Carbs - easiest ways to reduce carbs

umer76
umer76 Posts: 1,272 Member
Hey guys, I notice that my carbs intake go over my daily goal by 30-35% almost everyday. If i eat rice once a while it shoots up further. Clearly there is a problem. How do I reduce my bread intake? Whats the replacement for it? What are the other simple things that can be done to keep carbs under control? I will appreciate the advice!

Replies

  • Dee_84
    Dee_84 Posts: 431 Member
    Open faced sandwiches are great. You still get the bread but only use 1 instead of 2 slices, the toppings are the best anyway :wink:

    Also try to find a lower carb alternative for your cornflakes or reduce the serving size and have a hard boiled egg or some greek yogurt on the side.
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    Is there really a problem? Do you feel good, are you losing weight at a satisfactory pace? Does your doctor say all is well? In other words, are you thinking of dropping carbs for a real reason or just because you want to match up with MFP recommendations? No offense to MFP's calculations, but if you're doing fine as you are do you really want to give up things like bread and biscuits? (Yes I looked at your diary.)

    I can't eat like you do, first I don't get that many calories and second low carb works for me because I crave and I'm always hungry when I eat a lot of carbs. But maybe it works fine for you, and if so, why make life harder on yourself?

    Other than that all I can think of if you really want to match up with MFP's numbers, drop the bun off a sandwich every day and maybe cut down on sugar some days and you should be right at it.
  • I substitute mashed cauliflower for potatoes (sooo yummy, I use mashed cauliflower in place of mashed potatoes for everything now, fabulous on a shepherd's pie).. Roasted spaghetti squash "noodles" instead of spaghetti.. I also eat alot of sweet potatoes, yams, and roasted winter squash in place of carbs. They're filling, healthy, and you still get that satisfying starchy-ness. :-)
  • umer76
    umer76 Posts: 1,272 Member
    Is there really a problem? Do you feel good, are you losing weight at a satisfactory pace? Does your doctor say all is well? In other words, are you thinking of dropping carbs for a real reason or just because you want to match up with MFP recommendations? No offense to MFP's calculations, but if you're doing fine as you are do you really want to give up things like bread and biscuits? (Yes I looked at your diary.)

    I can't eat like you do, first I don't get that many calories and second low carb works for me because I crave and I'm always hungry when I eat a lot of carbs. But maybe it works fine for you, and if so, why make life harder on yourself?

    Other than that all I can think of if you really want to match up with MFP's numbers, drop the bun off a sandwich every day and maybe cut down on sugar some days and you should be right at it.
    Main problem is weight loss is not happening. I am stuck at the same yoyo weight for last 3 months. I cannot exercise as hard as I want bcoz of my knees problem. So i want to make diet changes to bring those pounds down. I am just using mfp numbers as guidance.
  • toscarthearmada
    toscarthearmada Posts: 382 Member
    I'm on a low carb diet and have found a few things to benefit me and still eat what I like. I stick to a 7 protein to 15 carb ratio with no meal going over 30 carbs.

    Flat bread is amazing. Only 15 carbs, comes in tons of flavors, and is very filling.
    Tacos - 3 shells to a serving by El Paso
    Bite sized tortilla chips - 24 a serving
    Whole wheat buns - prepperige farm makes a soft bun with 15 carbs a bun!
    Steamable potato and veggie frozen foods
    Special K protein - I'm a cereal junkie
    And...don't eat them.
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    Is there really a problem? Do you feel good, are you losing weight at a satisfactory pace? Does your doctor say all is well? In other words, are you thinking of dropping carbs for a real reason or just because you want to match up with MFP recommendations? No offense to MFP's calculations, but if you're doing fine as you are do you really want to give up things like bread and biscuits? (Yes I looked at your diary.)

    I can't eat like you do, first I don't get that many calories and second low carb works for me because I crave and I'm always hungry when I eat a lot of carbs. But maybe it works fine for you, and if so, why make life harder on yourself?

    Other than that all I can think of if you really want to match up with MFP's numbers, drop the bun off a sandwich every day and maybe cut down on sugar some days and you should be right at it.
    Main problem is weight loss is not happening. I am stuck at the same yoyo weight for last 3 months. I cannot exercise as hard as I want bcoz of my knees problem. So i want to make diet changes to bring those pounds down. I am just using mfp numbers as guidance.

    Well, I started by giving up bread first. I liked that so much I eventually went into Atkins and ketosis which works for me but isn't for everyone and isn't something you necessarily need to do.

    Also, if you don't even want to give up bread completely everyone else in this thread has great suggestions for substituting in lower carb alternatives.

    But if all else fails, rib eye steak! (Just ignore that last bit, rib eye steak is my solution to all life's problems!)
  • Why not pre-log your days with your protein first and then fill in along the way. Choose to have bread at only one meal instead of three, for instance, eat more veggies, maybe less fruit, but all in moderation. 40/30/30 is a nice balance. Good luck!
  • DterMined2012
    DterMined2012 Posts: 540 Member
    Is there really a problem? Do you feel good, are you losing weight at a satisfactory pace? Does your doctor say all is well? In other words, are you thinking of dropping carbs for a real reason or just because you want to match up with MFP recommendations? No offense to MFP's calculations, but if you're doing fine as you are do you really want to give up things like bread and biscuits? (Yes I looked at your diary.)

    I can't eat like you do, first I don't get that many calories and second low carb works for me because I crave and I'm always hungry when I eat a lot of carbs. But maybe it works fine for you, and if so, why make life harder on yourself?

    Other than that all I can think of if you really want to match up with MFP's numbers, drop the bun off a sandwich every day and maybe cut down on sugar some days and you should be right at it.
    BEST ADVICE EVER!!! :wink: :drinker:
  • DterMined2012
    DterMined2012 Posts: 540 Member
    I'm on a low carb diet and have found a few things to benefit me and still eat what I like. I stick to a 7 protein to 15 carb ratio with no meal going over 30 carbs.

    Flat bread is amazing. Only 15 carbs, comes in tons of flavors, and is very filling.
    Tacos - 3 shells to a serving by El Paso
    Bite sized tortilla chips - 24 a serving
    Whole wheat buns - prepperige farm makes a soft bun with 15 carbs a bun!
    Steamable potato and veggie frozen foods
    Special K protein - I'm a cereal junkie
    And...don't eat them.
    *like*
  • DterMined2012
    DterMined2012 Posts: 540 Member
    I substitute mashed cauliflower for potatoes (sooo yummy, I use mashed cauliflower in place of mashed potatoes for everything now, fabulous on a shepherd's pie).. Roasted spaghetti squash "noodles" instead of spaghetti.. I also eat alot of sweet potatoes, yams, and roasted winter squash in place of carbs. They're filling, healthy, and you still get that satisfying starchy-ness. :-)
    good ideas....
  • cparkburke
    cparkburke Posts: 27 Member
    I like the_dizzle's suggestions a lot. Some more:

    Eggs for breakfast, instead of milk and cereal. I scramble a dozen at a time with a little bacon and a ton of veggies, then portion them out into 6 containers, which freezes well.

    Lunch & dinner can look like:
    A portion of protein (4-6 oz, about the size of a chicken breast, fish fillet, or petit filet).
    1 cup of rice or potatoes or other grain or 2 pieces of bread.
    2 cups veggies.

    Snacks can be:
    Fruit (watch sugar)
    Dairy (watch sugar)
    Nuts (watch total calories)
  • DterMined2012
    DterMined2012 Posts: 540 Member
    You guys are wonderful support....I too go wayyy over on my carbs daily, I am losing wt but slowly, my concern is a healthy proportion...a happy median between all...ya know...but I can't get scattered, I have to focus on one thing at a time...right now that is calorie intake and exercise (2 things :bigsmile: )...but I love all the ideas and will refer back to them :happy: