Carbs - No worries???

Was anyone told not to worry about Carb intake by their nutritionist? I was told 40 and over or under... just forget about it and get in that protein. hmmm.... I know myself and I have to watch those carbs. They really are a big weakness for me. Just wondering if anyone else heard the same. Elizabeth M

Howdy, I'm seven months out as of yesterday. I have been told by the nutritionists at PMRI and Dr. Irgaau, Dr. Wynn, and Brett that we need to focus on protein intake. Others doctors and support groups have different rules. One of the things that PMRI stresses is that our new status is not one of LO-CARB diet. Julie Walenta from PMRI gave an excellent talk last Saturday, and will be repeating the session on Monday, May 17 at 7pm. Suggest that you attend. Most of the doctors will tell you that if you are getting in your protein 60-100+ grams per day you won't have much room left for carbs or anything else. It is definitely a different way of thinking for most of us, but it seems to work. You can also talk to several vets at the NDE-WLS support meeting about their fight against the evils of pretzels. Hang in there. Rob

None of the nutritionists have ever told me to limit my carb intake. What they say is to focus on protein becasue our body needs it the most it is important to get that in first. By the very nature of our stomachs - that jsut does not leave room for many carbs if you are getting in all of yor protein. As Julie (dietician) explained at Saturday's meeting - the longer we are out of surgery, the larger our new stomach will be and there for we will be able to meet our protein requirement and still have room where we can eat things other then protein. It is best to then focus on the good carbs that come in vegtable and fruits and some grains. Just as any normal heathy balanced diet would. You will never again want rice, pasta and bread as your staples however this is not a low carb or for that matter high protein type diet. It is a new way of life where we have to acheive a minimum protein intake for the sake of our health. Once you can easily do that then healthy carbs are fine. As Julie also explained, some of them are needed by the body to help with it's chemical balance like creating new proteins and burning things efficently - you'd have to talk to her to get an exact description. On another note - one reason that many of us look for foods low in carbs is because generally, that means they are low in sugar. That does not mean all foods high in carbs have high sugar too - like grains and pasta. But for exacple a cookie or a donut has a lot of carbs & sugar. So when looking for a sweet type of treat or even protein bars & shakes - we may look for "Low Carb" becasue we know they will have the low sugar that we need. If you can get to Julie's meeting, I thought it was really good. It made me feel better abotu not avoiding carbs. With a bypass surgery your low caloric intake is what will make you lose the weight in the begining - even if you have some carbs in there too. If you don't already have a PMRI dietician you might consider seeing one - it is worth the $70 bucks or whatever if your insurance does not cover it to help us really understand what our new bodies need.

Wow Elizabeth, I just read your post on the March 2004 surgery board. It was quite a bit different from the post you have here. It doesn't sound to me like she treated you badly, it seems to me that perhaps you just didn't hear all she had to say, or maybe on some level weren't receptive to what she had to say. Bottom line the WHOLE point is...if you get the protein in first and don't slack on it like you said in the other post, then you won't have room for the carbs. You mention tortilla chips quite often in your posts..why even buy them if they are such a temptation? As far as the expense of the protein shakes you mention, there are some good ones that aren't expensive at all. I guess it's more just a matter of preference, however it was a given before surgery that this would be the case and these would be life long expenses. You would probably benefit alot from the PMRI protein meeting that's coming up. I attended last Saturday morning and found it to be quite interesting. If you are finding you have major food issues that could affect your future health and well being, maybe you should see someone about them now instead of waiting till a problem like malnutrition arises. As for the vitamins, what ones are you taking that the nutritionist didn't like? I was also given a sample of the resource products but was told upfront by 2 nutritionists there that they don't endorse any one particular product but are willing to share samples and information that they have. As for the carbs, when they say this isn't a low carb plan and not to be overly concerned about them, they don't mean unlimited eating of chips and the like, it means fruits and vegetables and the like will be added in over time. Healthy carbs needed for proper brain function etc. Not junk food. Good luck, hope you get things straightened out soon. Linda

Hi LB, Yeah I was upset when I wrote that. I really did feel like I was not being listened to. Lucky to say I dont have serious food issues and definitely not malnourished, was a bit lower on the protein but not malnourished. It sucks I can eat quite a bit. She even mentioned "wow you can eat more than most of the other people ive seen a whole cup of salad in lieu of 1/2 a cup is alot" Yes I was lower that week on protein cuz I didnt have the drinks but upped my protein food intake trying to compensate for it. I was getting about 35-40 grams of protein they said I should have been getting 58 and up. It was her reaction that was way over the top and shook me up. (it was a long lecture sorry) Anyways I know she has my best interest at heart now. I dont think she meant for me to stuff myself on junk food and I would never think that a nutritionist would mean that. I confessed my nacho problem I have once in awhile. She lectured me on that and I listened and totally deserved it. No qualms there! Havent had since, still in the house as hubby and son love them and are finishing them off. I think we've all had our slips once in awhile. What it was is that she mentioned pasta and bread and rice. She told me to try eating a little pasta and I asked "wouldnt that fill my pouch?" she said "yes just eat a little of it"..then they explained what types of rice to buy that would wouldnt expand much more in the pouch. Then she was like protein first and foremost (of course) I guess I got really confused because I had been avoiding breads and pastas & rice. I understand now that maybe she was just balancing out according to the food pyramid. I also understand now (from posts and such -thanks-) that eating my protein would fill me up first and I wouldnt want the breads and pastas anyways, true true..but when she mentioned it it threw me off because I was thinking -no carbs over 40gr!!!- It was my first appt. I was 2 months out and she thought I was 1 month out...it was all just confusing and a little frustrating. I told her I spit up on like 3 things and explained that it wasnt like throwing up just spitting up because I ate to fast, later she thought I must've said I had a problem with vomiting and told me to go on soft foods for awhile since I was one month out. (I was aggravated since I had already explained that I was 2 months out and just spit up from eating too fast) There were misunderstandings and confusion and the communication was off. ie: frustration. Sorry for the post over there...I was venting and irritated with her at the time . Im sure I was just as confusing to her. Im not normally a venty person like that and am really embarrased I think next meeting we will be more on target she will know my exact time Ive been out of surgery and I will have gone to her protein meeting (which she told me to go to). and Ill be on target with my protein. We'll be good to go. Thanks for all your helpful posts Best Wishes Elizabeth M

Hi Elizabeth, Venting is a good thing at times I think next meeting you and she will be more on the same page. Good luck to you and keep on those pounds off! Linda