 g, and almond milk has 8 g. (Rice milk has 22 g, so that’s right out.) That’s why I drink heavy cream to lose weight. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/137 "2018-05-18T10:33:44Z")
Personally, I believe weighing everyday helps to keep me honest, but I know everyone is different. I’ve not really managed to get started on low carb yet since I had forgotten that I was going to the coast, but I’m still losing weight anyway by just eating one meal per day for the most part. I do plan to get going on the low carb plan after I get back on Sunday and get to the store. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/138 "2018-05-18T13:49:59Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > I know what I read. And the solution is recognize that intermittent fasting and low carb are not necessarily low calorie. I know what you read too. Chicken Fingers didn’t suggest that intermittent fasting and low carb are necessarily low calorie. > [@](#): > > For example, a large T-bone steak is low carb. Eat a couple of those in a 4 hr eating window and you might not lose weight. How ironic. You think this 4 hr window is relevant to fat gain. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/139 "2018-05-18T14:31:17Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Daily weigh-ins seem like a bad idea to me personally. There is a significant amount of day-to-day variation that cannot be helped (or explained) that the daily numbers just aren’t very meaningful. Maybe I’ll try it for a week at some point to see how it goes, but for me, for now, it’s weekly. > > Weekly weigh-ins give me a reason to look forward to Mondays. 🙂 > > In other news, I’ve been pretty much sticking to salads and meats. I’ve been limiting cheese to 2 cheese sticks at bedtime. Staying under 1500 calories a day, haven’t had more than 20 carbs in a day so far. > > Even though it’s only been a few days I feel noticeably more energetic, more ‘bouncy’. > > On to Day 5! > mmm When I was trying to lose weight, I would weigh myself every day (or almost every day), but I only tracked a monthly average. It is important not to freak out over daily fluctuations, so whatever works, go for it!! ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/140 "2018-05-18T16:10:35Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#): > > I know what you read too. Chicken Fingers didn’t suggest that intermittent fasting and low carb are necessarily low calorie. > How ironic. You think this 4 hr window is relevant to fat gain. No. I never said or implied that so I don’t see the irony. I’m very puzzled as to how you could reach that conclusion based on what I wrote. My point is that sometimes people think that weight loss is caused by a low calorie diet or by intermittent fasting when it’s not. Weight loss is caused by a calorie deficit. Low carb and intermittent fasting are schemes sometimes employed to assist with calorie restriction. The problem occurs when people think that the cause of the weight loss is low carb or intermittent fasting or any other scheme/fad. All I was doing was pointing out to Chicken Finger that even faithfully following a low carb, intermittent fasting regime which may be helpful for the autoimmune issue may not in fact satisfy sufficient criteria to be helpful for weight loss. Anyways, since I’m trying to lose weight myself and am losing at about a pound a week for several months now I think it’s helpful to clear up common misconceptions. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913.md?page=8)