Carbs- low carb, moderate carb, ignore carbs... a perspective

Sugar is my demon Ann.  I can manage it, but I have to be constantly vigilant.  I am so glad to read you found the connection between the sugar and the cravings.  There was a time that I had put sugar aside long enough to truly not even have much of a taste for it, but then I let it creep back in.  I have done an excellent job of maintaining my weight even with some sugar, but it probably would have been easier if I had just left it alone.  Then again, I could drop it again knowing in 3 months I would lose my taste for it again, and perhaps in my future I will need to take that step in order to ensure my maintenance.  Most of my carbs were from veggies, fruit, and fiber rich foods.  Even fruit I had to be careful with and manage those portions.  Veggies have always kind of self-managed for me.  

Be sure to log so you can see the correlation between what you eat and your loss path.  I did potatoes occasionally (usually sweet potatoes) but they are not triggery for me.  Just keep tabs on what works for you and don't let excuses creep in. You are off to a terrific start!

Excellent post and responses...thank you all..there is much to think about..  I am just starting to add in veggies and fruit....I am staying away from breads/pastas/etc.  I believe the fruit and veggies will help take care of the constipation. 

I am very lucky that our nutritionist customizes our plans (hubby and I)...he being diabetic/other medical issues has different needs than I do....so sorry for those who are just given a 'one size fits all' sheet of paper...thank goodness for this website to help with real life, nutritionl info, etc.  a big THANKS to all the vets who share what they have learned, to help us make our own ways through this journey.

Sophie

The idea of virtually no carbs (under 40) is more for a rapid weight loss.  I don't really think "rapid weight loss" is what we should be aiming for.  How about a healthy loss.  We shouldn't be in a huge hurry to get to goal.  So it may take a little longer to take it off, but at least it will be without damaging any muscles or organs (ex, not enough fiber is horrible on your intestines and colon).

Just my opinion.

You have done well Angie, congrats!  I agree that  low carbs are not worth damaging muscles and organs.  I do believe though that there is a bit of research supporting that it does not "hurt" you as long as you keep the fluids up.  I am not against low carb, but rather pro figuring out what the individual needs.  If you need more carbs then you can be successful and make it to goal.  If you feel better going low carb you can be successful and make it to goal.  The one thing that is consistent is that we have to keep the calories beneath the level of what we burn!

I am not so sure about the "rapid" weight loss.  I lost a lot during weight loss with the carbs.  My monthly averages were pretty consistent.  Granted, I didn't lost 40 pounds a month each month... but it was a very dramitic change that occurred in less than an year.  Perhaps if I went low carb I would have been to goal at month 7 instead of month 8, but does that really matter?  Staying on plan until you reach goal is more important than getting hung up on a specific date imho.  

Thank you for posting this!  I am learning so much from all of the vets on this board, and I have begun to realize that my own personal eating plan is not going to fall into the no veggie/no fruit/bare minimum carbs, either.  I absolutely love my dietician and she has been more than willing to work with ME and help me study my MFP diaries to come up with the best combination of foods, etc.  I still have little room for "carbs"...meaning grains.  I do, however, eat veggies at least 2 x's per day and I have begun to incorporate fruits (berries) back into my diet a few days a week.  Once I feel that I can handle it, I will add some whole grains back in, too.  For now, I have been taking a fiber supplement in the morning and evening, but hope once I can get more fiber from my food, I can stop that.  I also exercise 6 days a week at this point. 

Excellent points about the self-education.  This is a whole new world of nutrition and fitness...I always enjoyed eating healthy and working out, but my portions were out of control and I couldn't work out effectively with the huge amount of weight I had gained.  I had crash dieted in my younger years, and flirted with eating disorders.  I do not want to allow myself to fall back into that type of mentality (not that others are...just this thought process could help me to).  So I am doing my best to be very self aware of my actions and habits and reactions, and learn as much as I possibly can about my own body and how it works.

Your excellent ruminations will be added to my arsenal.....thank you!

Great post!  Nice to see the voice of reason speak up!  There is no question that what is basically the Stillman Diet from the 70's, that a lot of people here follow, will lead to rapid weight loss.  The problem that I have with it is that it trivializes nutrition as a whole.   We all need protein.  My program suggests 60-80g/d.  I don't think we need the 100g that an elite athlete would need unless we are an elite athlete.  Veggies and fruits are loaded with nutrients.  I'm really glad that the program that I went to recognizes this.  One of the craziest things that I have heard on this board was a comment made to someone asking about beans.  One person responded "my nutritionist says beans are too high in carbs and suggested deli meat instead".  How on earth can anyone with a degree in nutrition make such a suggestion?   Either that person is really ignorant about nutrition or is just a talking head for a surgeon.   A bit nutty either way.

I feel that food is meant to be enjoyed.  I eat carbs.  I try to stay consciences of what kind I eat.  I stay away from breads and pastas (which I was never big on, anyway.)  I certainly indulge my fruit cravings.  If I am craving a banana over a cookie, I call that success.

I will probably never be a size 2, 4, or 6.  And I'm ok with that.  I like to go to restaurants and sit out on my porch with a glass of wine and enjoy some chips and salsa.  My goal with surgery is to learn how to manage my portions and reduce my sugar intake (my biggest problem!) as much as possible.  If I'm a size 10 and have a little bit of a belly, I'm ok with that!  It will be my "i love life" belly. :)

You have not been sleeved very long... no reason to think you won't make it to goal.  You are off to a great start!

great post and i appreciate you putting yourself out there to post it.  The push from the extreme low carbers is a bit much on these forums and people need to know that it's not the only way ... because it's not.  It's not a sure fire, better, easier, or more consistent way either.

I think the most important thing is to get a plan and stick with it.  yo-yo-ing your carbs from day to day and week to week will cause your body to shred and store glycogen+water so much that you will not even be able to tell if you are losing fat ... not to mention the depression from watching the scale.

I'm still early out, but after messaging a few high-carb successful people i made the decision to not worry about my carbs other than avoiding  what i call 'pure carbs' - carb containing foods that do not ALSO contain a lot of fiber or protein.  Why?  because i desperately need fiber and protein.  And unless you want to drink metamucil and take poop pills for the rest of your life .... you better find some high fiber foods .... and these come with non-fiber carbs.

I havent been successful yet in incorporating fiber in my diet like i wish i could.  I still struggle with getting in my protein and keeping my calories low ... doesnt leave a lot of room in my sleeve for carbs, wether they are fibrous or not.  But down the road you be darned sure that i'm going to up those carbs.   salads, veggie snacks, etc.  i love those things and the nutrients and fiber are beneficial in fighting a host of other health problems not related to weight loss.  like cancer (colo-rectal cancer anyone?  no thanks!), various nutritional imbalances, endocrine imbalances, etc etc.