""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

This article is wrong as it claims that cutting out carbohydrates is the only way to lose weight. In reality, cutting out carbs is oftentimes detrimental to health, as carbohydrates are responsible for your body's short-term energy reserve. Studies show that anyone can lose weight by increasing their exercise, sleep, or focusing on eating whole foods that derive their carbohydrate content from natural sugars or fibers.

Answer 2

while cutting out carbs is not the only way to lose weight it among the most popular for many reasons. One is because you can see results quicker than other methods which motivates people to keep going. Additionally it simplifies diets in comparisons to more complicate ones so it seems more achievable. it has become increasingly popular on social media and as clickbait many people have exaggerated its effect to get more activity. there are multiple other ways to achieve weight loss and while cutting out carbs might be the most popular it is certainly not the only one.

https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-what-happens-when-you-stop-eating-carbs

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

Answer 3

This comment is true and is a great way to start weight loss, but it is not the only way to lose body fat. The calorie deficit can still be achieved even with carbs and does not rely completely on a keto-style diet. This attached article from the Mayo Clinic points out 6 different ways that can be successful when it comes to losing weight, which include personal motivation and setting goals that are realistic and obtainable depending on your starting position. Healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables carry carbs and even healthy grains like whole-grain rice and pasta do as well. Cutting carbs is a way to lose weight but certainly is not the only option.

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

Answer 4

This strong claim is absolutely false, and would need to be reworded for it to have any validity. Cutting out carbs is not the only way to lose weight, but it is an effective way to lose short term weight at a faster rate according to the Mayo Clinic, “ Low-carb diets, especially very low-carb diets, may lead to greater short-term weight loss than do low-fat diets. But most studies have found that at 12 or 24 months, the benefits of a low-carb diet aren't very large”. The truth behind weight loss is to burn more calories than you consume in a day, and staying physically active, while consuming the right amount of macronutrients. The Mayo Clinic stated “Most people can lose weight if they limit calories and boost their physical activity. To lose 1 to 1.5 pounds (0.5 to 0.7 kilograms) a week, you need to eat 500 to 750 fewer calories each day.”, proving that carbohydrates in specific aren’t the only way to achieve weight loss.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/low-carb-diet/art-20045831#:~:text=Results-,Weight%20loss,than%20do%20low%2Dfat%20diets.