• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About Us
  • STEPS Virtual
  • FAQ
  • Links
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • 615.269.8844

STEPS Fitness

Nashville's Premier Personal Fitness Training Center

  • STEPS Virtual
  • Programs
    • STEPS Fitness Presents Events
    • DR. Irv’s Perfect Exercise Minute
    • Training Packages
    • Group Offerings
    • Corporate Wellness
    • Traveler’s Special
  • Personal Trainers
    • Dr. Irv Rubenstein
  • Testimonials
  • Fitness Blog
    • Dr Irv’s Fitness Blog
    • Exercise of the Month
  • Newsletters
    • Fit Happens
    • Real News Newsletter
  • Search

March 20, 2016 By Irv Rubenstein

Low Carb Will Take You Only So Far

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Since the Paleo diet became such a fad, courtesy of CrossFit and other high-protein promoters, science has struggled to address the ratio issue in our diets: that is, whereas once high carbs were promoted for athletes, now suddenly high protein and high fat diets which limit carbs were showing success not just in athletic performance but in body composition.

Low Carb Will Take You Only So FarThis should not be too surprising, really, as there are many good arguments for the reduction – not elimination – of carbs in the average American diet, not the least of which is the origins of most people’s carbs – processed and/or junk foods.

But this does not mean we should simply replace carbs with fats or proteins. When it comes to calorie intake, our body really does not care too much wherefrom those extra calories derive.

If we eat more than we need, we gain weight.

Granted, there is a ton of evidence that demonstrates that simple carbs, from processed foods, elevate insulin output and screws with other metabolic systems enough to contribute to many of the diseases that link to obesity.

But eating equal calories of fat and protein has not been shown to reduce weight, body fat, blood sugars and blood fats.

Most low carb diets, in fact, tend toward fewer calories overall as high fat/high protein diets tend to be both more filling and satisfying as well as more boring, after a week or so. After all, how many chicken breasts and eggs can you eat day in and day out before you start hankering for a nice chunk of sourdough bread?

When it comes to performance, especially aerobic performance, the balancing of macronutrients is essential. Many many studies, dating back to well before I started grad school in 1978, have proven the value of carbs, even simple carbs, for runners and cyclists.

Low Carb Will Take You Only So Far

And while getting enough calories overall, inclusive of sufficient amounts of protein and fats, has always been recommended, the aerobics-weight loss fads of the 70s-90s misconstrued the message for athletes: the “Eat more carbs” motto does not a thin person make…not unless you’re also a long distance runner.

So when I read an article like the one linked below, I feel the need to explain that eating a high fat diet has its upsides for athletes ONLY if you tend to restrict them in the vain effort to lose weight while training.

Otherwise, eat a balanced diet, of 25-30% fat, 15-25% protein, and 45-55% carbs.

High fat diets may not make you faster or more durable, but could screw up your health, too

 

High fat diets may not make you faster or more durable, but could screw up your health, too

 

Related Posts:

  • REAL-News --May-2024
    REAL News - June 2023
  • REAL-News --February-2024
    REAL News - February 2024
  • REAL-News--August-2024
    REAL News - August 2024
  • Fit-Happens--Winter-2023
    Fit Happens - Winter 2023
  • Real-News-- April-2025
    REAL News - April 2025
  • REAL-News--February-20251
    REAL News - May 2023
  • REAL-News --September-20181
    Part 2: Diet, Disease and Controversy
  • REAL-News --April-20251
    REAL News - August 2023

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Fitness Blog Tagged With: body fat, diet, Heart Health, weight loss, Weight loss vs Exercise gain

sidebar

Blog Sidebar

FREE Consultation!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Categories

  • Exercise of the Month
  • Fit Happens
  • Fitness Blog
  • General News
  • Newsletters
  • Real News
  • Trainers

Tags

achieve well-being aging Alzheimer's disease barefoot running body fat bone density burn off excess weight calories cardio cardiovascular childhood obesity covid diabetes diet dieting eating disorders Exercise exercise intensity field of health or exercise science fitness flexibility functional fitness health Heart Health higher risk of obesity lose weight low back pain mental health musculoskeletal improvements obesity osteoarthritis physical activity physically active protein reduce your risk of falling resistance training running Senior Training slows cognitive decline strength training Stretching training weight loss Weight loss vs Exercise gain weight management

Recent News

May 01

REAL News – May 2025

Apr 01

REAL News – April 2025

Mar 18

Fit Happens – Spring 2025

Mar 01

REAL News – March 2025

Feb 01

REAL News – February 2025

Reviews

Search Our Directory

Footer Widget Header

Affiliations

  • american-college-of-sports-medicine
  • american-council-on-exercise
  • biometrics
  • exercise-etc-inc
  • national-strength-and-conditioning-association
  • renewed-support

STEPS Fitness | 2424 21st Ave. S. Suite #100 | Nashville, TN 37212 | 615.269.8844 p

© 2025 Nashville's Premier Personal Fitness Training Center | Designed by Ponder Consulting ®

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok