Carb Confusion

  • Hi everyone,

    I'm not really doing the low-carb thing per say... but I got an analysis on the Discovery Health Challenge website and plugged the nutritional goals they gave me into FitDay.

    I've been doing great keeping close to my calorie and fat intake goals, but every day I've gone over on the carbs (110 g is my limit).

    I feel guilty pulling out an apple or banana to eat, because they take up so much of my carb allowance. Can you guys give me an idea of some typical meals you eat?

    Thanks in advance! *hugs*

    - Monika
  • Breakfast
    2 eggs over easy (1.2 carbs), fried in butter (0), 3 strips of bacon (.1)

    Lunch
    2 cups salad - iceberg (.8 net carbs)
    2 tbsp dressing, not over 2 carbs (green goddess, Kraft)
    hamburger (0)with cheddar cheese (.4), mustard, Atkins ketchup (2), pickles (1.9)

    Snack
    celery 1 stalk (.8) with
    cream cheese chive and onion (2.0)

    Supper
    chicken, leg and thigh with the skin (0)
    1 cup of steamed broccoli (1.6 net carbs) with butter (0)
    deviled eggs, 2 halves (.6) made with real mayo, mustard and salt

    Snack
    sugar free jello (0-.8)with real whipped cream, 2 tbsp (.4) some poeple will not eat aspartemine)
    Total 14.6
    I used the Atkins Carbohydrate Gram Counter to count this food.
    I count net carbs, which is subtracting the dietary fiber from the carbs. I don't subtract sugar alcohols, I believe they do count and stall my weight loss.

    I'm on induction, so I'm eating 20 or less carbs a day.
  • Net carbs... thanks for explaining what that is! So... when I was given the 110 g limit, do you think that was a net carb amount?

    Thanks for your sample food log, it helps!
  • Formia, I would imagine that the carb count they gave you was total carbs, not net carbs. I think this is more common with low carb followers and not all of them do subtract the fiber. I think that since it is not digestible and it has no impact (or almost no, depending on who you listen to) on blood sugar, it shouldn't be counted in the total. That was what Dr. Atkins wrote also. Some people who have followed Atkins successfully for a long time always count the total carb count, including the fiber. Anyway, you might read more about that and decide for yourself, or ask the DHC people about it. That may help you to get below your carb count, if you do subtract the fiber from the total carbs.
  • Thanks a bunch!
  • Hi Formia

    Try eating lower carb foods. For example...instead of an apple or banana, try some blueberries or strawberries. Lower carb veggies....broccoli, cabbage etc. This way you get more bang for your buck (so to speak)

    Alot of folks here use the www.fitday.com to keep track of their carb and calorie count. You might find it helpful, especially when making food choices.

    I hope this helps, good luck

    Robin
  • Thanks Robin - FitDay is what brought to my attention that I was going over with the carbs. I would have never guessed that apples and bananas were full of carbs! LOL

    Thanks for the other fruit and veggie suggestions, I really appreciate it!