If your going to eat protien bars.....

That is exactly where my mind set is and you said it so very well...They'd be the first things to cut out if I noticed a shift in how clothing fit (in a direction I didn't want) or the tape measure (my tool of choice).

It's funny... I was eating close to how I intended to eat post op from the end of July through to my pre-op diet starting and the pre-op diet actually raised the amount of carbs I was taking in.

I love your 40/day rule but I find my brain is failing to function if I go below 50 g/day and my "perfect" is 60 g. I didn't even clue into it until I raised them a little for the pre-op diet. Did you ever struggle with this when staying below 40 g/day? I do find I do best if I limit the carbs I get to ones from dairy (0% Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, etc.) or certain low starch veggies, and that grains bloat me.

I'm just kind of curious because I'm trying to find my own fine line here... And trying to figure out if it is "just me".

I love your posts Elina. I think you offer a wealth of information that is invaluable to this forum.

Shelley

I had the brain fog that you are describing for about a week when I first started, but my body adjusted well and I had no difficulty at all after this.  The induction period was not fun but the weight loss was awesome. 

Thank you for your kind words.

Unfortunately the brain fog passed the 4 week mark when I was doing it in Nov. Maybe I can step it down in stages... ? I'll work on it.

I also try to remind myself I am just under 5'10" so I may need just a few more carbs to avoid falling on my butt, or failing to be able to function and form sentences sometimes. *grin* A few more does not mean a lot... It's just a matter of adjusting the sweet spot.

You are very welcome btw...

Protein bars are bad for me. Bad, I say!

Evil little bars of wonderfulness.

I usually use them when I know I won't have access to something better. I'm glad I ordered some and had them sent to DD's house before our visit, small towns in Montana don't have much for VSG folks. Even the local grocery store had few healthy choices that were small enough for DH & I. They were handy to have when the rest of the family was munching on super high carb crap.

I will also say that as a lady, sometimes a chocolate craving will hit with full force vengeance, a protein bar fixes that issue and it is so much better than a snickers. But I do agree, real food is a better choice, but is good to have a back-up item when needed.

I'm only eight weeks out, but in my head ...  protein bars = candy bars =

I intend to keep it that way, but I realize that might get harder as I progress.

So what is it with you West Coast folk and Shushi??! Huh??

Just kidding!! I like my smoked salmon...but that's as close as I get.

As for Protein bars...I have not had one yet...nor do I plan to...but I do have to say...when I first started this journey, I spent a long time in the stores reading all the labels ...none fit my NUT's 5/5 plan ( No more than 5g fat/5g sugar). I'm glad too. Sounds like some folks get in trouble with them.

Peace

~Deb

Protien Bars = Candy Bars - not for me.

I have them occasionally, but I can't even eat a whole one... maybe 2/3rds.  I do have the tortilla with my taco... but at least I stick to the low carb ones :D

I have eaten them a handful of times. I was craving a candy bar so bad one day about a year out, So I went and bought myself a protein bar for the first time. It did the job. I still think they are grainy and just not a big fan. My big downfall is Creamer. I use 1 tbs of SF creamer in my coffee EVERYmorning. 15 calories. I keep telling myself.... WHY waste the calories. BUT I do it. This morning for the first time I used protein powder and a little bit of almond milk. Not too bad. It's not creamer but it was a good substitute. I had one boiled egg afterwards and it is def keeping me full. Two years out and I am still trying new things and different substitutes :)