Question:
How many Carbs can we consume in a day?

Ok I know that carbs are our enemies! So how many can we consume in a day? Thank you Carrie    — CARRIE C. (posted on November 6, 2003)

November 6, 2003
I wouldn't necessarily say that carbs are your enemy. Everything in moderation, protein first, get your fluids in and exercise...JR (open RNY 07/17/02 -201# since surgery, -214# total, 13# til goal!!!)
   — John Rushton

November 6, 2003
How many can we? I think i could eat well over 100 grams if I wasn't careful. How many should we? My nutritionist wants us 50% protein 30% carbs 20% fat. So in theory, 100 protein, 60 carbs, 40 fat. The trick is staying there.
   — mrsmyranow

November 6, 2003
Carbs are not the enemy and are an essential part of a well balanced diet. There is a difference between good for you carbs and those that are not, the "white" carbs are not (bread, sugar, cookies, cake) and the others are (beans, fruit, veggies, whole grains). As to how many, depends on what your doctor advises, and what you are comfortable with. Some don't want you to have any and others allow a small amount and others just say keep the protein grams ahead of the carb grams. I never counted carbs, just tried to choose protein first, and minimize the bad carbs.
   — Cindy R.

November 6, 2003
You will get many answer to this question. I think you will have to figure out what works for you based on personal experience.<P>While I was losing, my rule was that I kept my protein grams ahead of my carb grams every day. I tracked it all on fitday.com for 8-9 months or so, beginning in about month three post-op (just couldn't eat enough before that to bother counting). Typically, by month 4-5, I was getting over 100 grams apiece of each (remember that there are four calories per gram of carbs or proteins; and 9 calories per gram of fat, for those into "higher math"). Stuck with the protein > carbs formula til I reached goal, then loosened up on that rule in order to stop losing weight. I still eat protein first, but I'm sure there are many days when my carb grams are greater than my protein grams, and I'm having no problems with that formula. But carbs aren't a particular problem for me (sugar is). For others, carbs are the demons. If you stay open and willing to experiment to see what you can handle, you'll find the right rule for you. Good luck! -- RNY 5/30/02 268/130
   — Suzy C.

November 6, 2003
My docs office just informed me I was eating too many carbs. I'm 5 months post op and was told to eat only 20-40 carbs per day. And to eat only 800-900 calories a day.
   — Tabatha W.