Good Nutrition Can Be Confusing

I'm still doing a good job staying on track.  I lost a few pounds, which provides good positive reinforcement.  I'm sticking to my work out/exercise commitment.  My brain is operating rationally which is always a plus with my eating disorder and food issues.    I continue to reach out for support, which just overall helps the effort.  

All of this has been particularly helpful because I'm coping with a serious illness with one of my dogs.  Normally, this kind of stress would send me diving head first into vats of food.  (Vats being a relative amount considering my blessedly restricted stomach size.  LOL)  That I'm able to be stressed and upset but still effectively manage her health care and treatment and NOT over eat or go off my plan is somewhat of a miracle.

In keeping with my determination to live a healthy lifestyle and do whatever I can to support myself, I went to a presentation at the local hospital today, lead by their dietitian.  (The hospital where I had my weight loss surgery and all of the associated support teams are more than two hours away from where I live.)

The presentation was excellent.  As much as I've educated myself about food, eating, calories, weight loss, nutrition, etc., there are, apparently huge gaps in my knowledge.

Good nutrition can be confusing.  I think it can be even more so when one is a bariatric surgery veteran.  I've been targeting 1200 calories a day, high protein/low carb.  I obsess over whether that's too many or too few calories.   I rarely allow myself to eat bread, potatoes, rice or pasta.  I occasionally add some homemade whole rolled oat/low fat/low sugar granola on my 0% fat yogurt.  I worry about whether I'm eating too much fruit.

I think now that maybe I eat nuts and seeds too often as snacks.  

Arggghhh.

I really need to put a halt to my confusion and get more facts about what is right for me.  I spoke with the dietitian for a few minutes after the presentation.  While she has not worked with a lot of bariatric surgery patients, she has worked with some and she has access to solid information.  I'm going to schedule a one-on-one consultation with her.

Knowledge is power and I am determined to keep powering through with my weight loss and healthy living.

just a few words...

A lot of dietitians work from older school and teaching that low fat is good. Grains are good. lots of fruits is good.. and as long as it is "whole foods"  "real food" , we only have to limit calories and exercise to lose weight... some of them still recommend whole grains to diabetics.. just tell them to increase insulin based on the carbs they use...  

but ...at the same time that approach may work for some people... during my "normal"not WLS days I tried it all.. I know my body puts away any carbs it get... so I know from my own personal experience that most starches are not OK for me.   some are worse than others..

If you see her - really listen to her and see if her methods can be useful for you.. and your body...

I too had VSG in 2012.  Gained 30 back since and I'm taking this ride with you. I too have a sweet 16 year old doggy son who isn't doing well. I have a prepubescent 11 year old daughter and strong willed 7 year old son.  Stress is all around and I transferred my food addiction to alcohol which made me eat anything. I've done well putting that to the side now and focusing on my family but more so on myself. Im down 5 lbs in 2 weeks and that seems so slow but it's going to be stressful enough w/out me pressuring myself to be everything to everyone.  Good luck! I'm restricting my carbs as well. I'm Staying under 900 calories or I won't lose.