NUT diet VS low carb

I am scheduled for surgery on the 5th and have been using this forum daily for encouragment and guidance. I have been planning on focusing on a high protein, low carb diet afterwards (actually, I've been doing that for most of my 4 week liquid diet - switched the recommended Boosts/Ensure meal replacements, with light Muscles Milk drinks and an occasional chicken breast). After reviewing the plan my nutritionist has set out, I now realize that it follows a traditional food pyramid with fruit and carbs included, and suggests calories up to 1200 (by full foods), and only losing 1-2 lbs loss per week. My question is if anyone else has received these food suggestions and instead followed a different plan? When I was told to add skim milk to my shakes, I told her that I usually use almond milk due to its low calories and carb. She said that skim milk was best since it had the highest protein content, but it had something like 17 carbs !! I will absolutely follow the plan as far as liquids to soft foods etc, but I really want to lose the most weight in the period directly after the surgery since I know this is when there is the most restriction. Any advice would be much appreciated.

That is pretty standard "old school" advice that your NUT is dishing out. Lots of people on here ditch that and go with what works better...low carb and almond milk is great!!! And depends on your body I guess but I could not lose on 1200 cals. That is where my body settles into maintenance. 

My plan allows me to eat 1/2 cup of high carb food per meal, but I knew that would cause food cravings for me, and I just excluded the carbs.  My NUT didn't complain, though she still recommends eating the carbs.  She is thrilled with my progress. 

I'd recommend figuring out what will work for you in terms of how many carbs you can tolerate without cravings, and then follow the plan with your own carbs and calorie levels.

Good luck,

Carol

My dietician didn't tell me that, but honestly I would struggle with feeling comfortable following the guidelines you were given.

You may want to check your local grocers to see if they carry anything that is lower carb & calorie than regular skim milk but still has a hefty dose of protein -- something like Hood Calorie Countdown Fatfree, Kroger CarbMaster, or Mootopia. Almond milk tastes great and is certainly low calorie and low carb, but it also has virtually no protein. Low carb milk can be hard to find though!

Yeah, I love Almond Milk too, but low carb skim milk has way more protein, and right after surgery you will probably struggle to get enough protein in.  Of course, none of know you, your medical conditions, etc. so take any advice you get with a grain of salt.  Right after surgery you'll want to focus on getting your liquids in for the first week, and protein isn't as big of an issue.  

And BTW, 1-2 pounds a week is great - don't start comparing yourself to others who lose tons of weight out of the starting gate.  If you expect 1-2 pounds a week, you'll be thrilled when you lose more.  In my opinion, 10 pounds or more a month is dancing time baby!  Start training yourself now to stop saying "I only" and instead celebrate what you've already done.  Good luck to you - the 5th will be here before you know it!

I know this wasn't directed at me but I really needed to hear the part about expectations surrounding weight loss this morning, so thank you

Hugs to you!

You will find varying opinions here.  My story is that for a couple months I couldn't even fit any carbs in after I ate my protein so it was not an issue.  I couldn't stand the thought of banning fruit and dairy from my diet, so I did gradually add them in.  And I did drink milk right from the start as a protein source.  For a long time my carbs were below 50, then up to 75 or less.It took me 10 months to get to 1200 calories, but my weight loss continued

How did it work?  Well I had my year surgiversary yesterday and i have lost 119 lbs,, in maintenance and still losing. Landed in normal BMI 3 days ago.

I think I am one  of the lucky ones who is not sensitive to healthy carbs like those in dairy, fruit and whole grains.  I definitely cant tolerate "white carbs"

Many have had success with severe carb restriction, but that was not the path that I chose.  You have to do what works best for you and your body. 

I did not follow my nuts advice exactly, but I did alot of research before I decided what I was going to do.

Anne

This is a path I see me taking, as well, if I find that it works for me.  I already miss fruit and vegetables very much.  I don't "crave" them but I miss the fresh taste they offer.  Protein is delicious in it's own right but it doesn't have that "grown" flavor.  Does that make sense?  I plan on avoiding all processed and white carbs - maybe entirely - maybe forever.  I'm not sure what my forever will look like right now.  But I do see a more varied, yet healthy, diet in my future.  Maybe not 6 months from now...but eventually.  

Thank you for sharing your experience and congratulations on your success!!  I needed to read this!

If I were ollowing my office's plan, I would be eating NO LESS than 1200 calories per day. Don't think so. I would never advise someone to ignore their orders, but i don't know... I look around the support groups and see very few people (or none) that are close to a normal BMI and/or have kept weight off... so I made a conscious decision to do what works until it doesn't work anymore!