Nutrition

I know that my Doctor wants you to get in approximately 60 grams of protein daily.  But what I am wondering is, is there a generally accepted amount of carbs and sodium that you should limit yourself to while trying to lose wait and get healthy?

Hi ShrinkingViolet, I don't know about the recommended carb intake but I average about a 1,000 calories a day and around 120 carbs a day.  I've heard on other message boards that some of the RNY's keep it to around 80 carbs a day.  I think the formula for figuring out is: Daily calories X 45% divided by 4. Example:  1,000 cal. X .45 = 450 divided by 4 = 112.5 carbs. I hope someone else has a better idea for you. Bev

I am about 4 1/2 months out .... can only really eat between 2-3oz's (usually closer to 2oz)... so at this point my NUT had advised me not to worry about calories... I can range from 600-800.  I enter everything I eat in an online food tracker (calorie-count.com).   I do mainly to make sure I get in enough protein and am not grazing threw the day; but it does track calories. When I plan my foods I plan it around what will give me the most protein and other nutrients/vitamins that my body needs.... I don't concentrate on calories.  I do try to keep sodium to a minimum but dont track it either...    Carbs, well I keep them between 20 - 30 per day... mainly because I cannot eat much so there is no reason I should have so many carbs right now... as my intake of food goes up I expect the carbs to creep up a bit more.   Now most of my carbs come from cheese, nuts, whole grain products..  foods that will keep my full long, offers protein and fiber and such...  This info for me came in part from my nut and from feedback from others on this wonderful site!   I am not perfect, and God only knows that I still have to keep watch and plan ahead on my foods.... however I do my best to keep the above in mind and that's how I plan my meals... When in doubt though; always consult your Nutrionist.

Thanks guys for the info.  My thought so far is that I won't look at recipes if there are more carbs than protein.

You probably should circle back on this with the nutritionist through your surgeon.  Every one has specific guidelines and they differ. At this point- you need to focus on protein then veggies and then if there is room carbs (and there shouldnt be room by the time you get around to them)  When you're further out you can begin adding in the good carbs, while still avoiding the bad carbs (aka snack foods, processed grains,m etc) Think protein first.  When in the first 6 months, I generally maintained 30 grams of carbs or less a day.  That's practically nothing, when you look at protein counts.