Junk Food disagree with your system??

Hi Everyone, Well, I am able to eat just about anything these days, and I've been eating alot of snacks, like chips, jelly beans, low fat cookies, cream cheese and crackers, chocolate, cheeze its, etc. I'm using these for comfort, but I know I should not be, and I tell you, I experience the worst cramps(mostly on the left side) and gas problems sometimes when I eat these kind of things. Is this normal, does anyone know, why are we so sensitive to this kind of food? I have definitely been cutting back lately, to see if the stomach problems stop, but I was curious if anyone else has experienced these difficulties with junk food. I know I am going to be flamed for eating these kinds of foods, but lately I need them for comfort due to high stress in my life. All responses are well appreciated, and all advice will be taken to heart. Have a great day, Rhonda

Shoot Rhonda, I'd be the last one to flame you for eating that kind of stuff. I can't tolerate any sugar-free stuff (gas/bloating) so I've let chocolate eek it's way back into my life and my weakness is M&M's. I've even figured out to calculate them into my daily intake on Fit Day...how bad is that? No, unfortunately, I don't have stomach problems with junk food, but I don't find much of it really appealing. Some times I think I really want potato chips, etc., but then just a couple of bites and I realize I didn't really want them, they seem kind of bland, and they're easy to put away. I do tend to get cramps, sometimes quite bad, and ALWAYS on the left side, when I eat too much bread or pasta or when I'm constipated. I can tolerate a decent amount, but too much and then I'm hurting. I've wondered if that is where the "Y" is. I go for my 18 month checkup next Friday; I'll try to remember to ask the doctor. Julie

Rhonda, The more fatty the food is, the worse it makes me feel. My stomach sometimes hurts, and I get some intestinal cramping and occasionally some diarrhea. I know it's a little different form of dumping for me than the normal sugar dumps. In fact, I find it much harder to eat fats than sweets. When I feel the need to crunch, I usually get pretzels or something like that with a lower amount of fat and I don't feel so bad after. And I'm telling you - sometimes I NEED to crunch. My life is pretty busy and stressful. Also, when I want something sweet, I'm finding that what I crave is fruit, and it's also usually because what I really am is thirsty. So I drink a bottle of water and most of the cravings actually go away. Probably doesn't help much, but these are things I've noticed about how my body does things. Linn

Rhonda, Do you still have your gall bladder? If yes, my early symptoms were gas, bloating, diahhrea, stomach pains. Higher fat food can cause the symtoms too that you are experiencing. Also sugar and sugar alcohols can do the same thing. Many people after WLS become lactose intolerant and that cause the exact same problems too. So many food products contain milk/dairy or milk/dairy derivatives in them. If you are lactose intolerant, even a small amount can trigger problems. Definitely not going to flame you, instead am sending you compassion and understanding. I understand emotional/stress eating. I have done it too. I try to keep those things out of the house so they are not as tempting to me. Also if it is something that will make me not feel well (like sugar free chocolate loaded with sugar alcohols), I remind myself that it is NOT worth the aftermath of not feeling well. Mary

Hi Rhonda, I find that I feel terrible when I eat fried foods, AND when I drink milk. I can have a little bit of cheese, but milk or ice cream bothers me. Sugar free products bother me, too. I usually just eat a bit of regular chocolate if I crave it. I don't dump from sugar, but if I have a meal high in carbs, I will break out into a cold sweat, and feel terrible until I eat something with protein. Weird, but true. Andrea