How to calculate carbs?

[Davo]

I have only just started eating low carb this week so trying to get to grips with what to eat etc. However I have no idea how to calculate what carbs are in a meal. Any help?
David

 

[Kaylz]

You would have to weigh each part of the meal to find out how many carbs were in your portion, veg and that usually gives you carbs per 100g and carbs per suggested serving size so if it only gives you per 100g you divide the carbs per 100g by 100 and times it by the weight of your portion, does that help or make any sense xx

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

You might find this site helpful - http://www.calorieking.com/foods/ - put in a food and it will tell you how many carbs are in it (it comes up with calories at the top so you need to scroll down a bit to see the carbs). You can change the serving size - for instance to choose 1 item or 100g of the item or 1 cup of the item, so you can choose the sensible measure for whatever it is you're eating.

Carbs and Cals - http://www.carbsandcals.com/ - produce a book with photos of common foods and meals, showing the amount of carbs and cals in them. I found that less useful because I want to know what's in the ingredients for my meal rather than what's in the sort of meal you might buy out, but if you want to know the carbs in (say) a portion of curry or something, then you might find it useful. It's very easy to use. They do an app. too, and have various other resources on their website.

If you're shopping online, most supermarkets list ingredients on their websites, and also list what's in the food in terms of carbs etc.

 

[pottersusan]

'the calorie carb and fat bible' is another useful book. It is rather large, but pretty comprehensive.

After a while you do get quite good at estimating. I suspect we all have things that we eat regularly, though it's more difficult when eating out.

 

[trophywench]

.... or the Collins Gem Calorie Counter book, as long as you can read tiny fonts! But - it is pocket sized and very comprehensive. (Don't get their Carb Counter book - it's a bit vague!)

 

[Lilian]

If you have a smart phone and download the carbs and cals app it allows you to put your own customized meal in it, together with a photograph so once you have weighed measured and calculated the carbs on the portion size you are having, you will be able to go back to it without having to do all the counting again. I find this very useful for things I make not so often. If you take the picture on a plate you will always recognise it is easy to see the portion size for those carbs too. If you want more then that is easy to calculate too - if you want half again just add half to it.

 

[Davo]

Thanks everyone for your responses, very helpful

 

[Ditto]

I find counting carbs so boring. I just Google and hope for the best as I'm supposed to keep to 20 or under on Atkins.

 

[Davo]

I find counting carbs so boring. I just Google and hope for the best as I'm supposed to keep to 20 or under on Atkins.

Must be hard to keep to 20!!

 

[Ditto]

Must be hard to keep to 20!!

Extremely, but you only have to do it for two weeks although if you have a lot of weight to lose you can stay on it longer. After Induction you then start taking back healthy carbs starting with more vegetables. 🙂 I always feel tiptop on Atkins. I don't know why it has such a bad rep.