Diet Question: What exactly is a "Carb"?

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I never took chemistry, and everyone throws the word Carbohydrate around like they know what it means, but I don't!

I understand words like "fat" and "protien", but "carb" is a more technical term. Where does it come from? How can I better understand what they are and what they do?

Thanks!
Wes

 

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=carbohydrate&x=14&y=13

 

Here is the elusive Carb being photographed doing its mating ritual in the wild...
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

PLEASE no Carb = Mating in the same paragraph

 

You really should have put some kind of warning in your title...such as "Ensure your mouth is clear of cookies & milk prior to opening" My screen is now a wreck!

 

By definition Carbohydrates are the body's preferred form of energy for sustaining daily activity. Which is why people on the Atkins diet and other low carb diets are always complaining about being so tired. In my Fitness for Living book it says many individuals believe carbs to be fattening, but this is not the case. Carbs supply only four calories per gram and foods which are high in carbs typically provide substantial amounts of other important nutrients as well, specifically vitamins and minerals.

Foods high in carbohydrates are often excellent sources of fiber. Most high carb foods includ fruits, vegetables, and grain products. These are also considered nutrient-dense foods. This means there are high levels of nutrients packed in a relatively low number of calories.

There are two forms of carbs: simple and complex. Simple carbs consist of sugars such as sucrose, frusctose, glucose and others. These contain little nutritional value. Complex carbs are polyscaccharides which are longer chains of saccaharides, most notable being starch. Starchy food are things such as potatoes, grains and legumes and are very important.

Source: Fitness for Living, Second Edition; copyright 1999,2000.

 

Hey, at least this thread isnt a 'sticky'

 

Rob Ferretti needs to post his pic of Carbon with that candy at the gas station in Vegas, as seen in the video he posted!

 

Interesting post, thanks!

I was on a plan (Michael Thurmonds-6 week body makeover) where he promotes protein (in balance with carbs and veggies), but he teaches protein in the mid morning and mid afternoon snacks. When I really wanted to lose weight I had tuna at those times, but because of my office environment doing that ongoing isn't appropriate.

I am trying protein bars (half in the morning and half in the afternoon) which are Protien=24g, Fat=5g and it's not working the same. I just noticed that they're also 39 grams of Carbs. Is that what's throwing me off? I need convenient protein for the office, what is wrong with these? What else should I use?

Thanks!
Wes

 

Bottom line, all food can pretty much be classified as 3 things:

Fats
Protein
Carbohydrates

Through the ages we've seen lots of diets come and go, each and every one of them have their scientific research & backing to support their validity. Diet fads are just that, fads!

Each diet tends to disguise a lower-caloric intake by confusing the user into believing a certain combination, balance, routine or formula will result in some accelerated loss of fat...turning your body into a fat-burning machine or enabling your fat to melt away. Through all the bs you'll find one common demoninator: a reduced caloric intake.

If you are like the millions of other people who are predisposed to fat-retention...then you'll always have an inclination towards being heavy. Fact is, our human existence developed during times of famine and we are inherently inclined towads wanting to eat when we can: we crave and have a drive to consume more then we need.

Equally unfortunate is that it is our very drive of eat when we can that tends to let us get so heavy that it is to the detriment of our health: heart disease, diabetes, etc, etc. Adding to that is the amazing abundance and ease of access to great food 24/7: what's a fat-ass to do?

My words entirely, nothing taken from books/articles. Good luck!

- Steve

 

LMAO...!!! How long have you been waiting to post that, John...?

 

Heh heh, I have had it since the FFQC 03 here in New Orleans, mu hahahaha!

 

Figures; last year i had a different tie on... That's 132327 i'm photographing... Notice the pack of cigarettes in my pocket...
How come every picture everyone takes of me, makes me look horribly obese...?


...wait, don't answer that.

 

Oh, and you can go ahead and thank me now for not posting that pic of you asleep at last year's event with me seen toasting champagne in the background. That one was classic!!!

 

i hate you.

 

I guess it's just another BS to lose weight.

Eat less works better and is much cheaper, and gives you plenty of free time.

 

OK, at the risk of hi-jacking the thread back to the point, how many is a "lot of carbs"? I know 8-12 grams of protein is enough for a meal, but is the 39 grams of carbs I noted earlier "a lot"?

Wes

 

Well, today my Fitness prof, an Ed.d of Health Education, said that most protein bars, diet pills, etc are worthless for the most part. Yes, they give you what they say but aren't as beneficial as eating say Tuna or Fish or Meats. I would incorporate these into your daily diet. But also make sure you exercise. He told us a few weeks ago about someone speaking in front of the medical community(Yale, Harvard grads, and other very prominent doctors) and said he would rather eat all the fatty foods, smoke, drink to abusive levels, exericise, than just eat healthy and not exercise. No one could dispute the guys claim. Exercise is that beneificial. So make sure you get in your 20-30 minutes a day of some sort of routine to get your heart pumping.

He also said be very leary of reading what comes out of Men's Health and other similar magazines b/c they don't tell you what diets the guys are on or if they're taking supplements like Creatine or steroids, which they very well are.

 

I know what he means!
It's just that everywhere I turn everyone says weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exersize. But I don't really need to lose weight anymore, just maintain, so I might start to look at it his way. Going with NO exercize is not good either, as I am prone to do.

Thanks for your post.

Wes

 

I've seen several reports that indicate that lack of exercise is perhaps even more potentially dangerous then even being obese!!!

I play racquetball 2x week and ride a mountain bike for 2 hours 2x per week. I love the biking...outstanding cardio and the time goes quickly too!

Beside getting the heart beating, the cardio does much more...it'll lower your bad cholesterol, raise your good cholesterol, bring your heart-rate down and even improve your blood pressure. It helps the lymph system, improves circulation and basically helps the body maintain proper balance.

Plus, ya feel a bit less guilty when you pig-out at the sushi bar later!!

 

I think Jim summed it up best somewhere on Fchat.

Want to loose weight? Eat less, exercise more.

 

Yep, thereby reducing chances of CVD.