Sugar free vs. low carb

I was wondering... Can you do low carb instead of sugar free? Or does it have to be sugar free? Why? Thanks Lesa

They want you to do sugar free because your new pouch cant handle the sugar. There have been people that can tolerate sugar after surgery, but there are many many more that cant handle it.

Lesa, it really depends on how much sugar you can tolerate before dumping (which is very unpleasant...for me, it's like having the flu if it's sugar, or abdominable cramps if it's fat). For example, I am better off with sugar-free things such as jelly or syrup because the sugar is extremely concentrated in those foods, but if I eat one or two cookies, I don't have to go the sugar-free route. You'll quickly learn how much sugar you can tolerate, and hopefully not all sugar will make you sick, because it's really hard to find sugar-free stuff that you like. As for low-carb...I try to use low-carb breads, tortillas, and wraps, but I don't worry about pasta or rice (I eat those so rarely that it doesn't really matter). I do the low-carb not so much to avoid the carbs as I like to get the high fiber in these foods. I hope this answers your question. Pamela -102

Thanks Pam, It does somewhat but I thought that low carb meant no sugar? I guess this is something that I will bring up at the meeting on the 26th. As you probably know.....I HAVE A DATE! hahahahahah I just cant stop saying that! thanks, lesa

Generally, if it's low in carbs, it's low in sugar, too. BUT, low-carb also means you're missing the good carbs (and sugars) that come from fruits and certain vegetables. Low-carb products (those specifically labeled low-carb) often come with a price, like higher fat content or strange ingredients. My advice would be to watch the refined sugars (think pastries, cookies, jellies, etc) and choose lower carb foods (breads, tortillas, pastas) when you can. It's a shame to cut out healthy foods like apples because the carb-content is too high. The sugar found in apples is not likely to cause dumping. Simple carbs equal dumping, complex carbs are good. You need a nice balance with all foods, and as long as you are staying away from things that make you sick, there's no reason to go to any extremes. Sugar, fat, carbs, calories...there's so much information on everything, and there is no one definitive answer. Ultimately, you'll have to find a happy medium that works for you. I hope this answer helps you a little more. Pamela

Yes this helps alot. Thanks. We are sooo lucky to have a place to get answeres and to have people who have been were we are or is going to or are in the same boat! Thanks again. Lesa