On Atkins, during induction, you limit yourself to 20 carbs a day. Then you gradually increase for ongoing weight loss. In Carbohydrate Addict's you eat a low carb breakfast & lunch, but whatever you want for dinner (reasonable, of course). This could easily add up to 100 carbs. BUT BOTH WAYS OF EATING LEAD TO WEIGHT LOSS. Is there a connection to the amt of carbs you eat & the amt of calories you intake? Who still believes calories do count? I do. I guess the simple question is, and I realize everyone's different, but how many carbs are too many before you reach a stall or start gaining? If I mess up I don't see it on the scale until a few days later & I've been trying to figure this whole bit out. Make any sense? How many carbs does an average person (ie not low carber) eat on a daily basis?

Curious minds want to know...

Paty

Um..There isn't really an answer to this question. It doesn't even make sense. You said it yourself "everyone is different" So there is no average person..

Look around at the way nonlowcarbers eat and how they look. Some of them CAN eat whatever they want and they weigh 100lbs. Some nonlowcarbers are also fat.. but just because they're fat, it dosen't mean its from carbs..

Some people stall because they're not eating enough carbs, not because of too many. Stalls happen for other reasons too, not just because of the carb count.


And I don't know why people say "calories don't count" calories will always count.... You don't have to CUT calories and follow the 1200 calories a day rule (too little for most people anyways) but that dosen't mean you can eat 5,000..

I think the food pyramid (standard, accepted, lying one) recommends anywhere from 200-300 g of carbs a day. Who knows how many I was eating before! ACK!

Yeah, everyone is different. I know that one plan has you dropping to around 72 g of carbs a day-and that would never have worked for me. I found that I stop losing weight at just above 40. But I am hypothroid and that affects how many carbs I can consume.

I think for normal people who have no hormonal issues, just cutting carbs down would probably work to some extent. I have a friend who just cut out refined carbs and all manufactured sugar and has lost ten pounds in a little over 5 weeks. BUT she added exercise too.

Hi,

Most food plans include three to four carbohydrate choices (45-60 grams) for each meal and one to two choices (15-30 grams) for each snack.

I just went to the Nutritionist for a food plan. She recommended 3 Carbohydrate Choices (or 45 grams of carbohydrate) with each meal. She said that if it is more than 5 hours between meals, I can have a 1 Carbohydrate Choice (or 15 grams) snack in the afternoon (meat) and 15 grams of carbohydrate in the evening for a maximum total of 165 grams Carbohydrates daily.

If I only have 2 Carbohydrate Choices (30 grams) per meal, it would add up to at least 90 grams daily.

If I only have 1 Carbohydrate Choice (15 grams) per meal, it would add up to at least 45 grams daily.

The food pyramid includes:

Fats/Sweets/Alcohol: use sparingly
Milk/Yogurt: 2-3 servings each day
Meat/Meat Substitutes: 2-3 servings each day
Vegetables: 3-5 servings each day
Fruit/Fruit Juices: 3-4 servings each day
Grains/Beans/Starchy Vegetables (Breads):
6 or more servings each day

Adapted from the Food Guide Pyramid, 1994.

I believe it is important to have a balanced meal which could include some whole-grains and fresh fruit, although I don't recommend fruit juice or dried fruit.

I have begun by cutting my portions in half, for example, half an apple instead of a whole apple, or 1/2 cup cereal instead of 1 cup of cereal with 4 oz. 1% milk instead of 1 cup of milk. Note: Subtract fiber from carbohydrates in cereal per nutritionist. A medium-size apple would count as 2 Carbohydrate Choices (or 30 grams). Eat small or medium-sized portions.

Breakfast is my favorite meal, I would rather have the 2-3 oz. meat/egg and 2 oz. fat for breakfast than for supper. She has recommended only 1 oz. meat/egg and 1 fat for breakfast. Breakfast is supposed to be the largest meal and supper the smallest meal. Carbohydrates may include grains (bread) or fruit for breakfast.

What does your food pyramid look like?

I think its even more complicated than carbs and calories, I think the individuals insulin levels play a big part in this too. My mom and brother struggle to keep their weight up and they eat all kinds of carbs. I think their insulin levels are low because they are also the types that forget to eat.