Finding Balance!

Hello everyone! I have done some research and have found some information that I tought everyone might find usefull, whether you have had WLS surgery already, or are planning on having it. With the new way we have to eat, in order to get the amount of protien we need every day (at least 60 grams), it is hard to find balance in our diet. All meat, hardly any fruits or veggies, and little if any carbs. How do we get fiber? Come to think of it, exactly how much fiber should a person be getting? What about cholesterol? How much is too much? How about potassium? How much potassium do we need and where do we get it, and what exactly does potassium do for us? Here is what I found out, and EVERY person with a body should know this I think!! Fiber: RDA 25 grams....SCARY considering WLS patients can't eat alot of food let alone carbs. I figure it this way...one table spoon of benefiber has 3 grams of fiber. We are supposed to drink 64 oz of water a day. So I mixed 1 tablespoon of benefiber for every 8 oz of water (about 8 tablespoons a day) I drink and the results have been amazing!! Cholesterol: RDA 300 mg a day. Eggs can really rack up the points here!! One large egg contains 212 mg of cholesterol. So if you eat an egg for breakfast be sure the rest of your meat choices for the day are very lean! Potassium: RDA 3500 mg a day. You can find potassium in meats, potatoes with skins, vegatables and fruits, but not in high enough amounts for us to be able to get the RDA everyday with our limited eating ability. So why should we worry? What does potassium do anyway?Potassium plays a key role in cellular functioning, regulating fluid, electrolyte and acid base balance in the body. It is important for nerve transmission and muscle contractions, and may also be involved in bone calcification and muscle building. Potassium may help to prevent high blood pressure and stroke, and reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics. OK! I want my potassium, that's for sure! So I have started taking 2 potassium suppliments every day. So here it is...the info I dug up!! I hope it helps everyone. I sure wish I had known this kind of stuff a long time ago!! Live and learn right? Sorry the post is so long! Tera

You should have your potassium level checked before you suppliment. Too much potassium can cause irregular heartbeat. Usually potassium is ordered by an MD for people who take cetain types of diuretics, a medicine that makes the body lose too much potassium.

It's funny that you say that, I just found out I am very low on potassium and it has been causing an irregular heart rate! My heart can not regulate very well. I started on potassium 3 days ago, and I swear I can already tell a difference!!!

HI TINA THIS IS A VERY GOOD POST. POSSIUM IS VERY IMPORTANT. WHEN DR. TODD IN ANCHORAGE AK WAS GOING TO DO MY SURGERY IN 2003 HE GAVE ME A PRESCRIPTION FOR POTTASIUM CAPULES. THIS WAY I COULD BREAK THEM OPEN AND SPRINKLE THEM ON MY FOOD. EITHER WAY IF YOU HAVE TOO LITTLE OR TOO MUCH POTASSIUM IT EFFECTS YOUR HEART BEAT. SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN A PROPER BALANCE. AND FOR WLS PEOPLE SOMETIMES SUPLIMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR FINDINGS. CINDY

Interesting. I remember that my doctor gave me a 10 day RX of potassium just prior to surgery. I still ended up in intensive care for a while for the irrig. heart. I didn't know they were related. Thanks for the info.

Great info Tera...don't forget about B12 too!