Visit to the Nutritionist Today

Hi to all my fellow October Losers....I went to the nutritionist today to talk about my diet and setting good habits for the future. She looked over my food diaries and said that I was doing just fine overall, down 5% body fat. I asked her how many calories/fat/carbs should I be eating? She told me that based on being female and pre-menopausal (I'm 27), I need about 1,000 calories/day. Of these 1,000 calories, 30% should be protein, 40% should be carbs and 30% should be good fats. My personal menu ratios were not as above--far more protein than the other 2 categories and 800 total calories on a good day. She said less than 1,000 calories may actually slow down my metabolism over time, even though I am loosing now. Here are a few of her suggestions: increase fiber for constipation and good carbs by adding a few frozen strawberries or fresh blueberries to my protein shakes. Eat 1T of peanut butter 3Xweek and add 1t of flax seed oil to my protein shakes the other days of the week to improve my skin dryness. Add avocado or olives instead of peanut butter if I want. Keep the colorful veges coming as I can tolerate. 50 grams of protein per day is fine. Check nails, tongue, and skin for any abnormalites such as red spotting that may display vitamin deficeincies. Eating a few crackers (which I like) with my cheese is A-OK. Of course, follow your doctor's advice first and foremost, but I thought I would share a few recommendations to you all. Keep up the good work! -Laura 10/19/06 Lap RNY, Dr. Simon 280/215/170 5"11

Thank!! Deb 392/308/225