Too many carbs!?! Help!!!

emcooperejc

I'm starting my diet today - but everything I'm eating has carbs!! Are there good carbs and bad carbs? I'm completely off bread, cheese, biscuits, cake - only snackajacks and Special K biscuits to snack on at work. Porridge with water for breakfast and a banana, weightwatchers you, potato chicken salad for lunch and then salmon, wild rice, quinoa and kale for dinner!
- Is this too much or am I on right track? Bear in mind they are small portions. And do about 1 hour walking a day at least! Please help

erocks308

Have you put your meals in the MFP tracker? Should help you. To me, yes that seems pretty carb heavy, but only one way to know for sure.

Why not skip the porridge and have an egg or two for breakfast. Choose rice or quinoa instead of both? I go lots of lean protein, lots of veggies, and a small serving (if any) of grains for dinner.

markjacobs1987

Yes there are good carbs and bad carbs. First off I want to start off by saying carbs are important for your diet so make sure to have some carb intake. Carbs are a fuel source for your body and very important to have. As for good carbs some examples are fruit, sweet potatoes, and whole wheat/grain breads. Shredded wheat cereal is also something I use for carbs that is good. As for if you're on track I can't really say without seeing your food diary and seeing how many calories you are eating in terms of portion size. It sounds like it might be fine, but until I see your food diary I can't confirm that. I would try to aim for around 1600 calories to start with, see if you lose weight at that amount, and adjust from there. Rule of thumb is that you want to start off eating as much as you can while still losing weight. It is always easier to start at a higher point where you can easily cut calories if you have to. If you start too low you hurt your metabolism and then have to slowly add calories back to build your metabolism before you can cut again.

Branstin

There isn't any such thing as good or bad carbs. The key is the manner in which a nutrient works for you. If you goal is to lose weight then the answer will be in your calorie deficiency and not the carbs themselves.

emcooperejc

I do a lot in a day so porridge is the only thing that seems to wake me up!!

emcooperejc

Plus I'm new on here so haven't got hang of everything yet so dont know how you can get to see it

Sued0nim

If you want a low carb diet then fine worry about carbs but you must be able to stick to that for life ...the 3 times I committed to low carb I lost weight but crashed and burned because I simply couldn't stick it...and I put on the most weight directly after each attempt very quickly

But you can lose weight just sticking to a calorie defecit

Personally I eat about 50% of my calories from carbs ...not stopped me losing over the last 8 months

cotewalter

Weighing foods and tracking are key. Learning what to eat to get enough proteins is a trial and error process. I have oatmeal a lot but I also have granola/snack bars for breakfast with a good amount of protein. Part of the learning process for me was reading the labels on things I buy. It takes a bit more time but after a while you learn what works. Eggs are good or even egg whites. Lean meats. Some fat is ok. I have some potatoes or grains but nothing white. Sweet potatoes topped with chili is a good dinner. make sure you do a variety because the same old same old will get old quick. If you need assistance feel free send a friend request if you like.

peleroja

Carbs are not the enemy, but eating a bunch of them can mean that you don't have room in your calorie allowance for enough protein and fat to sustain your energy levels etc.

When I was losing, I was a lot happier when I based my meals on protein and vegetables (which are also carbohydrates) with enough fat included and limited grain/starch and added sugar. Felt fuller and more energetic for sure.

Lasmartchika

It's ok with what you eat. There's no such thing as good carbs, bad carbs... just carbs. Food is food. Either way, the only important part you need to worry about to lose weight is this: eat the amount of calories mfp has given you. That's already put you in a deficit to lose the weight you want.

erickirb

As long as you are getting the min fat and protein requirements (which is what you should use the MFP targets as for those two) then the amount of carbs won't matter.

dieselbyte

cotewalter wrote: »

Weighing foods and tracking are key. Learning what to eat to get enough proteins is a trial and error process. I have oatmeal a lot but I also have granola/snack bars for breakfast with a good amount of protein. Part of the learning process for me was reading the labels on things I buy. It takes a bit more time but after a while you learn what works. Eggs are good or even egg whites. Lean meats. Some fat is ok. I have some potatoes or grains but nothing white. Sweet potatoes topped with chili is a good dinner. make sure you do a variety because the same old same old will get old quick. If you need assistance feel free send a friend request if you like.

You should've stopped right there. The key to weight loss is caloric deficit, either through diet, exercise or both. To state that "some fat is ok", and that "nothing white" is somehow good diet advice shows a fundamental lack of nutrition knowledge and safe weight loss. Fat is an essential macronutrient. Getting too little dietary fat, especially when in a hypocaloric state, can wreak havoc on one's hormonal system and body. Also, staying away from "white" carbs has no bearing on weight loss or gain. Calories in vs out. There are no good and bad carbs.

OP - I recommend using MFP or other online calculators as a estimate for what your caloric intake will need to be for weight loss. As these aren't 100% accurate, trial and error is needed. As a starting point, since protien and fats are essential macronutrients, the recommended minimum for protien is .86g/lbs, and for fat, .35g/lbs (for women, maybe even .4g/lbs). Fill the rest of your calories in with carbs. While you want to focus on micro-nutrient dense foods, there is nothing wrong with eating white pasta, candy, snickers, ice cream, whatever - as long as it fits your macro and caloric goals.

jgnatca

Try adding protein to your carb meals. For instance, add milk or yogurt to your porridge. Have a piece of cheese with your banana. I personally dislike most of the Special K products as they are simple carbs, too high in sugar, and short on fiber.

hlo9603

Try the Atkins diet plan. Low on carbs high in protein.

AliceDark

The only thing that matters in terms of weight loss is eating fewer calories than you burn. Create a deficit and you'll lose weight. That's all there is to it.

That said, some people find that eating carbs affects how satiated they are. IF eating too many carbs makes you get hungry too quickly, it will help you stick to your calorie goal if you swap some carbs out for some protein and fat. But if you're happy with how you're eating right now and you don't have a problem sticking to your goal, just carry on.

jessshout893

I try and limit my self to one set of carbs a day for example I wouldn't have pasta or jacket potatoe on the same day it just cuts everything down your still getting carbs you enjoy

Unknown

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royston_ashby

Try to add some protein into your diet. It sounds like your diet is mainly carbs. With weight loss / fat loss as a goal, you'll ideally need a higher protein in take than carb intake, without neglecting carbs of course. There are many people who think carbs are bad and by having carbs you can not lose weight (idiots)! Carbs fuel your body. Therefore without them you lack sufficient amounts of energy. With the correct balance of Marcos, along with a healthy amount of exercising you will certainly loss weight.

Feel free to read the below (my experience)

In my last year of university i piled on the pounds and ballooned to 156kg. Over the last 18-24 months I've lost over 70kg and now weigh 84.2kg. Biggest mistake was being naive and only focusing on cardio. Now my training schedule is a combination of strength and cardio with the focus on dropping body fat.

Although cardio will lead to a significant drop in weight, gaining an understand about why and how you train along with developing a diet according to your goals, is paramount to your results and success. There are many people including myself who believe cutting out carbs will automatically drop the lbs, and it goes without saying that a cardio and less carbs will help people achieve weight loss but long term this is not the healthiest or most effective method in dropping weight or body fat. There are many programs available online which have been developed to assist you in dropping your overall body fat and they will consist of eating a surprising amount of carbohydrates. (recommend that you research these guides)

Your diet doesn't have to be a 'diet' as it becomes more a way of life. Once you begin to eat healthier and see results, you'll grow to love the gym and the healthy lifestyle.

lseed87

Seems good to me. There are good and bad.

I seem to go over on carbs about 10-15 over so it isn't that bad

twhaley1990

For me personally, as long as I don't exceed my daily calorie allowance, I'll lose the weight. How I handle carbs, protein, fat, ect is more of a nutritional thing than a weight loss thing. But I know everyone is different.

jasonmh630

A lot of people have covered the high points, but I must ask... Cheese (block) is not low carb? lol... I eat cheese daily (full fat, from the block) and it's relatively low carb, depending on what type it is.

Lasmartchika

prettykitty1515 wrote: »

Lasmartchika wrote: »

It's ok with what you eat. There's no such thing as good carbs, bad carbs... just carbs. Food is food. Either way, the only important part you need to worry about to lose weight is this: eat the amount of calories mfp has given you. That's already put you in a deficit to lose the weight you want.

That's right. Food is food. A donut = an avocado = a twinkie = broiled fish = a McDonalds milkshake = a salad. The MFP philosophy to weight loss.

1. I never said any of that. (Blah=blah=Blah....) I don't have that same mentality as those you're thinking of.
2. Food IS food tho. There's nothing wrong with OP eating carbs. She doesn't seem to have any allergies towards carbs. So there are no good or bad carbs. There's no need to completely avoid foods if they don't make you sick and you love them. As long as you're in a caloric deficit you'll lose weight, or else how do you explain my weight loss? Or anybody else's here on mfp? Magic?

lilRicki

I found when I eat more protein and fats, I can eat more food...and that makes me happy. If I fill my diary with carbs, I can't eat as much. I love "if it fits my macros". I will make potatoes, rice, breads, etc fit into my diary. I will eat less of them because the chicken breast, fish, eggs and other meats I'm consuming fill me right up. I like the person that said "it's trial and error"...it really is. I feel my best (and not deprived) at 150g of carbs a day. Considering I was up to 400-500g of carbs a day before MFP, that's pretty damn good.

SciranBG

If you are in the US and on a low-carb diet, you can usually subtract the amount of fiber from the total carbs. Fibrous carbs are usually good for you anyway.

Valrotha

I hate the terms 'good and bad' carbs. More accurately, there are compelex and simple carbs. Each have their place, but I'd focus more on taking in complex carbs unless you're burning a lot of calories in your work out and need a boost. Check WebMD or some similar source that you can trust.

There are lots of well meaning people here, but sometimes the information isn't as accurate as it could be. Personally, I try and take in about .7 grams of protein for each pound I weigh, so at 190 I'm trying to take in about 135 grams per day. After that, I just try to eat healthy and let things fall where they will, which usually turns out fine.

Overall, though, as far as weight loss, focusing on staying under your calorie goal is paramount. However, a high protein diet, from what I hear AND read, is good for focusing your body on using fat for energy when running at a calorie deficit rather than lean muscle mass.

As always, do your own research. Again, WebMD is a good starting place. Lots of health and nutrition related information there. Just keep one thing in mind. The science on A LOT of things is not settled yet, so be careful if you're reading about a preliminary study or something similar. You will, from time to time, find highly educated people disagreeing about things. Try not to take anything as gospel unless you've read it multiple places with no dissenting opinions.

Good luck in your journey!

SergeantSausage

prettykitty1515 wrote: »

Lasmartchika wrote: »

It's ok with what you eat. There's no such thing as good carbs, bad carbs... just carbs. Food is food. Either way, the only important part you need to worry about to lose weight is this: eat the amount of calories mfp has given you. That's already put you in a deficit to lose the weight you want.

That's right. Food is food. A donut = an avocado = a twinkie = broiled fish = a McDonalds milkshake = a salad. The MFP philosophy to weight loss.

Really?

You know better than that.

Let me fix that for you: For weight loss purposes 100 calories of donut = 100 calories of an avocado = 100 calories of a twinkie = 100 calories of broiled fish = 100 calories of a McDonalds milkshake = 100 calories of a salad.

That is undeniably true.

You want to talk about health and nutrition, fine. They are not the same but in terms of weight loss it is self evident and undeniable.

jasonmh630

SergeantSausage wrote: »

prettykitty1515 wrote: »

Lasmartchika wrote: »

It's ok with what you eat. There's no such thing as good carbs, bad carbs... just carbs. Food is food. Either way, the only important part you need to worry about to lose weight is this: eat the amount of calories mfp has given you. That's already put you in a deficit to lose the weight you want.

That's right. Food is food. A donut = an avocado = a twinkie = broiled fish = a McDonalds milkshake = a salad. The MFP philosophy to weight loss.

Really?

You know better than that.

Let me fix that for you: For weight loss purposes 100 calories of donut = 100 calories of an avocado = 100 calories of a twinkie = 100 calories of broiled fish = 100 calories of a McDonalds milkshake = 100 calories of a salad.

That is undeniably true.

You want to talk about health and nutrition, fine. They are not the same but in terms of weight loss it is self evident and undeniable.

+1