Question:
Good carbs/bad carbs! How much is OK?

I'm 2 1/2 months post-op, and only down 35 pounds. Before surgery, I was a diabetic on 2 oral meds. I was taken off meds since surgery and just now gettting consistant "normal" glucose readings each day. I've been trying to avoid carbs, but I find myself wanting them. I'm doing well getting in all my liquid and most of the time, 70-90 grams of protien each day. I'm also walking a mile each day. However, I'm just loosing slow. Could you share with me how many carbs you average in a day? I know realistically I can't do the "no" carbs, but how much is OK. I'm pretty sure I'm eating about 60 grams a day (about 20 per meal). Most important, please tell me the difference between good carbs and bad ones. Thanks so much! :)    — Laurie C. (posted on January 16, 2003)

January 16, 2003
I think for your stage postop 60 grams of carbs sounds about right. If you want to boost your loss, you might try eating more frequently (6 small meals instead of 3 larger ones) and making sure that you are getting enough protein--probably 60 grams or so.<p>Bad carbs are generally "white" carbs or refined carbs: white bread, white flour, pasta, potatoes, white rice, white sugar, etc. The less refined the better the carb: 100% whole wheat bread/pasta, brown rice, oatmeal, fruits (although bananas are pretty starchy), veggies (corn and potatoes are starchy), etc. Basically the problem with white carbs is that they are generally refined to get all the good stuff out of them like fiber and vitamins. Go for the "whole food" mentality and you'll end up eating healthier: The closer to the natural state of the food the better. <p>Of course I do sometimes eat white carbs (rice in particular is hard for me to avoid as I grew up in the rice capitol of the world!). BUT you know the drill: Protein first, then fruits and veggies, and starchy stuff if you have room.
   — ctyst

January 16, 2003
Good carbs are the complex carbs and you get them from things like beans, nuts, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Bad carbs, also called simple carbs convert in the body to sugar rather quickly and are usually described as those with white flour in them- white bread/rolls/donuts/cookies/pasta/white rice....the more bad carbs and sugar you eat the more you crave. I think you are doing very well with your protein and carb intake. My nutritionist says to keep carbs under 100, others will tell you to cut back much further. Don't worry about being a slow loser, many of us are. Just ensure that you drink lots of water every day and not with or right after meals, keep up the protein, minimize the bad carbs, lo or no sugar, and EXERCISE. It will happen for you.
   — Cindy R.

January 16, 2003
There are 4 calories per gram of carb and 4 per gram of protein. So, if you are eating a total of 130-150 grams per day combined of carbs and protein, that is only 520-600 calories per day. Your body may be in starvation mode, holding on to everything for fear that no more food is coming. You can probably do a little more than 60 g of carbs as long as they are the complex kind and you might also try getting a little more protein. Remember that you also need a small amount of fat for your body to function properly. Also, are you getting any exercise and are you drinking enough water? Those can also affect your weight loss.
   — garw

January 18, 2003
Per my surgeon in order to loose weight you need to keep your carbs 40 grams or less per day. 60 is to maintain. Carbs are carbs no matter how you look at it. Granted there are food choices that are better than others, just keep your numbers down and I bet the scale will move.
   — Melanie N.

January 18, 2003
As someone who has diabetes in my family, I can tell you that carbs are not carbs. The glycemic index value of a carb is important. Your carb intake should be lower than protein but all carbs are not equal. See http://www.mendosa.com/gi.htm
   — susanje