Calories vs carbs

bbwrc · August 2016

So as of right now I'm counting calories, and exercising and drinking water, but I am curious, which is better counting carbs or calories

meritage4 · August 2016

I count calories for weight loss. I also watch carbs for my diabetes. I limit both calories and carbs.
It's working for me with 45 lbs gone.

pebble4321 · August 2016

Counting calories is the starting point.
If you then choose to focus on specific macros (carbs, protein, fat) that's an option, but it's not essential for most people.
You might prefer to pay attention to which foods fill you up most and make you feel good - that's going to be helpful for sticking to a set number of calories.

bbwrc · August 2016

Ok thank you guys! I was just curious if I should have been doing carbs instead. I see so many people going with counting carbs , so I wasn't sure . ^_^

CStergion · August 2016

Keep carbs under 150grams minimize processed sugars (30g daily) and you'll lose at least a pound a week
Replace the carbs with good quality fats
20%/60%/20%
Carb/fat/protein

coreyreichle · August 2016

bbwrc wrote: »

So as of right now I'm counting calories, and exercising and drinking water, but I am curious, which is better counting carbs or calories

For losing weight? Calories are all that matters. Once you start nailing caloric goals, then look at your macro splits, and start working to hit those.

malibu927 · August 2016

CStergion wrote: »

Keep carbs under 150grams minimize processed sugars (30g daily) and you'll lose at least a pound a week
Replace the carbs with good quality fats
20%/60%/20%
Carb/fat/protein

You can cut carbs and still gain weight if you aren't in a deficit. I lost 60+ pounds regularly eating 200+ grams of carbs a day.

biggsterjackster · August 2016

I hate water fluctuations and count carbs and sugar. Also count calories.

coreyreichle · August 2016

CStergion wrote: »

Keep carbs under 150grams minimize processed sugars (30g daily) and you'll lose at least a pound a week
Replace the carbs with good quality fats
20%/60%/20%
Carb/fat/protein

So, as long as I only eat less than 30g of sugars, I can consume 1 lb of protein powder a day, and lose a pound a week?

MAGIC!

ktilton70130 · August 2016

CStergion wrote: »

Keep carbs under 150grams minimize processed sugars (30g daily) and you'll lose at least a pound a week
Replace the carbs with good quality fats
20%/60%/20%
Carb/fat/protein

This is really accurate for me. Since I began counting carbs I began losing 1lb a week. It drives me crazy,lol because when I first started I was focusing on calories and I was losing at least 2lbs a week. Nevertheless I switch up and do what works for me hint hint do what works for you.

Return2Fit · August 2016

I count both, because my goals in this are not merely weight loss but optimal health and peak physical fitness.
I actually count several items.
You must define your own goals, then look to others who have achieved similar results and measure their activities against current scientific research. Sometimes when the science is shaky, you just try different things.
You, and only you are the author of your weight loss, so it starts by setting exciting goals.
And you must track and control the items that will help you reach your goals.

Good Luck, and keep coming back to MFP.

Hornsby · August 2016

If you want to lose weight, count calories.

I count carbs as well as I have a lot of them to eat everyday and it's sometimes hard to get all of them in for me. I have to count them to make sure I get enough.

Michael190lbs · August 2016

I can tell you from experience Carbs are just as important to gaining muscle as protein or Fat- Carbs get a bad wrap and I myself have beat up on them in the past but life is a lesson right. Balance is the key!! I just need to learn to eat Carbs again under 150 grams for two years.

hithisisili · August 2016

I've struggled with calories and loosing weight. Now I've realized that cutting down carbs (under 150) is what worked for me, not for everyone, but once I cut the carbs down my calories also went down and felt better and started loosing weight.

cee134 · August 2016

I lost 100lbs. Counting Calories is what works. The only reason to count carbs is because it somehow makes it easier to account for what you eat and thus forces you to eat in a calorie deficit. But multiple studies have shown there is no benefit to a low carb diet.

Carbs are good. You need them to live. Your brain needs them for fuel. You need them to build muscle. Just don't get the majority of carbs from added sugars or refined flours.

Get most of your carbs from vegetables and fruits. Carbs plus fiber is the best choice, it evens out how the body absorbs them, for example fruit.

Eat a healthy variety of food, count your calories, try for whole grains over processed grains, limit your added sugar intake (Sugar from fruit is fine because of the fiber in fruit, fruit juice is different because there isn't fiber to offset the sugar), limit your saturated fat, eat lots of vegetables and fruit, and make sure that your meeting your nutritional goals.

glassyo · August 2016

hithisisili wrote: »

I've struggled with calories and loosing weight. Now I've realized that cutting down carbs (under 150) is what worked for me, not for everyone, but once I cut the carbs down my calories also went down and felt better and started loosing weight.

LOL so basically you're saying you lost weight by taking in less calories.

OP, calories are king for weight loss. I probably averaged about 300 g of carbs a day when I was losing weight.

AnvilHead · August 2016

CStergion wrote: »

Keep carbs under 150grams minimize processed sugars (30g daily) and you'll lose at least a pound a week
Replace the carbs with good quality fats
20%/60%/20%
Carb/fat/protein

So if somebody eats 5000 calories per day and keeps the carbs below 150g they'll lose at least a pound a week?

To the OP - if you want to count carbs and keep them below some certain intake level for whatever reason, that's all about personal preference. But the bottom line is that unless you're taking in less calories than you're expending, you won't lose weight. There's nothing magic about low-carb.

J72FIT · August 2016

CStergion wrote: »

Keep carbs under 150grams minimize processed sugars (30g daily) and you'll lose at least a pound a week
Replace the carbs with good quality fats
20%/60%/20%
Carb/fat/protein

This is a moot point if you eat over maintenance...

nvmomketo · August 2016

Count both. Some low carbers find that either their appetite is reduced enough that they naturally eat under maintenance or that their CO is increased enough that counting calories is not as needed.

cerise_noir · August 2016

CStergion wrote: »

Keep carbs under 150grams minimize processed sugars (30g daily) and you'll lose at least a pound a week
Replace the carbs with good quality fats
20%/60%/20%
Carb/fat/protein

If calories are spot on, there's no need to limit sugar unless there's a medical condition. Many times I've gone over 30g of sugar and I am still on target for losing weight. It's ALL about calories when it comes to weight loss/gain/maintaining. I've lost almost 100lbs just from counting calories. Low carb didn't make any difference for me other than make me fuzzy, weak and grumpy (I did it for 2+ months).

brenda_men · August 2016

I've personally done low carb. Wouldn't recommend it. Low energy and no muscle gains. You do get lean though. So now I do carb cycling. Workout days I stick to my carb goals and no workout days I do low carb, high fat and protein. So far so good. I feel much better. Stick to complex carbs like oats, sweet potato, high fiber fruits with low glycemic index.Do far I have lost 46 lbs. I did cut all processed sugars and food. No refined carbs either.

Calories vs carbs

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