To Carb or not to Carb?

Hello everyone -

Question for you - I usually try to avoid almost all carbs but I have been trying to incorporate some 'good' carbs to help with the hungry during the day.  I am usually very hungry daytime but at dinner I eat 1-2oz of good protein (chicken breast or ground turkey) with a small amount of veggies and I am good.  This morning I had some steel cut oatmeal (8oz) frozen from Trader Joes.  I am a little shocked 8oz will even go down but it does and seems to leave me satisfied until almost lunch. 

My question is this - am I setting myself up for disaster and should I be eating steel cut oatmeal at breakfast or is this making me hungery all day?  Should I be avoiding all and any carbs at 4 months?  I was trying to add good carbs in small quantities so I can adjust my lifestyle to when carbs become a healthy part of my life again while giving me that stick to the ribs fullness to get to lunch.  I have never had the blessing that comes with RNY of not ever being hungry but I have learned to control it when I have to.  Any insight is much appreciated!

Oatmeal qualifies as one of the 'slider' foods...meaning they go right on thru and you have the physical capability to eat 8 ounces or more.  But as they say, just because you can does not mean you should.  If you are allowed oatmeal at this point, what is the amount you are allowed at a meal? and is it the best choice?

Yes, you could well be setting yourself up to fail since opening the door to those kinds of carbs leads to less satiation, and for many of us it means both greater hunger and greater cravings for more carbs.  Stick to the plan, which is protein forward (I still weigh and measure my portions, it's a check to make sure I don't get sloppy), some vegetables, then - possibly but not necessarily - some add'l carbs in the form of fruit or a starch.  And don't allow yourself to sip water while you dine, that way lies further trouble!

Glad you asked - you are still early out, so you are setting yourself up now to fail or succeed.  Drop the carbs during weight loss, you'll be better off and life is easier.  If you are hungry between meals, check that you are getting in all your water (sometimes thirst is read as hunger by our bodies) and choose a small protein snack if it's really necessary.  But hunger can be managed too, it's usually just a couple or so hours to the next meal so consider if you can wait :)

Good luck in reaching your goal!

I occasionally eat steel cut oats in the morning, with a little honey and a bit of dried fruit.  I generally only eat 1/2 cup.  Carb consumption after RNY is a personal choice.  For me, I do consume complex carbs (never refined carbs) in moderation, and only if I make sure that I get my protein in.  Not all carbs are created equal, and complex carbs are part of a well-balanced nutritional menu.  Only you know if they will act as a trigger to make you crave more carbs.  For me, they don't.  

One thing that I would suggest if you are going to eat them is to not buy the TJ's pre-made ones since there is some sugar in them.  Cook your own and then you can control what goes in it.  It is super easy.  I make them according to direction (oats to water ratio), boil for 1 minute and then cover and put in the fridge overnight.  They are ready to go in the morning.  Just heat up a serving and you are good to go.

No oatmeal or cereal of any kind for me. A little Life cereal and milk led me to one of the worst dumping episodes ever (4 years or so post op, out of the blue) so I steer wide and clear....

But the topic of carbs in general is a valid one.

Complex carbs come to us via vegetables and fruits. The "best" carb in my book is 1/2 of a baked sweet potato, but even then I only have it 1-2 times a week, and I am very careful with fruit. 

Carbs are metabolized as sugar, and as such are addictive for many of us. Even if you don't subscribe to the theory of food addictions, it is true for many of us that "just a little" opens the door to a whole lot more. And you are eating a LOT of carbs in that oatmeal. Carbs are not satisfying whatever the old "stick to your ribs" myth was that we grew up with. 

Let your nutrition guidelines direct your food choices. How many gm of carbs are you allowed per day? That TJ steel cut oatmeal has a whopping 27 gm of carbs PLUS 7 gm sugar - and only 5 gm protein in exchange for 150 calories. That violates every single guideline set forth by my surgeon!

The goal post op is NOT to find foods that keep us full for long periods of time. I have to eat every 3 hours or so, and have to be prepared with protein at the ready. Protein first, then veggies - you won't have room for much more. 

And in the long run, you are training yourself to eat well. Differently....but well. 

I personally would not do that, but it's it works for you, and keeps you full, why not?

At the same time the oatmeal dies not have too many proteins, but ads long as you get the min 60 gr8 per day..you are ok.

If you make it with skim dairy or soy milk it's a 300-ish calorie meal with 15g+ protein and fiber that keeps you satisfied until the next meal?  Yeah, keep doing that.  Mmmm.  ;)

Or even toss in a few raspberries or blueberries.

You are learning how to eat healthfully!

I eased into having oatmeal for breakfast,  a banana later, maybe some chicken over brown rice for dinner. ... next thing you know it was an every day thing.  I'm 1yr 8 months out.  I had recently been noticing some weight gain.  Now I chose,  oatmeal for breakfast,  okay. ..but then no brown rice later. I've been better literally the last 4 days and have already seen the scale drop!  I'm learning I'm very carb sensitive :(

I think it's ok if you aren't over doing it.  I add a scoop of Trader Darwins Soy protein powder, unflavored.  It kicks up the protein, and doesn't effect the taste.  I wouldn't eat it if I didn't add the protein, it would be pointless calories for me. 

Thank you everyone- complex carbs have not been a trigger for me so I have had them in moderation and been fine. I am still losing so I must be doing something right.  I have cut the amount back to 1/2 cup and put in some berries (3-4) and it has worked.  I am getting in my protein and my doctor says I am ok with a little complex carbs but just as you all said - not all day every day.  Thanks everyone!!!!