Lunchables??

No, most (but not all) veggies are COMPLEX carbs (and most (but not all) fruits are SIMPLE carbs).    NO carbs convert to fat... ALL carbs convert to sugar because they ARE sugar (by definition, simple carbs have one or two sugars in their molecular chain and complex carbs have three or more sugars in theirs).  Yes, SOME breads and pasta are complex carbs, but some are simple.

Not all carbs (complex OR simple) are created equal.  The complex carbs in vegetables and whole grains provide the additional nutrients and fiber that your body needs and that simple carbs do not provide.  Dairy products are technically simple carbs but provide protein and other nutrients that other simple carbs (refined sugar, white flour, white rice, etc.) do not.

I'm not trying to tell you that you should go back to eating saltine crackers... I am telling you that you should not throw out the broccoli and other vegetable carbs with the crackers!

Lora

We'll have to agree to disagree.  Crackers and breads, pastas and rice are all really really bad ideas for anyone especially post-op RNY people.  They offer nothing but sugars which yes the body does convert to fat and yield no real nutrition.  As my nut calls them, they are wasted calories that only promote weight gain.  Most veggies are good and you need the nutrients in them.  Crackers, etc. offer you nothing but some fat, some hollow calories, and return you to bad habits that caused a lot of us to need the surgery to begin with.  I'm throwing the complex carbs like that out and not wasting what I eat on what is essential junk food.  Sorry, but we've all gone through a lot to get to this point.  It seems a waste to eat things that only help you put weight on or offer nothing positive in return except pleasing your tastebuds.

I am SO confused.  You seem to think that, despite my explicit statement to the contrary, I am advocating eating crackers and pasta!  I am not sure how I could have made my post clearer.. that the processed flour items SHOULD be the carbs that are eliminated and the veggies are the complex carbs that you should NOT throw out...

As far as I can see, since you have now conceded that veggies are good, my only disagreement with you is that most veggies are complex carbs when you initially stated that they are simple carbs.

Please read my previous response more carefully.

Lora

Sorry, it wasn't clear about your stance.  But I don't agree on the veggies.  They are not the same and are not all chemically classified as complex carbs.  That is why things like potatoes break down differently in the human body.

"But I don't agree on the veggies.  They are not the same and are not all chemically classified as complex carbs. "

Which is why I said "most (but not all) veggies are COMPLEX carbs"! 

Lora

Only about 10% of veggies are complex.  Only the starchy veggies are complex.  I'll refer you to the National Institute of Health.

"Simple carbohydrates that contain vitamins and minerals occur naturally in:

• Fruits
• Milk and milk products
• Vegetables"

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002469.htm

Yes, and SOME fruits and vegetables are complex carbs...

I don't want to continue to beat a dead horse, but I am very curious about where your 10% figure comes from, because it does not match up with the info I have.  Ultimately, of course, it comes down to what each individual eats on a daily basis... whether you choose to eat potatoes versus broccoli, and whole grain bread versus white bread vs no bread....

Lora

Annd from the article YOU cited...

"Most people should get between 40% and 60% of total calories from carbohydrates, preferably from complex carbohydrates (starches) and natural sugars. Complex carbohydrates provide calories, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Foods that are high in processed, refined simple sugars provide calories, but very little nutrition. It is wise to limit these sugars.

To increase complex carbohydrates and healthy nutrients:

• Eat more fruits and vegetables.
• Eat more whole-grain rice, breads, and cereals.
• Eat more legumes (beans, lentils, and dried peas).

Lora

You're an RNY patient and you know that nutritional requirements for us are totally different.  The 10% comes from the USDA since most veggies are not starchy and therefore not complex.  I'm not going to debate it anymore.  You've already gone from most to some.  They are also still a total waste of calories for RNY patients and are nutritionally not beneficial.  You might also want to read a recent article in National Geographic about why since people switched a long time ago to eating grains and nuts that we have developed more and more problems caused by gluten.  It sounds like you want them and want to justify them.  That is fine and your decision even if it goes against most RNY diets and nutritionists.

For some incomrpehensible reason, you still seem to think that I am trying to push ("justify" to use your word) eating breads and such, which -- as I have already pointed out is NOT what I have been saying. It's about VEGETABLES!!!  Geez!

(And you never did tell me where you got your 10% figure from...)