Reducing carbs

ClareMillsRoberts
ClareMillsRoberts Posts: 28 Member
edited December 3 in Food and Nutrition
Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for reducing the amount of carbs in my diet? I've been logging for about a month now and seem to be consistently over my carb allowance for the day (although generally within my calorie allowance). I tend to have museli for breakfast, tortilla wraps or rice cakes with salad for lunch and then a small amount of potatoes/rice/quinoa/cous cous with my dinner. That seems like an ok amount to me and I struggle to think how to get enough calories to fill me up without carbs, especially at dinner. Any ideas?

Replies

  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    Get rid of some of the stuff with carbs. Cut the rice cakes out of the salad or just have the stuff inside the tortilla wrap without the tortilla.
  • MelaniaTrump
    MelaniaTrump Posts: 2,694 Member
    edited July 2016
    You don't eat meat/fish/chicken? Eating more protein could help.
  • abitofbliss
    abitofbliss Posts: 198 Member
    I think that most will reply that carbs are OK if you're within your calorie allowance. I normally stay below 100g carbs, my diary is open.. Feel free to have a look.

    If your personal preference is lowering your carbs then get rid of the tortilla wraps, rice cakes, rice, potatoes, etc. Personally, I like to use vegetables in place of carbs - Zoodles or just sauteed zucchini/peppers/onions is delish with most everything and you can flavor to your liking.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    I wouldn't be too worried about going over on an individual macro like that, as long as you are within your calorie allowance. Many people adjust their macros to be different from the MFP presets so do not think that the MFP recommendations are set in stone requirements.

    But, in general, the easiest way to reduce carbs in your diet is to eat smaller or fewer servings. E.g., 3/4 cup instead of 1 cup. Pretty much eat the same stuff, just less of it.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    Most stuff I eat has carbs! I need fiber and my carb choices give me a lot of that.

    I still eat but lower portions of white carbs like white bread, pasta, rice. I still eat donuts, cake and cookies, lasagna, nachos, and mashed potatoes, but instead of two or three servings, it is now down to the right size.

    No need to over think it, I choose about 120 gr a day and I just make choices to eat that many how ever I choose.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    MelaniaTrump wrote: »
    You don't eat meat/fish/chicken? Eating more protein could help.

    I think she was just listing what carbs she eats in a day, not her whole diet.
  • ClareMillsRoberts
    ClareMillsRoberts Posts: 28 Member
    Sorry meant to say I don't eat meat but do eat fish. Think it will be easier to cut the carbs at lunch and just have salads with beans or fish or eggs but struggle with dinner as most of the dishes I cook tend to have some starchy component. I guess I can just reduce the portions though, thanks!
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Eat more nuts and seeds and fewer rice cakes and what not. Do you *love* rice cakes? If not, there's no real reason to eat them.
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    ClareMillsRoberts wrote: »
    Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for reducing the amount of carbs in my diet??

    Yes. Eat fewer of them.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Do you eat tofu? It has carbs with protein and fat. To get more protein, eat more fish (bigger portions & more often in your day), along with lentils, chic peas, beans, hemp seeds, nuts, and broccoli and other veggies with protein.
    If you are getting enough protein and fat, do not worry about the carbs.
  • StacyChrz
    StacyChrz Posts: 865 Member
    If you're having success with your weight loss goals I wouldn't worry too much about cutting carbs. I personally have been limiting my carbs lately but you don't have to limit carbs to lose weight. Focus on staying within your calorie goal. Of course, adding additional veggies or beans and also nuts and seeds are great ways to shift your macros.
  • SamiHearken
    SamiHearken Posts: 178 Member
    Instead of mashed potato have mashed cheesy cauliflower. Instead of pizza dough make a vege base. Instead of pasta in a lasagne use omlette (sounds weird but you cannot tell the difference) same with a tortilla.
    Quinoa and rice are also high in carbs but Quinoa has a good protein content too.
    Some fruit and vege are also high in carbs but fiber content can help even them out a bit.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    I'm very low carb in my diet, and when I went about cutting carbs I started with the most refined and processed and then eventually reduced some whole foods. I cut:

    Candies and soda
    Added sugars
    Baked goods and other foods from grains like bread, muffins, noodles, croutons, etc.
    Whole grains like oats, rice, quinoa, corn.
    High GI fruits - tropical fruits like banana and mango
    Starchy veggies - roots like potatoes, carrots, onions

    Maybe cut refined foods first and the stop at whatever carb level works for you.
  • tryett
    tryett Posts: 530 Member
    Why are you limiting carbs? I do it because I have pcos and am insulin resistant. I adjusted my macros to what works for me but I still watch my calories first. If what you are doing is working for you I would just keep doing it.
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