How many carbs per day?

I am almost 4 years post op. I lost a total of 90 lbs and gained back 20. I am very upset. I do exercise and I recently began recording  everything in FitDay. My calories per day range from 1100-1400. I notice FitDay does not have any section on sugars-does anyone know why? Also, how many carbs per day should a person be taking in? I know the good vs bad carbs. I have a muscular build. It took me a year to lose the last 10 pounds and now I am so upset that my weight is not moving. I also have heard that taking pain medication causes constipation which also seems to be a part of this sluggish metabolism. But I have to take it due to a disease I have or I suffer tremendously. Anyone else out there in my shoes? I am 55 years old..so people of my age group I would especially like to hear from. Thanks!!

My Nut has me at 18-20 per meal of good carbs.  That does include low carb breads, milk, yogurt, fruit, veg's, cereal etc.  morning, 1/2 c cottage 3/4 c strawberries or 2 eggs w/ Thomas' light multi grain english afternoon,  salad with protein and a small apple or orange or deli meat on low carb bread, lettuce, tomato, mayo or mustard with half a fruit or 2 low carb yogurts evening, Chicken, veg, salad or any other type of protein with veg and salad I usually cannot eat all of the food at once, so I will take my fruit or yogurt and eat it as a snack.  These are just examples of what I do. Best wishes MaryLyn p.s.  i am 47. 

Well the less carbs the better when you're trying to lose weight.   Simple carbs slow down weight loss in EVERYONE (including non WLS patients).  Now everyone is different but when I was trying to lose weight I never separated carbs...I always figured a carb was a carb.  I subtracted out the fiber and counted net carbs (just like on atkins).  So for me, if the fiber came from fruit, or if it came from a candy bar, it was all the same. Now how many carbs you should have, depends on you.   No one but you will be able to determine how many carbs you need or need to cut in order to lose weight.  At this point in my maintence phase of the DS, I eat 400 grams of carbs a day on most days...it helps me keep from losing any more weight.  If I was trying to drop, I'd drop to below 100....some people need to drop below 20 grams a day to lose. As far as the constipation goes...yeah having constipation defintely slows your weight loss down.  On the DS forum, Carolyn has done several informal polls to rate how much you poo and how fast you lose.  There seems to be a definite correlation between how much a person poos and how fast they lose. You might want to see a doctor if the constipation becomes chronic.  There are some OTC things youc an use....like milk of mag. or miralax.   I personally use Milk of mag, once or twice a week, and take 1000 mg of magnesium oxide a day.  The iron I take, plus the 2 bananas I eat, and the fiber i put in my  protein shake all kind of bind me up. Scott

I am 63 and 3 years out.  I lost 130 and have gained back 15.  I, too, am very upset about the situation  I do not see how I can live on any less food.  I mostly live on protein drinks.  My hair continues to fall out, so I work hard on the protein. i exercise a lot but have had a knee injury and PS in January so are trying to get back to more exercise.    I am taking a lot of iron because my Ferritin is low.  It constipates me.  I take some stool softeners along.  If you care too, PM me.  Maybe be can compare notes and help each other.    Patricia 3/11/2005  RNY 262/125/139.5 hi/lo/today 5'1"     

mental clarity becomes an issue when you get to low on carbs. my trainer says 100 is fine. Sometimes you get headaches and become irritable from less carbs. of course the lower the carb intake the more likely you are to go into ketosis and pee off the weight.  large keytones are what many dieters try to acheive. tammy

Not that I'm an expert or anything, or even in your age group (makes you wanna read now, doesn't it?) BUT...in my humble experience I've learned to keep the grams of carbs lower than the grams of protein.  I usually am around 75-100 depending on how much fruit I eat that day.  My calorie range is very similar to yours as well.  I don't separate out the good or bad carbs...to me, a carb is a carb... As for the constipation...I too had a problem with that due to iron supplements.  I learned that if I took Senna at night it was enough to make me "regular".  Plus, it's also a natural vegetable laxative/softener... Not sure if this will help you or not, but is my two cents worth! =) Have a great day, ~Lisa

I'm right there with you.  I am 21/2 years out I lost 96 lbs and have gained back 20.  I know that I have not been excercising & I think this is the big difference in my life.  I still eat low carb and I still watch portion control.  I need to find a support group in my home town of San Antonio. I did not have my surgery here because I was self pay and I found my surgeon whom I trusted and who worked with me on the self pay in another city.  Problem is I don't drive to that city for support group so I have never been to group.  The first 5 lbs I put back on I was OK with because I felt I had dipped to low, now I feel like I can't get a handle on it & I gain more every week.  Depression is setting in. Janet 212,  low 116  now 136

 Thank you to all *****plied! For those who posted their current weight--let me say I would be thrilled to be in the 130's! Don't be depressed or upset. My goal was 150. I think maybe menopause and hormone fluctuations are having something to do with my metabolism. Also I am on several medications which may be slowing things down. It is discouraging! I think I mentioned it took me a YEAR to go from 175 to 165. Thats how slow I was then so I guess patience is a virtue. Thanks again for everyone's support. You are all angels.