Tracking our food questions

Hi,

When did you all start keeping track of what you're eating?  I'm on soft foods now and just started tracking it today on SparkPeople.com.  Did you start tracking before you were on regular food? 

I haven't seen a nutritionist yet, except for over a year ago, but not lately. 

I know I'm supposed to do 90 gm of protein shakes a day, but what do we limit the carb, calorie and fat count to?

Thanks,
Linda

Our bariatric center gave me a post-op packet whi*****luded a cool diet journal on the day I went home from the hospital. I tracked my food intake from then onward.

I stopped tracking when I reached 162, about 130 lb. weight loss. But I didn't start losing again until I began tracking again--in my old-fashioned spiral-bound notebook, with my handy little book of food counts--and now I am at 133.

I have a lifelong compulsive overeating problem that I am dealing with on a daily basis, just like an alcoholic who's been sober for 2 or 3 years! :) Tracking my food helps me to "keep it real" and not lose sight of my goal--maintenance and health.

As for how many simple carbohydrates to limit, I don't know. I try to steer clear of them, as a rule. Calorie limits are easier--you can go online to Fitday.com to find out how many calories you need to sustain life at your current weight and level of activity, AND it will map out for you how many calories to cut each day for a certain amount of weight loss over a certain period of time. It's an awesome tool!

I've tracked it since the surgery, actually even on the 2 week liquid, because I had to keep track of my protein.  After surgery, when I began the soft foods, I started using the tool here - the Health Tracker.  I use that every day, because it allows me to see how much protein, how many calories, etc.  I took copies of it to my post surg appt with the dietition and she was pleased.  It does count calories, too, and mine wanted my calorie count below 700 for now, at least.
                                                             

Hi Mary,

How many carbs do you limit a day?  This confuses me on how much to have.

Thanks,
Linda

I really don't eat carbs - but they are in things like milk and other things, I guess, so it does track the carbs.  The only ones I have are in veggies or oatmeal.  I was told eat protein first then if I have room I can have the carbs.  I usually eat a couple ounces of the meat or cheese or egg, and then if I have room, maybe some well-cooked veggies or canned fruit.  I don't have a number for the carbs.

I'm a bad girl. I track intermittently. Mostly when I'm in a mini-stall. Or to see what I can get away with ordering if we go out for dinner.

My nut doesn't require tracking -- but I know it works from my experience with WW.

I use Daily Plate. But it is schizophrenic at times. I may have to try sparkpeople.com.

My nut just told me 50 g of protein, 3 meals a day. She said I didn't have to track carbs, calories or fats. Which is exactly what she says to every patient they have -- including lap banders and lightweights.

When I do track, I get at least 70 g of protein a day. More often 100 g. My doc's physican assistant actually told me to cut it down the last time I saw her. (Ignoring that)

And I eat snacks. Otherwise I get headaches and feel faint.  I just concentrate on protein.

I'll probably trac****il Monday when I have another appointment.

I have been tracking every day since I came home from surgery.  I am on stage 4 which in my program is soft and moist foods + all the stage 3 foods (full liquid).   Each stage food log is in the book my program gives out and I just scan them and print a bunch out every so often.  I only track grams of protein, ounces of fluid and calories.  My nutritionist has me aiming to get a minimum of 60 to 70 g of protein a day right now.   At this stage, I feel the calories are not really so important but in the long run I think it is a good habit to get into.  For example, today I actually got in 88 g of protein because I have been trying to get more walking in this week, but it still was only 665 calories.  I do a lot of 3 ounce 93% hamburgers with FF ricotta cheese (that is 20 g) or 1/2 c Perdue short cuts chicken with 1 or 2 string cheese with basil tomato sauce (that is about 30 g).  I could eat oatmeal on my plan but I never do.  I can have mashed potato if I have gotten all my protein and sometimes I do have this but not more than 3 times a week.  I got the OreIda steam and mash frozen chopped potato and I just pour out a 1/2 c serving and microwave for about 3 minutes and them mush up and put in a few ounces of skim milk and salt.   This is the only carb food I have eaten since surgery, but just because I am a mash potato fan.  Before surgery I would eat the oatmeal packets but they just have so much sugar as far as I can remember and everyone seems to say that the carbs are what make you hungry, and so far I still have not been hungry since the surgery and have only had head hunger I think twice so far.  Overall, I am still pretty much totally disinterested in food now still.  I purposely think in my head, Okay, my body needs some fuel now, lets get some.  I try not to think of food in the way I used to, you know "yummy goodness".  I have been purposely keeping my food options very limited to not create too much excitement about the choices to eat.  Limited options have worked well for me.  I will not be on stage 5 which is what my program calls ongoing until Dec 14th which is my 2 month checkup with the PA and NUT.  Then I will start adding in veggies and fruit.