Carbs

I'd like to hear what different NUTS are saying about carbs for us.

My old NUT, the one I liked so much, told me not to worry about carbs.  Now, of course she didn't tell me to go out and eat cookies and pizza and it was ok, but she said as long as I was following a generally healthy diet and eating lots of fruits, veg, protein, and whole grains, that counting carbs wasn't a priority.  That made sense to me.

I was just getting ready to fax over my FitDay totals for the week to my surgeon's office and noticed my carb count is really high.  I know it's from whole grain crackers and fruit, so I am not too worried about it, but was just curious as what others do when it comes to carbs.

I don't honestly believe we were meant to live on protein alone.....you gotta have fruit and veg and grains to survive!  I also refuse to believe that I can gain 20 lbs. from eating strawberries and 3 whole grain crackers a day. 

What do you think?????

At Hurley, we had a support meeting dealing with it.  Their take was, get in your protein than your veggies.  They want you to get you carbs from veggies first.  Than we are suppose to get them from fruits.  The really are cautious about grains.  Mostly because the crackers are considered slider foods.  I don't think the have problems with the berries and 3 whole grain crackers at all.  Only would be a problem if you didn't get the other stuff in first and were filling up on whole grain crackers and berries.  They diffidently say no white carbs, as does everyone else.

Now lets see if Pam got a different take on this

I really need to start going to the Hurley support Group meetings, but it is an hour drive for me.....still, I should go. 

Brenda - I'm glad you asked the question because Hurley does say (at least what I've been told at my appts) to have protien first, then veggies, then fruits.  I go on Wed for my 3 month check up and was going to ask about other carbs. 

Like lately, I have been having some oatmeal for breakfast instead of a yogurt.  I would think yogurt is more of a slider than oatmeal??  Maybe they are both considered sliders. 

I was on Adkins and lost 134 lbs....gained it all back and that's why I had surgery..but I am so hoping I don't have to eat like the adkins the fest of my life.  I understand limiting carbs, but once i get to maintanence I hope I can eat carbs and not feel guilty about it. 

There's so many people on OH main board or RNY board that eat whatever they want, just in small quantities.  I'd like to do that.  Hurley does talk about staying away from the whites....sugar, flour, pasta, rice, potatoes......but I hope I can maintian by not having to avoid these for life. 

I have to admit, I have had popcorn...that sets well in my pouch.  I have had nacho chips with cheese....that sets well in my pouch....but I can only eat a few bites and that's it. 

Nan, Hurley has just changed the process for follow up visits.  Don't plan on seeing the NUT.  They let one go and now you have to have an appointment to see her instead of at the regular visits like before.  I was a little disappointed.

Oh you're kidding??  Geez, for me that's an hour drive so I'd like to see the NUT at the follow up visit.  So do you just see the nurse then??  Interesting. 

You can ask to see the Nut while you're there - you might need to wait a bit longer, but they can still let you see her when you're there.  Also, now that you're meeting with Kristy (the PA) you're getting a more in depth meeting with her and she can help guide you on a lot of stuff. 

Yep, just see the nurse!

Pam while I was there for my 3 month, another lady wanted to see the NUT and was told she had to make a appointment for another time.  She was very, very upset as she had a 1 1/2 hour drive.  I asked as I had a question and was told the same. 

I just went home and asked Pam!  Nan, Pam has better info than I have gotten from the NUT that is left.

My Nut was useless, so I had to do the research on my own and figure out my own way.  Thankfully I had a good Nut/Trainer/RN who helped me during my pre-op 12 month diet and his advice has helped me post-op too.  

I work on a nutrient balance rather than numbers of grams. 

40% protein
35-40% carbs
20-25% fats

My carbs come from:  veggies, fruit, dairy, legumes/beans and whole grains starchs (starches are last and minimal).  I avoid most "white stuff" like pasta, bread, crackers, potatoes, rice, flour and sugar.  I also shoot for 30-35g fiber per day and get that from Fiber One twigs cereal, FiberSure supplement, veggies, whole grains, etc.

HTH
Pam

Hey Pam,

How many calories do you take in for the day?  And are you maintaining or still trying to lose?

Thanks,

Carey

Carey -

I still have about 25 pounds to lose.  My current average calorie intake is hovering around 1300-1400.  And the scale has stopped. 

I'm on a 2-week experiment to increase my calories (there are a group of us on the RNY board doing it together).  I recently got the GoWear Fit device and it shows I'm burning about 2200-2600 calories a day.  So burning 2600 and eating 1400 creates too large of a calorie deficit and my body is not shedding pounds right now.  I'm working to close that gap to get to around a 700-600 calorie deficit.  A smaller gap will put the body at ease and allow it to release fat stores rather than think I'm in a famine and starving to death.  At least that's the theory.  Which means that today I need to be eating around 1800 calories because with the workout I have planned for later I'll be burning around 2400 calories total for the day.  But I can't get to 1800 without eating crap, so it's been a struggle.

I'm also dealing with some low lab results for my protein (prealbumin) and I've been instructed to increase my protein intake to 150g per day.  I get a re-draw on labs at the end of the week to see if it has worked or not. 

So right now.... the easy question of "how many calories" is a tough one to answer.  I'm sort of in a transition point at the moment.

I posted my meal plan and calories over on the RNY WAYET thread.  Here's a copy/paste:

---

Today's eats:

Commute - protein hot chai tea and rice cake w/ PB
Breakfast -- yogurt, grapes and fiber one twigs
Lunch -- McDonald's southwest chicken salad
Snack - grapes and chocolite bar
Dinner -- tortilla pizza
LNS -- protein pudding w/ strawberries

Calorie burn budget:  2400
Calorie intake budget: 1800
Calorie deficit goal: 600

Calories: 1,367

Fat: 41.4

Carbs: 158.7 (37g fiber)

Protein: 133.4