CARBS vs SUGAR

Alright, here's the question.... When reading labels, do you worry more about the carb content or amount of sugar? I know sugar is part of carbs but do you put a limit on yourself as to how much sugar something can have or how many carbs something can have? Shelley

Mostly I look at the sugar and don't go over 7 gms. I don't really count carbs but I don't really eat much "white stuff" either. I don't eat anything where sugar is one of the first 3 ingrediants. But if it's not white I don't usually look at the carbs, but I do know if I eat to many carbs I'll need a nap 5'6" HW 250 tight size 24 jeans SW 235 CW 157 size 6 jeans Surgeon GW 165 Mine 154?? "normal BMI"

Fortunately for me, if I consume anything with more than 9grams of sugar, I tend to dump. Unfortunately for me, i seem to tolerate carbs really well infact I seem to eat them with complete ease!! I know the consumption of them slow my weight loss. I struggle with this daily! I eagerly await others responses.... Diane

Hi Shelley I must admit that I don't really watch my sugars. I exercise a lot which tends to take care of them. However, when I'm being a good girl, I won't go over 20 gms of carbs in a single meal and stay under 60 for the day. Sharyn

I watch the sugar mostly. Occasionally like my freak outs with the fudge and the M&Ms I don't give a crap, but mostly I do. However even those I have to eat a very small amount at a time or I get sick and also end up in bed for an hour or so. Wendy

Do a Google search on Gycemic Index. You can also check out http://www.glycemicindex.com/. A couple things to consider for people who have had an RNY: - High GI carbs (like those that contain sugar) are now passing through a pouch directly into the small intestine and being absorbed more quickly. This results in spikes in your blood sugar level which causes spikes in your insulin levels. Resulting blood flow to the small intestine to deal with this also results in cramping and/or dumping in some. The net absoption level will be close to if not 100% (same as before WLS). - Low GI carbs (like high fiber foods) are digested more slowly will have a tendency to pass through to the large intestine undigested (as you have less small intestine). In excess, this will cause gas, bloating, and/or diarrhea, which is the same for any undigested foods (i.e. fats, lactose, sugar alcohols, etc.). The resulting net absoption level for low GI carbs will tend to be less for people who have had WLS (bypass). Anyway, I check for carbs and sugar (as well as fiber and sugar alcohols). There is really no significant differences between the moderate to high GI foods as far as your body's ability to absorb, use, or store it. Although, there are some advantages to avoiding the high GI carbs (see the above link on the affects of insulin). Jim