Carbs, sheesh!

pcdoctor01
pcdoctor01 Posts: 389 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I never realized the importance of counting carbs. Found out that I've been losing weight the incorrect way. Instead of counting carbs, I was watching my added sugar intake. I know what to do now but d*mn! One cup of Cheerios is 20 carbs. One cup of blueberries is 21 carbs. To think I've been eating two cups of Cherrios on some days and one day I even topped them with blueberries. This is really eye opening.
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Replies

  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,847 Member
    I couldn't tell you how much sugar I consume or carbs I eat ... I simply watch my calories. :)
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    NorthCascades wrote: »
    Seeing as this is the exercise forum, carbs are necessary for performance.

    Exactly
  • bobshuckleberry
    bobshuckleberry Posts: 281 Member
    Is this just an exercise forum? Or is it a support., tracking and accountability tool for diet/nutrition and exercise/activity? Some people need help with both. There is a lot of information out there, most of the time it conflicts with what you just heard.
  • californiagirl2012
    californiagirl2012 Posts: 2,625 Member
    Looking at all your food values is very eye opening. Keep learning, keep going, you will figure it all out if you are consistent and never give up. You find foods considered "high protein" to actually be higher in carbs or fats, and all sorts of interesting things. Don't get caught up in the modern paranoia ...

    "If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health."

    Source: Hippocrates (460-377 BC)
  • pcdoctor01
    pcdoctor01 Posts: 389 Member
    Thanks all for the responses. I've lost weight but the doctor said I was doing it to wrong way. I was eating way too many carbs even though I was in a calorie deficit. I use the "Exercise and Fitness" discussion area 100% of the time but kinda figured I posted to the wrong discussion area.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    bobshuckleberry wrote: »
    Is this just an exercise forum? Or is it a support., tracking and accountability tool for diet/nutrition and exercise/activity? Some people need help with both. There is a lot of information out there, most of the time it conflicts with what you just heard.

    I'm assuming the OP posted this isn the Exercise and Fitness section rather than here, so it was a bit off-topic in that area.

    Anyway, OP, unless you have a medical reason to limit your carbs there's nothing wrong with them. As others have said, it's about calories. Make sure you get enough protein, fat, and fiber, and then let the carbs fall where they may.
  • cs2thecox
    cs2thecox Posts: 533 Member
    Carbs are ace.
    I feel LOADS better with sensible amounts of carbs (210g on a training day) in my diet than without, even at the same overall calories. It's partly personal preference, but driven largely by your body. I've tried a more keto approach in the past, but just don't get on so well with it.

    My training days have 2,000 calories, 210g carbs, 135g protein, 70g fat, and I'm leaning up nicely.
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    pcdoctor01 wrote: »
    Thanks all for the responses. I've lost weight but the doctor said I was doing it to wrong way. I was eating way too many carbs even though I was in a calorie deficit. I use the "Exercise and Fitness" discussion area 100% of the time but kinda figured I posted to the wrong discussion area.

    there is no real right or wrong way to lose weight - CICO is the basic principle. Also many doctors have very limited training in nutrition (I think its about 4hours of education in med school) - you could work with an RD if you desired, but if eating carbs works for you, then continue
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    MelissaPhippsFeagins wrote: »
    I pay attention to carbs because my dad has diabetes and I don't want it. He counts carbs to keep his blood glucose controlled..

    I lose weight best on high protein. Nutrition is a very individual science.

    My dad is also diabetic but I've only cared about calories. My sugar numbers are fine.
  • need2move2
    need2move2 Posts: 130 Member
    I have a family history of diabetes... so.. I watch my carbs close.. hoping to avoid the disease as long as I can
    :)
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    pcdoctor01 wrote: »
    Thanks all for the responses. I've lost weight but the doctor said I was doing it to wrong way. I was eating way too many carbs even though I was in a calorie deficit. I use the "Exercise and Fitness" discussion area 100% of the time but kinda figured I posted to the wrong discussion area.

    I'd ask your doctor to refer you to a registered dietitian, because you can't really lose weight wrong (well, I guess starving yourself would be a wrong way). And considering that the healthiest and longest living places on the planet are 70% carb based, I'd say you are doing just fine.
  • cs2thecox
    cs2thecox Posts: 533 Member
    pcdoctor01 wrote: »
    Thanks all for the responses. I've lost weight but the doctor said I was doing it to wrong way. I was eating way too many carbs even though I was in a calorie deficit. I use the "Exercise and Fitness" discussion area 100% of the time but kinda figured I posted to the wrong discussion area.

    Healthy fats and protein do need to be in there too. Preach.
    Fats in particular are important for a lot of things in the body, and protein is needed to repair things, grow hair etc.
    So although a high carb diet at low enough calories probably "works" for losing weight, it may indeed be healthier to focus on the balance across the macronutrients and make sure your protein and fat intake is sufficient.

    I was told to do protein first, get at least some good fats in (bit of nut butter, eggs, avocado here and there), and then the rest of my calories can swing between carbs and fats as I like really.

    I'm definitely fuller and happier for longer with more protein and fats earlier in the day. Then I get to use up any spare carbs in the evening. Happy times!
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,529 Member
    pcdoctor01 wrote: »
    Found out that I've been losing weight the incorrect way. Instead of counting carbs, I was watching my added sugar intake.

    As many have pointed out, your net calories (eaten - burned) is the governing thing for weight loss. Every time your net calories sums to -3500kcals (usually taking many days), you will have lost about a pound. Energy balance is a basic law of nature.

    But, how you get there is highly variable and there are many approaches.

    People sometimes lower their % carbs in order to eat more fat, which breaks down more slowly and can make you feel full for longer. It also allows you to increase % protein, which is good if your training and trying to build muscle. (In my opinion, eating high protein while not in a muscle-gain fitness program is not very useful and there isn't much reason to eat higher than about 30% of your calories from protein over all.)

    People will sometimes eat very low carb diets ("Atkins" or "Keto") to cause the body to go into mild ketosis, where it is burning mostly fat for energy (from your body and/or your food). It doesn't appear to be harmful, if you want to try it. It has a diuretic effect and you can lose significant "water weight" in the first two weeks, which can be impressive.

    I found I had low energy on low-carb diets. I try to balance my exercise calories with about 50% calories from carbs. Seems to work well.
  • pcdoctor01
    pcdoctor01 Posts: 389 Member
    edited May 2017
    My Dad has diabetes so I really have to watch my carbs now because I tend to take after his side of the family. I don't have diabetes but since my Dad does I better be careful.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    edited May 2017
    MelissaPhippsFeagins wrote: »
    I pay attention to carbs because my dad has diabetes and I don't want it. He counts carbs to keep his blood glucose controlled..

    I lose weight best on high protein. Nutrition is a very individual science.

    Not nearly as individual as you might think. Unless we're comparing nutrition across different species of animals, and maybe throwing non-carbon based life forms into the mix. Human bodies are remarkably homogeneous.
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