Calories versus Carbs

beep

I have been trying to stick to a low carb diet for so many years I believe all my thinking is totally messed up on the subject; which is why I have had so much trouble for so many years. When I went low carb, I formally was not counting calories at all, so I have no idea how many I was consuming. And I tended to lay on the fats, butter, oil etc, not worry about sauces or salad dressings that were high fat and low sugar. I most likely was under or around 1000 cals a day and was in starvation mode all those years, which caused me to be so depressed and unmotivated I would quit.

Here's my dilemma. My brain is so convinced that if I go over 60 carbs a day I will not lose weight and will gain weight, even if my calorie count is where it should be. And it's really hard to stay under 60 carbs..... Anyone know anything about this????

beep

I have been trying to stick to a low carb diet for so many years I believe all my thinking is totally messed up on the subject; which is why I have had so much trouble for so many years. When I went low carb, I formally was not counting calories at all, so I have no idea how many I was consuming. And I tended to lay on the fats, butter, oil etc, not worry about sauces or salad dressings that were high fat and low sugar. I most likely was under or around 1000 cals a day and was in starvation mode all those years, which caused me to be so depressed and unmotivated I would quit.

Here's my dilemma. My brain is so convinced that if I go over 60 carbs a day I will not lose weight and will gain weight, even if my calorie count is where it should be. And it's really hard to stay under 60 carbs..... Anyone know anything about this????

wildkitty505

My nutritionist told me that I needed to eat about 80 grams of protein a day. She stressed that carbs were NOT bad and that I should just take the amount of protein in a given meal and multiply it by 4. That was the largest amount of carbs I should allow myself for that meal. Ex: 8g protein means no more than 16g of carbs.

I use that as my guideline when I am choosing food and making meals.

MrsTomy

Focus on complex carbs (whole wheat, fruits and veggies). i did low-carb diets before and because your body has to work so hard to break down all thet protein it leaves you tired and pissy! I did it for 2 weeks and lost about 10lbs...bhut i was so tired and grumpy i had to quit!!! You would be surprised how many cals you eat on a low cal diet...cheeses and oils and meats have TONS of calories!!!

I dont really eat any "carbs" (white bread, pasta, etc) but i eat a TON of fruit (at least 2 apples or oranges a day) and lots of veggies (salads, carrots, etc) so my body gets the carbs it needs but not the cals it doesn't!!!

Good luck with everything!!!

astridfeline

Here's good article that Banks found:
http://www.fitsense.co.uk/fit_article.php?id=100

and another MFP post:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/11323-calories-fat-or-carbs?hl=banks+low+carb#posts-83166

beep

Focus on complex carbs (whole wheat, fruits and veggies). i did low-carb diets before and because your body has to work so hard to break down all thet protein it leaves you tired and pissy! I did it for 2 weeks and lost about 10lbs...bhut i was so tired and grumpy i had to quit!!! You would be surprised how many cals you eat on a low cal diet...cheeses and oils and meats have TONS of calories!!!

I dont really eat any "carbs" (white bread, pasta, etc) but i eat a TON of fruit (at least 2 apples or oranges a day) and lots of veggies (salads, carrots, etc) so my body gets the carbs it needs but not the cals it doesn't!!!

Good luck with everything!!!

Thanks. Fortunately, I have been eating complex carbs for years, and I try to fill my carb needs with low glycemic carbs. Fruit has lots of carbs in them, so I try to stick to fruits like strawberries, blueberries and lower glycemic fruits.

I will admit that after a week of Atkins I do get really depressed, so I'm not ever doing that again. I'm following this website.

The post about 16g of carbs per 8g of protein, I'll have to think about. At 80g protein a day, that's a lot of carbs. And believe me, I would love to eat every one of them!

wildkitty505

Oh! and balance is important too. Always try to eat some protein with your carbs. A little peanut butter with your toast or a handful of nuts with your fruit.

wildkitty505

The post about 16g of carbs per 8g of protein, I'll have to think about. At 80g protein a day, that's a lot of carbs. And believe me, I would love to eat every one of them!

Like I said it was just a guide she gave me for judging how many carbs were too many when I was picking out foods. Something with 2g of protein and 22g carbs is a no no. I don't eat 320g of carbs a day I have mine set at around 230g.

beep

My Home says I have 1200 calories, 165g of carbs a day. That is what I'm having difficulty with. Can I really really lose weight eating 165 grams of complex carbs a day????

beep

The post about 16g of carbs per 8g of protein, I'll have to think about. At 80g protein a day, that's a lot of carbs. And believe me, I would love to eat every one of them!

Like I said it was just a guide she gave me for judging how many carbs were too many when I was picking out foods. Something with 2g of protein and 22g carbs is a no no. I don't eat 320g of carbs a day I have mine set at around 230g.

And you're really losing weight eating 230 grams of carbs a day? I hope that is true, it would be a Godsend to me.

BlackBeltLJ

I am a new diabetic- the nutritionist put me on 1500 cal, 135g of carbs, up to 50 grams of fat meal plan.:ohwell:

wildkitty505

And you're really losing weight eating 230 grams of carbs a day? I hope that is true, it would be a Godsend to me.

I really am :happy: 17lbs since March 19th. I'm set for cal = 1,450 carbs = 199 fat = 32 protein = 91. After I workout I usually have 230 carbs and I rarely have more than 30 left at the end of the day so I'm averaging about 200.

Obviously your starting weight is lower so your carbs are lower too. Someday I'll be at 165 too :laugh: . do a bunch of exercise during the day and think of the added carbs as your bonus!!

beep

Oh, I wish. My starting weight was 206. I hope to get down to 145.

wildkitty505

Oh, I wish. My starting weight was 206. I hope to get down to 145.

I've been so happy with my results just stick with what MFP says and enjoy your carbs!! (healthy carbs of course )

beep

Thank you, this helps. I'm going to eat a piece of stone-ground whole wheat toast with olive oil.

GIGINATOR

I just pay attention to my calorie and stay under my fat gram allowance, Usually I'm a little bit over on my protein too. I usually eat all my carbs and sometimes over according to my allowance and I have lost a lot since Jan (40lbs). Trust me as long as its not chips and cake all the time, you are OK! Fruit is great for your body, don't worry. You can lose, just erase your preconcieved thinking in your head. I had to do some of that too before I believed what I'm doing now!

beep

I just pay attention to my calorie and stay under my fat gram allowance, Usually I'm a little bit over on my protein too. I usually eat all my carbs and sometimes over according to my allowance and I have lost a lot since Jan (40lbs). Trust me as long as its not chips and cake all the time, you are OK! Fruit is great for your body, don't worry. You can lose, just erase your preconcieved thinking in your head. I had to do some of that too before I believed what I'm doing now!

You are an inspiration as well. 40 pounds!!! That is awesome. I still can't imagine I will be able to do that, and I am having to rethink lots of things that were really set in my mind.:drinker:

beep

Here's good article that Banks found:
http://www.fitsense.co.uk/fit_article.php?id=100

and another MFP post:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/11323-calories-fat-or-carbs?hl=banks+low+carb#posts-83166

Thank you, all of you who have responded.