carbs-and-plants wrote:
From experimenting and researching this, I can tell you that, for the most part, Durianrider is wrong. This idea of "never calorie restrict" is NOT the way the Mcdougall plan works. With the McD we don't count calories BUT we aim for foods that keep us full on low calories, so in the end, it does end up being calorie restriction but starvation free calorie restriction which is very, very different from all the portion control crap out there where you are starving all day long.
When you come across successful weight loss stories it usually ends up:
Men under 6 ft eat under 2,000 calories
Women under 5' 10 eat under 1,700 calories
And, those figures are on the high end, it should be a little lower.
When they gain weight, dr says "its the body fixing it self, give it some years and you will eventually lean out>"...what???? years??? You would not hear that from McDougall, or Neal Barnard or Jeff Novick or Joel Fuhrman. You should be seeing weight loss taking place quite consistently within the first 60 days. If not, you are doing something wrong. That's just how it works out.
So, yes, take control of your calories but do not starve. Get full on low calorie foods that fill you up and when you reach your goal weight, you can then probably eat a higher calorie version of high carb/low fat and stay lean.
Even on high carb/low fat, calories do matter (you just don't need to really count them if you get full on the right foods).
Yes, I totally agree. This is right on the money.
I've looked into most of the high carb gurus and the calories are always low, even though they tout "never count calories" They are being honest, but, it is a low calorie diet, but a healthy filling one.
For example:
-Pritikin diet ends up being under 1,600 calories at the center and in his book, he even teaches an 800 calorie version
-Joel Fuhrman says in this book that it IS a low calorie diet (1,400-1600 for most)
-Most women on this forum that lose weight say they are eating under 1,700 calories
-The Kempner rice diet aims to have you on 1200 calories
-I've
heard Ornish say you need to take in low enough calories so you can see a drop in weight.
That's just a few examples. Yeah, even on high carb/low fat, you dont' want to just eat unlimited starches. Eventually, you find a menu that works for you and you don't need to count calories but its a low calorie menu nevertheless.