LOW CARB SUPPORT..LET'S TALK!!.. (KIND OF LONG)

NY2ATL *
on 5/4/10 7:52 am
Good Tuesday Evening LC'ers!
I hope you all had a good day..
I've been MIA the last few days..my daughter's had several Dr. appointments and work has been insane..it's May!
Wedding season is in full swing..and this is my busiest time of the year..
Better late than never, right?..so here we go!

Let me jump right in and get started on a subject I've addressed before:
When it come to the reality of Lap Band surgery, how real do we want it to be?:
Do we prefer the "tell it like it is" approach, or do we prefer it to be sugar coated with whipped cream and a cherry on top?
You may already know what my answer is!
There is nothing to be gained by not facing reality.
We can't grow from an experience if we are in denial that the experience ever happened in the first place..
At the risk of making this "all about me" (as someone so eloquently put it recently) As far as I'm concerned, I don't want to be lied to, babied, coddled, or reassured that it's all gonna be OK.. (if it isn't)
If I ask someone for help or advice, I want someone to talk to me like I'm an intelligent adult, to let me know exactly where I may have messed up, and show me how I can correct things.
I want to be made accountable for the part I played in my problems..any and all...including my struggle with obesity.
Doing this is the only way I will ever be able to make changes and move forward.
I have food issues.
Major food issues!
In particular I have issues with sugar and carbs.
I'm an emotional eater, and I spent a lifetime self-medicating with sugar and sweets, my drug of choice.
If I don't admit to myself that I have a problem, I will continue to eat these foods, and I'll continue to ride the weight loss/gain rollercoaster... and unfortunately my band isn't going to be of much help to me at all.
My band might force me eat smaller portions, but I'm a very resilient girl!
I'm absolutely sure I could find a way to eat a family size bag of M&M's, a sleeve of Oreo's and a gallon of ice cream every day if I wanted to, band or not!
But do I really want to try to beat my band at it's own game?
No. I sure don't.
When I post that I have to block any and all sugar from my life, I get some naysayers..."The band is all about moderation".
Not to me it isn't. To me the band is all about losing weight.
It's all about fiding our way to losing our excess weight and keeping it off.
Being banded showed me that I needed to get past my obsession with food and find the life I was meant to live.
I don't want anyone; not my Dr., or my friends, or a fellow OH member to sugar coat the fact that I am the only one in control of this thing.
My band isn't a cure for obesity. It can't make me lose weight if I'm not present and accountable in the process.
Since I don't like to have things sugar coated for me, I won't sugar coat facts for others.
I want to help anyone and everyone that asks for my help.
I don't think I can do that if I'm not 100% honest with them.
Most of us have failed at losing weight more times than we care to count..
The only way to be successful at losing weight this time is to take a cold hard look at ourselves, and take responsibility for the part we played in our obesity.
We have to be 100% honest with ourselves, look at our behavior patterns, identify our trigger foods and make it a priority to change our lives for the better.
Whether you're a sugar addict, like me... a fast food junkie, or you were hooked on pizza, chips and snacks...
We all share one common thread: Eating the wrong foods made us all fat.
Are we in agreement on that?
If so, why would we think we can continue to eat those same foods and suddenly get skinny?
If we believe that getting a lapband and eating smaller portions is all we need to do..from what I've seen in my 7 months on this forum..for the vast majority of us....
I don't think it is.
There may be a few that continue to eat as they always have....just smaller quantities... but I honestly feel they're in the minority.
If you don't think I'm right about this....go through the posts on any given day and you will hear how many of our fellow banders are absolutely miserable because they've been eating out of control, gaining weight and can't seem to find their way back.
We all have food issues or we wouldn't have needed WLS.
That statement doesn't come from a place of judgement..it comes from a place of empathy.
If saying these things seems mean or not supportive to some..
I honestly aplologize...it's never my intention to be anything other than helpful..I've been there and I hate seeing anyone struggle..so I speak my mind..
I hope all of you take my advice in the spirit in which it's given..
I want you all to succeed, each and every one of you..low carber or not!
I want you to be healthier and happier than you've ever been.
If I think that takes a little tough love from me..please try to remember that "LOVE" is the operative word here!
Have a good day.

For Low Carb Recipes:
www.obesityhelp.com/group/LCRECIPES/discussion/  


         

    
FOXYBROWN MAMA
on 5/15/10 1:45 am
 I need some low carb ideas.  I am on my two week diet pre-op diet and sick of eating salald.
NY2ATL *
on 5/15/10 2:16 am
The best part of low carb is you can lose weight and not have to just eat salad!
here is a list of foods allowed on Phase One (Induction level) of low carb..if you stick to the foods on this list..and keep your carbs under 20 grams a day..the weight will come off pretty quickly.

Don't eat anything that is not on this list and you should do great.
At the bottom of this post is a link to my low carb recipe's..
Good luck!


All fish including:

  • Flounder
  • Herring
  • Salmon
  • Sardines
  • Sole
  • Tuna
  • Trout

All fowl including:

  • Cornish hen
  • Chicken
  • Duck
  • Goose
  • Pheasant
  • Quail
  • Turkey

All shellfish including:

  • Clams
  • Crabmeat
  • Mussels*
  • Oysters*
  • Shrimp
  • Squid

*Oysters and mussels are higher in carbs so limit to about 4 ounces per day.

All meat including:

  • Bacon*
  • Beef
  • Ham*
  • Lamb
  • Pork
  • Veal
  • Venison

Some processed meat, bacon, and ham is cured with sugar, which will add to the carb count. Also steer clear of cold cuts and other meats with added nitrates.

Eggs are one of nature's most nutritious creations. That’s why eggs are a staple breakfast in the Atkins Nutritional Approach.

Feel free to get creative with your eggs: Add mushrooms and onions, or even green pepper. Top the dish off with feta cheese or add basil, oregano and other herbs.

Eggs in any style, including:

  • Deviled
  • Fried
  • Hard-boiled
  • Omelets
  • Poached
  • Scrambled
  • Soft-boiled

Keep in mind that cheese does contain carbs, about 1 gram per ounce. You may have about 3 to 4 ounces of cheese per day. An ounce is about the size of an individually wrapped slice of American cheese or a 1" cube.

Cheese including:

Type Serving Size Grams of net carbs
Blue cheeses 1 oz 0.7
Cheddar ½ cup 0.0
Cow, sheep and goat 1 oz 0.3
Cream cheese 1 oz 0.8
Feta 1 oz 1.2
Gouda 1 oz 0.6
Mozzarella 1 oz 0.6
Parmesan 1 tbs 0.2
Swiss 1 oz 1.0

Vegetables:

You should be eating approximately 12 to 15 grams of net carbs per day in the form of vegetables, which is equivalent to several cups depending on the actual carb content of the veggies you select.

1 cup is roughly the size of a baseball. Measure the following salad vegetables raw.

Vegetable Serving Size/Prep grams of net carbs
Alfalfa sprouts 1 cup/raw 0.4
Argula ½ cup/raw 0.2
Bok choy 1 cup/raw 0.8
Celery 1 stalk 0.8
Chicory greens ½ cup/raw 0.6
Chives 1 tablespoon 0.1
Cucumber ½ cup 1.0
Daikon ½ cup 1.0
Endive ½ cup 0.0
Escarole ½ cup 0.0
Fennel 1 cup 3.6
Jicama ½ cup 2.5
Iceberg lettuce ½ cup 0.1
Mushrooms ½ cup 1.2
Parsley 1 tablespoon 0.1
Peppers ½ cup/raw 2.3
Radicchio ½ cup/raw 0.7
Radishes 10/raw 0.9
Romaine lettuce ½ cup 0.2

 

The following vegetables are slightly higher in carbs than the salad vegetables listed above. They also provide important nutrients and add variety to your daily foods. Make sure you stay within the 12-15 grams of net carbs. Unless otherwise noted, measure these veggies after you cook them.

Vegetable Serving Size/ Prep Net Carbs
Artichoke ¼ of medium 4.0
Asparagus 6 spears 2.4
Artichoke hearts 1 canned 1.0
Avocadoes 1 whole (raw) 3.5
Bamboo shoots 1 cup canned 1.1
Broccoli ½ cup 1.6
Broccoli raw ½ cup 1.0
Broccoli rabe ½ cup 1.3
Broccoflower ½ cup 1.4
Brussels sprouts ¼ cup 2.4
Cabbage ½ cup (raw) 2.0
Cauliflower ½ cup (raw) 1.0
Swiss chard ½ cup 1.8
Collard greens ½ cup 4.2
Eggplant ½ cup 1.8
Hearts of palm 1 heart 0.7
Kale ½ cup 2.4
Kohlrabi ½ cup 4.6
Leeks ¼ cup 1.7
Okra ½ cup 2.4
Olives green 5 2.5
Olives black 5 0.7
Onion ¼ cup (raw) 2.8
Pumpkin ¼ cup 2.4
Rhubarb ½ cup (unsweetened) 1.7
Sauerkraut ½ cup (drained) 1.2
Peas ½ cup with pods 3.4
Spaghetti squash ½ cup 2.0
Spinach ½ cup (raw) 0.2
Summer squash ½ cup 2.0
Tomato 1 (raw) 4.3
Turnips ½ cup 2.2
Water chestnuts ½ cup (canned) 6.9
Zucchini ½ cup 2.0


Salad Garnishes
Crumbled bacon 3 slices 0.0
Hard-boiled egg 1 egg 0.0
Grated cheeses (see above carb counts)  
Sautéed mushrooms ½ cup 1.0
Sour cream 2 tbs 1.2

 

Herbs and Spices (make sure they contain no added sugar)

Basil 1 tbs 0.0
Cayenne pepper 1 tbs 0.0
Cilantro 1 tbs 0.0
Dill 1 tbs 0.0
Garlic 1 clove 0.9
Ginger 1 tbs sliced root 0.8
Oregano 1 tbs 0.0
Pepper 1 tbs 0.0
Rosemary 1 tbs 0.0
Sage 1 tbs 0.0
Tarragon 1 tbs 0.0

 

Salad Dressings - Any prepared salad dressing with no added sugar and no more then 2 grams of net carbs per serving (1-2 tablespoons) is acceptable. Or make your own.

Blue cheese 2 tbs 2.3
Caesar 2 tbs 0.5
Italian 2 tbs 3.0
Lemon juice 2 tbs 2.8
Oil and vinegar 2 tbs 1.0
Ranch 2 tbs 1.4

 

Fats and Oils 

There are no carbs here, but keep in mind that the serving size is approximately 1 tablespoon.

  1. Butter
  2. Mayonnaise – make sure it has no added sugar
  3. Olive oil
  4. Vegetable oils – Those labeled “cold pressed" or “expeller pressed" are especially good and olive oil is one of the best.
    • Canola*
    • Walnut
    • Soybean*
    • Grape seed*
    • Sesame
    • Sunflower*
    • Safflower*

*Do not allow any oils to reach overly high temperatures when cooking. Use olive oil for sautéing only. Use walnut or sesame oil to dress cooked veggies or salad, but not for cooking.

Artificial Sweeteners

  • Splenda – one packet equals 1 gram of net carbs

Beverages

  • Clear broth/ bouillon (make sure it has no sugars added)
  • Club soda
  • Cream, heavy or light.
  • Decaffeinated or regular coffee and tea*
  • Diet soda (be sure to note the carb count)
  • Flavored seltzer (must say no calories)
  • Herb tea (without added barley or fruit sugar added)
  • Water – at least eight 8-ounce glasses per day including...
    • Filtered water
    • Mineral water
    • Spring water
    • Tap water

* You may have 1 to 2 cups of caffeinated tea or coffee if you can tolerate caffeine without experiencing cravings or symptoms of hypoglycemia.
If you are truly addicted to caffeine, it's best to break the habit during the Induction.

Alcohol:

Alcohol is not allowed during the first two weeks of Induction. If you remain on this phase longer,
you can have a glass of wine, a low-carb beer, or a small amount of spirits mixed with water or club soda, but be sure to avoid mixers that contain carbs, including fruit juices and tonic water. Understand that consuming alcohol may slow your weight loss.



For Low Carb Recipes:
www.obesityhelp.com/group/LCRECIPES/discussion/  


         

    
Most Active
×