Low carb, high fat/high carb, low fat/etc

[LordGrover]

Variations on these themes keep on popping up in all manner of topics - mostly those trying to lose 'weight', gain fitness, lose fat, body builders bulking/cutting, etc. Just read another one.

Does anyone really have any proof of what works and what doesn't?

I've had 'success' with all variations so they all pretty much 'work', so long as total calories meet your requirements. I minimize my consumption of bread, but that's because it's calorie dense, nutrition poor not for any low carb/anti-grain crusade. Probably means when I do make a bacon sarnie I enjoy it all the more.

I now accept that if I restrict alcohol, don't eat too much **** and eat plenty of good quality meat/fish/eggs with lots of fresh vegetables and a little fruit, I can keep on an even keel and maintain a decent body composition. Surely it's that simple for everyone?

[LordGrover]

Unless you have a genuine urge to eat ****, why do you or anyone gladly eat 'junk food'?
I avoid it where possible, though will occasionally partake if either present company requires it or just laziness. I just don't get those who choose to eat food with lower nutritional value.
Clearly if you're simply counting calories a carb is a carb, etc. but this **** lacks vitamins, minerals and nutrients which promotes better health.

[LordGrover]

I suspect the type/volume of diet and exercise may skew that to a large extent.

[LordGrover]

Hoofy said:

But if you're eating enough healthy stuff, then you could happily slip in some unhealthy stuff that is nutrition-free.

This is exactly what I don't get... why would you want to?

Like I said above, there are times when it would be churlish or antisocial to refuse that late night kebab, full-fat coke or even a nasty pasty, but it's a very rare thing for me. I would expect for anyone who's keen to optimise their health and fitness to feel the same.

Eating the good stuff has positive effects, the **** is either zero or negative effect.

[LordGrover]

We're going to have to agree to disagree here mate.

1. No, mostly it doesn't.
2. Mostly, the good stuff tastes great anyway.

[LordGrover]

Let's not confuse simple with easy, eh?

[LordGrover]

So far we've had answers confirming most combinations have proven effective. Seems to me that it's maybe more to do with just beginning a different regime means you've given it some thought and will try harder to eat clean(er) and fewer calories.
Do ANYTHING different to the what you've been doing (that's put you in the position you want/need to change) and it'll probably work - so long as you walk the walk.

[LordGrover]

The problem with coconut oil though, it tastes of coconuts.

I know it's good for high temperatures and is supposed to be dead healthy and all that but I've tried several brands and they all make everything taste of coconuts. Each to their own.

[LordGrover]

Warnie said:

Lots of coconut oil, fresh creams, full fat milk/cheese, plenty of meat, nuts, greek yogurt, basically just whole foods with nothing taken out so no artificial crap has to be added back in to make it taste as it should (which it never does).

In a nutshell.

Faff about with macros, cals, etc as much as you like but if it's in a packet with a list of ingredients as long as your arm it's probably better on the shelf than inside your belly.

[LordGrover]

Hoofy said:

And in 6 months gain it all back from massive cravings followed by a binge/quit like most people do (everyone except you). This is exactly what most permadieters do.

That's a very negative view.
Because some people will revert to type others shouldn't even try?