what is "low carb"? Anybody have a chart for calories? etc...

So I am now 8wks out and decided to start a food diary and really pay attention to exactly what is in what I am eating. I know we are supposed to eat low carb but how many carbs is low carb??? Also, I realize that our caloric intake increases as we get further out to about 1200 but I don't know where I am supposed to be at this point. Another thing is sodium. I try to buy things I think are low in sodium but how much is the daily recommended amount for an RNY? I'd ask my nutritionist all this but I wont see her for another 4wks and want to get started now so I have something to show when I go in. My bariatric info doesn't give specifics in these ares.

We do not need to eat low carb; we need to eat low sugar and low fat with adequate protein.  That is the recommendation of my surgeon, my nutritionist, and it falls in line with my own education on nutrition.  We didn't get fat because we ate too many whole plant foods and complex carbohydrates.  You're likely to get different opinions on this point though.

You also don't have to count calories and you probably shouldn't so early on.  Focus on portion sizes and quality food choices and calories will automatically fall where they need to be.  It wasn't until I graduated to "normal" eating that calories even entered my dietary guidelines and they were only mentioned by my nutritionist as a sanity check.  Food quality and portion control should be your driving principles.

I do not believe there are any specific recommendations on sodium intake for RNY patients.  Follow the guidelines of your choice that meet your wellness goals.

This is what I've been doing thus far. I just feel like numbers make me feel better. It seems as though others seem to have these and I know that everyone will have their own opinions but I'd like o hear them then choose what's best for me. Thanks for the advice.

Most of us do better eating lower carb, just making the carb intake complex carbs and focusing on protein first.  Low fat is NOT a necessity, you don't want to go all out full fat but we do malabsorb some fat (yes some of us still do further out) however, we absorb 100% of the carbohydrates we eat.

Long term most successful RNYers are successful by eating high protein and low-to-medium carb intake.....we are each different so the amount will vary.

I agree completely that everyone must find the path that works for them and meets their wellness goals.  What I was trying to express is that low-carb is not a requirement, nor is high protein beyond what our bodies need.  Also, fat and sugar are very dense calories and best consumed in moderation, which I hope isn't controversial advice.

None of this precludes someone from a low-carb, high-protein diet if it aids their adherence and maintenance.  I did not mean to suggest you can't eat this way.  However, if your health goals are broader than simply maintaining weight then swapping some of that extra protein for more fruits and vegetables will serve you very well.

I also don't want to confuse diets and individual foods - you can eat full-fat foods as part of a low-fat diet.  I suspect that most long term successful RNYers are on a low-fat diet whether they specifically focus on that or not.  I'm sure there are exceptions.  :)

I found a website that helps me not only at home but when I am out also.The website is fatsecret.com I like it a lot.It lists a lot of the calories in resturants to.

I use that alot too lol

i think tracking numbers *can* be really helpful to help orient you to a new way of eating. but i think its also really important to focus on the quality of the food you're eating too. 100 calories of of cookies vs 100 calories of fruit for example. both are carbs with sugar but obviously the quality is very different. just like 1 slice of white bread vs 1 slice of sprouted grain bread are 2 very different things, one being processed white flour and the other being whole grain. 

its alot to get used to but with practice and trial and error, it really does get more manageable.

I like using "My Fitness Pal.com" to track food, calories, nutrients, etc.  Keep in mind that their calorie recommendations are not geared toward Bariatric patients, however.  You should use the calorie goal recommended by your nutritionist.  

I like this site because you can put in whatever food you want (including chain restaurants and common packaged foods) and it will calculate everything for you.  Carbs, sugar, calories are the ones I focus on most.  Sodium is worth keeping an eye on, but I don't get crazy about it.  Federal guidelines recommend no more than 2300 milligrams daily.  Watch the amount of prepared or frozen meals you eat if you want to control sodium.

Best, 

Lisa O.