How do you eat low cal AND get enough carbs?
life_enthusiast
Posts: 15 Member
Hey all.
So, I lost some weight when I went low carb 2.5 years ago. I still have 20lbs. to go before my BMI is back down to healthy. So, I've been tracking my calories here on MyFitnessPal and am aiming for 1500 or less calories a day.
My Dietitian said I need to be sure to eat a minimum of 135 grams of carbs per day for energy and to prevent lows...and I've done really well at keeping to that, so that's not the problem. What I've found is that it's hard to eat my 135 grams/day of carbs AND keep the calories at 1500/day. Many carbs are high calorie. I don't just want to eat fruit and salad all day.
So, I'm curious. Do any of you have tricks on how to get enough carbs, eat low calorie and eat balanced meals?
FYI - I am in the "overweight" BMI category and I'm a Type 2 Diabetic with a 5.8 A1C. I don't need to lower my A1C. However, I do want to hit my calorie goal, more often than I am, so I can lose weight. I refuse to drink shakes, eat protein bars, go on a liquid diet or take pills...so I'm looking for ways to EAT FOOD and accomplish this...thank you.
So, I lost some weight when I went low carb 2.5 years ago. I still have 20lbs. to go before my BMI is back down to healthy. So, I've been tracking my calories here on MyFitnessPal and am aiming for 1500 or less calories a day.
My Dietitian said I need to be sure to eat a minimum of 135 grams of carbs per day for energy and to prevent lows...and I've done really well at keeping to that, so that's not the problem. What I've found is that it's hard to eat my 135 grams/day of carbs AND keep the calories at 1500/day. Many carbs are high calorie. I don't just want to eat fruit and salad all day.
So, I'm curious. Do any of you have tricks on how to get enough carbs, eat low calorie and eat balanced meals?
FYI - I am in the "overweight" BMI category and I'm a Type 2 Diabetic with a 5.8 A1C. I don't need to lower my A1C. However, I do want to hit my calorie goal, more often than I am, so I can lose weight. I refuse to drink shakes, eat protein bars, go on a liquid diet or take pills...so I'm looking for ways to EAT FOOD and accomplish this...thank you.
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Replies
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Have you compared your food choices using a calorie vs. carbohydrate ratio? You'd then minimize the high ones and increase the low ones. You've probably done this, so I'm scratching my head to come up with something else.
Though I certainly wouldn't offer my food diary as something to emulate, I do eat within the ranges you desire. It is possible.0 -
Nut butters like peanut or almond butter, full-fat cheeses, red meat, pecans and walnuts, black beans (though higher in carbs, they're also high fiber), cottage cheese, full fat yogurt, eggs, avacados, olive oil, full fat cream cheese...0
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I exercise on a regular basis. It helps control my blood sugar, improves my fitness and I get to eat more.I'm looking for ways to EAT FOOD and accomplish this...thank you.0 -
My Dietitian said I need to be sure to eat a minimum of 135 grams of carbs per day for energy and to prevent lows...and I've done really well at keeping to that, so that's not the problem. What I've found is that it's hard to eat my 135 grams/day of carbs AND keep the calories at 1500/day. Many carbs are high calorie. I don't just want to eat fruit and salad all day.
Reduce the amount of fruit you eat and up the veggies. Fruit sugar is still carb even though it is in a healthy package. Make sure your grains are whole grains. Go for filling protein like eggs, cheese, nuts, lean meats, plain yogurt (especially Greek), etc.0 -
Since you're confident with your carbohydrate intake, it sounds like you want to focus more on calories. You might look more closely at the carbohydrate-containing foods you eat to compare calorie content, so you know which ones are lower in calories. Since fat contains more calories per gram weight than carbohydrate or protein, you might also look at eating smaller portions of fat or foods that contain fat to reduce calorie intake. ~Lynn /Glucerna0
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Thank you, everyone, for your feedback. I appreciate it!
I have been doing some comparison and will be looking at that more now. Mysterious Merlin, I like your ideas and will add more of some of those foods you mentioned.
Such a helpful bunch. I appreciate all your input.0 -
Hey all.
So, I lost some weight when I went low carb 2.5 years ago. I still have 20lbs. to go before my BMI is back down to healthy. So, I've been tracking my calories here on MyFitnessPal and am aiming for 1500 or less calories a day.
My Dietitian said I need to be sure to eat a minimum of 135 grams of carbs per day for energy and to prevent lows...and I've done really well at keeping to that, so that's not the problem. What I've found is that it's hard to eat my 135 grams/day of carbs AND keep the calories at 1500/day. Many carbs are high calorie. I don't just want to eat fruit and salad all day.
So, I'm curious. Do any of you have tricks on how to get enough carbs, eat low calorie and eat balanced meals?
FYI - I am in the "overweight" BMI category and I'm a Type 2 Diabetic with a 5.8 A1C. I don't need to lower my A1C. However, I do want to hit my calorie goal, more often than I am, so I can lose weight. I refuse to drink shakes, eat protein bars, go on a liquid diet or take pills...so I'm looking for ways to EAT FOOD and accomplish this...thank you.
Eating LOW carb is what normalized my sugars in the first place; there is NO way I would eat 135 carbs and I've had dietitians tell me that, too. They are out of touch with the latest research. I just got off 12 years of metformin and an hgba1c of 7.9 on 2,000 mg per day of ER metformin. I take no meds now, NONE and my sugars are now around 5.3 and falling. You can take a look at my profile and see what I have done in 6 months thus far. Low carbs done right will keep you full with lower calories, too. If you did one thing; ditch grains.0 -
Hey all.
So, I lost some weight when I went low carb 2.5 years ago. I still have 20lbs. to go before my BMI is back down to healthy. So, I've been tracking my calories here on MyFitnessPal and am aiming for 1500 or less calories a day.
My Dietitian said I need to be sure to eat a minimum of 135 grams of carbs per day for energy and to prevent lows...and I've done really well at keeping to that, so that's not the problem. What I've found is that it's hard to eat my 135 grams/day of carbs AND keep the calories at 1500/day. Many carbs are high calorie. I don't just want to eat fruit and salad all day.
So, I'm curious. Do any of you have tricks on how to get enough carbs, eat low calorie and eat balanced meals?
FYI - I am in the "overweight" BMI category and I'm a Type 2 Diabetic with a 5.8 A1C. I don't need to lower my A1C. However, I do want to hit my calorie goal, more often than I am, so I can lose weight. I refuse to drink shakes, eat protein bars, go on a liquid diet or take pills...so I'm looking for ways to EAT FOOD and accomplish this...thank you.
Eating LOW carb is what normalized my sugars in the first place; there is NO way I would eat 135 carbs and I've had dietitians tell me that, too. They are out of touch with the latest research. I just got off 12 years of metformin and an hgba1c of 7.9 on 2,000 mg per day of ER metformin. I take no meds now, NONE and my sugars are now around 5.3 and falling. You can take a look at my profile and see what I have done in 6 months thus far. Low carbs done right will keep you full with lower calories, too. If you did one thing; ditch grains.
My sugars are around 5.3 too and I eat about 200 carbs per day. I am still on 500mg of Metformin 3 times a day. Is your diary open to friends?0
