Carb Monster

Ok so I admit the carb monster has attacked me badley. NOW is the time I need to him out agian. So I am coming to my fellow november buddies for I know there is a few of you that have cut carbs out completley..HOW do you do it..I mean what do you eat.It seems like everything I look at has some sort of carbs in it. My insurance only covered a nut for the pre-part of this but will not cover one now so I am kinda lost on certain things. I need to find diffrent things to add to my food list (and lets talk quantites (sp?) I have no clue..I usually just eat till Im full.This can all be why I have not lost anything in some time.I am probably eating all wrong and maybe eating to much. I really don't know..My depression has gotten the better of me on all this and I'm starting to feel so alone. I mean I'll admit I have been dealing with the depression part pretty much from the start of this journey because I had numerous complications but I was starting to feel better about it all but it's sneaking back up at me. I always feel so dam tired and it's like hauling a ton of rocks for me to do anyhting these days. I do have an appointment friday at the surgeons for my check-up so I can talk to them about the tired part but when it comes to anything else I feel like I get no where.. Anyways..if any one has some imput I would appreciate it.. Thanks..Naomi

I wish I could help you Naomi, but I am having similar problems... the only way I solve them is to stick to yogurt, cottage cheese, meat and protein drinks... It gets boring and then I slip and eat the wrong foods and my weight goes up or just stays the same... I feel your frustration... I will be watching this thread for some menu ideas... Best of luck to you... I hope someone can help you out... Shawn M.

When you start to feel all alone just remember it's the depression talking. It's not your reality. We are just a few key strokes away. The carbs that you want to stay away from are ones that convert to sugars too quickly in your body. On the bad list are potatoes, white rice, crackers or other flour products, etc. Vegtables are good. Most fruits are fine within reason. Bananas and pineapples are high on the glycemic index. Berries and apples are fairly low. My typical day is: B: protein shake or Dannon lit & fit yogurt (individual size container probably 6 ounce) with 1/2 cup blueberries and 1/4 cup All Bran cereal. L: salad topped with 4 ounces of tuna, salmon, or chicken. S: Soy crisps, baby bell light cheese, protein pudding, 1/2 cup dry cheerios or almonds D: Fish or Chicken (about 4 ounces) and a vegetable or a vegetable & cheese omelet Have you tried logging your food at fitday.com? I always find when I don't monitor my intake, the amount that I eat creeps up. Good luck.

Bad carbs..potatoes..grrrrrrrr see I been eating baked potatoes with light sour cream..it's something that has been agreeing with my picky pouch. Crackers..yup those to..peanut butter ones.. I have no issues with vegs except brocolli. no pineapple..boooooooooo...I LOVE pineapple..lol banana's put me to sleep now..so not often I go for one.. I do love necterin's,watermellon,and blueberries a lot. I did do the fitday log in..but when it's not set up for us to began with it's hard to follow along with it.

I heard that a baked poatoe has the same effect on our bodies as 1/4 cup of sugar! That's enough to make you think twice before you have one! I wonder if your sleepiness after you eat a banana is a mild form of dumping. That's interesting.

Wanda, Our food diaries are almost identical! I live for my Dannon lite and fit with strawberries and All-Bran! And those soy crisps... yummy! Your standard lunch... mine too! Leah

The creamy vanilla is awesome. You can mix any fruit with it. It is addicting. And Soy Crisps are addicting too! I only buy one small bag at a time because I would eat too many of them if I had a big bag!

Naomi, The carb monster is working overtime, huh? First of all, I hope you had some blood work in preparation for your appt. with the surgeon. Sounds like your B12 or iron or something is low since you have little energy. If he didn't order any blood work, ask for a complete workup. Secondly, ask him if your antidepressants are going through your body too quickly. I think I've read that some people end up taking smaller dosages twice a day to combat that. Please ask about that! Now that I'm nine months out, I do find I can eat larger quantities so, like Wanda, it's better to start keeping up with them. I often make "deals" with myself. If I'm hungry and feel drawn to eat something, I try to think about the best choice and then tell myself I can have it after I drink 2 glasses of water or Crystal light (or one of each). Once I've had that much fluid, then I have to wait before I eat. If I eat first, I miss out on all that fluid, plus sometimes I don't even want the food after the fluid. Sometimes we're just thirsty! Also, if you want food, drink a cup of hot tea or broth. That's filling and satisfying and gives us more fluid! As far as my food intake, I'm still thrilled about using the Any Whey unflavored protein powder. It's saved me from those awful tasting shakes. I've tried so many brands and even ones I used in the past (before WLS) just don't taste right to me now! Just about every morning I mix a heaping scoop of Any Whey powder into 1/2 cup of low fat cottage cheese and add a cut up nectarine, peach or just about any fruit. When I first wake up, I go downstairs and mix that up while I drink a bottle of water and a cup of hot tea and take my meds. By the time I go back up, shower, dry my hair and put on make-up, enough time has elapsed to go down and eat my breakfast. I leave the house and get to the gym and when I start working out, I start drinking my water again. I usually treat myself to a Cafe Au Lait skim milk at a coffee shop before heading back home. Lunch is usually pretty simple unless my husband comes home or we go out. If we have some leftover chicken or whatever, I'll eat some of that and maybe some raw veggies. Mostly, I'll just have a heaping scoop of the protein powder mixed with a light and fit yogurt. I seem to like the lemon chiffon flavor just about the best. My afternoon snack may just be some watermelon because I LOVE watermelon or 2 Rye Krisp Sesame crackers and 2 couple slices of Kraft Cracker Cuts (so easy and convenient!). Cheese calories add up so I only allow myself 1 treat like that. Other times I might have half a protein bar. I dump on some of them but a truly, truly sinful tasting one is Power Crunch Peanut Butter. Oh, God, they are good but only have 13 grams of protein and are high fat. Dinner is meat, chicken or some type of protein. I can eat steak with no problem and can eat 3 or 4 ounces most of the time. I may have a small salad or even have salad with sliced leftover steak. I try to stick to non-starch veggies. I've enjoyed squash and zucchini this summer. I try to stay away from potatoes but sometimes I'll take a bite or two of my husband's. The other night as I was cooking veggies, my husband (always thin and a big eater) decided he wanted a California Pizza Kitchen Magarita pizza. I thought "OH,NO" but I cooked it for him and didn't eat one single bite! I was proud of myself because even since surgery I can eat a slice or two of one of those! he ate THE WHOLE THING and still ate dinner! If I get hungry before bedtime, I might have hot tea or even another Cafe Au Lait (with skim milk!). So, I eat 5 or even 6 times a day. Knowing I'm going to do that helps me keep from stuffing myself at each mini meal but I have to confess that it's hard to feel satisfied at dinner if I don't feel really full. I've seen other boards do a daily post "what did you eat today?" but I don't know how much pressure that would put on me!! The weekly weigh ins are tough for me if I'm not losing!!! I can't cut out all carbs but I try to eat only the good ones with fiber because the Carb Monster is always just around the corner waiting to jump out and say "Got you!"

I sure do plan on having blood work done and if they don't I'll go to my pcm..I should of had it at my 6 month check up but she said it was all fantastic at my 4..(I really think she was trying to be nice because I was on a daily pin cushion of having blood done and was just removed from it)but I think there is something wrong as well.I hear alot of people have issues with taking in all there b-12 and have to have shots..I'm wondering if this is my issue. Daily I take.. 2 multi vitamins 2 calciums 2 b-12 2 vitamin c 1 a&d So Im getting vitamins in..just don't think IM asboring them..heck maybe I am over asorbing..seeing I'm not the "norm" on this journey..lol maybe it's the iron?? I only get that threw my multi..hopefully will see soon..Im going on a "me" vacation the 16th threw the 26th and I would hate to be sitting on my sister's couch the entire time.

Naomi, I sorry to hear you're having troubles but this is exactly the right place to come. We're here to give ideas and lots of support!! What Wanda said but the right carbs is important. Many things will have carbs but if they are the right kind then they won't effect you as badly. Like many fruits and veggies, most milk products have carbs but as long as you are not lactose intolerant than they won't effect you. There are also some pretty good low carb options out there to allow you to have more variety in your diet. I use the low carb tortillas and love them. Also Dreamfields pasta is very tasty but doesn't affect your blood sugar levels so the carbs are negligible. There is low carb peanut butter which is great on the tortillas. I agree that it also sounds like you might be missing some essential vitamins or minerals. I'm not sure if you take supplements, I know that some surgeons don't take much more than a multivitamin but mine has me taking calcium, B50, B12, iron, and a multi vitamin everyday. You should definitely have blood work done and see if you are missing anything. I had stopped being faithful about my vitamins and minerals for the two months I was gone and I could feel it in my energy level. I hope you're feeling better soon and rest assured you are not alone!!!!!! Corinna Q