How to work out YOUR carb limit

TO LEARN about your carb limits, take our simple CarbScale quiz to work out how your body makes energy from food.

Rate each of the following statements from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree. Add these up to get your score.

I feel tired a lot of the time I often wake up feeling tired My energy slumps in the day I crave sweet or savoury foods I rely on coffee to perk me up I like something sweet after a meal I want to lose weight My mood is low or depressed I often feel stressed or anxious I’m finding it hard to lose weight I don’t sleep well I can get irritable between meals

WHAT YOUR SCORES MEAN 18 or below — Liberal low carb

YOUR metabolism is working well and you are feeling pretty good. Low carb may well still be right for you because it is a fantastic way to achieve a varied, nutritious diet and consistent energy levels. However, you can afford to be a bit more flexible — particularly if you are doing high levels of exercise. Eat up to 130g carbs per day.

19- 7 — Moderate low carb

YOUR metabolism may benefit from some fine-tuning, helping you feel more energised and focused. Monitor how you respond to including some of our low-carb, nutritious recipes in your diet. Limit yourself to 75g to 100g carbs per day. This is a good starting point for carb restriction, and you can still eat a varied diet. It is also a good target for the long term, as it is not too restrictive.

48 or above — Strict low carb

YOU may have health issues to address. (Perhaps it’s time for a chat with your GP, who might wish to do some blood tests.) you could be suffering from a sluggish metabolism and therefore find it hard to do all you need to in the day. you possibly struggle to digest carbohydrates and sugars, which may cause rapid swings in your blood sugar levels. Focus on excluding high- carb foods and enjoy some new protein and vegetable-based recipes from our tasty selection. Limit your carbohydrate intake to about 50g per day. This is a reasonable aim for anybody with type 2 diabetes, low energy levels or cravings.