How many carbs? About?

[mopunkie]

Generally speaking, how many carbs should a 200 lb 50 y/o female have in a day? I need to lose about 50 lbs. I am not getting much exercise right now but plan to start walking soon. I am finding SB easy to follow and the weight does come off but I would like to gauge better, what I can have and how much.

[logmyloss.com]

There are no limits to the carbs because that is not a direct factor on the SBD. Instead, you should be focusing on good carbs such as vegetables. Certain veggies should be avoided (potatoes and corn for example), and others should be limited (i.e., beans), but don't worry about counting carbs.

If you have read the SBD book, I recommend you re-read it so you can fully understand the diet as that is crucial to successfully doing it. If you haven't read the book, then go get it right away and read it.

[mopunkie]

I have read the book but think a reread is a good idea. I am following SB to the letter but when i read labels I am shocked to see maybe 25 carbs on something allowed. Like beans. I also have a box of sugar free fudgscicles that I am not sure I should have because of the 20 some carbs in 1!

[logmyloss.com]

Like I said, don't worry about the carbs. The things you should focus on with the labels are things like added sugar (especially high fructose corn syrup) and added starch. That is not all inclusive, but is a good place to start. Use the food lists as your guide. Stick to fresh fruits and vegetables when you can. Be sure and learn to read the ingredients. If the beans have added sugar, look for another brand or cook dry ones. Just realize that I am talking about added sugar. Many foods that are perfectly fine on this way of eating have natural sugar (i.e., fruit, milk, and so on). Be sure and read the stickies at the top of the phase II thread. Remember, carbs is not your measurement on this way of eating. It is all about food choices.
????: South Beach Diet Forums http://www.southbeachdietbulletinboard.com/south-beach-diet-forums-phase-1/2401-how-many-carbs-about.html

Re-reading your post here and elsewhere, I realize that I assumed you were on phase II, whereas it looks like you are on phase I. If so, read the phase I stickies for now, and the phase II stickies later. :-)

[RedRox]

Also realize most added sugars to things like beans are in the liquid surrounding the beans to help preserve them. Rinsing the canned beans before using them will get rid of the added sugars and also help reduce their gassiness effect at the same time.
????: South Beach Diet Forums http://www.southbeachdietbulletinboard.com/showthread.php?t=2401

Carbs are not the enemy! People do not get fat consuming the right kinds of carbohydrates in appropriate quantities to support their health and activity levels. They are 1 of the 3 major macronutrient groups along with proteins and fats. (Fats were not the enemy either in the 80s and 90s!) Our bodies and brains do best when we consume the healthy versions of all three categories. SB does not seek to overtly limit any one category or promote any one category above the rest. It seeks a reasonable balance between the 3 and focuses primarily on learning to discriminate among the healthy and unhealthy types of each category.

Proteins should be lean meaning low in saturated fats for those that come from animal based sources.
Fats should be those highest in monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats and omega oils.
Carbohydrates should be those with good overall nutritional benefits (fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, folate etc.) and lower on the glycemic index scale.

Most nutritionists believe 100 gms a day to be a bare minimum for daily carbohydrate intake although it is a bit of a stretch to get to that amount in P1, it can easily be met and exceeded in P2. But also realize there are no specific numbers on this in any SB literature as Dr. A does not believe particularly strongly in one set of ratios or numbers for everyone. He lays out the guidelines and recommendations and encourages a long term process where you find what combinations work best for you. The only way to get "There" from "Here" is to go through the process and realize that there is trial and error involved and we will learn as much or more from what doesn't work as what does.

[mopunkie]

Thank you for the great response. I was looking for a guide and 100 g is way more than I thought would be recommended. Perhaps I can have that sugar free fudgscicle in the freezer. Oh, I can see my rationalizing now...well,1 glass of wine has just 6 carbs!!!
PS Awesome photos of yoga!

[RedRox]

Thanks! Like healthy eating it's just practice and a process! I'm blessed to be in my early 50s and be able to move and challenge myself regularly in the physical branch of yoga asana.

And just to clarify, that number is a nutritional guideline I have read from other sources. You simply won't find any kind of numbers like that in the SB literature. One of my personal issues with the way the program is structured is that P1 does limit two very important sources of good carbohydrates in fruits and starchy veggies and whole grains (the overall "starch" category) and when people lose quickly in P1 and then slowly in P2, they see the difference as the level of "Carbs" and it reinforces the idea that "carbs = bad". If we want to be truly healthy and operate at peak performance levels, we need a more balance approach. People often feel dizzy, weak, tired, unable to focus, unable to exercise and "off" during P1 and most of this is inadequate carb intake. They are often willing to overlook how crappy they feel because they are losing a lot of water weight from depleting their glycogen stores in their body, but IMO, it's really not a great way to go for long term health and well being.