Carb Count--how much??

I have received conflicting information regarding the number of carbs one is to consume in a day. It has ranged from as low as 20 to way up to 100. Protein bars and shakes must contain a certain number of carbs plus our vegetables etc. What is the amount we should stay within? Yes, I know the protein and water goes first. Is any bread acceptable? 1 slice? Any type of noodle in soup? A small potato? I would love to have some people post their actual meals for the entire day whi*****ludes their carb count. Thanks guys! Tootsie

Hiya Toots! Being a former Atkins dieter, i've always struggled with the whole carb concept. I'm still afraid of carbs. My meals are most always chicken and when the fullness starts to show I eat a few bites of veggies just for good measure. My veggie selections were either green beans or turnip greens, both very low carb. My dietician kinda scolded me at my 6 month post op visit and said I needed more carbs. She made me agree to eat 2 tablespoons of corn once a day. I half way keep my end of the bargain.... I eat a fork or two full and call it quits. I'm very strict on myself. Its a mental thing i'm sure. But I just feel like if I start adding carbs/fat/calories, i'm going to make myself fat again. Lord knows thats the last thing I want. I know... someone here is bound to tell me to seek therapy lol. I do, maybe once a week, get a baked potato and have two or three small bites. Makes me feel satisfied. I still dont venture into pasta. It has soooo many carbs and theres the whole expansion issue. I hope I havent royally confused you lol. When all else fails... contact your dietician. Best of luck to you hon and God bless! Melanie 6lbs to goal!!!

Being a former diabetic . Carbs scare me .. I do not do pasta .. sugar of any kind.. or bread .. I may have a cracker with cheese.. but none of the above . When I started this I only did about 20 carbs .. now I get 40 .. I just can not and will not subjective myself to the outcome of bad carbs .. now - good carbs .. from veggies or fruits .. I do not really look at them to hard .. If your weight loss is where it needs to be I would keep doing what you are doing .. if not - adjust those carbs and up that protein . Take care , Nat

I occationally have bread. I buy a low carb, high protein whole grain bread. I think it's by Peppridge Farm. 1 slice has 5 grams of protein, and occational I will have 1 slice, and make a 1/2 sandwich, or put some pizza sauce and cheese and have a pizza bread. It's filling and good, and enough carbs to add to my day, and not that many that I will be having too many carbs. My daily carbs including veggies and everything, (shake and carb countdown milk), is usually 20-50 a day. My doctor told me not to count carbs, only to worry about protein, but I want to make sure how many calories, and everything I get in a day. When I stay below 50 carbs and under 1000 calories a day, I seem to lose. Tricia

Tootsie, when in doubt...always ask your doctor. Doctor's are all different...and we are all different. The secretaries are really all very nice, and helpful. Just call and tell them you have a question...then let the rest of us know what they say. I use this as a sounding board...but, nutrition and "body" questions I always will call my doctor first!! Good luck!! Jeannie