Carbs????

Can anyone tell me how many carbs to stay "under" to lose weight???? I have seen everything from 50 to 100! Thanks!:drinker:
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Replies

  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Can anyone tell me how many carbs to stay "under" to lose weight???? I have seen everything from 50 to 100! Thanks!:drinker:

    Figure out how much you burn each day, divide that number by 4 and there you go
  • SPNLuver83
    SPNLuver83 Posts: 2,050 Member
    You can lose weight without cutting carbs. I eat over 200 a day and I still lose.
  • kgprice11
    kgprice11 Posts: 749 Member
    You can lose weight without cutting carbs. I eat over 200 a day and I still lose.

    ^^agree i eat about 150 a day.
  • carbs are different for everyone, i try to stay under 100 and i lose pretty consistently when i'm paying attention to it.
  • mmarcy7
    mmarcy7 Posts: 227 Member
    carbs are different for everyone, i try to stay under 100 and i lose pretty consistently when i'm paying attention to it.

    ditto
  • gomisskellygo
    gomisskellygo Posts: 635 Member
    carbs are different for everyone, i try to stay under 100 and i lose pretty consistently when i'm paying attention to it.

    ditto

    Double ditto.
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    Carbs have nothing, or very little, to do with weight loss.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,409 Member
    carbs are different for everyone, i try to stay under 100 and i lose pretty consistently when i'm paying attention to it.

    ditto

    Double ditto.

    Tritto. Or is it up to quadritto?
  • justrun52
    justrun52 Posts: 74 Member
    Like everyone else has said, it just depends on what works for you. I run a lot and I also eat mostly carbs. I lose weight as long as I stay within my calories for the day. This is just me, but I'm much more likely to stay on track and eat healthy (fruits, veggies, proteins) when I am satisfied with my carbs. I could never do a diet like the Atkins just because it's not realistic for me. Do what's best for you and something you can do long term (for life).
  • mgmlap
    mgmlap Posts: 1,377 Member
    Carbs have nothing, or very little, to do with weight loss.

    It does matter if you have a metabolic syndrome...I have to watch my carbs. I have IR, PCOS, and hypothyroid..so if I ate 200 carbs a day...I would not lose weight...
  • Ideally you should obtain 75% of your calories from carbohydrates with one HUGE caveat: make sure those carbs are high-quality, nutrient dense carbs from un-refined, plant-based sources. So fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts, and a small amount of whole grains. Don't eat foods that are predominantly calories from refined sugar, wheat, rice, or corn. Refined is the key word there. The closer the food is to the way it is found in nature the better. Think corn on the cob vs high fructose corn syrup.

    That percentage shouldn't change whether you are trying to lose weight or not. That is just the normal human amount. However, if you are trying to gain muscle for bodybuilding purposes, you can carve out another 4-8% as protein.
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    Carbs have nothing, or very little, to do with weight loss.

    It does matter if you have a metabolic syndrome...I have to watch my carbs. I have IR, PCOS, and hypothyroid..so if I ate 200 carbs a day...I would not lose weight...
    You're in the minority.

    What matters is over all CALORIE intake. Does distribution of carbs matter?? Of course but to limit or remove a macro nutrient is abused in most cases.

    People remove carbs first, because that affects body composition (carbs hold water). What they fail to realize is that carbs are needed for body functions and over all well being. The goal should be to consume as many carbs as people while you're still progressing to your goal.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    You can lose weight without cutting carbs. I eat over 200 a day and I still lose.

    Agreed... I eat an average of 320 grams a day and am still losing weight....
  • dvisser1
    dvisser1 Posts: 788 Member
    carbs are different for everyone

    True. Calories are what is important.
  • bathsheba_c
    bathsheba_c Posts: 1,873 Member
    Why are you trying to cut carbs in order to lose weight? Carbs matter if you have certain medical conditions. Otherwise, the FDA recommends getting up to 65% of your daily calories from carbohydrates.

    A lot of people recommend cutting back on carbs to lose weight. There appear to be two reasons for that. The first is that protein and vegetables are more filling than carbohydrates, so it makes cutting calories easier. The second is that they think that upping protein and cutting carbs will encourage the body to make use of stored fat for energy and not as much lean muscle (I don't know if this is scientifically true or if it's just bro-science). Also, if you are increasing your exercise, the protein will help repair your muscles, so a smaller percentage of your calories will come from carbs.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    Carbs have nothing, or very little, to do with weight loss.

    It does matter if you have a metabolic syndrome...I have to watch my carbs. I have IR, PCOS, and hypothyroid..so if I ate 200 carbs a day...I would not lose weight...
    You're in the minority.

    What matters is over all CALORIE intake. Does distribution of carbs matter?? Of course but to limit or remove a macro nutrient is abused in most cases.

    People remove carbs first, because that affects body composition (carbs hold water). What they fail to realize is that carbs are needed for body functions and over all well being. The goal should be to consume as many carbs as people while you're still progressing to your goal.

    Yes in the mnority and even then that still doesn't matter... I am a type 2 diabetic and was insulin resistant but through diet and exercise have reversed the disease but never restricted carb intake to accomplish this.... I just changed the kinda food I was eating...
  • stuffinmuffin
    stuffinmuffin Posts: 985 Member
    Eat as many as you want within your cals. So long as you are eating to a calorie deficit you will lose weight no matter what you're eating.
  • stuffinmuffin
    stuffinmuffin Posts: 985 Member
    Carbs have nothing, or very little, to do with weight loss.

    It does matter if you have a metabolic syndrome...I have to watch my carbs. I have IR, PCOS, and hypothyroid..so if I ate 200 carbs a day...I would not lose weight...
    You're in the minority.

    What matters is over all CALORIE intake. Does distribution of carbs matter?? Of course but to limit or remove a macro nutrient is abused in most cases.

    People remove carbs first, because that affects body composition (carbs hold water). What they fail to realize is that carbs are needed for body functions and over all well being. The goal should be to consume as many carbs as people while you're still progressing to your goal.

    Yes in the mnority and even then that still doesn't matter... I am a type 2 diabetic and was insulin resistant but through diet and exercise have reversed the disease but never restricted carb intake to accomplish this.... I just changed the kinda food I was eating...

    Doesn't this regard the type of carbs that one consumes? Heavilly processed 'white' carbs are going to play havoc with diabetes/insulin because they're packed full of sugar so don't give all carbs a bad name! ; )
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    The amount you eat in carbs is irrelevant to your weight loss. I believe anything under 100 a day is considered low carb - MFP gives me about 150, and I am quite small. Not that I ever hit that, but that is my recommendation. Of course, if you are exercising a lot you need more. When I have had under 100g of carbs a day for any length of time I find my stamina really starts to suffer.
  • lesle1
    lesle1 Posts: 354 Member
    Carbs have nothing, or very little, to do with weight loss.

    It does matter if you have a metabolic syndrome...I have to watch my carbs. I have IR, PCOS, and hypothyroid..so if I ate 200 carbs a day...I would not lose weight...

    I love my carbs and I have hypothyroidism. I take 175 and 150 mcg alternating days. I had trouble losing weight until I really made an effort to exercise. One hour a day was what it took for me. I used to eat 1500-1900 calories when I first started losing. Now I eat over 2500. I eat a lot of carbs. I'm also in the best shape of my life. I feel 20-30 years younger. I drive my kids crazy. I run with my grandkids. I run, swim, climb, roller blade and hang upside down from the monkey bars : )
  • Di3012
    Di3012 Posts: 2,247 Member
    Can anyone tell me how many carbs to stay "under" to lose weight???? I have seen everything from 50 to 100! Thanks!:drinker:

    Mine is set at 165, I lost weight on that when staying under.
  • Jill1249
    Jill1249 Posts: 11
    Wow!!!!! Maybe there is a reason I just joined the message board. I'm learning about carbs and the fact that I CAN lose weight eating them. I will say I feel better staying away from the "bad" ones i.e. white veggies, pasta, and sugar. Thanks so much for the replies!:wink:
  • HealthFreak1967
    HealthFreak1967 Posts: 116 Member
    You can lose weight without cutting carbs. I eat over 200 a day and I still lose.

    same here, i eat at least 200g a day. It honestly is a myth that you need to cut carbs or go on a low carb diet to lose weight. I'm 101 pounds and most of my diet is carbs - but not refined processed junk. It's all from fruit (i eat a ton), beans, whole grains like oatmeal/brown rice/sprouted bread, and vegetables. Granted, I do eat higher in carbs b/c I don't eat meat or animal products, but it goes to show that eating a lot of carbs doesn't hinder weight loss.
  • agentscully514
    agentscully514 Posts: 616 Member
    I have PCOS and insulin resistance. I cannot, CANNOT, loose weight without cutting carbs. For some people, carbs are everything.
  • tmauck4472
    tmauck4472 Posts: 1,785 Member
    Carbs have nothing, or very little, to do with weight loss.


    Carbs turn to sugar so yes they are not good for you, but some people are lucky enough they don't affect them some aren't.

    I stay under 100 a day and like it that way.

    There are bad carbs and good carbs so eat the good ones and leave the bad ones alone.
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    Carbs have nothing, or very little, to do with weight loss.

    It does matter if you have a metabolic syndrome...I have to watch my carbs. I have IR, PCOS, and hypothyroid..so if I ate 200 carbs a day...I would not lose weight...

    I totally agree!!

    The Atkins method teaches you to find the level of carbohydrate intake that is right for YOUR body, because it will be different from what is right for MY body. You do not HAVE to do induction ( 20 net carbs per day), but they suggest it because you have rapid losses at that level, and that encourages you to keep going! If you want to find your level for losing, you can either work your way up, or work your way down--10 carbs per day for a week until you see what you want to see.

    I personally have a tendency towards insulin resistance, so I need to eat under 100g net per day if I want to lose. I would love to do 50g net, but usually cannot hit my calorie goal with that few carbs.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Carbs have nothing, or very little, to do with weight loss.


    Carbs turn to sugar so yes they are not good for you, but some people are lucky enough they don't affect them some aren't.

    I stay under 100 a day and like it that way.

    There are bad carbs and good carbs so eat the good ones and leave the bad ones alone.

    What makes a good carb good and a bad carb bad?

    and in what dosage is sugar not good for you?
  • LesterBlackstone
    LesterBlackstone Posts: 291 Member

    What makes a good carb good and a bad carb bad?

    The bad ones come from a broken home?
  • Sarah_Wins
    Sarah_Wins Posts: 936 Member
    I keep mine under 20 per day, and am losing like crazy.
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    Carbs have nothing, or very little, to do with weight loss.

    sort of. when cutting weight as fast as possible...for a photo shoot or a prom or making weight for wrestling or whatever...cutting carbs for 4-6 weeks before will cause a signifcant weight loss. Mostly water but it helps to get a few pounds off when you have to