Low Carbs

peggyalex

I have been doing Myfitnesspal since April of 2010 and have just been counting calories and have lost 45 lbs that way but it is getting soooooooo hard to lose anything recently so I decided to change it up a bit and try going the Low Carb route and keeping my carbs under 24 grams a day. Has anyone else done anything like this and have u lost weight on it? I have a mother in law and a cousin in law that has both lost a substantial amout of weight doing it but is it safe? I don't know just wanted to get everyones thoughts on the idea! Thanks!

Soulmeetsbody0

I have not tried to stay under 24g of carbs a day, but I try to eat as little of them as possible. It is a great way to break your plateau, it will also reduce fat and help you build nice, lean muscles. So you need to make sure that instead of carbs, you eat as much protein as needed. For no carbs, try egg whites or lean meat- they are high in protein and very good for you, You can for example scramble some egg whites and maybe some yolk with spinach, or add celery on the side (vegs have very little carbs)

All in all, I'm no expert, but I think it is a great idea and a good habit to develop- eating much protein and little carbs.

dragonbug300

I tend to keep my carbs low. I've lost weight this way even though I'm eating enough cals to maintain. I don't pay attention to the carb-counter though, because I replace grains with other, whole sources of carbohydrates. So, instead of a chicken sandwich I'll have a chicken salad with a large apple. Same calories, but all of the carbs come from real foods instead of refined grains.

For a quick breakfast/snack I'll have 1.5 oz roasted pistachios and an apple, plus soymilk if I can.

I'll also snack on canned chickpeas or soaked lentils because they're good sources of protein and fiber.

I usually go over 25g of carbs. It's less about how many carbs you eat and more about where you get them from.

cmriverside

I think it is better to limit processed grains / refined carbs than to try to keep all carbs unrealistically low. And yes, it does work when you get close to goal, and you've already cleaned up your nutrition as much as possible.

Fruit and veggies (and beans, a great food) all have carbs. The fiber can be subtracted from the carb totals as it is undigestable. But a really high protein and fat diet with no carbs is unsustainable and arguably unhealthy.

peggyalex

Thank u all for ur responses. This has helped me become more aware of the types of carbs I need to put into my body! Maybe not limit so much the amount of carbs but to watch the kinds of carbs I eat instead!