Should i eat more carbs?

wks7777

Im not on a low carb diet but im only eating about 1/2 my recommended carbs for the day, i usually eat 10 over on my protein but im lifting so i think thats okay cuz i dont feel like im eating that much protein. Maybe i should eat more carbs to have more energy???Gotta have energy!

VballLeash

In my opinion you should have a healthy balance... there are many people on here who use a low carb diet and it works well for them. If you are doing intense cardio workouts though you need carbs... for me I can't work out as hard unless I eat carbs but these should be healthy carbs like brown rice, whole grains, ect.. hope this helps! :happy:

~Leash

wks7777

See im eating carbs but im always way under what i should be eating like i will tell u what i ate today, i had oatmeal for breakfast pre-workout, then a big snack post workout that was egg whites, turkey bacon, and a 1/2 a bagel, then lunch was a whole wheat wrap with turkey and provolone, then dinner i had whole wheat pasta with chicken and veggies, and snack a granola bar....and im still only eating about half the carbs that was recommended. I dont want to go over on my calories and carbs tend to have more calories (like pasta, bread, and such) should i try to do more fruits and veggies ?

ivykivy

To get a rough estimate of how much protein you should be eating divide you weight by 2.2. This is how many grams you probably should be eating.

MFP protein is set low according to most people. You can change your ration to 20-25% protein instead of 15%

mrd232

When you say low carb diet, it's difficult to give an exact specification for macro ratios. For example, if you're on a very low carb diet (i.e. Atkins induction stage) you would be in the range of 20g or less carbs. In a ratio, that works out to something around 5-10% carb, depending, thereby making your dietary fat and protein needs MUCH higher than the site default.

Demetria

freedieting.com has some good info on low carb diets and I would include alot more whole veggies & fruits(not juices), they are low in calories, have fiber and a host of other nutrients your body needs.

Demetria

LeeiaL

See im eating carbs but im always way under what i should be eating like i will tell u what i ate today, i had oatmeal for breakfast pre-workout, then a big snack post workout that was egg whites, turkey bacon, and a 1/2 a bagel, then lunch was a whole wheat wrap with turkey and provolone, then dinner i had whole wheat pasta with chicken and veggies, and snack a granola bar....and im still only eating about half the carbs that was recommended. I dont want to go over on my calories and carbs tend to have more calories (like pasta, bread, and such) should i try to do more fruits and veggies ?

A lot of this depends on your goals, weight, etc. Are you at the beginning of your weight loss journey, OR are you in the 'last 10 pounds' stage? Personally, I'm at the latter stage, so I limit my carbs to around my workouts and I don't eat starchy carbs at dinner (or the last meal of the day).

A lot of this also depends on how you feel when you're working out and what activities you're doing (strength training or cardio). With the pre-workout meal you described, it doesn't seem like you'd be running out of energy, but I don't know.

Generally speaking, going lower on carbs shouldn't pose a problem UNLESS you are bonking during workouts or feeling tired and sluggish. Higher protein really shouldn't hurt either, especially if you're weight training.

The most important things are the quality of the carbs (complex vs. simple) and not going over your calorie needs daily.

Azdak

See im eating carbs but im always way under what i should be eating like i will tell u what i ate today, i had oatmeal for breakfast pre-workout, then a big snack post workout that was egg whites, turkey bacon, and a 1/2 a bagel, then lunch was a whole wheat wrap with turkey and provolone, then dinner i had whole wheat pasta with chicken and veggies, and snack a granola bar....and im still only eating about half the carbs that was recommended. I dont want to go over on my calories and carbs tend to have more calories (like pasta, bread, and such) should i try to do more fruits and veggies ?

In terms of calories, carbohydrates and proteins have the same amount: approx 4 cal/gram. There are other issues to consider, such as calorie density, glycemic index, and appetite that can affect the "logistics" of weight loss, but, from a calorie standpoint, they are the same.

Someone on a 1200 calorie/day eating plan should be at no less than 120g of carbohydrate per day, IMO--with more added for exercise calories. Whole grains, legumes, fresh vegetables and fresh fruit should be the primary sources. I think it is important to eat a balanced diet and too much emphasis on any one category tends to "crowd out" other important nutrients.

mrd232

Depends, though. If the person is following a low carb eating plan, there is little wiggle room for grains and legumes.

I'm not going to get started on that debate here, but I'm just saying, the carb demands of most popular low carb diets are much lower than the "standard."

wks7777

See im eating carbs but im always way under what i should be eating like i will tell u what i ate today, i had oatmeal for breakfast pre-workout, then a big snack post workout that was egg whites, turkey bacon, and a 1/2 a bagel, then lunch was a whole wheat wrap with turkey and provolone, then dinner i had whole wheat pasta with chicken and veggies, and snack a granola bar....and im still only eating about half the carbs that was recommended. I dont want to go over on my calories and carbs tend to have more calories (like pasta, bread, and such) should i try to do more fruits and veggies ?

A lot of this depends on your goals, weight, etc. Are you at the beginning of your weight loss journey, OR are you in the 'last 10 pounds' stage? Personally, I'm at the latter stage, so I limit my carbs to around my workouts and I don't eat starchy carbs at dinner (or the last meal of the day).

A lot of this also depends on how you feel when you're working out and what activities you're doing (strength training or cardio). With the pre-workout meal you described, it doesn't seem like you'd be running out of energy, but I don't know.

Generally speaking, going lower on carbs shouldn't pose a problem UNLESS you are bonking during workouts or feeling tired and sluggish. Higher protein really shouldn't hurt either, especially if you're weight training.

The most important things are the quality of the carbs (complex vs. simple) and not going over your calorie needs daily.

Im 150 right now trying to get down to about 110, im JUST STARTING like this week. I feel pretty good working out, but during day i just feel like im dragging, i have no energy. I dont drink coffee so im not getting that much caffiene just the occasinoal diet pepsi to get me thru. I do approx hour a cardio a day sometimes all together sometimes AM and PM, i do strength training for about 20 min. I am eating all whole wheat pastas, breads, and brown rice so there good carbs and im not going over in calories, i was just wondering should i increase carbs to increase my energy thru out the day since i feel like im dragging typically.

wks7777

FOr some reason i think u guys think i am on a low carb diet and IM NOT, so most of ur answers arent answering my question. I was just wondering if im only eating half the calories recommended by mfp should i increase my carbs...is it necassary...thats all.

MTGirl

FOr some reason i think u guys think i am on a low carb diet and IM NOT, so most of ur answers arent answering my question. I was just wondering if im only eating half the calories recommended by mfp should i increase my carbs...is it necassary...thats all.

I would personally say that if you are tired and dragging - try increasing your carbs a little. Add a couple of pieces of fruit a day and see if that helps. Also, if you are just starting, sometimes there is an energy lag for a little while as your body adjusts to having less overall fuel. It will catch up! Maybe add a little fruit and wait for a couple of weeks and see how you are feeling. Good luck!! And again - just my opinion :glasses:

July24Lioness

Just to comment on the other side of the coin..............

It is also possible that the "whole grains" and carbs such as breads, pasta, etc are making you feel tired and out of whack - that is one of the major signs of wheat or gluten intolerance.

Ask yourself this. After eating oatmeal for breakfast do you feel energized? And how do you feel about 30 minutes after eating bread or bagel of any kind?

If you notice that you feel good after eating brown rice or oatmeal, and feel blah after eating any whole wheat products (breads, bagels, pasta), your body is telling you something.

Personally speaking I would add more unprocessed foods, carbs to include raw veggies, nuts and fruit before adding carbs of any grains.

Just my 2 cents.

See im eating carbs but im always way under what i should be eating like i will tell u what i ate today, i had oatmeal for breakfast pre-workout, then a big snack post workout that was egg whites, turkey bacon, and a 1/2 a bagel, then lunch was a whole wheat wrap with turkey and provolone, then dinner i had whole wheat pasta with chicken and veggies, and snack a granola bar....and im still only eating about half the carbs that was recommended. I dont want to go over on my calories and carbs tend to have more calories (like pasta, bread, and such) should i try to do more fruits and veggies ?

A lot of this depends on your goals, weight, etc. Are you at the beginning of your weight loss journey, OR are you in the 'last 10 pounds' stage? Personally, I'm at the latter stage, so I limit my carbs to around my workouts and I don't eat starchy carbs at dinner (or the last meal of the day).

A lot of this also depends on how you feel when you're working out and what activities you're doing (strength training or cardio). With the pre-workout meal you described, it doesn't seem like you'd be running out of energy, but I don't know.

Generally speaking, going lower on carbs shouldn't pose a problem UNLESS you are bonking during workouts or feeling tired and sluggish. Higher protein really shouldn't hurt either, especially if you're weight training.

The most important things are the quality of the carbs (complex vs. simple) and not going over your calorie needs daily.

Im 150 right now trying to get down to about 110, im JUST STARTING like this week. I feel pretty good working out, but during day i just feel like im dragging, i have no energy. I dont drink coffee so im not getting that much caffiene just the occasinoal diet pepsi to get me thru. I do approx hour a cardio a day sometimes all together sometimes AM and PM, i do strength training for about 20 min. I am eating all whole wheat pastas, breads, and brown rice so there good carbs and im not going over in calories, i was just wondering should i increase carbs to increase my energy thru out the day since i feel like im dragging typically.

wks7777

Just to comment on the other side of the coin..............

It is also possible that the "whole grains" and carbs such as breads, pasta, etc are making you feel tired and out of whack - that is one of the major signs of wheat or gluten intolerance.

Ask yourself this. After eating oatmeal for breakfast do you feel energized? And how do you feel about 30 minutes after eating bread or bagel of any kind?

If you notice that you feel good after eating brown rice or oatmeal, and feel blah after eating any whole wheat products (breads, bagels, pasta), your body is telling you something.

Personally speaking I would add more unprocessed foods, carbs to include raw veggies, nuts and fruit before adding carbs of any grains.

Just my 2 cents.

See im eating carbs but im always way under what i should be eating like i will tell u what i ate today, i had oatmeal for breakfast pre-workout, then a big snack post workout that was egg whites, turkey bacon, and a 1/2 a bagel, then lunch was a whole wheat wrap with turkey and provolone, then dinner i had whole wheat pasta with chicken and veggies, and snack a granola bar....and im still only eating about half the carbs that was recommended. I dont want to go over on my calories and carbs tend to have more calories (like pasta, bread, and such) should i try to do more fruits and veggies ?

A lot of this depends on your goals, weight, etc. Are you at the beginning of your weight loss journey, OR are you in the 'last 10 pounds' stage? Personally, I'm at the latter stage, so I limit my carbs to around my workouts and I don't eat starchy carbs at dinner (or the last meal of the day).

A lot of this also depends on how you feel when you're working out and what activities you're doing (strength training or cardio). With the pre-workout meal you described, it doesn't seem like you'd be running out of energy, but I don't know.

Generally speaking, going lower on carbs shouldn't pose a problem UNLESS you are bonking during workouts or feeling tired and sluggish. Higher protein really shouldn't hurt either, especially if you're weight training.

The most important things are the quality of the carbs (complex vs. simple) and not going over your calorie needs daily.

Im 150 right now trying to get down to about 110, im JUST STARTING like this week. I feel pretty good working out, but during day i just feel like im dragging, i have no energy. I dont drink coffee so im not getting that much caffiene just the occasinoal diet pepsi to get me thru. I do approx hour a cardio a day sometimes all together sometimes AM and PM, i do strength training for about 20 min. I am eating all whole wheat pastas, breads, and brown rice so there good carbs and im not going over in calories, i was just wondering should i increase carbs to increase my energy thru out the day since i feel like im dragging typically.

i know why i drag lol... i dont sleep well at night, im just hoping that more carbs would help give me more energy cuz theres nothing i can do about it (the sleeping thing) Im just getting used to a new sleep schedule and in the mean time i need energy to get me thru my long day. I definitly wouldnt be adding any more whole grains, i would be doing fruits and veggies, thanks, i am gonna try adding those to my diet, i rarely eat fruit maybe it will help!

July24Lioness

Just make sure you eat a bit of protein with fruit. Perfect get togethers for fruit is natural nut butters (peanut, cashew, almond butters) or cheese(soft cheese such as cottage cheese or yogurt. hard cheese such as swiss or cheddar)

Just to comment on the other side of the coin..............

It is also possible that the "whole grains" and carbs such as breads, pasta, etc are making you feel tired and out of whack - that is one of the major signs of wheat or gluten intolerance.

Ask yourself this. After eating oatmeal for breakfast do you feel energized? And how do you feel about 30 minutes after eating bread or bagel of any kind?

If you notice that you feel good after eating brown rice or oatmeal, and feel blah after eating any whole wheat products (breads, bagels, pasta), your body is telling you something.

Personally speaking I would add more unprocessed foods, carbs to include raw veggies, nuts and fruit before adding carbs of any grains.

Just my 2 cents.

See im eating carbs but im always way under what i should be eating like i will tell u what i ate today, i had oatmeal for breakfast pre-workout, then a big snack post workout that was egg whites, turkey bacon, and a 1/2 a bagel, then lunch was a whole wheat wrap with turkey and provolone, then dinner i had whole wheat pasta with chicken and veggies, and snack a granola bar....and im still only eating about half the carbs that was recommended. I dont want to go over on my calories and carbs tend to have more calories (like pasta, bread, and such) should i try to do more fruits and veggies ?

A lot of this depends on your goals, weight, etc. Are you at the beginning of your weight loss journey, OR are you in the 'last 10 pounds' stage? Personally, I'm at the latter stage, so I limit my carbs to around my workouts and I don't eat starchy carbs at dinner (or the last meal of the day).

A lot of this also depends on how you feel when you're working out and what activities you're doing (strength training or cardio). With the pre-workout meal you described, it doesn't seem like you'd be running out of energy, but I don't know.

Generally speaking, going lower on carbs shouldn't pose a problem UNLESS you are bonking during workouts or feeling tired and sluggish. Higher protein really shouldn't hurt either, especially if you're weight training.

The most important things are the quality of the carbs (complex vs. simple) and not going over your calorie needs daily.

Im 150 right now trying to get down to about 110, im JUST STARTING like this week. I feel pretty good working out, but during day i just feel like im dragging, i have no energy. I dont drink coffee so im not getting that much caffiene just the occasinoal diet pepsi to get me thru. I do approx hour a cardio a day sometimes all together sometimes AM and PM, i do strength training for about 20 min. I am eating all whole wheat pastas, breads, and brown rice so there good carbs and im not going over in calories, i was just wondering should i increase carbs to increase my energy thru out the day since i feel like im dragging typically.

i know why i drag lol... i dont sleep well at night, im just hoping that more carbs would help give me more energy cuz theres nothing i can do about it (the sleeping thing) Im just getting used to a new sleep schedule and in the mean time i need energy to get me thru my long day. I definitly wouldnt be adding any more whole grains, i would be doing fruits and veggies, thanks, i am gonna try adding those to my diet, i rarely eat fruit maybe it will help!

wks7777

oh yes i know thanks, if i do eat fruit i do natural peanut butter and apples or bananas, or yogurt with blueberries things like that, it helps absorb the sugars....right??If i recall correctly.

Just make sure you eat a bit of protein with fruit. Perfect get togethers for fruit is natural nut butters (peanut, cashew, almond butters) or cheese(soft cheese such as cottage cheese or yogurt. hard cheese such as swiss or cheddar)

Just to comment on the other side of the coin..............

It is also possible that the "whole grains" and carbs such as breads, pasta, etc are making you feel tired and out of whack - that is one of the major signs of wheat or gluten intolerance.

Ask yourself this. After eating oatmeal for breakfast do you feel energized? And how do you feel about 30 minutes after eating bread or bagel of any kind?

If you notice that you feel good after eating brown rice or oatmeal, and feel blah after eating any whole wheat products (breads, bagels, pasta), your body is telling you something.

Personally speaking I would add more unprocessed foods, carbs to include raw veggies, nuts and fruit before adding carbs of any grains.

Just my 2 cents.

See im eating carbs but im always way under what i should be eating like i will tell u what i ate today, i had oatmeal for breakfast pre-workout, then a big snack post workout that was egg whites, turkey bacon, and a 1/2 a bagel, then lunch was a whole wheat wrap with turkey and provolone, then dinner i had whole wheat pasta with chicken and veggies, and snack a granola bar....and im still only eating about half the carbs that was recommended. I dont want to go over on my calories and carbs tend to have more calories (like pasta, bread, and such) should i try to do more fruits and veggies ?

A lot of this depends on your goals, weight, etc. Are you at the beginning of your weight loss journey, OR are you in the 'last 10 pounds' stage? Personally, I'm at the latter stage, so I limit my carbs to around my workouts and I don't eat starchy carbs at dinner (or the last meal of the day).

A lot of this also depends on how you feel when you're working out and what activities you're doing (strength training or cardio). With the pre-workout meal you described, it doesn't seem like you'd be running out of energy, but I don't know.

Generally speaking, going lower on carbs shouldn't pose a problem UNLESS you are bonking during workouts or feeling tired and sluggish. Higher protein really shouldn't hurt either, especially if you're weight training.

The most important things are the quality of the carbs (complex vs. simple) and not going over your calorie needs daily.

Im 150 right now trying to get down to about 110, im JUST STARTING like this week. I feel pretty good working out, but during day i just feel like im dragging, i have no energy. I dont drink coffee so im not getting that much caffiene just the occasinoal diet pepsi to get me thru. I do approx hour a cardio a day sometimes all together sometimes AM and PM, i do strength training for about 20 min. I am eating all whole wheat pastas, breads, and brown rice so there good carbs and im not going over in calories, i was just wondering should i increase carbs to increase my energy thru out the day since i feel like im dragging typically.

i know why i drag lol... i dont sleep well at night, im just hoping that more carbs would help give me more energy cuz theres nothing i can do about it (the sleeping thing) Im just getting used to a new sleep schedule and in the mean time i need energy to get me thru my long day. I definitly wouldnt be adding any more whole grains, i would be doing fruits and veggies, thanks, i am gonna try adding those to my diet, i rarely eat fruit maybe it will help!