Carb quota???? How much is too much

Jeffaggie · 06-26-2008, 02:15 PM

Hello all,
I need a little help with the Low/No carb diet. I am following a low carb diet and find myself looking at the nutritional facts on every thing i eat. Currently i try to avoid anything with more that 4-8grams of carbs per serving. All of the books that i have read on low carb diets never answer the one question i always have. How many Carbs are too many Carbs. Does anyone know where to gauge the amount of carbs allowed by a low carb diet. I understand that beans are good but they all have 15+ grams of carbs per serving. What percentage of fiber offsets what percent of carbs. Anyhelp is appreciated.

Jeff J.

lisabinil · 06-26-2008, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffaggie

Hello all,
I need a little help with the Low/No carb diet. I am following a low carb diet and find myself looking at the nutritional facts on every thing i eat. Currently i try to avoid anything with more that 4-8grams of carbs per serving. All of the books that i have read on low carb diets never answer the one question i always have. How many Carbs are too many Carbs. Does anyone know where to gauge the amount of carbs allowed by a low carb diet. I understand that beans are good but they all have 15+ grams of carbs per serving. What percentage of fiber offsets what percent of carbs. Anyhelp is appreciated.

Jeff J.

It's a YMMV thing. Some folks can eat 60 carbs a day and lose weight and others have to stay at strict Atkins Induction levels of 20. It all depends on your metabolism, health, genetics etc. Anything under 100 carbs is considered a ketogenic diet or WOE. The carb level you can lose on can only be determined by you and then after weightloss you would need to determine a maintenance level of carbs you can follow. My best advice would be to pick a lc plan and follow it-it should tell you how many carbs to start off with and how to raise the level.

WendyK1974 · 06-26-2008, 02:21 PM

That depends on which plan one follows.

Most plans go with a total carb allotment for the day. But it isn't just the carb count. Most plans also discourage certain types of carbs/foods from being a part of one's diet while they are trying to lose weight (or ever). For example, wheat, potatoes, or sugar. Sugar is a big one. Most of the plans have one avoid sugar.

I don't count carbs per se. I try to stay below 50/60 grams total per day. But by just not eating any grains or sugar I pretty much have no problem staying at or below that amount. I also try to spread my carbs out. I try not to eat 50 grams in one meal (which is pretty easy if you avoid grains, potatoes, beans, or sugar).

AllieCat0817 · 06-26-2008, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffaggie

Hello all,
I need a little help with the Low/No carb diet. I am following a low carb diet and find myself looking at the nutritional facts on every thing i eat. Currently i try to avoid anything with more that 4-8grams of carbs per serving. All of the books that i have read on low carb diets never answer the one question i always have. How many Carbs are too many Carbs. Does anyone know where to gauge the amount of carbs allowed by a low carb diet. I understand that beans are good but they all have 15+ grams of carbs per serving. What percentage of fiber offsets what percent of carbs. Anyhelp is appreciated.

Jeff J.

Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (I used 2002 version) explains that. There is no specific # that anyone can tell you is your max #.

Prozak · 06-26-2008, 02:24 PM

My highest limit for losing is less than 20 (around 10 right now)

maintaining is 30-40

My hubby can eat 40-60 and lose, and maintain on 60-100.

We are all so different and it took me a long time to find out my limits, but by following Atkins by the book, it taught me how to add carbs and find out what my limits were.

SashimiMark · 06-26-2008, 02:38 PM

Yeah, it took me forever to figure it out as well. My mind kept telling me, I have to STAY on induction levels. After all, the fewer carbs I take in the better, right? That was always the logic for low fat/low cal diets.

I've discovered I can lose weight doing 40-80g a day. Now I haven't experimented enough to find out if I can lose at 80 a day EVERY day. And not sure if I WILL bother figuring that out. But some days I have around 40, some days around 60, some days around 80.

amiga74 · 06-26-2008, 03:56 PM

i agree with everyone that it is a a ymmv type of thing. i don't believe there is a magic number. exercise is another factor one might figure in with regard to carb level, at least to some degree.

this link you might also find helpful (Laura Dolson at about.com):

What Carb Level is Right For You - Finding out the Right Amount of Carbohydrate for Your Body

Strawberry · 06-26-2008, 05:21 PM

Also, what defines a "serving" for you? How much you will actually eat? How much the label says (Because labels are tricky the way they will do smaller serving sizes to be able to report a value thats small)

painted_klown · 06-27-2008, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strawberry

Also, what defines a "serving" for you? How much you will actually eat? How much the label says (Because labels are tricky the way they will do smaller serving sizes to be able to report a value thats small)

And to me this is the MOST annoying trick they pull. Also by doing this they (food manufacturers) are able to "fudge the numbers" a bit. It makes me angry that they would intentionally lie to the public just for money. It doesn't surprise me....just angers me.

Personally, what I do is add up how many carbs are in the whole container (Hey, you never know...), and if it's low enough that I would still eat it, I then look at the ingredients to ensure no sugars or any ingredients that rhyme with "gross" are in there. If it passes those 2 tests I will buy and eat it!

Tuscanytrace · 06-28-2008, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffaggie

Hello all,
I need a little help with the Low/No carb diet. I am following a low carb diet and find myself looking at the nutritional facts on every thing i eat. Currently i try to avoid anything with more that 4-8grams of carbs per serving. All of the books that i have read on low carb diets never answer the one question i always have. How many Carbs are too many Carbs. Does anyone know where to gauge the amount of carbs allowed by a low carb diet. I understand that beans are good but they all have 15+ grams of carbs per serving. What percentage of fiber offsets what percent of carbs. Anyhelp is appreciated.

Jeff J.

I'm right in the middle of re-reading Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (1973 printing). This is the original, and a lot of people swear by it.

I really like the idea behind it: start for a week at zero carbs--I can do anything for a week, knowing it's not forever. Then you add what YOU want most back, at 5 carbs a week. For me it's probably going to be cauliflower or avocado. All the time using ketosticks. Once the sticks turn pink instead of purple, you know you're eating too many carbs. So you "dial it back a notch", dropping a few carbs until the sticks turn purple again. That's it. You know your maximum level for life.

fawn · 06-28-2008, 08:22 AM

Biochemical individuality and energy expenditure as well as carbohydrate quality will dictate your carb tolerance.

Lisa Rae · 06-28-2008, 08:29 AM

anything under 100 is concidered "Low-carb" each plan has it's own guidelines..so there really is no set number for all low-carb plans

I tend to see people who just "do there own thing" with no guidelines in mind..tend to have a harder time getting it off and keeping it off. I'm not saying you can't just low-carb..but when problems happen ( and they will...like stalls..pauses..food sensitivity..etc.) it is really nice to have a WRITTEN plan to turn to for advice. If you ask for an opinion on your own plan..would make it real hard for anyone to have an answer ( it being your own plan and all)

Kiraa · 06-28-2008, 11:25 AM

When calculating the carbs with the dietary fiber, I've been told you subtract the dietary fiber from the amt of carbs & you have a 'truer' amt of carbs. THEN I was told it only counts when it's like 5g of dietary fiber or over, which is right?

sugarless4life · 06-28-2008, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fawn

Biochemical individuality and energy expenditure as well as carbohydrate quality will dictate your carb tolerance.

B I N G O !

Betty

MaryMary · 06-28-2008, 05:38 PM

I have been maintaining the last two years and when I last keyed in my meals to an online calculator, I found that I average 115 grams carb a day. From what I understand, it isn't the number of carbs that says 'low carb' as the percent of carbs of the total calories eaten in a day. Low Carb is 25% carbs or less of total calories. So I am right about 25%.

Sharon · 06-28-2008, 07:09 PM

Welcome to LCF with your first post

Here's my suggestion. Decide which plan you want to follow. Then get the book and read it cover to cover. Follow that plan completely as written. I did that with Atkins and just watch the weight melt off. I did not deviate once from the plan and I didn't find an confusion in my plan.

06-26-2008, 02:15 PM	#1
Jeffaggie Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1 Gallery: Jeffaggie	Carb quota???? How much is too much Hello all, I need a little help with the Low/No carb diet. I am following a low carb diet and find myself looking at the nutritional facts on every thing i eat. Currently i try to avoid anything with more that 4-8grams of carbs per serving. All of the books that i have read on low carb diets never answer the one question i always have. How many Carbs are too many Carbs. Does anyone know where to gauge the amount of carbs allowed by a low carb diet. I understand that beans are good but they all have 15+ grams of carbs per serving. What percentage of fiber offsets what percent of carbs. Anyhelp is appreciated. Jeff J.

06-26-2008, 02:38 PM	#6
SashimiMark MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Worcester, MA Posts: 1,728 Gallery: SashimiMark Stats: 355/275/185 WOE: Low Carb/Carb Cycling Start Date: January 2008	Yeah, it took me forever to figure it out as well. My mind kept telling me, I have to STAY on induction levels. After all, the fewer carbs I take in the better, right? That was always the logic for low fat/low cal diets. I've discovered I can lose weight doing 40-80g a day. Now I haven't experimented enough to find out if I can lose at 80 a day EVERY day. And not sure if I WILL bother figuring that out. But some days I have around 40, some days around 60, some days around 80. __________________ Forget regret, or life is yours to miss.

06-28-2008, 08:29 AM	#12
Lisa Rae Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Venice, Ca Posts: 10,228 Gallery: Lisa Rae Stats: 250+/???/150 WOE: Atkins or Bust! Also Smoke Free! Start Date: September 15th, 2000	anything under 100 is concidered "Low-carb" each plan has it's own guidelines..so there really is no set number for all low-carb plans I tend to see people who just "do there own thing" with no guidelines in mind..tend to have a harder time getting it off and keeping it off. I'm not saying you can't just low-carb..but when problems happen ( and they will...like stalls..pauses..food sensitivity..etc.) it is really nice to have a WRITTEN plan to turn to for advice. If you ask for an opinion on your own plan..would make it real hard for anyone to have an answer ( it being your own plan and all) __________________ 250++/???/150 Quit smoking and gained 35 back!! Working towards goal once again ( Still not smoking though! Woo Hoo) Atkins for Life! "I'm not Bad, I'm just drawn that Way!"..Jessica Rabbit

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06-26-2008, 02:21 PM	#3
WendyK1974 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,076 Gallery: WendyK1974	That depends on which plan one follows. Most plans go with a total carb allotment for the day. But it isn't just the carb count. Most plans also discourage certain types of carbs/foods from being a part of one's diet while they are trying to lose weight (or ever). For example, wheat, potatoes, or sugar. Sugar is a big one. Most of the plans have one avoid sugar. I don't count carbs per se. I try to stay below 50/60 grams total per day. But by just not eating any grains or sugar I pretty much have no problem staying at or below that amount. I also try to spread my carbs out. I try not to eat 50 grams in one meal (which is pretty easy if you avoid grains, potatoes, beans, or sugar).

06-26-2008, 02:24 PM	#5
Prozak MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Alberta, Canada eh! Posts: 2,301 Gallery: Prozak Stats: 210/161 [pregnancy].... Now 210/167/130 WOE: Hi Fat VLCarb, Grain Free (Dairy/Yeast free 4 now) Start Date: 07/04 - Kept off almost 3 years - Restart 03/18/08	My highest limit for losing is less than 20 (around 10 right now) maintaining is 30-40 My hubby can eat 40-60 and lose, and maintain on 60-100. We are all so different and it took me a long time to find out my limits, but by following Atkins by the book, it taught me how to add carbs and find out what my limits were.

06-26-2008, 03:56 PM	#7
amiga74 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: austin Posts: 1,686 Gallery: amiga74 Stats: 150/140/135 - 5'7.5 WOE: super-slow via moderation/organic	i agree with everyone that it is a a ymmv type of thing. i don't believe there is a magic number. exercise is another factor one might figure in with regard to carb level, at least to some degree. this link you might also find helpful (Laura Dolson at about.com): What Carb Level is Right For You - Finding out the Right Amount of Carbohydrate for Your Body

06-26-2008, 05:21 PM	#8
Strawberry MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,580 Gallery: Strawberry	Also, what defines a "serving" for you? How much you will actually eat? How much the label says (Because labels are tricky the way they will do smaller serving sizes to be able to report a value thats small)

06-28-2008, 08:22 AM	#11
fawn Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 8,143 Gallery: fawn Stats: 210/120 WOE: Eating For Health Start Date: 2/2000	Biochemical individuality and energy expenditure as well as carbohydrate quality will dictate your carb tolerance.

06-28-2008, 11:25 AM	#13
Kiraa Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1 Gallery: Kiraa	When calculating the carbs with the dietary fiber, I've been told you subtract the dietary fiber from the amt of carbs & you have a 'truer' amt of carbs. THEN I was told it only counts when it's like 5g of dietary fiber or over, which is right?

06-28-2008, 05:38 PM	#15
MaryMary Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: New Hampshire BMI:57/24-Maintaining Posts: 4,837 Gallery: MaryMary Stats: 376 lbs/155 lbs//Age 60// 5'7" BF%:47+%/28.4%/25% WOE: GSA Cambridge Greysheet "www.greysheet.org" Start Date: Atkins 1/22/01; GSA 12/23/03 - Total Loss 221 lbs.	I have been maintaining the last two years and when I last keyed in my meals to an online calculator, I found that I average 115 grams carb a day. From what I understand, it isn't the number of carbs that says 'low carb' as the percent of carbs of the total calories eaten in a day. Low Carb is 25% carbs or less of total calories. So I am right about 25%.

06-28-2008, 07:09 PM	#16
Sharon Come join us on the Game Board Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: retired now - I ski 40+ days annually and do marathons. 1st TIME GRANDMOTHER 6/18/07 Posts: 99,602 Gallery: Sharon Stats: 156/124/135 5'6" 63 y/o - GO UCLA - BEAT USC WOE: Atkins - low sodium and fresh food - STAY POSITIVE Start Date: 4/5/03 -------- McCAIN/PALIN in 2008	Welcome to LCF with your first post Here's my suggestion. Decide which plan you want to follow. Then get the book and read it cover to cover. Follow that plan completely as written. I did that with Atkins and just watch the weight melt off. I did not deviate once from the plan and I didn't find an confusion in my plan.