How many grams of carbs should/can I eat?

[WhoKnows 288]

So, I'm doing my pre-op low carb/high Protein diet. My surgeon didn't give me any exact numbers; he just said low carb/high protein. He said I can eat all the veggies I want (no fruit though) and a bit of fat. I've been tracking my nutrition using cronometer, and of course everything is a mix of carbs, fat and protein, so I can't get 0 carbs, but I'd like to have a number to shoot for, especially because I'm eating a lot of vegetables, which are mostly Fiber (ie. carbs). I've averaged 1200 calories, with 102 grams of protein, 56 grams of carbs, and 69 grams of fat (which I know is too high) for the past three days since I've been dieting. I could cut my carbs down if I swapped out some veggies for another Protein Shake, but I'd rather not if I don't have to. Does anyone have any ideas of how many grams of carbs are ok? Or even what percentage of my total calorie intake can be carbs?

[Scylla 106]

Veggies are not the carbs you need to worry about. Most veggies (except for corn, peas and potatoes) are pretty low carb.

I did Atkins for 18 months and lost over 100 lbs., but you can never really get to 0 carbs. Generally, under 40 carbs a day is considered low carb. Atkins induction (the first phase) is 20 grams of carbs per day.

Edited May 16, 2014 by Scylla

[marfar7 1,528]

My hubby is an Atkins fan. He aims for as close to 0 as he can. He'll include a few veggies a day but rarely goes over 10-15 when he's actually working the program (right now he's "taking a break" - eating all the carbs he can).

While Atkins doesn't make scientific sense to me (I'm pro eating fruits, veggies, healthy brown grains, and lean meats and cheeses) I can't argue with the fact that it works. Not sure for how long tho. Not sure anyone can go forever with eating as close to 0 carbs as u can. Atkins Induction (first 2 weeks) calls for 20 or less. Hubby is ALWAYS on induction and carbs are like poison to him.

Good luck!

[belunos 93]

Atkins makes perfect scientistic sense if you lead a sedentary lifestyle. Keep in mind it advocates low carb, not no carb.

I'm about 3 1\2 months out, and the only carbs I get these days are veggies. I never thought I'd see the day, but breads and breading kinda grosses me out now. I feel no I'll effects.. Quite the opposite.

[WhoKnows 288]

I think I'm still ending up with roughly 50g of carbs a day because even though I'm only getting them from non-starchy sources (veggies, lemon juice, tofu, dairy), since I'm pre-op, I'm still eating a pretty large volume. I'm gonna see if I can cut it down to 30g, but I'm already getting sick of Protein Shakes, and I know I'm gonna really need those later so I don't want to hate them already. I'll see how it goes today.

[cirvin21 18]

Just to clarify a little on the Atkins - you actually count net carbs - which is total carbs, less fiber carbs and sugar alcohol carbs. So your carbs from the fiber in the veggies would not be included in your daily total

[KayleeC14 159]

I don't know about a total percentage. But my doctor told me to try and get in between 40-50 grams of carbs a day and 70-100 grams of Protein a day. I do not eat bread, if I do it is whole grain and in a pita form to make a chicken sandwich. I stick with veggies and some nuts and berries. Also I have slowly started to introduce back in my diet fruits. I am not much of a fruit eater but lately I cannot get enough of them. My biggest thing is getting my calorie intake higher than what it currently runs. Right now it runs between 500-700 and I burn that off quickly with my exercising. I wouldn't swap out your veggies with a Protein shake, those are the good carbs you want. Its all down to choices, if I didnt have my have my carbs up at 40-50 grams then I would be craving the junk food instead of the good food. I have found this out with trial and error. I would press your doctor some more to get a good estimate on where he would like to see you. If he doesnt have an answer for you I would talk to a nutritionist. Good luck!