Carbs vs. Fats

Which is worse for you, carbs or fats?  For those who do dump how about your guys? 

carbs give me more gas...and headache after that... fats - not sure. Before GB surgery - I was in pain or really nauseated, now I am not sure. Still trying to figure things out.

That's a far more complicated question than I can accurately answer.

My simple answer would be neither. We need a good balance of the right carbs and the right fats for our bodies to be most efficient.  One thing I've learned over the past year, and which I would argue most of America is woefully uneducated about, is what are carbs?  Which are good and bad?  Which fats are good and bad?

White carbs, we can universally agree, are bad.  They cause a spike in your blood sugar followed by a crash.  They offer few nutritional benefits and can cause you to feel hungrier way before you are supposed to.

More complex carbs would be whole wheat/whole grain starches (pasta, bread, etc.), fruit, dairy products (which also contain protein), etc.

In the RNY world opinions differ on the benefits/drawbacks of different kinds of starches.  You'll meet people who do not eat bread, rice or pasta at all, some who eat it only in moderation, some who don't mess with fruit that much, etc.  And then you'll meet those who do and aren't a bit bothered by it.

Either way you need carbs for brain function, for your body to have "easy to access" energy resources, etc.  But if you plan on making exercise a part of your lifestyle you especially  need them and specifically before and after workouts to give you needed energy and maximize your results.  Does that mean you should have a bag of chips before your workout?  No.  A banana. Maybe (depending on your tolerance but bananas are good workout carbs).

So far as fats...any high protein diet (in my humble opinion) is inevitably going to be higher in fat than one that is not.  The right fats in the right ratio in your diet help with all sorts of things including keeping you "regular."  Don't go for fried stuff, oil, etc.  Avocados, flax seeds, peanut butter (in certain quantities)...those are your good fats and you want them to be a part of your plan.

So anyway, I've gone on and on.   Others will have more wisdom to share.

Wow, Nik, thank you.  For the most part my brain knew some of this.  I like the way you applied it to wls and that was where I wanted and needed more info on.  How to apply this to my soon to be new life.  Thanks you again.

You live in Ft. Rucker?  My children's father (when he is stateside) is stationed there.  Are you in the military/a military wife?

Hi Nik, yepper old Army wife here and yes somethime I do feel like I am married to the Army rather than my Dearest Hubbins.  LOL   Do you ever make it this way? 

Well the kids father is headed back from Iraq in the fall and I'd like to get the divas out to see their daddy.  They miss him so much!  I'll come but I'm not hanging around with my ex and his wife.  What is there to do there?  What is Ft. Rucker near?

Umm.... there is not a thing here around Rucker.  But you can come and hang out with me and the fam.   We live on post and are boring old people....LOL  I looked at your profile, I grew up in Upper Marlboro!