‘Carbfusion’

• New research by YouGov, commissioned by Slimming World, reveals widespread confusion about the role of carbohydrates in health and weight loss, as a result of anti-carb messages and myths
• More than 70%[i] of people surveyed by YouGov have tried to lose weight, with more than a third (37%) of them following low-carbohydrate diets popularised by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian
• Low-carbohydrate diets are difficult to follow, with dieters reporting feeling hungry, bored and restricted in what they could eat
• 81% of respondents thought it a myth or were uncertain whether it was a myth or fact that carbohydrates should be the main source of calories in a healthy, balanced diet
• New year’s resolutions to lose weight via restrictive low-carb diets are likely to fail because these diets are unsustainable.

New research by YouGov has found more than a third (37%) of people who have tried to lose weight have attempted to follow low-carbohydrate diets, popularised by celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Kim Kardashian.

The Big Carb Survey also reveals that low-carbohydrate plans, which see dieters cutting out starchy carbohydrates like potatoes, pasta, rice and bread, are difficult to follow. Respondents who have found these diets difficult to follow put it down to enjoying carbohydrates too much (52%), often feeling hungry (46%), feeling limited in what they could eat (40%), and finding the diet boring (30%).

In addition to these challenges of hunger and boredom, robust scientific evidence from the World Health Organisation, as well as UK and USA government guidance, shows that carbohydrates should be part of a healthy balanced diet within a weight-loss plan. Yet contrary to the scientific advice and despite the difficulty of sustaining a low-carb diet, two thirds (66%) of the 2,103 survey respondents have heard that low-carbohydrate diets are better for weight loss, and just over one third (35%) have heard that it was impossible to lose weight without cutting carbohydrates.

When asked if starchy carbohydrates should be the main source of calories in a healthy, balanced diet, in line with current government guidance, 81% thought this was a myth or weren’t certain whether it was a myth or fact. Only 19% understood it to be a fact. Furthermore, almost half (46%) of those surveyed reported to have heard that ‘Fruit is full of sugar so should be avoided’, nearly one in three (30%) reported having heard that ‘All carbohydrates are bad’ and almost one in three (31%) reported hearing that ‘Carbohydrates aren’t essential for a healthy balanced diet’.

Slimming World, which commissioned the YouGov research, says the study proves that people are bewildered about the role of carbohydrates in weight control due to conflicting and controversial messages coming from sources including the media (54%), the diet industry (30%) and social media (26%). The UK’s leading commercial weight-loss authority says the nation is confused about the role of carbohydrates in health and weight control and this confusion is hindering successful weight management and damaging the nation’s health.

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Head of Nutrition and Research at Slimming World, says: “There is a deep-seated misconception that people should avoid carbohydrates when they’re trying to lose weight, and as a nation we’re bombarded with anti-carbohydrate messages.

“Yet the truth is, carbohydrates play an important role both in a healthy diet and in sustainable weight loss – and the current carb confusion is fuelling the UK’s obesity problem. A diet to aid weight loss needs to be healthy and balanced*. It should give people the freedom and flexibility to enjoy a healthy balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat, and importantly it needs to be sustainable for the long term – without deprivation or cutting out whole food groups. As our research shows, low-carb diets are hard to follow. So if you want to lose weight this new year, and keep it off, avoid low-carb diets.”

Being hungry, which the Big Carb Survey found almost half of those (46%) who tried a low-carbohydrate diet often experienced, typically leaves people feeling unable to sustain weight-loss attempts.

There is a growing evidence base which proves that foods higher in protein and carbohydrates are far more satiating than foods high in fat[ii]. Eating filling, lower energy dense foods (those foods which have fewer calories per gram), which include carbohydrates such as pasta, rice and potatoes as well as fruit and vegetables, enables people to consume a larger volume of food and avoid hunger while reducing their overall calorie intake.

Dr Lavin continues: “For decades at Slimming World we’ve promoted the importance of filling up on low energy density foods – including starchy and fibre-rich carbohydrates such as pasta, potatoes and rice, plus plenty of fruit and veg – because you can eat large amounts of these foods for relatively few calories and feel fuller and more satisfied while losing weight.

“Obesity not only has an impact on our own personal health but puts a massive strain on our National Health Service, which has to deal with a number of obesity-related conditions. What people need is help and advice to lose weight and keep it off. Advising overweight people to follow low-carbohydrate diets, which we know are unsustainable and potentially cut out a group of foods that are essential for a healthy balanced diet, is irresponsible. It sets people up to fail and is likely to leave them struggling with feelings of guilt and low self-esteem as well as potentially regaining the weight they lost.

“To end this vicious cycle, it’s vitally important we stop demonising carbohydrates and provide people who’d like to lose weight with accurate information, alongside effective support for maintaining healthy, flexible and sustainable diets.”

For more information on how confusion about the role of carbohydrates in our diet is damaging the nation's health, please download Slimming World's Carbfusion report.

ENDS

*Slimming World members are encouraged to include one third of a plate of vegetables at mealtimes. Vegetables are really low in energy density (calories per gram) and are also great for satisfying your appetite. Including at least one third of a plate of vegetables at mealtimes (where it makes sense) and choosing them between meals will ensure that you lose weight well - and builds in the all important veg that you might not otherwise be eating. 

[i] All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2103 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 19th - 20th November 2018. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

[ii] Weststrate J, el al (1992). Effects of nutrients on the regulation of food intake. Unilever Research: The Netherlands: Vlaardingen.