Question about Sugars-

So, currently I'm in the process of taste testing all kinds of protein products and certain pureed things so I've got a bit of a stock-pile before my surgery date, but I'm realizing as I lable shop that I don't really know what I'm looking at in terms of sugar content. I know I'm supposed to keep each "meal" below 4g of sugar for best chances of dumping avoidance, but does that include all types of sugar (ie, all natural/fruit sugar, etc.)? Anyone want to shed some light on the subject for me or tell me where to go to find a good tutorial I can read myself? Thanks! -Susane

Hi Susane, I keep the sugar below 6-8 grams. I don't usually finish the whole thing. That sugar also includes sugar alcohol. Should be marked on the labels. example: If someting has 5 grams of sugar and 6 grams of sugar alcohol then I won't even go there. Combined it should be under 6-8 grams. If we are talking fruit, you maybe will be able to eat 1/2 bananna, 1/4 of an apple, a couple strawberries or a piece or 2 of pineapple. Not enough to make you dump. Just take it easy at 1st. Everything will taste different to you. Some things you'll be able to eat and others won't agree with you. Don't give up, try it again in a couple of weeks. Don't go hog wild on stocking up either. Your taste will change after WLS. I had gotten a whole case of Isopure. Made me gag after. I exchanged it and for Isopure strawberry powder. I also found Unjury. 3 flavors. Unflavored mix with crystal lite it's been my savior in the protein dept, plus it counts as fluid intake. 2 for the price of 1. One day when you have time, I'll take you to you & whoever else wants to go to Trader Joe's and we can go over labels & choices. Let me know when. ((HUGS)) Elissa Good luck. Elissa

Susane, Unfortunately, each of us are different ... so there are no real hard and fast rules. It is best to keep your sugars as low as possible at all times, especially if you had trouble with sugar being a trigger food pre-op. I know for me personally, I can do a bit more than 4gms per meal usually. I think I was quoted something like 6gms per meal. At times 6 gms is alright, other times, it is too much. As far as types of sugar ... it does matter to me. Any liquid sugar**** me too hard and too fast. So I avoid them at all cost. I can do a little more in fruits for the most part, except for bananas ... in which one little bite makes dump. But then again, bananas have always been a fruit that hits my system fast for some reason. I can eat, just about any other fruit in moderation without a problem. I can also do more than 6gms of "sugars" in milk products. I can do a regular sugar free yogurt, but instead choose a low carb one which help me keep my sugar gms within guidelines. One thing that really hurts me is sugar alcohols. Very little of them can really hit me hard. I have to be even more careful with them than regular sugar. Truly it is all a process of trial and error. My only real warning to you is to start very slowly. It is easier to add than to take away. My other thought is to never overdo the sugars of any kind, simply to test the waters, especially if sugar has been a trigger food for you. It is much easier to stay away from sugars once your system is purged of them. I know of many post-ops who have tested the sugar waters and regret it tremendously. Just check out the main message board just about any day and you will see someone struggling with sugar addiction once again, post-op. Remember, not everyone dumps, some do and will tell you of the horrors of it, but then there is that small fragment that do not, and will tell you the horrors of not dumping. Congratulations on researching and learning all you can before surgery. Wishing you the very best! Hugs, Tammy

Me like cookies.... Never was really really big on sweets but now I like cookies bunches. I can eat -usually - 16 - 20 grams of sugar at a time but not more. And every once & a while that will be too much. But you should listed to Elisa & Tam becasue they are doing it right. Hope you are doing well!

Everyone who has posted already pretty much has it covered, but I have found that I am less affected by natural sugars (like in fruits) than I am with refined sugars (like in processed foods). But I often have a problem with milk (Fat Free, Carb Countdown...) not all the time but often enough that I have to watch. I find it's most noticable when I drink it straight vs. using it in a recipe (to make sugar free pudding w/Unjury powder...). Elissa does a wonderful tour of Trader Joes. I met her about a month before my surgery and it really helped! I agree about not stocking up on too much before surgery because your tastes and tolerances do change. Plus you are going to eat a WHOLE LOT LESS than you can imagine! You'll just have to keep trying with the protein supplements. Some people find one and stick with it but I am nearly 6 months out and I keep trying new ones as I hear about them. I have some favorites, but I keep trying new ones. Good Luck, Kit