Counting Calories?!

Hello family When I went for my 1 year appt., my surgeon said I should be eating at least at least 1000 calories and no lower than 900 calories everyday. I have tried to get that many calories in but it's impossible without adding bad stuff to my diet. Also, with 1000 calories how many carbs is normal? I use fitday everyday to track calories. I'm still loosing 1 to 2 lbs. a week at a year out so I'm happy with that, I'm just trying to get my calories up some. Any suggestions. This is my menu for today.. Breakfast: Carb/Sugar control yogart w/ granola mixed in Lunch: Roast beef, cheese, lettuce in a low carb wheat wrap Snack: protein shake Dinner: Baked fish, shrimp and small salad Snack: protein hot chocolate Calories: 766 Fat: 23 Carbs: 38 Protein: 99 Should I just continue like this and not worry about it or try to get my calories up some? Watcha think??? Thanks, Kay Only 21 lbs. til goal!

Honey... I have been in this situation for quite a while... and I know when I was told to add calories... I cringed!! More calories...how..will gain weight...etc??? I was terrified... THANK GOD for sugar free!!!!! Here are the recommendations that I was given..have followed and am doing great!!!! Sugar Free Klondike Ice Cream bar for an evening snack.... about 120 calories Sugar Free ice cream (Edy's, Breyers...are the best).... about 140 calories Sugar free pudding (Jello's chocolate and butterscotch are great)...about 60 calories A healthy bypass person should be doing about 1200 to 1500 calories per day. I know that I have hurt my progress by being under 1000...and I know (trust me...) that if you stay at 1000 or under...when you do go above...YOU GAIN!!!! Use my experience to benefit you...it has hurt me...but could be helpful to you!!!

Thanks for responding, Daniel. Gaining is what I'm so afraid of. I was thinking of adding a protein bar. I found a couple that are decent. My partner is diabetic so she eats the pudding and Klondike bars that you mention. To be honest, I'm afraid to even touch them. Sweets make me want more. I really need to get over this fear of food that I have. I'm gonna work on getting my calories up to at least 1000 everyday by adding good things. It's just hard when I'm already satisfied with what I'm eating. Are you at goal and maintaining? I only want to loose 21 more lbs. I thought it was gonna take a lot longer for me to loose the 213 lbs. that I wanted to loose. I guess maintaing is something I'll be working on really soon! Thanks again!! Kay

Sounds like you are doing great.. I noticed that when I got my calories to 900 I started loosing more.. I am 9 pounds from goal right now and I am still loosing weight.. I will even get it to 1000 on some days.. Just keep the exercise going and you should be ok.. good luck to you.. 264/144/135 whoot I am normal Surgery date 5/8/06 9 months out

What kind of granola do you eat, Kay? I'm looking to get some fiber in the mornings but it seems most of the ones I look at have a lot of sugar in them. Steve

Hey Steve I've been looking for a low sugar granola for a while too. I just happen to come across this at Target the other day. It's called "Bear Naked". It's so good. I bought the one called "Peak Protein". It has ground flax, sunflower seeds, whole wheat oats and it taste like cinnamon. It's only 5 grams of sugar in a 1/4 C. By the registers they have a small sample bag for about $1.50 in case you wanna try it first and the big bags are by the cereal for $5.99. I just looked on the bag and noticed it has a website! Take a look http://store.bearnaked.com/detail.aspx?catid=1&scid=2 Kay

Wow... looks like great stuff and seems that there are a few stores right around me that carry it. Thanks - I'm going shopping tomorrow! Steve

Kashi makes great granola bars (chewy and crunchy ... I prefer crunchy) that are low in sugar and high in protein and fiber. I buy mine at Target.

Yum... that's good stuff and I think my colon really appreciates it too!! Thanks for the tip Kay. And... could it be? I felt like I had been losing pretty slowly the last month and a half and a few different guys told me to increase my calories and I'd start losing more - I'd been staying around 800 and was reluctant to increase them because I kept thinking if I did my lose would slow down more. Well, what do you know, earlier this week I bumped them up to a little over 1,000 (although it is a little tough getting in that much food for me also) and the scale has been going down a lb. a day since! So, maybe those increased calories will get you right down to your goal in no time. Steve

Your welcome, Steve. I'm glad you liked it. Congrats on the lbs. dropping everday! A lb. a day is awesome. I sure miss them days being early out loosing that much a week. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Kay