New and confused about carb intake

I am really confused about carb intake.  I am getting my water in, getting my protein's in.  I am drinking/eating primarily liquidy cream of wheat made with 1% lactaid, sugar free vanilla pudding made with 1% lactaid, 98% fat free cream soups strained made with 1% lactaid and Nectar Kiwi Strawberry Protein drink along with water.  All of this is on my doctors plan.  I have been keeping track of everything and I noticed that sometimes my total carbs are in the 40-50's for the day.  My total sugars for those days were between 18-24.  Am I messing this up?  Is this too high for the carbs and the sugars?

I have same bariatric group so I am assuming you have the same workbook. If you are following the meal plan, I wouldn't worry. The most imporant is protein intake and liquids. Are you in second phase with regard to food?

Congrats on surgery.

I'm still in the first phase.  I'm doing good with the liquids and the proteins but it seems the carbs are high sometimes up to 50's.  I think it is the milk because the stuff I am taking in don't have sugar in them...this carb thing completely confuses me.

I still can't drink milk and I won't because of the carb count.  My doctor always told me to keep the carbs as low as I could, and never to have anything that has more carbs than proteins.  So I try to abide by that as a rule for myself.  But every doctor is different.  I would, because you are so new, do what your booklet says,  As you become more used to eating then you will learn the proper way to eat.  You will find the longer you go on, the better you will get at it. 

If you have any more questions we are here to help you out, this is what this board is about, helping those with keeping track, getting back on track, and sometimes finding true friendship.

Take care, Diane

Thanks Diane.  I appreciate your response.  I take my booklet out constantly to make sure I am doing the right thing.  I wished it said more about the carbs, but I like your rule of thumb, more protein than carbs and so far I think I am on track with that.  I can't wait to go over my food journal with my nutritionist/dietician.  I have been a little obsessive with it but I figure it can't hurt.

Hi Leslie,

As Diane said, each surgeon's protocol is SO different.  I had my surgery at UCSF and it was more about counting calories than carbs!  I could have milk and thankful have tolerated everything.  As a rule, when I did start eating, someone had given me some great advice which I still use today...  eat 3 bites of protein to one bite of carb and one bite of vege or fruit.  Or another way to think about it is eat 75% of your meal as protein.  It has worked excellent so far.

Also you might call your nutrutionist.  Another thing that works well is to log your food on Fitday or Daily Plate (both are free downloads).  It will actually track grams of carbs, protein, calories etc for you and in some cases you can run reports that you can take to the Dr with you.  It helps so much.

Keep on doing what you're doing, you're gonna love this ride and we're all here to give you a wonderful amount of positive support.

Hugs,
Barb

Thanks Barb I appreciate it.  Hey by the way I am originally from the Bay Area and will be going up to visit my mom in Orinda in January.  Maybe we can meet for coffee? or something???  What do you meet for when you don't do coffee anymore, tea?

My plan is very strict and we are allowed up to 40 g of carbs a day in the weight loss phase, so I think you are doing fine.

I don't really track the carbs overmuch. I find if I keep my calories within my threshold and get my minimum protein in (or more), that fats and carbs tend to take care of themselves.

Thanks.  That is pretty much the feedback I am getting.  I am keeping my food journal and tracking the calories, carbs, sugars and proteins so I can go over it with my hutritionist when I see her.  So far, being in the liquid phase still, my calories have not gone over 500 with my liquids being around 64 to 72 and my proteins ranging from 40 to 60.  It has been really helpful to get all this feedback.

I like all the advice you're getting here. I tracked all the things you are doing for the first 3 months in much detail. I was probably consuming around the same amount of carbs are you are and the nutritionist gave me an "A" for my food choices. I think you're doing fine and yes, that first [post surgery meeting with the nutritionist is so helpful. I went in with literally a long list of questions and she liked the fact I came it with so many.

You're doing great!

MsBlues