Low Carb, No Carb....What to eat?

I'm 18 months out, have lost about 70 lbs, but want to lose 20-30 more.  I'm happy with my appearance but not the numbers on the scale.  At my current weight, I'm still overweight.

Bariactric Eating promotes high protein, low carb and I know that works well for me.  Susan Marie Leach, owner of BE, is a 9 year veteran of RNY and quite successful so I see her a great role model.  However, I don't agree with some of the ideas of the BE board on carbs, but many of the participants are more experienced than I am.

I like oatmeal and  want it in my diet.  Occasionally, I like a piece of bread, or Orowheat Thin or a dinner roll, one serving at a time and only once or twice a week.  Keeping my carbs to 35 a day seems impossible.  I usually have around 100 or less a day. 

Protein is very important and I get around 100 grams per day.  I got careless during the holidays and didn'****ch the sugar like I used to.  After several dumping episodes, I learned my lesson.  I'm reading labels and keep sugars under 7 grams.

Today, I'm writing down everything thing I eat.  I've worked out 3 times this week.

What are the opinions of the folks here re carbs?  Should I get carbs from non-starchy veggies and a serving of fruit and avoid all others?

I want to lose more weight and eat healthy.  What do you think?

i never eat starchy foods as the carbs in them are considered bad carbs and the starch in them turns to sugar ....
i limit my carbs to a helping of green veggies with supper . or a salad at lunch.  you are doing really well on the protein. how abou****er...not caffine stuff but not caf or plain water.
  I dont consider myself an expert because i have 10 pounds that i have never lost and had gained 5 back over the holidays....which i have now lost. yippee.
more or less that is about all i know about it. i do maybe once a week or so have a piece of the orowheat thin too  but in to afraid to eat much else that is starchy....

Jan, I think you are an expert.  You definitely know what works and what people should do. 

Fortunately, I was never big on potatoes but I loved corn.  Now, I don't care much for either.  Actually, I don't care much for veggies.  I do like salad and carrots.  I don't eat the baby carrots wthout portioning them out.  I eat no more than 6 a day.  One low carb I was on said 6 baby carrots was a serving.  Green beans were a favorite since I was a kid, but now I'm not so fond of them.

Crackers are a red light food for me so I've quit eating them at all.  They go down so easy.  I just learned recently they are considered a slider which I think is odd.  I think of sliders being Jello, pudding, yogurt, etc.

I had gotten careless about my water, but starting last week I began using a container that is marked in ounces and holds 32 oz.  I had one in the morning and another in the afternoon and then I also have probablly 2 cups in the evening.  I think adding the water and maybe the exercise got those 3 lbs. off I had regained.

Jo this is what I do, what works for me might not work for you but thought i'd share what i do.  Like Jan I stay away from all white starchy foods, those are the ones that turn into sugar pretty much right away.  I stick with eating the veggies and meat for protein, plus at least 1 protein shake a day.  I try to keep my carbs down to 35 grams a day or less, yeah thats not easy but for me, if i get anymore then that I can tell it, I get hungry later on in the evening, when I stay to 35 or less my appetite stays pretty calm.  Also when if I was to eat 100 grams of carbs it'd all turn to fat on me, it does everytime.  I got lazy over the holidays and ate carbs, I didnt go wild but I did eat carbs and not count what I was eating and gained about 15 lbs, ugh!!  Now I'm not perfect and I will on occasion eat a piece of bread but I make sure its whole grain or wheat like the Orowheat thins.  Carbs or like cocaine for me so I just have to do without.  I've had this last 100 lbs to lose for way to long so this is the year I finish up getting it all off.

As for protein, be careful how much protein ya get in, ideally for women it should be 60 - 80 grams of protein a day, for men its 80 - 100 grams.  Anything over 100 grams our bodies just can't process and then it stores up as fat.  I've been working with a trainer plus the nutritionist at Missouri Bariatrics and they've both told me this, which would make sense for me cuz I was getting in over 100 grams of protein for awhile and was not losing weight at all, when I cut back it started coming off. 

Also exercise is very important too, like alot of you I HATE to exercise but have learned this last couple months to just do it.  I've started working out at a gym plus was blessed enough to be able to get a Wii and Wii Fit and have started keeping track of what I eat, what drink and all, its a hassle but it really helps me keep myself on track.

I hope some of this helps ya, we all are different, I hope ya find what works for you.

Thanks again for that protein, I absolutely love the carribian cooler, so yummy.

Have a great weekend,

Andy

P.S.  Dont forget your water, thats real important too, I drink caffein free green tea most the time, plus regular ice water, I get in at least 120 oz or more of water, whether its flavored or plain, its not easy but if i dont i can sure tell it.

I knew I would get some good advice here.  Over the holidays I got really careless and ate way too many carbs and sugar.  Seemed like I was always looking for something eat.  A few days ago I started measuring my water and cut out most of the carbs except what is in my protein powder and I noticed a big difference.  I wasn't hungry or wanting something to eat as often. 

I read that you can get too much protein but I was told I should have about 120 grams a day.  80 to 100 is much easier and I'll work on keeping my carbs around 35. 

Thanks for the info.  Glad you like the Caribbean Cooler.  All I could taste was the rum.  Wish I liked green tea but I've not found one I like.  I know it's really good for you.

Hello everyone,
Just wanted to add - I am post op 4 years and have 20 to go.  I am the oldster of the group remember - and I eat protein coffee each morning, and sometimes a shake also in pm.  I usually do have a slice of wheat bread each am with my egg.  (I know its carbs but I cannot live the rest  of my life without bread)  I also like vegetables and lots of times will slice a whole cucumber and over a day will eat that for snack.  I like all veg and do eat them but limit the corn, and carrots.  I do not tolerated sugar - it is a sedative to me and I get drowsy and need to sleep.  I also eat potatoes once in a while but usually half.  I never drink soda, but do drink water, crystal lite pink lemoade, and coffee.  I also usually eat fruit at least once a day.  When I snack its on cheese, or veg or port rinds.  I too like crackers like jo, but I am addicted so dont buy them. I gained 1 pound over holidays and lost it already.  I did eat sugar cookies but since they put me in a stupor, I quit after the first 2.  By the way, I eat hot salt on cucumbers.  if you like hot spicy things its great.  also I eat a lot of jerky.  God bless, Colette

COLETTE, I have been thinking alot of you lately.  How are you doing?  I am struggling a little bit right now with losing weight.  I had a baby 5 months ago and I can't get my baby weight off.  I am getting back to basics.  I also injured  my knee so I am having to baby it some what.  Hey, do you go to the support meetings once a month?  I think I am going to start going back.  Let me know how you are doing, how is your hubby?  Love and hugs, penni