""Cutting out carbs is the only way to lose weight"

Question

It is somewhat of a myth that someone can't lose weight without cutting out carbs. While low-carb diets have given the results that some people wish to have, studies also show it's possible to lose weight without having to miss out on healthy carbs such as whole grains and vegetables. The trick is staying on a diet one can sustain over a longer period. It's all about variation and making smart food choices rather than cutting one food group out.

Comments

A common misconception is that cutting carbs is the only way to lose weight because of the idea that carbs cause weight gain. However, weight loss fundamentally depends on a calorie deficit—burning more calories than you consume—rather than on eliminating specific food groups like carbohydrates.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/low-carb-diet/art-20045831#:~:text=Most%20people%20can%20lose%20weight,than%20do%20low%2Dfat%20diets.

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Hey Davis, you are absolutely correct. The link you posted to the Mayo Clinic site is great, becuase in the health industry, Mayo Clinic is a very reputable source of information. You did a great job providing a reliable source to back your response to the claim that 'cutting carbs is the only way to lose weight'.

Answer 1

It is true that cutting out carbs from your diet can help with reduce risk of certain conditions such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, however studies show that low-carb diets benefits aren't very large. From this information, it's clear that low-carb diets are beneficial but they are not the only way to lose weight. In actuality, carbs are necessary for improving your health and well-being, therefore, cutting them out is not the only or most effective way to lose weight. Carbs are one of the food groups that act like fuel for the body. It's important to keep some amount of carbs in your diet without cutting them out entirely. According to the CDC cutting out food groups entirely isn't the more effective way to lose weight, instead track your food consumption to avoid overeating. Physical activity, good amounts of sleep, and good nutrition all contribute to losing weight. 

 https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/low-carb-diet/art-20045831#:~:text=Low%2Dcarb%20diets%2C%20especially%20very,loss%20with%20low%2Dcarb%20diets.

https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/advise-me/why-carbohydrates-arent-your-enemy

https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/losing-weight/index.html

Comments

I appreciate how many sources you cited in this fact check, corroborating the point that this claim is false. I feel that it would prove the point further if you were to use direct quotes in your fact check, for example, from your CDC source: "A lifestyle with good nutrition, regular physical activity, and stress management supports a healthy weight. People who lose weight at a gradual, steady pace—about 1 to 2 pounds a week—are more likely to keep the weight off than people who lose weight quickly". This quote shows that the CDC believes that just one method of weight loss is not the best way to lose weight, nor is it healthy.

Answer 2

While Cutting out carbs can be an great strategy to lose weight, It isn't the only one. People consume calories primarily in one of three forms, carbs, lipids or fats, and protein. Any diet that meats a person's nutritional needs and includes a calorie deficit, which can be achieved by lowering any of the 3 or by increasing calorie consumption, such as by exercise, over time will cause someone to lose weight.

Sources: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/low-carb-diet/art-20045831#:~:text=Low%2Dcarb%20diets%2C%20especially%20very,loss%20with%20low%2Dcarb%20diets.

Comments

This is a great answer. I love the use of a trusted source like the mayo clinic and simple explanation of how weighloss works.

Answer 3

Cutting out carbs is one strategy to losing weight, but it is not the only way. A low carb diet is beneficial, but you can also eat more protein, fruits, healthy fats, vegetables, and grains. These kinds of diets are seen to improve the amount of calories you burn. It is important to safely go on a diet and put good things in your body rather than just cutting out carbs completely. Being active and working out on a regular schedule is also seen to improve weight loss. Having a good schedule and being consistent with your diet and working out are key components to achieving the weight loss goals you want. Overall, this claim is false because cutting carbs is not the only way to lose weight. 

Articles used:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss/art-20047752

https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/healthy-weight/best-diet-quality-counts/

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/carbs-calories-weight-loss/

Comments

All three of your sources seem trustworthy, especially since they are .org or .edu websites. Providing examples of other ways to lose weight instead of just stating that there are other ways adds extra meaning to your fact-checking.

Answer 4

This is false, cutting carbs isn't the only way to lose weight effectively. While low-carb diets can lead to short-term weight loss, they aren't necessarily more effective than other balanced diets over the long term. Reducing calories overall, especially from refined carbs, helps, but other factors—such as protein intake and dietary variety—also play a role in weight management. Studies suggest that a balanced approach, which includes healthy carbs like whole grains and vegetables, can be sustainable and beneficial for long-term health. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/low-carb-diet/art-20045831

Comments

I like how you picked out an article from the Mayo Clinic, which is a reputable and reliable source, especially since it is an organization. My only nit-pick would be to incorporate another source to strengthen your claim, but otherwise, I like the explanation you provided from the source about what really plays a role into weight loss.

Answer 5

This is a false statement. While Cutting out carbs contributes to weight loss, it is not the only way. As seen in the Harvard article, cutting carbs is a great way to lose some weight. However, it is not the only way. In the article published by Mayoclinic, there are other ways to lose weight such as improving your mindset, eating healthy foods, and staying active. While the claim itself is false and exaggerated, the idea that you can lose weight by cutting carbs is true.

Sources:

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/carbs-calories-weight-loss/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss/art-20047752

Comments

Nice job on providing multiple reputable sources, like Harvard and the Mayo Clinic, to disprove this claim. There is multiple ways to lose weight and many things contribute to weight loss, not just one thing works with losing weight. Those sources and your factcheck corroborate that information really well! Great job on the factcheck!

Answer 6

This statement is exagerated and a bit misleading. I say this because while yes, cutting carbs to a minimum would be very beneficial with losing weight, it is not the ONLY way to lose weight. There are so many things you can do such as diets, exercise and more. Cutting fatty foods, eating more protein, exercising normally are only a few things you can do to lose weight. So in conclusion, while yes reducing carbs could help you lose weight, there are still many other things that factor in into being healthy and fit. I found a website with some key notes to weight loss and what you could do. https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/diet-and-weight-loss

Answer 7

Many people have looked to low-carb diets for a years for effective weight loss but to say it is the only way to lose weight makes the claim incorrect because there a multiple effective diets that help with weight loss. Research suggests that carbs should take up 45%-65% of your calorie intake and that calorie deficits are more effective for weight loss rather than dropping certain food groups. A low-carb diet can help with short term weight loss but after 12-24 months, the effects are less impactful. Rather, a higher protein and low-fat diet help you feel more full and have more benefits for weight loss.

article used: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/katiecamero/single-people-happiness

Answer 8

Cutting carbs is not the only way to lose weight. Balancing out your carbs with other healthier foods is a great start, as well as consistent exercise. There are many possible ways to lose weight. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322345

Answer 9

Cutting out carbs is certainly a way to lose weight, but it is definitely not the only way, and other ways may be more enjoyable. Essentially, the reason that cutting out carbs can make you lose weight is that you are consuming less calories and losing weight in the form of water. The way to lose weight is by being in a calorie deficit – consuming less calories than you are using. This can be in many forms, such as substituting sugar for a different sweetener or choosing low fat yoghurt instead.

https://www.webmd.com/diet/calorie-deficit

Answer 10