[Katbot24]

So I've been reading a lot about how low carb is the way to go when losing weight, and a lot of what I've read makes sense. Here's my question though: it is SO much easier for me to make a whole-wheat wrap or a tomato and egg sandwich and take it to work with me for lunch than it would be do take...salad or soup.

Do I -have- to give up my bread and breakfast cereal? Is two slices of bread or one tortilla shell and a half cup of cheerios too many carbs in a day?

[EricAnn]

I think if you're planning on going low-carb you have to play around with it a little bit. I wouldn't cut out everything right away because you'll probably find yourself exhausted and get fed up pretty quickly. But I wouldn't think that having two slices of bread or one tortilla shell and half a cup of cheerios is too much for the day... but remember, there are a lot of foods out there that have quite a few carbs (fruit) that you may also be consuming that you don't really even think about. But like I said, I think you have to play around with it and maybe keep a journal to record your carb intake to see where your body is most comfortable.

[kaplods]

You may or may not need a low-carb diet to lose weight. I find that it's the only way I can lose weight AND control hunger. Controlling hunger is extremely important to me, so I do find low-carb works best for me(and also seems to improve all of my many health problem symptoms ).

There are many types of low-carb and reduced-carb diets, and you can use or modify any of them to fit your own carb needs and preferences. You don't have to give up anything, because you get to decide and have to discover "how low" is low enough for you to lose weight at a rate you find acceptable.

There are many ways to do low and reduced carb diets, Some do not allow bread, but many do.

Personally, I follow a calorie-controlled, reduced-carb exchange plan (currently about 100g of carbs, though I'm thinking of dropping it lower).

On my plan, I'm allowed up to six servings of carby foods (generally 2 starch/bread and 3-4 fruit exchanges, though I occasionally swap a fruit for a bread or vice versa).

I based my plan on a reduced-carb, "high protein" exchange plan that I found online on a now defunct website - but the same plans are now available on a website called frugalabundance.com.

I can spend my bread exchanges any way I want to, but I tend to spend them on most filling choices I can, but if I want bread, I like to use corn tortillas (because I get three tortillas for 2 bread exchanges).

I also like low-carb tortillas, but I discovered that I'm allergic or intolerant to wheat, and most of the low-carb tortillas contain wheat.

Of course, you wouldn't have to worry about that.


Also, a lot of people have good luck with carb-cycling - that is they alternate low-carb with higher-carb days.

[skinnypie]

Hi there, I too have been wondering about the same thing. I do think sometimes it's easy to get fixated over carbs but our body and brain need them. I have cereal, toast, rice fruit and ryvetta during the day and I have managed to lose 16lbs since may the 12th. I'am trying to introduce more protein particualry at dinner time and cut out the rice but I love carbs and could never give up bread. It all boils down to one simple thing, eat less and move more and you WILL lose weight. Good luck hun x

[lin43]

I lost 40-45 lbs. over a few months without giving up anything. I have tried reduced carb & low carb, and I could never stick with it. I love bread and other grains, and I cannot see myself doing without a good portion of either in my daily diet. You have to see how you feel, though. If carbs don't make you hungrier, why give them up?

[sontaikle]

I still eat bread. I love wraps. You don't need to give them up to lose weight.

If you DO want to give them up, consider using lettuce to make your wrap.