Low carb rice and pasta?

[longhaul]

With my cutting now, i'm trying to go as low carb as possible without being "extreme". Is there such a thing as a low carb pasta or rice? I'll admit, i've only looked in my local store that i normally shop at. Should i try specialty stores?
One of the biggest reasons i'm asking is because for a busy household like ours, pasta is an easy and less time comsuming dinner to prepare. The big problem when dieting, is, of course, the carbs.
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It don't feel good till it hurts!!

[BIG EDDY]

I doubt its low carb, but we've switched to whole grain, protein added pasta here....
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[Vincent Valentine]

I have never found low carb pasta. Maybe it is out there but I havent found it. What about eating a smaller portion of whole grain?

[Emma]

I haven't heard of low carb pasta either but it wouldn't surprise me if it's out there. Try looking around and see if you can find it.
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Love many, trust few, do harm to none - Yau man

[outoftime]

Question, do you need to eat low-carb foods in order to lose bf?
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Bodybuilding is a dream.
Don't wake up.

[longhaul]

It helps outof time, and all depends on whether you can use all of the carbs as an energy souce. I could go further into detail, but don't really feel like it right now I think i'll just go with the whole grain for now. There is a grocery store around here that specializes in organic and whole foods, but i just haven't had the time to go search one out. It's called "Trader Joes".
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It don't feel good till it hurts!!

[BIG EDDY]

Love Trader Joes!!!!
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[Shift4]

longhaul,

Low carb is not what you should be following. Your body needs carbohydrates to maintain balanced body chemistry. You should be following the glycemic index for quality of carbohydrates. It is not whether a food is hi or low carbohydrate. The main stream "low carb" crap is only looking at the grams of carbs on the label of food items.
Where the true "low carb" phrase came from is related to where a carbohydrate food is listed on the glycemic index.
When you put yourself in the state of burning fat, you should eat only those food items that are "low" on the glycemic index. This has nothing to do with calorie counting or grams in weight. You must continue to eat carbs as this is essential overall health.
...there is more, there are only three types of foods, Fats, Proteins, & Carbohydrates. That’s it! Fats do not make you fat. In fact, you must have certain amounts of proper fats in your diet to lose body fat. Proteins are essential for cellular development and maintaining balanced body chemistry. Carbohydrates provide both immediate and delayed fuel for the brain and muscular functions. All three food types work together and are necessary to maintain balance.

Your question, is there low carb pasta & rice? No. There is Gluten Free pasta, which is what you are looking for. Gluten is basically the natural sugars derived from wheat products. Rice has is not a wheat. However, rice is listed high on the glycemic index and should be avoided during your "go lean" phase.

....There’s even more!
What is basically going on here with carbs and glycemic index is certain carbs convert to sugar quicker than others. Some carbs are complex and some are simple. This means simple carbs convert quickly to sugar.
What does this mean to your body?
Let’s say for example your body can only use the 1 cup of energy (converted glucose) during a two hour period. If you eat carbs that convert quickly and provide excessive energy, say 5 cups of energy, then you have to much energy available that cannot be used and you're body must the 4 cups until a later time as (fat).
However, if you eat foods that either provide approximately the correct amount (1 cup) of energy or eat foods that are slowly absorbed, (2 cups over several hours), then you control the natural balance of your body's chemistry.

Here is a practical example that provides evidence the main stream "low carb", calorie counting, and portions of foods, are not as important if at all as Glycemic Index science.

Example 1. 1 bowl of Corn flakes or Wheaties contains the same amount of energy as 12 pounds of broccoli. You could never physically eat twelve lbs. of broccoli, however, that is how much energy is provided to you body from just one bowl of cereal.

Example 2. In many glucose tolerance testing a slice of wheat bread and /or cup of glucose is used. What the lab is measuring is you glucose tolerance level. 1 slice of wheat bread will raise your glucose (blood sugar) levels to about 100% on the glycemic index.
When your body’s blood sugar levels are this high, your insulin levels are way out of balance. Other critical hormones in your body are suppressed. These hormones include those that allow you to burn fat. This is why you must be focused on body chemistry balance (Endocrinology) if you are to be both healthy and achieve you 5% body fat goals.

What can you eat? The better question is what shouldn't you eat. This of course depends on what phase you are in. Let’s say you want to go lean. If so, you must stay away from all wheat products (gluten free is okay), rice, and rice products, bananas, dates & raisins and anything else listed at 50% or higher on the glycemic index. BTW, white bread is the same as wheat bread, its just that white bread is bleached wheat. They are both wheat breads. If you must have bread then TRUE Rye bread is your best friend.

Generally, if you use common sense, that is eat good portions of Organic grown fruits and veggies, have clean sources of proteins (white meats such as poultry & fish) or supplement, add some nuts in you salads & oatmeal, and eat smaller potions but more frequently (remember the 1 cup of energy), you will do very well.

Search the internet for more information on Glycemic index, or read Dr. Barry Sears book The Zone Diet. However, it is important to note that Diet is not something you "go on" it is what you are currently eating. So, adjust you diet properly, do not go on some quick fix mainstream "low carb diet" as this is not the way to properly achieving your goals.

You are training to hard as an athlete. As an athlete, there are no shortcuts. However, there is better information. You must seek it out. It is not available in the mainstream.

Everything above is basic generalizations and examples. Please do not beat me up with comments of not providing exact scientific details. That's your job to learn more. This post is long enough!

Hope this helps.

[BIG EDDY]

Hey Shift, I read your profile, but are you a competition bodybuilder?
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[Shift4]

Big Eddy,
I competed in my younger years. Nothing professional, just local comps. My best was a third in a local all natural (ya right) comp. You know how that goes... all natural while off cycle! I didn't have a chance. Never used them never will. Back in the day I worked with and trained others with someone that competed in at the Masters level. I learned so much from him. The concepts in my post originated based on his methodologies. His approach followed the science of balancing body chemistry (Endocrinology) and how to intentionally control the states you wish to put your body in during different training phases.

Althought the activities I'm currently involved in do not reflect my younger body building years, I can tell you that there is life after body building if you wish to pursue it.

I've always wanted to race open wheel racecars and have done well these past few years. However, my bigest disadvantage is my body weight.

I'm now 43, 210lbs at around 16% bf. My focus has shifted to overall fitness and wellbeing. The principles I learned 16 years ago are still true today and will work regardless of whether you are training for strength, bodybuilding, or just well rounded fitness.

I'm rambling on... sorry!