decreasing sugar/carbs - but not calories - possible? (veggies, vitamin, protein)

[KittenSparkles]

I would like to decrease the amount of sugar and simple carbs in my diet just for health purposes, but I can't afford to lose any weight. I am at my ideal weight, and have a tendency to lose weight when I am stressed. I like the weight I am at and don't want to get thinner.

So, what would be some foods I could eat that would accomplish this goal?

Will I just have to eat mostly meat and veggies? I would like to include berries and some fruit in my diet. I eat cheese and yogurt and kefir. I only drink water, so don't have to worry about sugary drinks. But I like to eat chips, crackers, pretzels, etc. for snacks. And I like to eat rice with meat and veggies.

I feel like if I cut out most carbs and sugar, I wonder if I will be able to eat enough high calorie foods to keep my weight up. For example, when I order a hamburger, I will order the child's size because I don't like eat large quantities of meat

any suggestions appreciated!

[Opsimathia]

You need some carbs to be healthy.

Carb, Protein, Fat Calorie Calculator

(try the zone selection first)

Put in your calorie load and chose complex carbs.

I eat cheese and yogurt and kefir. (watch the sugar content in these and carbs)

But I like to eat chips, crackers, pretzels, etc. for snacks. - switch to veggies or nuts for snacks. It the easiest. Roasted chic peas are good chip alternative. Dry roasted peas are good too.

And I like to eat rice with meat and veggies. Make it mostly veggie, then balance out the meat and rice in the proper portions.

[springfieldva]

Cheese, nuts, beans, olive oil...all pack in the calories.

And in complex carbs like whole grain pasta, brown rice, quinoa, barley, etc. and you will have no problem keeping your weight up, providing you eat enough.

[KittenSparkles]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think for now I will just focus on decreasing my consumption of overtly sugary foods. I know sugar is not healthy, but its hard to get the motivation to stop eating it when its not causing any weight problems.

I am also going to try to eat healthier snacks when possible.

[cushla]

Why do you need so many snacks?

[Audioque]

Load up on protein, fat and alcohol (like wine). I've cut out on simple carbs. The only exception I made is when eating out, which is hard to stick to and I eat 86% cacao chocolate. Berries are pretty low carb as are things like apples, pears, peaches and cantaloupe. Nuts and seeds are pretty high calories (fat) for a small portion. They also tend to give you a lot of healthy nutrition like omega 3 (from 1 oz of walnut) or vitamin e (sunflower seeds and almonds). I think I tuck in about a 1/4 to 1/3 of my calories from nuts alone.

[AnonChick]

Originally Posted by Audioque

Load up on protein, fat and alcohol (like wine). I've cut out on simple carbs. The only exception I made is when eating out, which is hard to stick to and I eat 86% cacao chocolate. Berries are pretty low carb as are things like apples, pears, peaches and cantaloupe. Nuts and seeds are pretty high calories (fat) for a small portion. They also tend to give you a lot of healthy nutrition like omega 3 (from 1 oz of walnut) or vitamin e (sunflower seeds and almonds). I think I tuck in about a 1/4 to 1/3 of my calories from nuts alone.

Apples and pears are -high- carb, most of which is sugar.

If the OP wants to cut down on sugar and maintain her current weight, she will probably find useful information on the Diabetes Association website.

[selhars]

decreasing sugar/carbs - but not calories - possible?

Of course it's possible. Those two things have nothing to do with each other. You can cut all the sugar and carbs you want and if you eat enough other things -- will increase your calorie count.

[stevemorse]

I dont agree you dont need carbs to be healthy. Its impossible to go to zero carbs but I know many who eat a very low carb diet and do just fine. It is very possible to eat low carb and get more calories. Higher fat meats, oils, and nuts would crank up the calories pretty darn fast.

[KittenSparkles]

Thanks everyone. You've given me some good ideas here.

This weekend I've been eating baby carrots instead of chips/pretzels, etc.