the carb debate...can't make sense out of it all!

What carbs do you eat on a weekly basis and how much? I'm trying to figure out how much carbs a bandster should eat. I was going to get my South Beach Diet book out and follow phase 1 but I don't think it's a good idea to get rid of the fruits and yogurt (maybe skip phase 1 and just do phase 2). So now I'm back at square 1. So that's where I need you all's help. I can work on ridding the breads, pastas, etc from my diet but is that enough?? My nut suggests no refined carbs but if I do have carbs, get it from fruits or high fiber cereals. What do you think?

Let the great carb debate begin!!  ha ha

For ME, I am VERY sensitive to carbs.  If I eat any carbs, my body starts craving and demanding more and more.  Some very lucky people can eat complex carbs, and fruits and do just fine.....I can not.  This is why I am struggling so much.  

I know that I need to at least detox and do the first steps, or the induction phase of Atkins, It's just not easy to make that commitment.  

IF your body isn't as sensitive as mine is, then staying under 50 grams of carbs a day should do fine for you, at least that is what my NUT reccomends.  Good luck!

This is purely a matter of personal choice.

We have some very successful bandsters who limit all carbs; some who cut out just simple carbs but eat complex carbs; some who don't count carbs at all.

I am one of the latter group. I have no idea how to count carbs! I chose to eat complex rather than simple carbs for overall health but as far as weight loss is concerned, I only considered calories - I didn't even really count them!

All the band does is help us control quantity and help deaden hunger. The sort of diet you follow in order to lose weight is whatever works for you. There is no right or wrong! Some do Weigh****chers, some do Atkins, some do South Beach, some just make overall healthy chocies. Some count fat, some count carbs, some count calories. Some don't count!

Kate

This is me personally I refuse to give up my carbs eating carbs is not what made me fat. What made me fat was eating to much , and having no portion control and no exercise not eating carbs alone .

I believe if you watch how many carbs you eat then you will be fine.

I am told by NUT to stay at 65 or less per day I usually hit around 40-50 per day .  I eat my breads but I buy low carb . If I order pizza I get thin crust and dont eat the outside edge I give that to my puppies lol .

There is nothing wrong with sitting down to dinner and eating a 3-4 oz of steak,  small baked potato and a veggie.  That is a very well balanced meal right there and that is what we are suppose to eat .  Well balanced meals.

I dont do the pastas that is my choice as of right now, when I lose more weight I will add some of my favorites back in like lasagna but right now I dont eat that.

I will fix me a eggs , turkey sausage and a piece of toast for breakfast .

I was never a carb addict though.  I have no trigger foods for carbs. I can keep ice cream, I can keep cake, candies and all that laying aorund the house and have no desire to eat them expect for that time of the month and that gets a little tricky.

I dont think its healthy to eliminate carbs totally out of your diet , but that is just me and how I'm doing things .

Thank you ladies for your responses!! I was wracking my brain as to what I should do. You all have helped figure things out for me. Maybe I'll try the staying below 50 complex carbs and see where that gets me.

I too am super carb sensitive and try to keep them under 20 grams a day otherwise the lbs don't move at all.

Hello

I am a carb addict and sadly can't or shouldn't eat simple carbs and some complex carbs just because I can't say no...even when I had too much.  Those are the times I try to eat around my band.  So I eat fruit and veggies and whole grain crackers and tortillas.  But I avoid pasta of any kind, bread of any kind, candy, cookies, cakes, ice cream, pastries, and anything really yummy.  There are just somethings I go overboard with.  Like the last time this happened to me it was with ice cream.  I stupidly bought some ice cream and thought I can be like a normal person and eat just a bowl here or there....NOPE it was gone by morning.  I was like a crack *****hahaha.  I also noticed that as time passes I don't miss it and don't really crave it.  So why eat it then when there are healthier choices for me.    

My nut is anti- simple processed carbs.  She believes in clean eating...organic food with no chemicals, pesticides, hormones, anti-biotics.  No prepackaged, canned (conveinance foods), frozen dinners.  I have followed this about 85% of the time. 

The one diet that I did manage to lose wight on was a low carb. I found out that 23 grams of carbs a day for me was enough to lose weight.  I am in the process of qualifing to get the lap  band.  So when I do I know that carbs will be one of the things I will watch out for.

I am with Kate and a couple of others.  I don't count carbs, I just don't eat anything but complex carbs.  I eat sandwiches all the time on whole wheat bread.  I love pasta but its whole wheat also.  I adore crackers but again whole wheat, plus brown rice is a must.  I just make sure I have no unopposed carbs and I am fine.  Again not for everyone, but I don't count calories either, I just follow the amount I am supposed to have when I am hungry.  Hope you figure it out.  Casey

Hello Shia98 -- Well, you look like you are doing well...  but a small suggestion from an old LapBander, is more protein, less carbs.  You should really look at Dr. Dominick Artuso's page on this web site.  He is also located in Dobbs Ferry, NY, not far from Yonkers.  Protein is going to keep the hungers down and keep you full.  I have questions, talked about a thousand times, etc., the whole carb discussion, and being over 7 years out, protein being the biggest part of the meal has been a success for me, and for most of the WLS people I know.  Just a suggestion to offer.  Everyone has their opinions both ways.  Also, getting about 75 grams of protein a day is recommended.  And Dr. Artuso's site http://www.obesityhelp.com/profiles/bariatric-surgeon/dr-dom inick-artuso/

Continued success!