Question:
How many carbs g in a day?
I am almost 6 weeks post op and down 40lbs. I am on a regular diet. I would like to know how many carbs is to many carbs. I dont dump and I wish I would. I love rice, bread and crackers. My snack sometimes are vanilla wafers with peanut butter or ritz crackers with squeeze cheese. Are these all wrong? — Quiwana B. (posted on August 7, 2002)
August 7, 2002
I don't necessarily "count" carbs but at the early stage you
probably should have at least some protein every time you eat. And it looks
like you are doing that. I found it hard to get enough protein becuz I
could eat so little. I used to be a "squeeze cheese snob" but I
looked at the nutritional values and it has just as much protein as
"real" cheese--plus more salt so be aware of that. I aimed for 45
grams of protein a day early out, then 60 grams as I added foods to my
"safe" list, then when my appetite and capacity for eating
increased at 7 months, 100 grams. I don't count carbs but do try to
minimize the "white" carbs (rice, pasta, white bread, white
sugar, potatoes, etc.) or replace them with whole grain stuff or veggies or
fruits. If you've got lots to lose, you could try limiting to 40 g of carbs
a day but it's tough! I usually average around 100 or so when I spot check.
(I use www.fitday.com to do that--it's free.) Good luck and happy losing!
— ctyst
August 7, 2002
I am 3 months post-op open RNY. I average around 500-800 calories per day
of which I average 31-37 grams of carbs per day. I notice when I eat more
carbs, that the color of my Ketostix gets lighter and I prefer to remain
somewhat in ketosis while I can. Further out, closer to my goal, I won't
worry about that as much. But I really want to take advantage of my first
6 months. I'd hate to blow my opportunity to lose as much as I can while I
can. I began keeping track of everything I ate at 5.5 weeks post-op. If
you'd like to see my FitDay journal as an example, you can e mail me and I
will give you the link. :o)
— Jennifer A.
August 7, 2002
My advice would be to NOT go on the Adkins diet. You are finished with
diets! Eat responsibly, remember the foods that are good for you, and
you'll be FINE! I have never counted calories, protiens or carbs and have
lost 85 pounds since March. Remember, a diet is something you go on for a
short time to lose weight. You are going to lose weight anyway. Just
enjoy your food and don't worry about all the small stuff!
I stopped going to my favorite restaurant after surgery because it was an
all-you-can eat Chinese buffet! Then I got to thinking, "do I go
there to stuff myself or because I love the food?" My answer was that
before surgery, I went there to do both. Now I go because I love the food.
I still leave stuffed, but I've only eaten a fraction of the food I had
before. Hope this helps! Remember, enjoy it for the taste, not because
it's GOOD for you!
— Robby E.
August 7, 2002
I want to say that the last poster took the words out of my mouth. I don't
necessarily get stuffed, but I eat till I'm satisfied. Anyway, on to your
question. The majority of your calories should come from protein because
it is so vital, however, you should not go low carb either. By going too
low on carbs you will probably go into Ketosis. My doctor says ketosis is
a bad thing all the way around. It can damage the kidneys and the heart.
Yes, in a relatively short time for some. I may not be the fastest loser
in the world, but I don't count my carbs (only the protein and calories)
and I am losing and feel GREAT! Please talk to your surgeon or
nutritionist if you have any doubts about what I have said. I wish you the
best of luck.
— Tina B.
August 7, 2002
I am not anti-carb at all. But I am anti-sugar. Sugar can give you back
100% of your wt lost. Scary, huh? But it sounds as if you are eating ALL
carb, nothing with much food value. And that's not good, either. Can you
make that cheese & meat with your cracker? But upgrade the cracker to
something with food value, maybe. Go to sugar free vanilla wafer? Good
grain bread, maybe with some seeds? And some veggies. Need the veggies, as
well as occasional fruits. All carbs will make you so hungry you can't
think of anything but food. Gotta have some protein food in there to
satisfy or protein supplement to enhance your wt loss.
— vitalady
August 7, 2002
replace those crackers with veggies carrots and nonfat cream cheese or
ranch dressing, Celery with peanut butter and rasions taste good. try to
keep your self away from things of the bread and cracker nature there just
fillers. try wild rice or brown rice instead of white. keep your fruit
contant down to 2 serving a day because fruit has natural sugar in it. I
myself am struggleing to lose my preop weight befor surgery it not easy at
all.
— sheri B.
August 7, 2002
To give you an honest answer. Right now, I really don't concern myself
with carbs. When I eat I do try to make sure I get a majority protein, but
I also eat some rice, pasta and potato. I supplement at least 50 grams of
protein a day. I do try to limit my sugar grams though. When I plateau,
I'll worry about dropping carbs to see if that helps, but right now I am
fine. As long as you are losing, I wouldn't worry about it.
— Lisa N M.
August 7, 2002
Oh, I should add I do try and stay away from bread. Bread, especially
white bread takes up a lot of pouch space with little or no nutritional
value. I was a big sandwich eater prior to surgery and I don't want to go
back to that. I don't keep bread in the house. (I do sometimes eat
crackers.)
— Lisa N M.
August 7, 2002
My nutritionist recommends under 125 grams of any type of carb a day.
— LLinderman
August 7, 2002
You are still a newly post op patient, as I am myself. Does your doctor
offer after care or nutritional support? My first suggestion would be to
check with your doctor and find out what his expectations are.
The surgery is about the same from dr to dr, I think where so many
differences come in, is the post op care and directions.
My doctor limits us to 15 carbs a day, and strongly suggests those carbs be
eaten at one meal, you can not bank them. And spreading them over the day
increases the chance for cravings. These requirements are supported by the
American Bariatric Association.
— Nene B.
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