CARBS!!! Please help!

bnwilliams06 · April 2015

For three days, I have logged my meals. Carbs are almost 40% of my daily intake. What are some suggestions to cut down my daily intake?

livingleanlivingclean · April 2015

Eat less carbs?.... But why do you think that's necessary?

IvanOcampo · April 2015

^^^ THAT.

If you don't eat carbs, where will your calories come from? Are you hitting your fats/protein macros?
if so, then the rest must come from carbs .... Your body needs them as much as anything else..

shynsneeky · April 2015

What is your carb set goals for your diet? If your at 40% now where would you like it to be? I try to eat a fair portion of carbs early and maybe leave off the carbs for dinner. For instance for dinner I would have steak and veggies or a salad, no bread or rice with that meal. In doing so you have to make sure you fill the calorie count in other ways. So again this is based on your personal goals and what your trying to achieve.

RodaRose · April 2015

Increase fat and protein. Reduce fruit, bread, cereal, corn, pasta, rice, quinoa, pizza.

nancyjay__ · April 2015

I would never recommend to pull carbs completely out because its not sustainable for long term and you can have a real real hard time when reintegrating them. 40% is not a horrible percent. Its actually pretty good and what's recommended.

Now if you still want to cut them down try eating less rice and more steak. Less potatoes and more chicken ... get it

Machka9 · April 2015

40% sounds all right ... if not, perhaps, just a touch low.

Frequently_Fabulous · April 2015

I found there's a big difference in how my body responds if I'm getting carbs from wheat (breads, cookies, granola bars, 100 calorie snack packs, tortillas) vs from veggies or fruits. I would recommend keeping your carbs the same, but changing the type of carbs you eat to include more fruit and veggie sources to see if you notice a difference!

And of course- you can limit carbs by looking at the grams of carbs in foods and making lower carb choices. So, a medium banana was 26g carbs, while a serving of strawberries has 12g (1 cup), ad green beans have 5g (per cup). So for breakfast, if you want to go "high" carb, include a banana. If you want medium carb, go strawberries. If you want to really eliminate carbs, eat green beans. Etc.

TavistockToad · April 2015

40% isn't really a massive amount. Why do you need to cut down?

Susieq_1994 · April 2015

I don't see what's wrong with that amount. My carbs are set to 50%, and I usually eat an average of 45% of my calorie intake from carbohydrates. That's my personal preference, and it hasn't hindered me in any way. What's the issue with having 40% carbs exactly?

nancyjay__ · April 2015

The preconceived notion that carbs are the devil

JPW1990 · April 2015

Not to be confused with the preconceived notion that anyone who eats less carbs must believe carbs are the devil. BTW, reducing them is sustainable long term, and you don't gain it all back when you add them back, unless you're suggesting CICO stops working when someone eats more carbs?

auntstephie321 · April 2015

40% isn't an abnormal high amount of carbs. Why are you looking to lower it? Are you not feeling well when eating that many carbs? Carbs can be part of a balanced diet for many people.

Agreed! I personally would love to eat as many carbs as I can, unfortunately my body says NO if I do that. Each person needs to do what makes them feel the best, for me this is sustainable long term because I have no other choice. I know there are others who likely have similar health issues and may not be aware of it, as I was not aware until recently.

Carbs are definitely not the devil in a diet, for many, if not most people, they are a great source of energy and are easily incorporated into a health lifestyle.

PS: i still eat carbs, just less of them and from different sources than I used to

jgnatca · April 2015

I just checked my ratios and I'm trying to hit 60%/16%/24% (Carb/Fat/Protein). This ratio was approved by my dietitian. Every time I've tried to change a ratio like this it gets really, really hard. Like cutting all carbs from a meal or supplementing with whey protein.

40% is just fine.

rockmama72 · April 2015

I try to keep at about 40% and am losing. To keep it at that level, I often (but not always) just don't eat the bread. For example, I had tacos on Tuesday, but on Wednesday I ate the leftovers as a taco salad--no tortilla, big pile of lettuce. We had Italian sausage and I left off the bun and had a bunch of peppers and onions with it instead.

Once I tried to keep carbs at 20%, and it was really hard.

BananasananaB · April 2015

Currently eating 70-80% carbs and losing weight with no change in muscle mass. Carbs are fuel. Eat them.

Sarasmaintaining · April 2015

Calories in, Calories out is all that matters for weight loss. Is there a different reason for you wanting to cut down on carbs? I'm currently doing a lower carb macro ratio, but it's for something totally non-weight related.

Need2Exerc1se · April 2015

40% is not a high intake of carbs. But if you want to cut it, then look over your diary and see what you most easily do without.

vfit10 · April 2015

Get more veggies in

mommyof4cpa · April 2015

I prefer to look at net carbs - are you eating foods higher in fiber?

HeySwoleSister · April 2015

I believe the MFP default is 50% carbs. Mine is set to 40% because I'm looking to up my protein....

Why are you concerned about 40%? That's a fairly moderate carb level, certainly not unbalanced or even outside the range of what is recommended to many people with medical reasons to reduce intake. (provided they are spread throughout the day and balanced with fats and fiber)

cclepew · April 2015

I'm diabetic and have MFP set at 15% carbs, or 45g. Counting out the fiber, I'm usually around 20-30g net carbs a day. Most of my carbs come from non-starchy vegetables. I really can't tolerate going much lower, but this level works for me. It keeps my blood sugar down, improves my cholesterol, and manages hunger (no spike-and-crash roller coaster from eating carbs and then craving more because I'm suddenly starving).

That works for me, but would be too extreme for someone without a real medical reason for limiting carbs.

I would suggest eating more non-starchy vegetables with every meal. Cut back on fruit. Skip the bread/rice/pasta/potato with one meal each day to start. Cream-based sauces/dressings tend to have fewer carbs, but always READ LABELS ON EVERYTHING. Good old oil and vinegar (not balsamic) is an ideal salad dressing. Mustard generally has little or no carb, but ketchup is full of it. Again, read nutrition labels on everything. Pre-made foods are often full of sugar for no good nutritional reason.

Consider joining the Low Carber Daily Forum for great low-carb advice and a less hostile environment. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group

CARBS!!! Please help!

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