How Few Carbs are Too Few?

[JodyG]

We are wondering if we are getting enough carbs. We are on an extended induction plan (7th week.) We are only getting about 10-15 a day. Is there any number that is too low? Thanks so very much! OMOHOD

[Eleonore]

Re: How Few Carbs are Too Few?

I think you should be around 20...10 is too low.

[Moochiecat]

Re: How Few Carbs are Too Few?

Most people average around 12-17 or so carbs a day and remember, that since these carbs are mainly from vegetables, it's ok to be up near the 20 carb mark. Nobody got fat eating the veggies on the list, right?
A lot of people say that they generally feel better keeping their carbs closer to 20. It's ok to have days when they are lower, but having several days consistently staying under 10, you would probably start feeling the effects of it...as in fatigue and I can't imagine what that would do to a person's digestion process (Holy Constipation, Batman!).
There's also the concern of your body thinking it's going into starvation mode.

As long as you are getting 15 and over days, I wouldn't worry too much about having the odd low day. Again though, don't be shy with choosing higher carb veggies.

[Falynangyl]

Re: How Few Carbs are Too Few?

I would say to try to keep around 15-20.

[Kent]

Re: How Few Carbs are Too Few?

It all depends on where the carbs are coming from. If they are coming from junk or sources other than mainly vegetables, you are probably getting too few. One other question is that 10-15 net carbs or total carbs per day. Higher fiber vegetables (like spinach) could also bring a wealth of good nutrients with low carb totals. I would focus on making sure I was eating more than just 3 square cups of lettuce per day rather than stress too much over than being too low on carb totals.

[ttdriver]

Re: How Few Carbs are Too Few?

I agree with Moochie and Kent .. focus on those extremely nutritious veggies and you'll do great!


Betty

[cleochatra]

Re: How Few Carbs are Too Few?

A lot of people don't realize that even in foods that claim 0 carbs, that doesn't mean the food is technically carb-free, too.

So, chances are, you're eating more carbs than you realized, unless you're using fitday.com and know precisely what you're getting.

I usually give myself .5-1 carb per egg and a carb per ounce of cheese, even when the cheese claims 0. "0" just means "less than 5, so we didn't round up"... Even things like mayonnaise and Diet Coke harbor .1 carbs per serving... it adds up.

[JodyG]

Re: How Few Carbs are Too Few?

Thank you all so much!