In an interesting post on sugar over on PHD, J Stanton makes this comment:
Given the following:
* Most people don’t exercise very much
* Exercise burns less calories than most people thinkThe problem for the overwhelming majority is “how do I dispose of excess sugars, simple or complex,” not “how do I replenish depleted liver glycogen?”
Umm, yeah. To my mind, the value of reducing carbs in your diet (as I do) is not for some magical thing it does to your metabolism or what it does to your insulin levels, it’s what it does to general energy balance (read: I think there’s a pony in there somewhere). This is also why I don’t see the usefulness of eating tons of non-nutritive fats either while I’ve got lots to spare!
As they say, your mileage may vary.
I have not read this post yet, but agree with you both. I enjoy burning through my glycogen a few times a week, and don’t worry about most carbs, but am amazed by people who think they need a sports drink for a two hour walk. Even if they don’t have plenty of fat to spare, though it seems that those who are so nervous about possibly getting hungry, usually do. I try to eat not much more than I need of anything, right now I’m making myself eat some salad instead of eating more dinner, which was very tasty. Sigh, the irritation of maintenance, feh.