I looked at my macros and...my carbs are the highest! Suggestions?

LUHAN27
LUHAN27 Posts: 211 Member
edited September 2016 in Food and Nutrition
As the title states... :/ do carbs=weight gain? I don't believe fully eliminating carbs will be the trick..here is the tricky thing though: I haven't been eating pasta or breads weekly(outside of cheat day) my question is:
1. Should I limit them?
2. Which category should be the highest?

I eat mainly beans(chickpeas+red beans) so I'm not sure where the carbs are coming from?? Let me also add, I'm trying to eat vegetarian. Please give me suggestions! Thanks.

Replies

  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    Carbs don't equal weight gain. Eating excess calories make you gain weight. Fruits/vegetables/legumes, etc are carbs.
  • corgicake
    corgicake Posts: 846 Member
    Not a horrible thing, especially if you take part in the kind of activities where your biggest problem with carbs is running out of them. Most plant-based foods are mostly either carbs or fat with a little protein on the side. Add in more eggs and dairy to help meet your protein needs, and don't be afraid to choose fat-based plant foods. Yes, bodies need some fat too.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    If you are vegetarian, practically everything you eat has carbs(except pure fats). Carbs do not equal weight gain, excess calories do.
  • LUHAN27
    LUHAN27 Posts: 211 Member
    edited September 2016
    corgicake wrote: »
    Not a horrible thing, especially if you take part in the kind of activities where your biggest problem with carbs is running out of them. Most plant-based foods are mostly either carbs or fat with a little protein on the side. Add in more eggs and dairy to help meet your protein needs, and don't be afraid to choose fat-based plant foods. Yes, bodies need some fat too.

    That's exactly how my macros look! Mainly carbs, a lot of fats and a little protein! I thought the beans would provide enough proteins but I guess I need more =p I even drink protein drinks after a workout.
  • DennysWifeMrsMattox
    DennysWifeMrsMattox Posts: 66 Member
    Google the carb calculator for weight loss and type in your information. It'll tell you the best suggestion for carbs. You can do the same for fats sugar etc. The higher the protein the better though. Don't cut carbs completely unless you want to live without carbs for life.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    LUHAN27 wrote: »
    As the title states... :/ do carbs=weight gain? I don't believe fully eliminating carbs will be the trick..here is the tricky thing though: I haven't been eating pasta or breads weekly(outside of cheat day) my question is:
    1. Should I limit them?
    2. Which category should be the highest?

    I eat mainly beans(chickpeas+red beans) so I'm not sure where the carbs are coming from?? Let me also add, I'm trying to eat vegetarian. Please give me suggestions! Thanks.

    Calories for weight loss/gain
    Macros for satiety and health

    Macros are personal preference. Low carb works for some people because carbs don't fill them up so they eat too much. Me personally, I feel better eating moderate carbs, @ 50% of my calories. I did find making sure I got enough protein helped me feel full on less calories, but low carb made me feel like crap. If you are hitting your calorie goal and feel satisfied, I say stick with what's working.

    Beans have protein, carbs, and a little fat. Pretty much anything vegetarian will have some carbs in them, including good vegetarian protein sources like soy, beans, lentils, and the other stuff I'm probably forgetting :)
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    In order to fit in the beans/tofu/seeds on a plant based diet, you have to limit fruits because they have only a tiny amount of protein. Eat veggies with protein like broccoli, yellow squash, kale, bok choy, green peas.
    Carbs are o.k. Remember to eat fat too: tofu, chia seeds, coconut oil, . . .
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    edited September 2016
    No, excess calories = weight gain.

    For most people, carbs is the main provider of energy. Protein and fat needs stay the same, so when losing weight, it can be beneficial to reduce carbs most.

    For vegetarians, the largest energy % will most likely be carbs even when dieting. Nothing wrong with that as long as what you eat, is varied, and balanced.

    Many foods have a mix of fat, protein and fat.

    Tip: Don't cheat. Eat what you like in reasonable amounts (=hit total calorie goal).
  • Wynterbourne
    Wynterbourne Posts: 2,225 Member
    I've lost over 100lbs and 50-60% of my daily calories come from carbs. Eat what you want and what keeps you satisfied while keeping a calorie deficit and you're set.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    edited September 2016
    LUHAN27 wrote: »
    As the title states... :/ do carbs=weight gain? I don't believe fully eliminating carbs will be the trick..here is the tricky thing though: I haven't been eating pasta or breads weekly(outside of cheat day) my question is:
    1. Should I limit them?
    2. Which category should be the highest?

    I eat mainly beans(chickpeas+red beans) so I'm not sure where the carbs are coming from?? Let me also add, I'm trying to eat vegetarian. Please give me suggestions! Thanks.

    It is recommended that most of your daily calories come from carbohydrates as they are the body's preferred source of energy and are easily converted to glucose (subsequently they are the easiest to convert and use in the energy cycle and produce the highest percentage of ATP). This glucose is then stored in your muscle tissue in the form of glycogen which is bound to a high amount of water. Carbohydrates therefore may have an impact on your overall energy levels throughout the day and fluctuations in water weight. The current recommendation is between 40-65% of your total intake according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and in-accordance with the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.


    Some may benefit from higher carbohydrates in their diet, while others may benefit from more fats or proteins. Just
    remember, it is is not the macronutrient ratio that determines weight loss or weight gain but the total calories consumed. That being said, there are recommended minimums for essential fat intake and protein intake, however, there is no minimum for carbohydrates.

    So, are carbs unhealthy? Heck no. As a matter of fact most of the micronutrient dense foods like fruits, vegetables, and grains contain a high amount of carbohydrates. As carbohydrates are converted to glycogen and stored in our muscles along with water it may be common to lose a large amount of water weight very quickly as you begin a low carb diet. This is often confused for “quick fat loss”. However, a calorie deficit is still required for weight loss, low carb or not.


    In regards to your question, yes, beans and chickpeas have carbohydrates and aren't necessarily the best vegetarian protein sources. You might want to try things like tofu, seitan, lentils, Quorn, etc. If you do consume dairy things like greek yogurt, whey protein, etc. should help you along.


    Oh yeah, P.S.
    While there is no current recommended minimum specific for vegetarians and vegans, it may be beneficial to consume more overall protein due to the low amount of essential amino acids in a non-meat diet. In general as vegans and vegetarians consume less overall "complete protein" sources, they require more overall grams of protein to reach the same amino acid levels as their meat eating counterparts.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    What rainbowbow said.
  • Michael190lbs
    Michael190lbs Posts: 1,510 Member
    Wynterbourne wrote: »
    I've lost over 100lbs and 50-60% of my daily calories come from carbs. Eat what you want and what keeps you satisfied while keeping a calorie deficit and you're set.

    Funny- I have lost over 100 lbs and keep carbs under 150 grams a day just goes to show its all about calories. Congrats it feels great doesn't it!!

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