Carb confusion

[Marney]

I am having a hard time getting to 30 percent of calories from carbs. I seem to hover between 35 and 40 percent. But they are "good" carbs, ie, sweet potaotes and veggies and apples and whole grain bread and/or rice.

Any suggestions to bring carbs DOWN without sacraficing my other nutrients?

[Aoife]

if you care that much, cut the rice or bread down.
or, just don't worry about it and realize that they're guidelines and end of day your amount of carbs has less to do about weight change and more to do about your personal response to carbs when it comes to energy, satiety and craving …and other such things.

[hazeldazel]

I had a hard time too at first, then I switched out most of the breads/grains for more fruit and veggies. Ditching the processed foods was especially helpful - the percentage of my carbs (and salt) really dropped and by replacing them with fresh fruit and veggies, I'm able to eat larger quantities of food yet stay within my daily calorie range, I'm getting a LOT more nutrients and I feel so much better!

I was at my Mom's on the weekend and ended up eating a little macaroni salad and a small piece of carrot cake, and even though I was good for my calories I felt so sluggish and blah for the next day or so. Sunday I was totally craving Hostess chocolate donettes and Orange soda. So wierd.

[mart01090]

I am having the same problem, too. And weird but I am having a hard time getting my fats up?! That seems odd but maybe I am taking this a little too seriously with the protein. Any suggestions?

[Aoife]

eat fattier meats or add butter/oil to your food.

[hazeldazel]

fats right now are my bane, it's hard getting them up to 30% for me. I don't want too many saturated fats so I've been adding an ounce of cashews to my morning snack and adding things like avocado to some of my meals. If I roast my veggies I'll put a little olive oil on them but not if I steam them -tastes a bit wierd. Tonight I'm having turkey tacos with my husband's super-awesome guacomole on top. That and the fat from meat, cheese and yogurt made today's fat go to 32%.

[LaraT]

If you are following the New RUles diet guidelines youare SUPPOSED to be getting 40% of your calories from carbs.

[miss_jupiter76]

Marney: someone posted on my thread that cutting calories is the only way to lose fat. which makes me think i would be ok with 3 (or 2.5) togos brownies a day if that was all i ate but i do believe that carb level fluctuations are probably not as important as total calories eaten, only when it exceeds calories (since that would be the reason for exceeding calories most likely)

[Marney]

Originally Posted by LaraT

If you are following the New RUles diet guidelines youare SUPPOSED to be getting 40% of your calories from carbs.

Sweet jimminy, I was swapping the carbs and the proteins.

I am a dumb@zz

[kayt111]

When I'm low on fat I like to add some almonds or cashews to a snack, or natural peanut butter (which I like to eat with just about anything).