I am pre-diabetic and need to lose 25lbs. My doctor wants me on a low-carb diet. I weigh 170lbs and am 5’3″ tall. My BMI is out of sight, on a carb diet of 1500 calories. How many carbs can I have?
Q: I am pre-diabetic and need to lose 25lbs. My doctor wants me on a low-carb diet. I weigh 170lbs and am 5'3" tall. My BMI is out of sight, on a carb diet of 1500 calories. How many carbs can I have?
Optimal carb intake varies from person, including among those with prediabetes and diabetes. However, most people find that consuming about 30-60 grams of net (non-fiber) carbs per day works well for weight loss and blood sugar control.
Importantly, even with low carb intake, your body requires a calorie deficit in order to lose weight. Fortunately, low-carb diets tend to suppress appetite, so limiting yourself to about 1500 calories per day should be relatively easy and allow you to achieve that deficit. I wish you the best of luck going forward.
Answered By dLife Expert: Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE
Certified diabetes educator and registered dietitian living in Southern California.
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