good carbs? bad carbs? ANY carbs?

Just trying to get my meals in order. I am 13 yrs out and trying to lose the 80+ pds I have gained back since.  I know it is high protein, low carbs but I have noticed some veg and fruit are high in carbs. and sugar.  I have been using my fitness buddy to help kep track but I can not seem to stay within the goals. I am usually not enough cals, 15 over in fats, sugar and carbs. not by a lot but still it dosnt seem like it is balancing out.  I eat mostly veggies and a lot of fruit. recently found tofu that I like.  I do not use any protein powder because quite honestly I cant afford it. 

if anyone uses that site, do you set your own goals and if what what are they?  Thanks!

I don't use that site but I do use myfitnesspal and reset the goals for 1,200 calories to 40% protein (152g), 40% fat (67g) and 20% carb (76g). I set the fiber at 32g, so my net carbs are 34. I do use protein powder. I have a brand I love and it has 24g of protein per serving. A 2 pound container is $27.99 which sounds like a lot (and it's one of the more expensive ones****il that's divided into its 30 servings and it's less than $1, which for me was a lot less than i would spend on a coffee at Biggbys a couple times a week. I do eat veggies but always choose non-starchy ones. Today I had a container of romaine, celery, mushrooms, onions, and cucumbers. I try to add one serving of fruit a day and try to choose a low-glycemic fruit like blueberries or raspberries, cantaloupe. Today I had 1/2 a banana with a smoothie. If I have a fruit one day, it's always with a protein. I have protein at every meal and I eat five meals a day. Wow, I wrote a novel!

My routine is similar to Tigs'.  I usually eat berries and cantaloupe, and the occasional apple.  Vegs are always non-starchy, and I have one protein shake a day, most days.  You can google low carb vegs, low-glycemic fruits, etc. for lots of ideas and menu plans.  I do it all the time because I need variety, and variety is what keeps it interesting.  I eat now the way I plan to eat hereafter.

I , too, am planning on sticking to eating this way. My children are grown now so I really only cook for me. It was too easy to make a big pot of pasta in thee past.  I will look into the fruit info. I just been eating any fruit pretty much. Guess that isn't the best huh?  Thank you for you help!

For me it's not even do much the type of fruit (although I to choose the ow gylcemic usually except an occasional banana) it's the amount (I only do 1/2 cup), the frequency (not every day, but when I am at goal I will increase it 2-3 times a week to 2-3 times a day), and because I'm hypoglycemic I have to eat it with protein (but I eat protein at every meal). Just something else to consider. There are SO many protein options out there and so many fun things we can do with them. I have to be really careful I don't get into ruts. It helps having a hubby and young kids that I need to keep things interesting for and we always offer variety.

I love fruit but thinking maybe I should watch how much and how often I am having thm. My downfall is watermelon. I was under the asumption I could eat this quit freely but guess not huh? Well, again, I am going to look into my fruit more and make adjustments.  Thanks again

I love watermelon also, but it is the one fruit I absolutely cannot have around, just like some people can't trust themselves around candy, fresh baked breads, etc.  I used to buy a whole watermelon, and it would be gone in less than 2 days (a huge 20 lb melon, and I live alone).  I would cut up a big bowl at night and take it to bed with me.  I would eat it all night, whenever I woke up, just like taking a sip of water from the night table!

If I wan****ermelon, I'll buy one and give it to my daughter, or my neighbors after I take a small slice.  I hate the ones that are sold already cut, so I prefer to buy it whole and cut it myself.  Works for me :)

so is watermelon a no no?  I got sick after eating a bit of it yesterday. never got sick on it before.  I don't think I will be buying it anymore. lol   

Watermelon is listed as a high-glycemic index fruit.  It causes a sharp, erratic spike in blood sugar when eaten alone.  High glycemic (GI) fruits should be eaten in moderation, and preferably with low glycemic fruits as in a fruit salad.  Check out Livestrong.com, or google the high/low glycemic index foods lists.  If eaten with low GI fruits/foods, the spike in blood sugar is slower and hunger is lessened.  That has been my experience also.  I was eating big bowls of watermelon alone, and hungry as a horse an hr. later.

This makes sense.  I am going to look more into watermelon because it that is what casued yesterdays issue I will not be eating anymore.  Thanks!