Do you count carbs?

Just curious?

I know that when I eat low carb (prior to WLS) that I have had very good weight loss. I've been looking at some Low Carb web sites to get some ideas and a lot of them show you eating 20g of carbs a day to start out (Atkins). I know with 20g I could definitely lose weight but I keep going back to my last Dr visit when I was told that they just upped the recommended carbs to 100G! That seems like an awful LOT and still expected to lose weight...

What have you been told or how do you handle the CARBS?

 

Hi Wendy,
Lets say I keep a close eye on my carbs.
I am a avid label reader and usally if the carb count is over 18 I wont get it.
Keep in mind I hardly ever can eat a full serving so thats where it gets a little tricky for me.
I found I can do jerky which has lots of protien and fills me up.
I dont do rice or pasta and only use elekiel bread if I have an open faced sandwich.
I try to stay within 100grams or less a day.
Annie

I don't count carbs.  The only things I count are grams of sugar, protein, and amount of fluid daily. 

A healthy adult needs approx 100g carbs a day - while 20g carbs may help you lose weight can you stick to a super low carb diet to keep the weight off? IMO losing slower and being able to maintain is better than losing quickly and regaining.The only reason one loses quickly on the induction phases of atkins/south beach is because bread/starch carbs make you retain water - most of the 'weight' you drop is water weight. My suggestion is to stick with a healthy diet you can easily do... 100g carbs sounds like a lot but the majority of those carbs should be fruits, veggies, dairy with a smaller portion comming from starch/bread - IMO if you are eating 100g carbs you should be having only 1-2 servings of bread/starch (keep in mind a serving is ONE slice of bread etc) and the rest should be from the other groups... also stick to low glycemic index foods to help keep your blood sugar regulated.
Personally my plan called for 40% protien, 30% carbs, 30% fat... this is not just a RNY thing either - I read a lot about diet and nutrition and found many weightloss plans that are healthy and not gimmicky call for the exact same ratio to lose the weight at 1-2 pounds a week. I do not agree with plans that completely limit or cut out carbs because I feel thats not something one can do long term - some surgeons say no bread or pasta ever again - I couldnt imagine for the next 50 years not eating some form of bread/starch carbs.

One of my concerns about this whole thing is having to go on a permanant low-carb, high protein diet.  I am really anxious to talk to a nutritionist/doctor about this. 

You see, I have IBS that goes haywire when I eat like that.  I become impacted with concrete...my bowels just don't like to process and move the stuff!  I've tried every supplement known to mankind to prevent this from happening so I could do a low-carb diet, which does help me to lose weight, but nothing ever even remotely helps.  (And the weight always PILES back on rapidly after I have to go back to eating healthy whole-grain carbs to get things moving again!) 

After spending this past November/December '07 in the fetal position in dire pain waiting on what we thought was my gallbladder to come out, I passed every test with flying colors when the gastro then realized it was my IBS and that protein is the culprit. 

I went vegetarian (my choice, the gastro just recommended a prescription supplement, which I do take also) and I no longer have that problem anymore unless I eat too much dairy (like cheese) or fried foods.  Low-fat veggie seems to work the best for my digestive system.  I'm hoping this will work with the wls.  I love things like oatmeal, lentils, split peas, brown rice, all kinds of veggies, grilled cheese, Boca/Morningstar products, veggie subs/pizzas, etc. 

After eating this way, it's the first time in years that my weight has stabalized without serious dieting efforts.  Does anyone think this will be an obstacle for me?  Thanks so much for this discussion! 

I am not what you call a avid label reader but my doc reccomends a 5, 10 , 15 rule. That is 5 grams of fat, 10 grams of sugar and 15 carbs per serving.I try to keep to that but it is hard. I am a nab eater. I love nip cheese crackers and they have more carbs in them.

 

 

Melissa

20g of carbs is not even close to enough.

Studies have come out saying that 100g is the target for WLS patients.. we *need* those complex carbs to have brain function and to do other things.. like walking and talking.

 

When I was in the real losing stage, my surgeons office recommended 40g a day.  I never seemed to be able to stay that low and ranged from 60 to 75 a day.  Good luck!

I am still only 5 months out and still concentrate on protein first.   I haven't tracked my carbs very well but know that everything i eat has very few carbs.  I do get the munchies for something crunchy once in a while and i have pumpernickel/onion pretzels which have carbs but as some of you say, i can never do a full serving.   I have problems with bread (can eat the crust), rice and pasta which were all my favs before.   Glad this makes me uncomfortable as it keeps me away from it.

My doc has never told me how many carbs to have but just said that balance and moderation are the main goals.

Take care, Pam

Thanks for ALL of the great replies!

I just wanted to get an idea how different folks handled the CARBS...they can be such a HUGE role in a persons weight loss success. I havent concerned myself with counting them so far...just trying to avoid the "EVIL" ones since I'm on the WAGON! LOL

Best Wishes!