Hot topic - carbs
Hello:
Well, over yonder on the VSG board, the "word" is that extremely low carb is the way to go, period. The impression I'm given is that anything over 30 carbs/day would be ridiculous, in order to lose weight. I'm on the fence about this - the dietician, of course, told me I need to eat more carbs as I am, typically, between 20 and 30 daily. I just don't know how realistic it is to try to maintain this, even during the weight loss phase. Maybe I'm just being a suck. I am afraid, to some extent, to get the carb train rolling...but then again, I don't necessarily agree with trying to almost eliminate an entire food group. I have major constipation issues - getting somewhat better, and I know lack of fibre (which is often in carbs) contributes to this. My hunger has slightly increased, lately and I have noticed lately I'm starting to have some cravings - of the sweet/chocolate kind. Is this connected to the low carbs?
Just interested in others' ideas on this. Thanks,
Kerry
January 8th, 2013 - VSG with Dr Paul Sullivan (St Joe's Toronto)
on 2/24/13 6:19 pm - Straford, Canada
yup! it is a hot and will likely remain a hot topic. That battle has been at the root of all "diets" that I have been on since I was 12 (and ask anyone, I'm an old fart). Atkins, etc etc.
As my hunger increased I began craving old demons that I had exorcised pretty well from my intake. I suppose I will crave these for the rest of my days. I like to use the alcohol to alcoholics comparison. It can kill just as efficiently! IMO this is where the WLS patient's mind must take over from the body and demand a regimen of food and exercise that steers the body away from XXXL clothing and hopefully maintains a healthy body for as many days as the grand architect of the universe allows us!
What works for you may not work for me. I find without 30-50g carbs a day I am too hungry. I use cereals and veggies to fill my fitnesspal numbers in for carbs (gawd a tomato is one heavy carb!) so its healthy. I reached my goal by eating protein first before any significant carbs or fat was added. I plan on maintaining with about 50%protein, 25%carbs, 25% fat. My informal study of one will see what he can see as far as whether that works or not. Good luck on your journey!
yes you need to do what works for you . Recent research is stating that you don't need 100 - but you need 75 carbs for brain function.
It is a fine line between cravings - carbs - health.
I know a lot of people are taking in very very low carbs because it works for them.
Hard... but you need to do what is right for you and you might want to check with your nut.
Would you care to cite this research?
Your brain doesn't need carbs to function. It can function on glucose (sugar) which is what all carbs turn into in the body, but it doesn't have to. In the absence of carbs, the body will create an alternative brain fuel calls ketones. Your body is forced to convert fat stores into this fuel, which is why ketosis is a unique state of FAT loss, not just weight loss. You will typically need to consume fewer than 40g of carbs per day to stay in ketosis.
I've been keeping a percentage ratio of 40/30/30 on MFP. 40% protein (with at least 80-100g/day) and 30% for carbs and fat each. At my one-month appointment, I specifically asked the NUT about carbs and she said DO NOT worry about carbs at this point. They only care that you are getting your protein and water in.
If course, I wasn't part of your program, so you might want to have a heart-to-heart with YOUR NUT and get to the bottom of this once and for all. Then who cares what anybody else says, right?
Good luck!
Referral to Bariatric Program at TWH: 08/09/11 Orientation at TWH: 08/17/11 Nurse Practitioner: 10/12/11
Social Worker: 12/02/11 Nutrition Class: 12/21/11 Nutrition Assessment: 01/26/12
Psycho-Social Assessment: 05/31/12 Meet Dr. Penner (TWH) 11/30/12 Pre-Admission: 12/10/12
Surgery Date: January 10, 2013
For more information on the Midtown Toronto Walking Club, please click here.
Hi Amanda - so you're about 30 grams of carbs/daily then right? My dietician that I saw last week for my follow up was pushing for me to up my carbs...and we did have a discussion about it..which still left me confused...lol I guess I just worry if I get too comfy with more carbs I might somehow disrupt the losing phase.....?.... I don't know...I am getting a bit hungrier lately - and it's actual hunger, so maybe I need to up them a smidgy to try to combat that...all my other numbers are fine, so....eesh....I wish there was a black and white across the board kind of thing...you know?
January 8th, 2013 - VSG with Dr Paul Sullivan (St Joe's Toronto)
No. 30 PERCENT of my daily intake is carbs. NOT 30 g.
Referral to Bariatric Program at TWH: 08/09/11 Orientation at TWH: 08/17/11 Nurse Practitioner: 10/12/11
Social Worker: 12/02/11 Nutrition Class: 12/21/11 Nutrition Assessment: 01/26/12
Psycho-Social Assessment: 05/31/12 Meet Dr. Penner (TWH) 11/30/12 Pre-Admission: 12/10/12
Surgery Date: January 10, 2013
For more information on the Midtown Toronto Walking Club, please click here.
I had RNY and am 2.5 years out.
The first 6 months to a year I focused on protein and liquids only. I didn't care at all about carbs.
I have a normal BMI now and am in maintenance. My focus is now more on eating a balanced diet with veggies and one or two fruits a day.
Ideal for me would be 40/30/30 carb/protein/fat.
Normally though my carbs are higher. I just find that with eating veggies they are naturally higher. I don't worry about these types of carbs. It's the processed ones that make me crave.
I also have constipation issues and I eat oatmeal almost every day and a 1/2C Fibre 1 cereal. (Sprinkled in oatmeal or on top of a salad).
When I'm up in weight and I eat to lose, even with the higher carb ratio if I eat between 1200-1550 calories and don't exercise the weight comes off.
