Low carb?

Rloral
Rloral Posts: 112 Member
edited September 28 in Food and Nutrition
I realized that "bad" carbs (white flour, white rice, white potatoes, and sweets) may be the reason why I haven't lost any weight since April. So I've been on a low carb/ high protein (mainly chicken and fish) eating pattern since Monday. My question is what's considered low carb? I've been eating under 20 gram; is that considered to low?

Also, I noticed with me leaving out the "bad" carbs my calories for the day has been way under 1000.How do you bring up the calories without bringing up the carbs.

Replies

  • So_Um_Yeah
    So_Um_Yeah Posts: 39 Member
    I have been put on a specifically low carb diet for PCOS and my doctor told me to aim for three fourty-five carb meals and two to three fifteen carb snacks in between. She told me that if I go much lower than that, it's like having too few calories, and will have an opposite reaction. I think that if you start having a few more carbs a day, your calories will be closer to a healthy level too.

    Hope that helps! =)
  • dittiepe
    dittiepe Posts: 557 Member
    If you go by the Atkin's approach, you want to limit your carb intake to 30g a day for 2 weeks, and then bump it up to 50-60 after that. This is what I do, because I've found that carbs and I just don't get along. I feel horrible when I eat them, and much better when I don't. As for your calories, I'd suggest slight adjustments like adding in a little bit of olive oil while cooking your meats. Since olive oil is actually a good fat, and only 120 calories a serving, it won't hurt you to add that in once or twice a day.

    Also, and most importantly, make sure that you are getting AT LEAST your 30g of carbs/day. You will run the risk of gout if you keep it below that.
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    Yes, under 20 grams of carbs is EXTREMELY low, oftentimes referred to as a ketogenic diet.

    Depending on who you ask, a lot of sources will tell you that under 100 grams is low carb, 100-150 is moderate carb, and above that is high carb. Of course this is very general, and I am sure others will tell you differently according to what they have heard or read elsewhere.

    I typically eat 3 days of moderate carb and 1 day of high carb with increased calories as well. On my moderate carb days, I increase my calorie level to where it should be using lots of veggies, protein shakes, other protein sources like Greek yogurt or low fat cottage cheese, and possibly even a fruit or 2.

    I don't think so called "bad" carbs are actually all that "bad" at all. So even though you are trying to eat less of them, please don't feel guilty if you have the occasional potato or plate of brown rice. Unless you are gluten intolerant or diabetic, of course.
  • Ariyasnow1
    Ariyasnow1 Posts: 117
    I realized that "bad" carbs (white flour, white rice, white potatoes, and sweets) may be the reason why I haven't lost any weight since April. So I've been on a low carb/ high protein (mainly chicken and fish) eating pattern since Monday. My question is what's considered low carb? I've been eating under 20 gram; is that considered to low?

    I personally think it is too low. It depends on what diet/lifestyle you are trying to achive. I wouldn't want to keep my body in a state of extreme ketosis for too long...I eat primal and have thrown out grains(all flours, rice, ect) which has lowered my carb intake, but I eat plenty of veggies and fruits which gives me the majority of my carb intake. (fruits and veggies are not bad for you!) I can maintain 100 - 150 and still not eating flour, rice, potatoes, packaged/process goods, ect.
    Also, I noticed with me leaving out the "bad" carbs my calories for the day has been way under 1000.How do you bring up the calories without bringing up the carbs.

    Incorporate plenty of good fats like avocados, raw nuts, and nut butters. They have a high calorie content, are insanely yummy (I think so anyways), and are good for you. My morning 'nut meals' which is 1/4 cup crushed nuts, 1 banana, and a cup of milk or milk substitute plus fruit gives me 500 cal right off the bat for a yummy morning oatmeal substitute.

    Feel free to friend me. Good luck!
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    This also brings up a very good point that most people tend to lose weight on low carb diets mainly because low carb tends to be low cal as well. It's calorie reduction at the end of the day that wins the fat loss battle.
  • Frappuzzino
    Frappuzzino Posts: 342 Member
    I have PCOS and am IR. I tried low carb (50g-100g/day) and it didn't work out for me because I couldn't eat enough calories. The main thing is to avoid bad carbs, as in anything processed and pre-packaged and you'll be fine. I stopped worrying about carbs since I am only eating veggies, fruit and meat and it has worked alot better than doing low carb all together for me. It's really all about low GI foods. :)
  • Rloral
    Rloral Posts: 112 Member
    Thanks to all, this advice really helps!
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