Most days I find it extremely difficult to get above about 12 carbs. In fact, some days it's lower than that. My question being: Is it important to eat 20+ carbs a day?
Thanks...Pam

Pam...
I'm not an expert, but I do know when I'm right between 15 and 20 carbs...I feel best and I do lose quicker. Also a good friend of my family's who is a doctor (also an Atkins supporter!) told me that carbohydrates are used by the elastin in your skin. The elastin keeps your skin supple and when it is strong keeps wrinkles at bay. I take care of my body and this includes my skin!! If an extra serving of veggies will help I'll make sure and get them in!! Hope this helps.

They are very important, Pamlyn....try to eat more veggies with butter or olive oil. Without the carbs those things can bother you:
- constipation
- sugar cravings
- bread cravings
- slower weight loss
Take care!
Alina

I think eating more veggies definately helps in getting your carb count up and helps with constipation, but if you don't hit 20...no biggie. I don't think I've hit 20 carbs the whole time I've done this. I try to get some veggies, but hate them and always have. I look at it as I'm eating more veggies now than I ever have, so that will have to do. I don't have bread or sugar cravings, but contipation was a big problem before I started taking the psyllium husks.

That being said...Dr. A has commented that people have done zero carb diets without problem, and in his earlier book, the 20 carbs were without deducting the fiber which we can now deduct, and so in the previous book, 20 carbs was actually a lot less (if you deducted fiber, etc.)

Anyway...just my two cents


L

I also think carbs are important but I don't lose sleep over it. It is very rare that I get to 20 grams of carbs. I average between 11-15 daily and sometimes less than that. I am losing and happy with the results. Stick as close to what the good doc says, but don't worry too much in the long run it will all average out.

Gail

I also had a problem with this for the veggies I could eat aren't that high in carbs at all. If I go below 20, I stall, also I'm sleepy and weak the next day...especially if I'm exercising.
It can also stall your TOM as well. But hey, if you aren't having any of these problems then just add veggies and you'll be fine.