Carb tolerant or Carb intolerant?

[dragonflyjess]

Hi, I have question to anyone that can help clear this up for me. I have been reading a lot lately on body shapes and how they determine if a person is able to tolerate carbs easily or not be able to tolerate carbs. What I've been seeing is pear shapes are able to tolerate carbs more effeciently and therefore can consume more carbs and apple shapes do not tolerate carbs well so they should stick to a low carb diet. Does this sound right to anyone? Very curious to know if this an accurate way to measure one's carb tolerance. Thanks ahead of time!

[jhardy]

If you pick up Cass' new book, Women's Health Perfect Body Diet, she has a test that determines how carb tolerant you are. I also believe the test is in this month's Women's Health magazine. You eat a certain breakfast and then monitor several things (energy levels, mood, etc) for several hours. The next day you eat a breakfast with different carb levels and monitor again. After doing the test, I found that I was less carb sensitive than I thought and that I actually need to have some starchy carbs. I would highly recommend her book or picking up the magazine. Maybe Cass will even chime in with more details.

By the way, I love your signature quote.

[dragonflyjess]

Thanks jhardy for the info. I wasn't sure if it was just another diet fad or if there was some truth behind it I'll have to check out her book. I hope that I am more carb tolerant because I can't imagine giving up too many carbs. although since I started this NROLW almost 2 weeks ago I have given up some of my starchy carbs for more for fruits and vegs. I'm hoping this works, I'm so sick of being at the same weight no matter how hard I bust my a** with workouts.

[fengshway]

I just did those breakfasts out of that book, and was surprised to find out that I am very carb tolerant--felt just fine with high carb. I know that very low carb never worked for me, I felt bad on it.

[LaraT]

I think there is some truth to the apple/pear thing but of course not going to work across the board. I am curious to take the "bagel test". I read about it in Women's Health magazine. I suspect I am pretty carb tolerant (I am a pear) as for many years I ate a very high carb diet and don't recall having any of the problems people who are intolerant report. Now I eat much more protein/good fats (and even more so now that I am doing NROLW) and some days I don't even get up to 40% carbs and wondering if this is hindering me.

A fear years ago I tried South beach diet. The first two weeks (which is almost no carb, just veggies) I barely lost anything. Then in the next two weeks where you can have fruit/grains I lost weight and lots of inches. I suspect my body needs more carbs.

Bagels are one of my all time favorite foods (REAL bagels, not those stinkin blueberry/french toast/chocolate "muffins" that pass themselves as bagels) SO yeah, I think I need to take the test hehehe

[dragonflyjess]

Got the magazine and am going to try the test tomorrow! I'm curious to see how I do. Lara's experience with South Beach sounds like my experience, did not lose much of anything until I could add more carbs. I do like the South Beach products because they a good bit of protein and my much needed fiber in almost all of their products. They are really a help for quick meals, especially their pizzas, yum!

[fengshway]

and her experience with south beach mirrors my experience with the protein power plan--basically kind of like adkins. was HORRIBLE for me. did it for 8 weeks, felt horrible and lost no weight.

[AnnetteW]

I did Atkins for 3 months and lost 16 lbs. I kind of realized I could do ANY diet and lose 16 lbs in 3 months if I followed it. And it was just so restrictive to me.

I don't think I'm carb intolerant, but I haven't specifically done the bagel test. I do think though, when I eat too many carbs, then I have problems.

[dragonflyjess]

My main reason for finding out is so that I can break this plateau I've had for the last couple of months. I want to do whatever it takes to feel confident enough to wear shorts this summer. I'm bottom heavy and have been so fortunately blessed with the cottage cheese look on my thighs So if it means cutting out a few more carbs then I guess I'll have to suck it up and give it a try

[dragonflyjess]

Woo Hoo! I am totally able to tolerate carbs! So I figure if it's not so much the carbs holding me back I think I need to pick up the HIIT and get off the elliptical and maybe head out doors where I can really pick up my pace...think I will try that tomorrow...if the weather permits