Oh wow!

rlfrary75

MyFitnessPal was suggested by my doctor. I used it yesterday for the first time and was shocked to see that of the calories I ate, 50% were from carbohydrates, if I'm reading it right. So already this has been educational and shown me that I really need to be making better choices. Now to make those better choices!

Lietchi

And why is 50% carbs problematic/shocking? It's perfectly fine, unless you have health issues related to carbs of course

janejellyroll

50% of calories seems like a perfectly reasonable number to me (unless you need to limit them for medical reasons).

sijomial

"Better choices" can include a lot of carbohydrates, veg, fruit and grains are all carbs for example.

Not actually seeing the issue with 50% of your diet coming from carbs if you are hitting reasonable amounts of protein and fat.

Definitely educational to see which foods and drinks take up your calorie allowance though.

Dogmom1978

Unless you have a health condition whereby you should be limiting carbs, there is nothing wrong with 50% carbs as long as you hit reasonable protein and fat as stated above.

Carbs are not the enemy 😊

gunnmike

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

MsCzar

I agree with the above posters that 50% carbs is nothing to worry about. I'd concentrate more on calorie limits and making sure that those carbs are more beans, squash, whole grains and less ice cream and potato chips.

Dogmom1978

MsCzar wrote: »

I agree with the above posters that 50% carbs is nothing to worry about. I'd concentrate more on calorie limits and making sure that those carbs are more beans, squash, whole grains and less ice cream and potato chips.

Although if you enjoy ice cream and potato chips and you can fit them into your daily calorie allotment, go for it.

I have dessert each and every night and I’m down over 30 lbs so far with another 30ish to go. 😊

cwolfman13

rlfrary75 wrote: »

MyFitnessPal was suggested by my doctor. I used it yesterday for the first time and was shocked to see that of the calories I ate, 50% were from carbohydrates, if I'm reading it right. So already this has been educational and shown me that I really need to be making better choices. Now to make those better choices!

For what purpose did your doctor recommend MFP? Weight loss? Tracking carbohydrates? Does your Dr. want you to reduce carbohydrates? Did he have any suggestions on what type of carbohydrates you should focus on?

I ask because carbohydrates is a broad macronutrient...it includes simple sugars, starches, and fiber. I'm an omnivore, but I eat vegetarian quite a bit, so 50% carbohydrates wouldn't be a particularly high carb day for me. Most of my carbohydrates are veggies, some fruit (but mostly in the summer), potatoes and other root vegetables, oats, legumes, lentils, etc. Many sources of carbohydrates also pack a lot of nutrition...a Dr. Pepper, not so much.

J72FIT

rlfrary75 wrote: »

MyFitnessPal was suggested by my doctor. I used it yesterday for the first time and was shocked to see that of the calories I ate, 50% were from carbohydrates, if I'm reading it right. So already this has been educational and shown me that I really need to be making better choices. Now to make those better choices!

What's the problem?

DanyellMcGinnis

I eat easily 60 or more % carbs every day and have been for years, and basically maintain my weight (there was a little bump in the road caused by being inactive for 6 weeks after major surgery and starting blood pressure medicine). I have great bloodwork values for cholesterol, etc.

That being said, I am not just drinking sodas and eating cookies. I only eat whole grains at home, and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, but the general term "carbohydrates" encompasses both straight up sugar and the more complex, nutritious polysaccharides found in plants.