Stupid carbs

jeneaddy
jeneaddy Posts: 9 Member
edited November 25 in Food and Nutrition
I feel like I'm doing so good when I grab a banana, but my carbs sky rocket! Is this frustrating to anyone else?

Replies

  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Track fiber instead :) then you'll be stoked that you're working toward your goal.
    I am kidding, but don't just think carbs. Think: this banana and its carbs have fiber and nutrients, good!
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    What is your carb goal? Bananas are pretty high carb, yummy, have fibre and nutrients.. great for me, maybe not great for someone on low carb or keto.
  • jeneaddy
    jeneaddy Posts: 9 Member
    I don't mind carbs, I'm just trying to stay under 200 grams a day, so a banana kills that quick. But I know it's good carbs
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    Considering that bananas don't have protein and have so little fat that it isn't worth mentioning, all of the calories in a banana come from carbs - mostly fructose.

    I've been watching macros for medical reasons since I was 9, so maybe my perspective is a bit off, but I just don't understand how this is a surprise. When I pick up a piece of fruit, I already know that nearly all calories are carbs. Genuine question: Is the macronutrient make-up of foods something that most people don't already know?
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    I think one or two pieces of fruit can easily fit into anyone's day.

    There are a lot of good nutrients in whole fruit.

    As far as snacking, I try not to, but if I do need a snack I'll have toast with some turkey and cheese or cottage cheese with that fruit. If I have some protein, fat and carbs in my snacks they keep me satisfied.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    If your carb goal is 200, a banana should not be an issue. I'd focus more on whether you are including adequate sources of fat and protein, as generally 200 g should be an easy goal to meet (unless your calories are quite high), even with a banana.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    kimny72 wrote: »
    jeneaddy wrote: »
    I don't mind carbs, I'm just trying to stay under 200 grams a day, so a banana kills that quick. But I know it's good carbs

    A banana is going to have maybe 20-35g of carbs, and will probably be one of the higher carb foods you eat during the day. Ultimately you have to decide how important it is to stick to your carb # and how important the foods that are making it hard to stick to are worth.

    A banana has lots of positives. Are there other high carb foods you're eating that are less beneficial that would be better to worry about? Can you buy smaller bananas? Is whatever makes you feel good about having a banana more important than your carb goal?

    I eat a banana every day because I think they're yummy and I'm trying to get my fruit and veggie servings higher. I use my macro goals as a general guide, but I don't stress about going a bit over or under, and some days I completely ignore them

    All this! ^ Plus potassium. Why would 30 grams or so of a high nutrient carb be a concern? I have one almost every day and rarely get to 200 grams of carbs anyway.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    edited March 2018
    midwesterner85 wrote: »
    Considering that bananas don't have protein and have so little fat that it isn't worth mentioning, all of the calories in a banana come from carbs - mostly fructose.

    I've been watching macros for medical reasons since I was 9, so maybe my perspective is a bit off, but I just don't understand how this is a surprise. When I pick up a piece of fruit, I already know that you nearly all calories are carbs. Genuine question: Is the macronutrient make-up of foods something that most people don't already know?

    I think most people have no clue that foods from plants, be it fruit, veggies, flour, whatever, are carbohydrates. And most of the ones who know that do not realize that it converts to blood glucose (sugar) in the body, or that fibre can slow that down a bit.

    Around here it may be different, but most people's even to have no real idea what their food's macros are. Most seem to learn that only out of necessity when a medical need arises.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    midwesterner85 wrote: »
    Considering that bananas don't have protein and have so little fat that it isn't worth mentioning, all of the calories in a banana come from carbs - mostly fructose.

    I've been watching macros for medical reasons since I was 9, so maybe my perspective is a bit off, but I just don't understand how this is a surprise. When I pick up a piece of fruit, I already know that nearly all calories are carbs. Genuine question: Is the macronutrient make-up of foods something that most people don't already know?

    I wouldn't have known macros at nine (nor what a macro was), but certainly at some point I became aware that protein was largely meat (which might also have fat), eggs and dairy (but for butter) had protein, fruit and starches were carbs, oils were fat, so on. It also surprises me when people don't know at least those basics.

    People are often surprised by the calories of bananas, though, and many don't realize how carb (or other macro) grams relate to calories, so it could be that.
  • jeneaddy
    jeneaddy Posts: 9 Member
    I understand that fruits are carbs.. I was only saying that it is frustrating when I'm trying to stay under the 160g a day, and one little banana wipes out 1/4 of those. But, I just need to decide which of my carbs are more important to me. I do love a banana with peanut butter! ❤️
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    100_PROOF_ wrote: »
    I don't see a problem honestly. Carbs don't cause people to gain weight or whatever the new carb myth of the week is. Unless you have a medical condition that warrants you to limit carbs, what's the big deal?
    It makes no difference in my day if I go over carbs . Tonight I had pasta and Italian bread for dinner. Then I had ice cream as a snack. Am I going to spontaneously combust now? Lol

    This^^. Much ado about nothing. If protein is hit and fats are close, do what ever you want. A carb "goal" is the tail wagging the dog.
  • Fizzypopization
    Fizzypopization Posts: 29 Member
    Yeah its why i adjusted my goals to include less protein and more carbs. I eat more veggies and fruits less meat. Most of my proteins are coming from nuts or chicken.
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