How many carbs are considered "low carb?"

acmorris77
acmorris77 Posts: 80 Member
edited November 20 in Food and Nutrition
I'm wondering just how many carbs you can have to be considered eating low carb? I've heard varying numbers thoughts?

Replies

  • Tydeclare44
    Tydeclare44 Posts: 572 Member
    I stuck to 30 net carbs, but I've also heard anything >100
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    If you have medical issues your doctor will tell you where your carbs need to be.

    Wiki definition is generally <20%
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-carbohydrate_diet
  • theecatt
    theecatt Posts: 31 Member
    Atkins' induction phase is 20g of carbs/day.
  • AmZam05
    AmZam05 Posts: 130 Member
    It largely depends on the person, how many carbs each individual person can tolerate and your individual insulin resistance. Less than 100g is a good place to start, but I like to stay under 50 on non-lifting days. You have to find what you're comfortable with.
  • umayster
    umayster Posts: 651 Member
    From what I've read it seems like under 50 is generally called very low carb and 50-150 is called low carb depending your factors. There doesn't seem to be any 'official' consensus that I can find.
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  • biggsterjackster
    biggsterjackster Posts: 419 Member
    IMO 100 or less
  • Terpnista84
    Terpnista84 Posts: 517 Member
    Varies on the person. I consider under 100 to be moderate and if I'm being strict I stick to under 50.
  • girlonfire70
    girlonfire70 Posts: 1 Member
    equally as important...is the carb source!
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
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  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    I'm gonna go with 300.
  • mom2kpr
    mom2kpr Posts: 348 Member
    >130gr
  • TBeverly49
    TBeverly49 Posts: 322 Member
    My Doc and nutritionist put me on a 60 gram carb, 60-70 fat and 140 protein food program to fight off diabetes and take the wait off. I just struggle getting in the protein - but I have been using whey protein, now I question if the whey protein is ok to use. I think I will look into a vegetable protein base. Any ideas?
  • KateKyi
    KateKyi Posts: 106 Member
    I have no scientific basis for what Im doing but Im going with 30:30:30:10 for my diet. 30% carb,protien and fats with 10%fiber. All these fad diets (fat included) have not got my individual make up when they were written.
  • acmorris77
    acmorris77 Posts: 80 Member
    Thanks Everyone! I think I'm good at around 75 without feeling sick!
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  • sdraper2014
    sdraper2014 Posts: 81 Member
    Well...net carbs are carbs. Fiber is also listed in the carb count quite often but not really quite the same as a sugar. I can eat something with 17 grams of carbs with 11 grams of fiber, or I can eat something with 17 grams of carbs and it is all sugar, which will have drastically different results for a low carb diet.
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  • sdraper2014
    sdraper2014 Posts: 81 Member
    The glycemic response will vary depending on the source. I do low carb because I have pcos and it it is required for medical reasons. So in that sense the source of the carb matters because it will impact my insulin response differently. If I could eat my 70 grams of carbs in chocolate or icecream I would be soooo happy haha. Some days I do anyway, but yeah the source can matter but that all hinges on the posters reason for wanting todo low carb. If it doesn't matter to them, then yeah a carb is a carb. Regardless of the source I don't believe in good or bad foods, good or bad carbs, clean eating or anything, just moderation on the ones I know will cause insulin spikes.
  • mwyvr
    mwyvr Posts: 1,883 Member
    I'm in the lowish carb camp aiming for 35% daily intake. That's 113g for my deficit minimum intake of 1350 calories and is adjusted upwards based on activity level.

    I try to hit at least a reasonable minimum protein level and let fats fall wherever. My fun and primary exercise is distance running. I've noted no issues with energy levels and performance continues to improve.

    Could some other mix work for me or work better? Don't know. At this point I see no reason to mess with what is working.
  • Ang108
    Ang108 Posts: 1,711 Member
    edited June 2015
    I think it also should be mentioned that those are the numbers for the US food culture. In other countries numbers look different, because people eat differently.
    An example: After two recent heart attacks my cardiology team lowered my daily calories to 1000. Those are divided into 125 carbs, 22 fat, 75 protein, 2,300 salt and 300 cholesterol.
    I can only have complex carbs ( which is no problem and easy for me ) and is considered " moderate " for someone my age and height ( going on 70 and under five feet ).
    I am recovering well, not suffering from the low cals ( only until end of August when I get a pace maker ) and have added on quite a few pounds to my 55 pound weight loss. But I am looking forward to eating 1200 calories again, because at 1000 it is really difficult to maintain the correct macro balance.....at least for me. The amounts of food are not a problem.
  • Phoenixlife75
    Phoenixlife75 Posts: 10 Member
    edited June 2015
    When I met with the diabetic nutritionist at the hospital she advised me to eat 3 meals & 3 snacks daily. She said to eat 25g for snacks snacks and 50g for meals. So, it looked like 50-25-50-25-50-25. She also suggested eating a milk based protein, like cottage cheese, for my evening snack. Milk protein helps to keep bloodsugar from plummeting during the night. This helps metabolism stay engaged.

    I should make mention that I am a tall woman at 6ft, so my overall caloric intake is higher than the typical woman.
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