Carb question

i have a question about carbs. Since I was a cash patient- my insurance doesn't cover bariatric surgery- I've only seen the NUT once. I have my surgeon's recs but it seems there are some holes. Anyway- I know carbs are to be between 50-80 for weight loss. However, is there a ratio number too?

I am not sure about what you mean by ratio number? I can say the "general" program, once you have progressed to solid foods is: At least 60 grams of protein, under 800 calories, and under 40 carbs, and at the very least 64 oz. of .water per day, along with your vitamins. ............ I am not sure if that is what you are looking for. If not, please clarify.

I take my hat off to anyone who can successfully count carbs. Really hard! In weight loss mode, and to a little lesser extent now in maintenance, I just made sure I had the liquid on the higher side of 64 oz, ate protein first at every meal, snack etc, followed by vegetables, incorporated healthy fats and did not touch bread, pasta, rice or potato except very occasionally and a bite or two only.

Of course it goes without saying that the untouchables included crackers, ice cream, sugar, pizza, cookies, cakes, fast food, etc... I think I still got some carbs in because really they are everywhere - which for me made it impossible to count them in any credible way. If I eat protein and veggies in the amounts that are recommended, I still really don't have any room for anything else.

My philosophy has always been eating clean, lean and colourful (veggies and some fruit...there you go, carbs!) and it seems to have been quite good for me. I am also not and never was an all or nothing kind of person. I am in the moderation camp and luckily I can have just a bite of something and not shovel down the whole whatever it is. 

Exactly the advice my doctor gives!  Clean and healthy!

We're all different. I haven't the faintest idea how to count carbs! I know what they are and most of them are in the foods I don't eat much. But how many I have each day? No idea! 

There really is no one way, even thought some people try to insist there is! You start by following your doctor's instructions to the letter. Then, as you get used to eating, you see what works for you and adjust accordingly. 

I assume you're probably referring to the macro ratios (i.e. 50% protein, etc.). You'll find that people are all over the map in regard to carbs - not everyone stays between 50-80g and then there's the whole total carbs versus net carbs debate. Even as a hard core low carber (I would ballpark my carbs are typically less than 30g total), I don't actually count anything. I just follow a protein-first-ALWAYS plan and don't eat sugar or starches, except on rare occasions.  When I eat this way, the carbs and calories take care of themselves. 

If you're asking because you're wanting to know how to set up your My Fitness Pal goals, I would just set something in that range for now, track for a few days and see where you typically "land" and then you can modify it accordingly. 

Counting carbs and counting net carbs are very different things.  Many apps will show you Protein/Carb/Fat percentages but I have yet to find one that effectively does Net Carbs.  

For me this is difficult because I am do 40 a Day or try to.  My wife successfully does 20 a day which I have no idea how she does it.  The key is weighing and measuring everything and buying products that are low net carb.  I probably hover 40-60 a day.

Thank you all. Yes, I'm speaking of the ratio in My Fitness Pal. I follow all you say, but I notice my ratios are very close- example- 38% protein then 32% carbs- and those are from yogurt, veggies, etc. I'm wondering if im sabotaging myself when they are so close.

If you'll put your surgery date and type on your profile, it will show up each time you post. This will help us help you.

How much protein, fat, and carbs you should be eating depends on your surgery type, and is affected by how far out you are. Obviously, early out you're not going to be ABLE to eat like someone who's 2 years out. If you had a VSG, you probably only need about 60 grams of protein a day. If you had an RNY, you're going to need a little more---say, 70-80 grams. If you had a DS, you're eventually going to need to be eating a minimum of 100 grams, and probably more.

Most people find their weight loss is better when they stay under 50 grams of protein a day. This is true no matter which surgery type, so obviously the ratio of protein/fat/carbs isn't going to be the same across all surgery types. (For example, a DSer might be eating 100 grams of protein, 150 grams of fat, but only 50 grams of carbs. VERY different from a VSGer who's eating 60 grams of protein, 30=40 grams of fat, and 50 grams of carbs.)