Question:
How many grams of carbs should I eat daily?

Hi, fellow PCOS sufferers! I was just diagnosed a few days ago with PCOS, after having lost 180 lbs.!!! My OB/GYN said it was likely much worse before I lost the weight, but she says I still have mild PCOS and may have some trouble getting pregnant. She says a low-carb diet could really help. My question is, HOW low-carb? I currently try to eat approximately 100 grams (or less) each day of carbs and really try to concentrate on natural carbs (fruits, grains, etc.) rather than processed carbs (refined flours, candy, baked goods, etc.). Is that low-carb ENOUGH? Advice appreciated!    — Terissa R. (posted on June 7, 2002)

June 6, 2002
My sister is a nutritionist. She has her Doctorial degree and currently works for Bariatric Surgeons. Funny, she just started with them and I am one year post op, LOL. We have discussed this extensively, because when I track myself, it seems my carbs are way too high. Especially, when I never eat white sugar, flour, breads, pizza, pasta or rice. I have increased my FRUIT and therefore increased my carb ratio! She said this is fine, my carbs are coming from the foods I am supposed to be eating, and the balance is there. She sent me a lengthy e-mail explaining all of this. I will send it to your e-mail, because I cannot seem to copy and paste in this post. Keep up the good work. By the way, I am one year post op this month. If you want to see my pre-op and my recent photo: http://www.ranchoweb.com/folder/3334 (if that doesn't work, then remove the dot after www)I'm not exactly computer savvy, LOL..
   — Barbara B.

June 7, 2002
Ok. Here it is, the short version: "If your follow exchanges, the protein, fat, carbohydrate is already figured out. If you follow, for example, a 1600 calorie pattern that gives you so many servings per day of fruit, of meat,of veggies, or milk, etc. to achieve this carbohydrate level. 1/2 of your calories should come from carbohydrate. On 1600 calories per day then 800 calories would be carbohydrate. (1600 x 50% = 800). 800/4 = 200 grams of carbohydrate. (carbohydrate is 4 calories per gram." end quote. Now, when I track myself on Fitday.com, the "pie" makes more sense to me!
   — Barbara B.

June 7, 2002
i agree w/ barbara..wish i knew her "chemistry" ha but , i just read about carbs..bec some were saying go on the adkins diet...and this might be ok a day or two, but you need carbs for your muscles and bones...so dont delete them from your diet!!!! THE BASIC FORMULA FOR US IS: protein first, vegies next then carbs...well balanced meals....
   — Jackiis

June 7, 2002
I too, would like to know and so I am headed over to www.soulcysters.net to find out. Even though we've had WLS, we still have PCOS, so our carb intake is quite different than your average post-op. We still need to regulate them. They still make us feel like crap, put us to sleep and our bodies just don't process them like most do. All in all they affect us much differently than what they do to you! So while we are not out to lo-carb ourselves to death, we do still need to reduce the amount! I'll find out and report back.
   — Karen R.

June 7, 2002
So, there is no "set" number, but I found this post, and you can figure your number out from it: http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php?s=&postid=32954#post32954
   — Karen R.