Doctor Prescribed Carbs

After weeks of feeling like crud I was rushed to the emergency room on yesterday. My blood pressure was all over the place and my sugar was low, basically causing me to feel like I was having a heart attack. So anyway to make a long story short, my doctor (or Debbie really) is saying that I need to eat more carbs. Whodda thunk it? She gave me that sheet that they give you before surgery, which I haven't even glanced at in 6 months, and it says it right there. At this stage of the game I am supposed to eat 60 - 100 grams of carbs a day. I was eating like no carbs a day and I guess my body wasn't appreciating that after 7 months and decided to stage little rebellions a few times a day until I got the point. So now I have to force feed myself all these carbs between meals. She said 18 - 26 grams at a time should do it. She suggested some of the higher carb protein bars. I am scared to death that I will either stop losing weight or worse, start gaining the weight back. But Debbie said that after losing 130 pounds in 7 months she is not afraid that I will regain. And I guess slowing the weight loss is better than having tiny strokes every day. But after trying it for a few hours, I am feeling frustrated b/c I will need to eat like every two hours to get all this food in. Doesn't eating all the time lead to regain? Geez!

Hey Christine, So glad to hear your okay, how awful for you honey. I know that must of been scary. You take care of yourself and do what the doctor tells you. You have done so great so far, you should be very proud of yourself. Take care and be well. Hugs KimC

Thanks! I am feeling better now!

Hi, Christina! I'm sorry that it got so bad that you were rushed to the ER, but I'm glad that the solution is as easy as eating carbs. I say "easy" realizing that it's not easy for you now, but certainly it's an easier fix than needing surgery or prescription drugs. Why do you think that you'll have to eat every 2 hrs.? If you're supposed to have 60-100 grams of carbs a day and Debbie suggested 18-26 at a time, that's 4 times a day, but couldn't you include some carbs in your meals? For instance, I know you often have salad for lunch with tuna. I don't know what vegetables you put in your salad, but instead of choosing all low-carb veggies off the salad bar (like lettuce, cucumber and mushrooms), choose some of the mid to higher-carb veggies (like tomato, carrot, corn and peas) and even add a tiny bit of some of the starchy salads (pasta or potato) or a few croutons. And don't forget fruit. That's a healthy way to get both carbs and fiber into your diet. Obviously anything packaged should have the nutritional info. on the label, but there are carbs in a lot of fresh foods that don't come with labels. A good website to find out the nutritional content of different foods is the USDA's data base: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search Hugs, Debby

Hello Debby! I am finding that I need to eat so often b/c I am still at a point where it is all I can do to get all of my protein in. I still don't eat all that much. So am still focusing on protein in my main meals and then carbs in between. Otherwise I would never make either goal. I am gassy from the change in diet but other than that feeling better, slowly getting my energy back. Thanks for the link. Very helpful!

Hi Christine. I drink a High protien shake for a snack to get a good portion of my protien for each day. The GNC Gran Slam has 50 grams of protien and comes in lots of flavors. You may want to try something like that to get you thru a day. Your Looking Wonderful Girl! Keep up the great work! Good Luck! Julio

Thanks for the tip, I will have to look into that. I need all the help I can get! Happy Belated Birthday!