Calories?

Does anyone count calories? do we need to? so far, I have just been counting my protein grams and my fluid intake. And of course, I am following my eating plan--no sugar, low fat. is this enough?

Thanks

Hi there,

I am about 3.5 months out and so far I have been told not to worry about them. I do look so I know what I am eating but it is much more important to get my eating and drinking timing down and meet my daily requirements for now.

Mary~

I did not count calories early out.  Now I kinda do.  I'm not real rigid about it but I know about how many calories I eat in a typical day and I try not to go way over or way under that number.

 I have a tendency to not eat enough so I have been estimating my calories lately to make sure I get at least 800 calories.

I have not counted calories since surgery 4 years ago.  I count protein and try to keep "white carbs" to a minimum.  I do occasionally go out and track my food for two or three days to be sure I am not eating too much, though (my RMR is about 1400 and I don't get much exrcise because of knee issues).

Otehr poeple, thgough, DO need to monitor calories in order to keep themselves on track.  It's about what works for YOU.

Lora

I didn't the first few months.  I had a eating plan that I followed.  Protein, fluid & supplements were most important.

I ate protein first,then veggies, fruit or whole grain.  I still do that.

At 28 months post RNY, I aim for 1200 calories, 100 oz fluid 100-130 gm protein a day, 80 gm or less of quality carbs.

For me it isn't about calories, it is about nutriton and health.  As a morbidly obese person (now at goal weight) I know how to stay within a calorie limit and eat unhealthy all day long.  Now I choose "clean" foods rich in protein, nutrients,enzymes.  I don't play the games anymore.

Keeping a food journal is helpful to KNOW you are meeting protein, fluid and carb requirements.

Best wishes.

• These are the rules I follow: 
  

• *Drink 48-64 ounces liquids daily

• *No more than 20 grams of Fat per day
• *Must eat at least 60 grams of Protein a day (80-100 grams at 1200 calories a day)
• *No more than 100 grams of Carbohydrate per day
• *No more than 15 grams of Sugar per meal (Sugar is a Carbohydrate)
• *Stop drinking Water 30 minutes before a meal
• *Begin drinking Water 30 minutes after a meal
• *Eat 3 meals a day (no further than 4 hours apart) (I began 1 protein snack at 1200 calories a day at least 2 hours from breakfast) (I began 2 protein snacks at 1550 calories a day at least 2 hours from breakfast and 2 hours from lunch)
• *3-6 Months After Surgery: I ate 600-700 calories a day
• *6-9 Months After Surgery: I ate 800-900 calories a day
• *9-12 Months After Surgery: I ate 1000 calories a day
• *12-18 Months After Surgery: eat 1200 calories a day (I ate 1200 calories a day until 15 months when I reached my goal weight)
• *18 Months after surgery (or when goal weight is reached before 18 months): Maintenance calories (BMR & Activity Level) (Malabsorption of calories lasts approximately 18 months) (I now eat 1550 calories a day since 16 months and my activity level is Sedentary) (My Activity Level is Sedentary because I do not do a formal exercise program due to Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis)