Live data from Hacker News

Effect of Low-Fat vs. Low-Carb Diet on 12-Month Weight Loss in Overweight Adults

jamanetwork.com

11–20 of 68 posts

Re: Effect of Low-Fat vs. Low-Carb Diet on 12-Month Weight Loss in Overweight Adults

#11

Unsurprising results- calories intake & expenditure defines weight loss/gain, not other nutrition information like fat, carbs, vitamins, etc.

True; however, they may be very different practically. Few people are going to measure calories for every single thing they eat. Most will rely on the sense of hunger and urge to eat certain things. I wouldn't be surprised if low-carb diets outperform low-fat ones in that department, since carbs tend to keep people urging for more through rapid blood sugar fluctuation.

Re: Effect of Low-Fat vs. Low-Carb Diet on 12-Month Weight Loss in Overweight Adults

#12

Unsurprising results- calories intake & expenditure defines weight loss/gain, not other nutrition information like fat, carbs, vitamins, etc.

True; however, they may be very different practically. Few people are going to measure calories for every single thing they eat. Most will rely on the sense of hunger and urge to eat certain things. I wouldn't be surprised if low-carb diets outperform low-fat ones in that department, since carbs tend to keep people urging for more through rapid blood sugar fluctuation.

> I wouldn't be surprised if low-carb diets outperform low-fat ones in that department, since carbs tend to keep people urging for more through rapid blood sugar fluctuation.

This is exactly why low carb has works so well for me. My cravings for snacks become virtually disappear.

Re: Effect of Low-Fat vs. Low-Carb Diet on 12-Month Weight Loss in Overweight Adults

#13

>>In the HLF vs HLC diets, respectively, the mean 12-month macronutrient distributions were 48% vs 30% for carbohydrates, 29% vs 45% for fat, and 21% vs 23% for protein. 30% carbs is hardly "low-carb". Indeed, most low-carb diets suggest 50g or less carbs per day - 200 calories or less. https://www.dietdoctor.com/how-low-carb-is-low-carb edit: why am I being downvoted?

That's exactly what I was thinking. Also, to do this across 12 months definitely means that 90% have dropped out after 30 days and shouldn't be counted. Those that treat it as a short term diet are bound to rebound. In the end you need to see this as your permanent way of eating.

Re: Effect of Low-Fat vs. Low-Carb Diet on 12-Month Weight Loss in Overweight Adults

#15

Unsurprising results- calories intake & expenditure defines weight loss/gain, not other nutrition information like fat, carbs, vitamins, etc.

calorie intake and expenditure is a description not a prescription. this is about as useful as saying "make more money than you spend" in order to become wealthy. sure, that's true, but it won't help you make $10 million. how do you eliminate the desire to waste time and money on useless pursuits? that is the analogy we need to use to reframe this discussion. yes, there is a certain level of maturity and self-control involved, but you need to know what NOT to do first.

what is causing people the intense desire to overeat, and the intense lethargy that follows? probably insulin-spiking processed carbs and sugar. have you seen anyone in the throes of a carb addiction/crash cycle? it's damn near supernatural the amount of power these foods have over people.

at this point i consider them about the same level as cigarettes or alcohol. cheap, widely availabe, intensely addictive, and people who don't have a problem just telling you to "use less", "it's so easy". okay. sure.

"how do i graduate college?" "take more credits than it requires to graduate."

try telling this to the person who got sucked into the for-profit university and is $50k in debt.

the world is not as cut and dry as it seems, especially if you are burdened with a low IQ like the people who most easily fall for these schemes.

Re: Effect of Low-Fat vs. Low-Carb Diet on 12-Month Weight Loss in Overweight Adults

#16
post #14

Ketosis can apparently lead to more weight loss because ketones are less efficient vehicles of energy in general. Additionally, unused ketones can be eliminated through sweat, urine, and breath.

Apparent to what evidence?

Re: Effect of Low-Fat vs. Low-Carb Diet on 12-Month Weight Loss in Overweight Adults

#17

Unsurprising results- calories intake & expenditure defines weight loss/gain, not other nutrition information like fat, carbs, vitamins, etc.

Exactly. The good old "eat less" diet works, but is not as sexy as all the fad ones.

Re: Effect of Low-Fat vs. Low-Carb Diet on 12-Month Weight Loss in Overweight Adults

#18

>>In the HLF vs HLC diets, respectively, the mean 12-month macronutrient distributions were 48% vs 30% for carbohydrates, 29% vs 45% for fat, and 21% vs 23% for protein. 30% carbs is hardly "low-carb". Indeed, most low-carb diets suggest 50g or less carbs per day - 200 calories or less. https://www.dietdoctor.com/how-low-carb-is-low-carb edit: why am I being downvoted?

I've found even 50g still too high.

Re: Effect of Low-Fat vs. Low-Carb Diet on 12-Month Weight Loss in Overweight Adults

#19

Unsurprising results- calories intake & expenditure defines weight loss/gain, not other nutrition information like fat, carbs, vitamins, etc.

True; however, they may be very different practically. Few people are going to measure calories for every single thing they eat. Most will rely on the sense of hunger and urge to eat certain things. I wouldn't be surprised if low-carb diets outperform low-fat ones in that department, since carbs tend to keep people urging for more through rapid blood sugar fluctuation.

That result is literally what this study is saying they didn’t find.

Perhaps you can make the argument that the study is flawed statistically or that 12 month weight loss is not long term enough or that the diet sessions caused the lack of difference?

Re: Effect of Low-Fat vs. Low-Carb Diet on 12-Month Weight Loss in Overweight Adults

#20

>>In the HLF vs HLC diets, respectively, the mean 12-month macronutrient distributions were 48% vs 30% for carbohydrates, 29% vs 45% for fat, and 21% vs 23% for protein. 30% carbs is hardly "low-carb". Indeed, most low-carb diets suggest 50g or less carbs per day - 200 calories or less. https://www.dietdoctor.com/how-low-carb-is-low-carb edit: why am I being downvoted?

30% of a 2000-calorie diet is going to be 150g of carbohydrates per day. Not very low carb at all.
Post reply on HN