Carbs vs. Calories ... what do YOU do?

[mammasita]

I'm doing weight watchers, however, I'm more inclined to pick things that are low carb (usually less points) than caring about the calories.

[Arctic Mama]

I don't count carbs and calories are kind of a guideline - I eat until I am satiated on real, whole foods, and cut out those that make me sick. For me, that's beans, whole grains, almost all sugar and some dairy. Otherwise I have immune responses and the inflammation, cravings, skin problems, etc, drive me nuts.

That's leaves me with a diet that is heavy on healthy animal and plant fats, a fair bit of protein, filling in with fruits and veggies of all types (except the ones that are heavy on sugar), and a little starch like white rice that I don't react to. On a diet like this I just loosely keep within my maintenance calories unless I am actively trying to lose and my body is happy. It's fairly easy to not overeat when I'm not causing myself problems with sugar and grains, honestly, but I don't keep a count of net carbs or anything like that - I just avoid the allergic stuff, refined stuff, and focus on filling, satisfying, real food.

[Beach Patrol]

Originally Posted by bargoo

I count calories only, but keep a watchful on on carbs as I do sodium.

Ditto - esp. the sodium thingy.

[LadyWraith]

I've counted calories for some time. I basically don't count carbs because I don't eat any form of grain or processed food period. So the only carbs I get are those in fruits, veggies, beans, and lean meats. My problem was processed sugars. I follow a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet during the weekdays and add chicken and fish to the mix on the weekends when I have more time to cook.

[grneyedmustang]

I'm doing both at this point. I started out on SB, but somewhere along the way I think I may have lost what a normal portion size looks like. I just started calorie counting, in the hopes that I can get the scale moving again.

Plus if I don't watch the kinds of carbs that I eat, I end up addicted to sugar and bingey.

[kaplods]

You could say I do both, or neither, depending upon how you look at it.

I use a lower carb, higher protein exchange plan. When I count calories without an exchange plan, I tend to go on food jags, and the inconsistency tends to aggravate my IBS and other health issues.

I consider exchange plans a form of calorie counting, because all of the foods in each exchange category contain approximately the same number of calories and similar amounts of fat, carbohydrates, and protein (I'm just counting the calories and carbs in pre-calculated blocks).

Exchange plans used to get a lot of criticism for being too high-carb, but the answer is simple - trade some of those starchy and sugary exchanges for protein, veggie and fat exchanges. It's funny though, I never thought of doing that until I read the The Duke Diet, then I searched online and found examples of other reduced-carb exchange plans, and have tweaked my own. I only allow two starch servings most days, and I try to make them grain-free more often that not (for example, choosing sweet potatoes rather than corn or rice).

[Petite Powerhouse]

I count calories and everything else I just think through. I make healthy choices that are high in protein given how much I weight train, I eat good fats, I eat good carbs, and I watch my sodium intake. Other than that, I don't worry about it.

[bellona]

I don't eat "junk" carbs, like white sugar or chips or anything like that on a regular basis, simply because they make me feel like crap. I do eat whole wheat bread, brown rice, quinoa, potatoes, couscous, whole wheat pasta, lots of beans, etc....but obviously include them in my calorie count for the day. I have tried low carb diets in the past, and they don't work well for me. I feel miserable and for some reason they upset my stomach. I always eat some protein, but a low carb diet is just overkill for my system. I also like fruits, veggies, and grains a lot, so any time I try high protein, I end up living off of fish and eggs because I don't really enjoy other high protein foods. I will watch my carbs only if I have an event coming up and need to shed some water weight.

[FatToFitWife]

Wow, thanks everyone You've really broadened my outlook! And I'm so motivated by all of you because you've been so successful

[lin43]

Just calories. Years ago, though, when I was concerned more with tracking my macros, I realized that I was eating very little protein. From that point on, I've made an effort to ensure I get some good protein, preferably at every meal, but at least once a day. Calorie counting works well for me. I seem to be able to lose no matter what my calories are comprised of.