Watch the fat or carbs?

When picking out foods to eat do you watch the carbs, the fat or both? I have noticed that many things are low in fat but then the carbs are high and vice versa. Which should we be watching. Thanks, Theresa

Hi Theresa, I look at both, but do look at the carbs first, then the sugar, then the fat and then the fiber. It always reminds me of my weigh****cher days...and I think I still assess a points value automatically. Anyway, I am carb-conscious (but not crazy about it), cant eat too much fat because it tends to have a negative side effect later =( especially a high-fat salad dressing. I havent had anyting with more than 7 gr. sugar, and like to see at least some fiber too. And I subtract the fiber count from the carbs and count "net carbs." Wow, I just realized I was doing all this in my head. Does it seem that I am still obsessed with food??? I do feel that way some days!!!!! Do you? Rebecca

Just speaking for what I do here... I look at the fat and the sugar and try to make sure that neither is excessive for the size of the serving THAT I'M GOING TO EAT. You have to pay attention to the serving size as well because that's what everything on the nutrition label is based upon. The nutrition label lists (among other things) the fat and sugar amount (normally in grams) PER SERVING. And most times, you're not going to be eating a "serving". Here's an example: Post Bran Flakes says that a serving size is 3/4 cup. In that 3/4 cup of bran flakes, there is 1/2 gram of total fat and 5 grams of sugar. If you're only going to eat 1/2 cup of it, then you're getting 1/3 of a gram of fat and 3.5 grams of sugar. There are also 19 grams of "other kinds" of carbs and, while I try to make selections that are higher in protein than carbs, I don't get crazy about it as long as I keep the sugar down. I'm only using Bran Flakes as an example of how to do the math; there are cereals that have less sugar. So the answer to your question is - you should watch both... Not only should you watch both, but you should also watch the Protein (you need as much a you can get), Sodium (as little as possible, but you always need some) and calories (which will most likely be lower as a result of low fat and low sugar). You should definitely get some training from a nutritionist and one session is usually not enough. Before talking with a nutritionist, you should keep a food diary for a while and take it with you to the appt with your nutritionist; it would be helpful so that changes could be suggested. I'm sure that's not the answer you were looking for, but, it has helped me dramatically. Check my page...

I try to watch both because I can dump from the fats but try to get as much volume of food in me for my daily calorie allowance. That is so twisted but at least I'm honest about it. Molly