Do you count carbs?

[catlover2565 75]

I am keeping track of EVERYTHING that I eat...

I am just wondering if anyone counts their carb intake, and if you do what do you try to keep it around??

Thanks!

[mae7365 372]

I track everything on MyFitnessPal and I focus on getting 60+ grams of Protein. Right after surgery, I tried to keep my carb intake very low (<50), but the dietitian told me I need at least 125-150 grams of carbs for proper brain function etc. I have my 1000 calorie MyFitnessPal set at 50% carbs (125 grams), 25% Protein (63 grams) and 25% fat (28 grams).

[JamieLogical 8,708]

I only count Protein. My nutritionist wants me aiming for 100 grams of protein a day, which usually means pretty low carbs by default, since I can only eat so much food!

[Rogofulm 2,440]

My doc's advice was to keep carbs as low as possible. So I don't bother counting them, because the only carbs I get are in Protein shakes and green veggies and legumes. As I get to my goal weight, I'll need to intriduce some more carbs. If my weight starts going up as a result, I'll definitely start counting them.

[catlover2565 75]

OK thanks!!

I seem to be averaging around 34-40 carbs at most each day... I just wasn't completely sure if that was too much or what..

Added that to the list of questions to ask my nut when I go back later this month

[glitter eyes 1,398]

I count and watch my carbs like a hawk. If I start getting in more than 30 grams a day I stop losing weight. I try to keep it less than that which is hard some days. I keep my Protein no less than 70 grams but try for 80-90.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

I've never gone "low-carb" since surgery. I use My Fitness Pal religiously, so I do track carbs and a lot of other things. I do lose faster when I keep carbs low. But I don't care that much about losing weight really, really fast. I have only 15 more pounds to go (have lost 70 already).

I also wanted to avoid any chance of post-bariatric hypoglycemia, which happens rarely, but it will really F**K you up! So I have tried to keep carbs around 60 or higher.

[Aleena 59]

To be honest with you, I'm not going to lie I use to keep track of everything 1 month after I was sleeved bye bye,.....then I was stalled for 2 months I kept track of everything until I broke the stall and ever since I don't I really don't maybe because I'm lazzy? Lol

plus I only eat Atkins diet stuff and workout 6x a week for 3hours

[Elode 8,093]

Yes and it's ridiculously low but I feel good and labs are on point so I roll with it. I get around 20 carbs with only 4 grams being sugar. 800 calories, 100+ grams of Protein and 20 grams of fat. @@catlover2565

[dashofsunshine 875]

I am 2.5 months out, 60 lbs down, 120 lbs to go, and my stats are as follows: 500-600 calories a day, 40-60 G Protein, 60-80 oz of Water a day, and less than 30 carbs a day. All of this was suggested and approved by my nutritionist and my surgeon ???? good luck!

[par1959 470]

It’s a tricky question because carbohydrates are in so many things: fruits, veggies, dairy, Beans, grains, oatmeal, etc.

Rather than worrying about a daily total, I would try to keep the carbohydrates from grain products (cereals, crackers, chips, potatoes, etc) between 30-60 grams daily.

As far as fruit 2-3 servings/day is recommended (30-45 grams carb)

Dairy- 2-3 servings/day (24-36 grams carb)

This gives you a grand total of 90-140 carbs per day. 60 grams total is not enough to allow good carbs, so I would definitely say to aim for more than that. Also remember that “fiber” is technically a “carbohydrate” but actually produces no calories so they can always be subtracted.

I hope this helps!

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Not a nutritionist here ... just a patient like everyone else. And only 5-1/2 months post-op.

But it seems to me that most eating phases of the weight loss portion of our programs simply don't allow us enough calories to eat all the good carbs, Fiber, Vitamins, minerals, etc. that our bodies require.

But that's no biggie to me. The weight loss portion of our WLS journey typically (for most patients) lasts only a year or less. During that time we should be taking vitamin/mineral/calcium supplements and can also take Fiber supplements.

And anyway, most of us are instructed to ratchet up our calorie counts as the weight loss phase continues, so we can gradually improve the nutritional value of our food intake.

But we won't improve our nutritional intake if we add slider junk and slider foods instead of more veggies, fruits, and whole grains.

Honestly, I'm not a dummy. But before WLS I really didn't understand how poorly I was eating. I sure wasn't eating enough Protein. And I didn't have a clue how much Calcium, fiber, or key Vitamins I was taking in as food. And I also didn't take a vitamin/mineral supplement.

This whole experience has been a class in Nutrition for Grown-Ups.

[JamieLogical 8,708]

But it seems to me that most eating phases of the weight loss portion of our programs simply don't allow us enough calories to eat all the good carbs, Fiber, Vitamins, minerals, etc. that our bodies require.

But that's no biggie to me. The weight loss portion of our WLS journey typically (for most patients) lasts only a year or less. During that time we should be taking vitamin/mineral/calcium supplements and can also take fiber supplements.

This seems especially true for me. I see others posting about counting carbs or limiting carbs and I just don't get it. In order for me to get the 100 grams of Protein per day that my nutritionist requires, I simply don't have ROOM for many carbs, be they "good" carbs or "bad" carbs or "simple" carbs or "complex" carbs. At best, I am eating 1000 calories a day right now. If I get exactly 100 grams of Protein, that means 400 calories from protein. That leaves only 600 calories from a combination of fat and carbs. And keeping in mind that fat has 9 calories per gram (unlike protein and carbs, which have 4) and the fact that a decent amount of my protein comes from meat, which has fat, that doesn't leave a whole lot of room for carbs. The only carbs I get right now come from my primary protein sources. Mostly from my Protein Bars (QuestBars), but also things like Beans in my chili, sauce on my meat, or occasionally breading on my meat. I don't have room to eat carbs separately as like a "side dish" along with my meat. When I can only eat about 8 bites of meat at a time, how the heck am I supposed to have room for vegetables or anything else to go along with that?

[IcanMakeit 1,318]

I definitely watch my carbs as closely as I watch my calories. I have noticed that my weight goes up in direct proportion to my increase in carb intake. While following a long term low carb diet, I have never been found to be malnourished and my diabetes stays in remission. I will probably never be able to eat carbs freely, but at this point, I'm ok with that.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

@@IcanMakeit

At least one difference between you and me is that this body of mine will NEVER have a BMI of 21. Not gonna happen.

So I'll surely eat more carbs than you. Heck, I'm already (in weight loss mode) eating a lot more carbs than you.

FYI, I'm 69 years old and 5'5".