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How many carbs do you eat per day?

ohhman10
ohhman10 Posts: 40
edited January 7 in Food and Nutrition
How many carbs do you eat per day and still loose weight? I know everyone is different... I'm just curious. :)
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Replies

  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    I am a 61 year old man who is 200 lbs and does strength training workouts. I do between 150 and 200 per day. Carb are the last of my priorites when hitting my macros. First is protein, second fats and carbs with what's left. Protein in critical for maintaining lean muscle mass, fats for maintianing balanced hormones.
  • keeponkickin
    keeponkickin Posts: 1,520 Member
    I am a 61 year old man who is 200 lbs and does strength training workouts. I do between 150 and 200 per day. Carb are the last of my priorites when hitting my macros. First is protein, second fats and carbs with what's left. Protein in critical for maintaining lean muscle mass, fats for maintianing balanced hormones.

    ^^THIS^^ I hit my protein and fats first and healthy "slow carbs" are what fills in the blanks. I get around 150 grams per day, some days more and some less.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Between about 150g and 250g depending on the calorie target I have for the day.
  • I stick to about 125 or less most of the time. I try for below 100 but I haven't cut out ALL grain foods, so if I have oatmeal, potato, or fruit, it will probably be closer to 125.

    I'm 5'4", female, I like to lift weights 3-4 days a week and do cardio 2 days a week. I have more carbs on days when my workouts are more strenuous. I hope that helps!
  • jennaworksout
    jennaworksout Posts: 1,739 Member
    i try to stay around 80g a day...I read for woman trying to lose weight they should not go over 100g a day.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    i try to stay around 80g a day...I read for woman trying to lose weight they should not go over 100g a day.

    Where did you read that? It is just not true. I have never been under 100g - often over 200g and have had no issues losing weight.
  • mem50
    mem50 Posts: 1,384 Member
    I try and keep it at or near my allowance for the day. I find if I don't eat enough I have trouble with my hypoglycimia.
  • jennaworksout
    jennaworksout Posts: 1,739 Member
    i try to stay around 80g a day...I read for woman trying to lose weight they should not go over 100g a day.

    Where did you read that? It is just not true. I have never been under 100g - often over 200g and have had no issues losing weight.

    I they are a low carb diet I meant
  • jennaworksout
    jennaworksout Posts: 1,739 Member
    i try to stay around 80g a day...I read for woman trying to lose weight they should not go over 100g a day.

    On a low carb diet I meant :smile:
  • Mads1997
    Mads1997 Posts: 1,494 Member
    130g - 140
  • onyxgirl17
    onyxgirl17 Posts: 1,722 Member
    i try to stay around 80g a day...I read for woman trying to lose weight they should not go over 100g a day.

    false.
  • jennaworksout
    jennaworksout Posts: 1,739 Member
    i try to stay around 80g a day...I read for woman trying to lose weight they should not go over 100g a day.

    false.

    and I quote ~~

    "Carbs per day for weight loss

    The number of carbs per day for weight loss ranges from from 20 to 50 or sometimes up to 70 grams. However, 70 grams daily is usually only for those who are engaging in weight training in addition to cardio exercise. The usual low carbohydrate range is 20 to 60 grams daily. You determine how strict you need to be; the best way is to experiment and discover what amount works well for you as an individual.

    Refined processed carbohydrates are a major cause of weight gain, obesity, insulin resistance, heart disease, and many other diet related diseases."
  • I think what probably matters more than the number is the quality... I'd say try not to go necessarily low or high carb or anything. In terms of carbohydrate sources, just eat a LOT of vegetables, some fruit, oats or other whole grains if you tolerate them, legumes if you tolerate them, etc. Eating unprocessed is key.

    You can eat low carb and eat really healthy: for instance, sticking to mostly vegetables, protein sources, Greek yogurt, fats, a bit of fruit, etc. That might be called Paleo-esque eating. It's very healthy.

    You can also eat low carb and eat really badly: if you only eat processed food and rely on things like shakes and protein bars all the time... it's not the best for you, even if your carbs are low.

    Maybe instead of concentrating specifically right now on carbohydrates or even calories, go for minimalism. Stick to low/unprocessed foods and I guarantee you you'll feel better and maybe lose weight without trying too hard!
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    I ate (on average) 250g of carbs a day and still lost weight quite easily.

    And they weren't all 'good carbs'. I continued to eat pasta, potatoes, candy, cake, cookies, white rice, white bread, etc the entire time I was losing.
  • firefoxxie
    firefoxxie Posts: 381 Member
    I don't really pay attention to my carb intake. I just happen to end up in the 130-200 range. I haven't noticed it affecting my weight loss.
  • katevarner
    katevarner Posts: 884 Member
    i try to stay around 80g a day...I read for woman trying to lose weight they should not go over 100g a day.

    Where did you read that? It is just not true. I have never been under 100g - often over 200g and have had no issues losing weight.
    I think this is personal, tho. I currently eat 150-250, but I'm in maintenance. I need to eat under 150 to lose, and I usually stick closer to 100 trying to lose and don't eat pasta or bread or white rice. I just find it easier, but I'm particularly sensitive to carbs. Everyone is different, tho, so you probably need to experiment with your own levels. Atkins is much lower (low carb diet), but if you go as low as 20-50 it makes going back to eating more later a challenge. I chose Atkins as my weight loss plan in the past and was always able to lose on it but gained once I went back to eating normally. When I say normally, tho, I quit really counting carbs when I quit "dieting" and I think that was the main reason I gained. If you go that low, you have to ease back up until you stop losing/start gaining to find the level for you.
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member
    I eat approx. 170 g per day. I lift heavy 3 times per week and run 10 miles per week and cycle everywhere.
  • jmkmomm
    jmkmomm Posts: 3,247 Member
    My dietician set my carb goal for a 62 year old sedentary woman at 45 gm for each meal and two snacks wtih 15 gm in each snack. This si from a dietician in a hospital
  • willnorton
    willnorton Posts: 995 Member
    i think its all about what you are trying to accomplish...

    some eat lower carbs just to lose weight...the research i have done makes me eat low carb because I am a type 2 diabetic...i have to eat low carb....if i eat too many my blood sugar spikes uncontrollably ...
    so i try to eat less than 50 ...i think everybody needs a little carb to fuel the brain and a few other things..

    when im humming, i eat near 30 a day...i use the net carb thing too...
    i subtract the fiber from the total carbs. to ge the net carbs...

    good luck
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    i try to stay around 80g a day...I read for woman trying to lose weight they should not go over 100g a day.

    false.

    and I quote ~~

    "Carbs per day for weight loss

    The number of carbs per day for weight loss ranges from from 20 to 50 or sometimes up to 70 grams. However, 70 grams daily is usually only for those who are engaging in weight training in addition to cardio exercise. The usual low carbohydrate range is 20 to 60 grams daily. You determine how strict you need to be; the best way is to experiment and discover what amount works well for you as an individual.

    Refined processed carbohydrates are a major cause of weight gain, obesity, insulin resistance, heart disease, and many other diet related diseases."

    To clarify, the main causes of insulin resistance, heart disease, and many other diet related diseases is obesity. There is a correlation between high refined carb intake and weight gain - not a causation. If you are at a caloric deficit, this is not a issue. Some people find it easier to stay at a caloric deficit to stay low carb, but it is by no means necessary.

    You are quoting a low carb diet. You can absolutely lose weight with moderate/high carbs and even include refined processed carbs. From a health perspective, you should ensure that you have a balanced nutrient diet of course.

    Out of interest, where is this quote from?
  • SyStEmPhReAk
    SyStEmPhReAk Posts: 330 Member
    270g. Mostly slow digesting "good carbs".
  • robbienjill
    robbienjill Posts: 456 Member
    My trainer has me set at 60%.carbs. With that said, I'm a vegetarian.
  • mambagirl
    mambagirl Posts: 137 Member
    The people who are eating HIGH carbs and still losing weight is because you are BURNING those carbs when you exercise! Biology 101.Insulin is a Fat Storage Hormone,when you eat carbs you put that insulin to work.

    IMO,when you exercise or are active in your daily life you can eat more carbs and still lose weight.If you are sedentary I would not go over 150.But,everyone is different I say experiment and find out what works best for YOUR body.

    To answer your question..I eat from 100-250.I lose weight when I'm under 150 and I maintain when I'm above that.Just this past week My weight stayed the same.This was the first week that I stopped losing weight.The ONLY thing different is my carb levels were higher everyday.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    The people who are eating HIGH carbs and still losing weight is because you are BURNING those carbs when you exercise! Biology 101.Insulin is a Fat Storage Hormone,when you eat carbs you put that insulin to work.

    IMO,when you exercise or are active in your daily life you can eat more carbs and still lose weight.If you are sedentary I would not go over 150.But,everyone is different I say experiment and find out what works best for YOUR body.

    To answer your question..I eat from 100-250.I lose weight when I'm under 150 and I maintain when I'm above that.Just this past week My weight stayed the same.This was the first week that I stopped losing weight.The ONLY thing different is my carb levels were higher everyday.

    If you are at a caloric deficit it is not relevent. Also protein is insulinogenic as well as carbs.

    I do agree however that carbs are the variable and the lower your calories, they are the ones that decrease. So I suppose it depends on your definition of high carbs - I would find it difficult to lose weight on more than about 180g of carbs if I was sedentary and still wanted to hit my other macros.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    I am a 61 year old man who is 200 lbs and does strength training workouts. I do between 150 and 200 per day. Carb are the last of my priorites when hitting my macros. First is protein, second fats and carbs with what's left. Protein in critical for maintaining lean muscle mass, fats for maintianing balanced hormones.
    ^ What he said.
  • Mighty_Rabite
    Mighty_Rabite Posts: 581 Member
    Varies considerably for me; I started tracking my weekly macros (Sunday through Saturday) and so far this week I have been at 415 (+215), 129 (-120), and 156 (-112) as far as carbohydrate intake goes.

    For what it's worth, when I was going through my strongest weight loss phase in 2011, I was eating a pretty high carb proportion in general. I was at a deficit, and the weight fell off anyway. *shrug*
  • themedalist
    themedalist Posts: 3,218 Member
    200 - 300 g carbs for me each day. I'm a pescatarian and most days eat a veg diet.
  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
    I find I do best at around 125, almost none of that is "sugars" on the labels, apart from what's in the whole fruits I eat. I found if I try to go lower than that I end up not being able to eat enough to fill my calorie needs for the day. If I go much higher than that, I get really hungry and crave more carbs. So for me it is a good balance point where I am happy enough to be able to eat like this for the rest of my life while staying healthy.
  • jynxxxed
    jynxxxed Posts: 1,010 Member
    I usually hit around 140-170g or so. To those saying you can't lose weight with that level of carbs unless you're very active is completely wrong, I haven't been nearly as active as I should be lately and have not had issues. I'm still eating at a caloric deficit regardless.
  • I aim for 275-300 carbs a day. I stay between 9-12% body fat like this.....Ectomorph problems.
This discussion has been closed.