Need some De-Carbing suggestions....

So it's confession time....I don't dump on sugar. I can handle most any "unhealthy" food group. I didn't set out to regain any weight. I hadn't planned on testing the limits. BUT  it has happened. Now that I've had my epiphany and see how and why this has occurred, I have to do something.

I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that I can't handle the carbs. They trigger something deep within me that wants to eat like the fat woman I once was and could become again if I don't regain control.

My surgeon recommends following the low carb diet plans (think South Beach & Atkins) as a basic guideline for life after Bariatric surgery. So I've dug out all of my information and have made up my shopping list and purged my desk & pantry of all the no-no's.

I've wrapped my mind around the changes I need to make. That still doesn't make the physical craving (maybe they're more mental than physical) any easier to deal with. This is where I could use some help/support/suggestions....For those of you who have basically had to detox yourself from the "carb" monster I'd really like the assurance that I'm going to survive this.

Thanks in advance -
Iris

I hear you!!  Giving up trigger foods is harder than quitting smoking, in my opinion.  At least with smoking you can remove it from your life.  food is everywhere, and carbs have flashing neon lights guiding the way.

Truly, the carb craving does go away.  The less you eat of them, the less you 'need' them.  Stick to complex carbs, and eat them with protein.  Pretend you are allergic to the ones that are real triggers for you.  good luck!

I love the "pretend you are allergic" approach. I think trigger foods are truly addictions and each time we battle them it gets harder to break the cycle.

There's a group here for people like you .... (this also includes people like me!)/

Please check the link in my sig line.  The Atkins/Low-Carb group is for folks like us who need help de-carbing our intake, and moving towards a lower-carb way of eating.  Lots of useful links, lots of experienced and empathetic people, and lots of support and information.

Wishing you the best,

Lisa

Thanks for heading up this group...I've already joined it but haven't posted there. I will be reading back posts for more insight.

Thanks for the reminder.

I have to have substitutes for flavors and textures. I'm a chocoholic so I find Smart Forme's Barix Proti Squares (melting mama turned me on to these) are the best. They are like a sugar wafer cookie....and two squares are 150 calories...15 grams protein and I think about 5 grams of sugar. They don't have the protein gritty taste. I buy 10 boxes of vanilla (5 packs to a box) ad 5 boxes of chocolate and I eat a chocolate one when I need dessert. I take them to the movies.

I also use nuts and soy crisps...although less nuts these days because I'm trying to take 8 pounds off). They do it for me when I need crunchy and salty. I also love Special K Crackers......used to use Ka****asty Little Crackers, but the Special K crackers are more appealing to me. I don't do bread/pasta/pizza..so the crackers are a special deal. I will agree with others that the best thing to do is never stray into refined carb because the cravings (both the instability introduced with insulin as well as the flavor/mouth feel etc) are hard to battle. When I was far stricter with myself I was better off. South Beach is a terrific program because it teaches you the glycemic ratings of foods...so even healthier choices like fruit and veges can be made knowing their impact on your BS and insulin levels. Focus....all about focus. Susan

I have a friend who pointed out the importance of "textures" to her. I have to admit I'd never really thought about my choices in light of this reasoning. I will be giving this sme thought. It could help explain those snacky kind of days where no matter what I eat it's not quite what I was looking for....hhhhmmmmm???? Interesting.

It is all about focus (and balance).

Thanks

My biggest help is to track everything for a few days in livestrong and SEE where my carbs are coming from. If I see that not eating a snack between breakfast and lunch saves me 200 calories, its easier to do.

I also snack less at night if I really load on the protein in the morning. I eat breakfast two eggs, double scoop protein shake and a greek yogurt help me not to snack in the afternoon.

You just need to keep tweeking until you find what works for you.

It takes me about 3 days of misery to get off carbs.

I schedule it for a time when I know that I will have reasonable control over my stress levels and schedule.

I try to sleep  a little more than usual.  I stock up on protein that I really like.

I start a new knitting project -- something that will intrigue me and hold my interest.
I take a long bath with a new magazine or book --- and then drink some hot tea and go to  bed early.

I had to detox from the refined carbs and the only way I was able to do it this time was when I was recovering from major surgery. I was so out of it that I was able to get through it. It is hard. But once they are out of my system the cravings are completely gone. I have come to terms with the fact that I cannot have even a bite of refined carbs. Not even a taste. I have lost 100lbs maybe a dozen times before, including my last surgery and every time I regained I can trace the start to my decision to try to eat refined carbs "moderately". It can't be done in my case. Others can without a problem and I guess I thought I should be able to, too. I was wrong.
I have a lot of protein and I think that helps with the cravings, too. I do have kids so it is in the house but it doesn't bother me as long as I stay away from it. I don't know if I can do it forever but as long as I do it today I'm ok.