Question:
If you had a choice between fat free or sugar free, which is best for post ops?
If you had to choose between a food that is fat free OR sugar free (if you do not dump on sugar), which one is better to eat? — Jan S. (posted on June 21, 2003)
June 21, 2003
Even if I didn't dump on sugar (which I feel that I do, but I've never
really tested it and don't plan to), I still would look for a low-fat,
low-sugar alternative to what I was eating. I do dump on high-fat stuff
(even regular mayo) and I've gotten the flushed feeling when I've had too
much OJ or even eat the 2nd half of the Detour bar too close to the
first...JR
— John Rushton
June 21, 2003
I've never dumped. I have consumed approximately 23 grams of sugar at one
sitting. I eat regular salad dressings and use my favorite 'I Can't
Believe It's Not Butter' margerine. This surgery is doing what I hoped
for. Allowing me to eat REGULAR, but eat extremely small amounts. Things
real high in sugar, like cakes, regular ice creams, cookies, etc, I don't
mess with. I have tried and enjoy those 98% fat free ice cream sandwiches,
however. They have 130 calories so I allow myself one a day. If that!
These have 23 grams of sugar. Other's beware. I hear that could send some
'dumpers' over the edge. Open RNY 10/30/02 down 165 lbs!
— Ginger M.
June 21, 2003
Well, since I had the RNY, I'd choose sugar free over fat free if I had to
choose. Sugar is absorbed in every inch -- the entire length of the small
intestine, no matter how much is bypassed, while you can malabsorb some
fat. I can eat sugar on certain times and also can eat fat. Neither makes
me feel great afterwards though. I am trying to condition my body to
understand when it's ok to eat sugar or fat and stop after a small amount.
If I keep going, I don't really have severe dumping syndromes, but I also
do get that "wish I hadn't eaten that" feeling if I overdo it.
Good luck and God bless!
— Kimberly L.
June 21, 2003
I would definitely choose sugar-free. We need some fat in our diets and we
get enough sugar in natural foods. Of course, refined sugar did a lot to
make me SMO. I don't get low fat salad dressings and I do eat fried
chicken (popcorn chicken from Sonic) and fried fish occasionally). This is
with my surgeon's blessing. I don't eat foods high in refined sugar. I do
dump so I'm careful.
Open RNY - 11/29/01 -181 pounds
— Patty_Butler
June 21, 2003
Like another poster said, you need fat for your body to run, but you just
need to watch how much you eat. A lot of that is being done for us because
we can't eat much anyway. Before surgery, I'd eat a 3 pc. fried chicken
dinner with mashed potatoes, gravy, mac&cheese, bisquit and butter, and
finish it off with dessert. Now I eat 1 chicken leg, 1/2 a bisquit, and
1/2 of the potatoes and I'm done. So I don't deprive myself of fatty
foods, just eat them on occasion and in moderation. I do all my baking
with fructose or turbinado sugar when I want something sweet. Most people
can't tell that it's made with something other than sugar. See my profile
or visit www.freewebs.com/recipes-after-rny for sample recipes, photos and
how to order the book. Recipes have been experimented on repeatedly and
perfected so you do have to substitute anything. Good luck to you!
— Lynette B.
June 21, 2003
Jan- I just your last post on your profile about having eaten cookies.
You're not alone-- even those of us who have lost a lot still feel tempted
by carbs. However, I have a hunch that you may have been a carb addict-- I
know that I was. As a result, I don't bother measuring fat content--- as
long as I'm able to get in at least 60 grams of protein a day, I don't pay
attention to fat content. Of course, I stay away from sugars and the other
"white carbs" as I find that they prompt greater desires for more
and more carbs. Good luck-- and never feel like a failure. You simply
can't expect to unlearn years of bad eating behaviors overnight. Although
every day may be a struggle to control those demons, every day is also the
start of a wonderful adventure and opportunity for a long and healthy new
life.
— SteveColarossi
June 21, 2003
No contest. I'd go for SUGAR FREE. Personally I don't count fat grams at
all. Sugar is the real enemy. At least for me.
— Danmark
June 21, 2003
Even though I don't dump, so far, I would choose sugar free. I still
don't eat more than a taste of high sugar products and feel I need some fat
in my diet to keep me "regular".
— Fixnmyself
June 21, 2003
The choice between choosing fat free or sugar free is easy. I dump, so the
choice is easy, fat free all the way. I had to find out the hard way how
many grams of sugar in a product that I can tolerate. Anything over 14
grams will make me dump in a heartbeat.
— Michele A.
June 21, 2003
I'd go to the lack of sugar, I think its worse for us -- in general. I
wouldn't however ALWAYS eat full fat things. A balance is always good. If
I have the choice, no sugar added and LOW fat or reduced fat is what I
choose. Lots of fat free things are HIGH in carbs and sugar to compensate
-- check out FAT free peanut butter and similar porducts.
— Lisa C.
June 21, 2003
I don't know if I dump on sugar since I haven't had any since surgery but I
have a feeling I don't. I do get nauseous on certain fats after a few
bites so I do go for reduced fat in a lot of foods unless it's something I
absolutely hate reduced fat in (like cheese) but I limit the quantity if
I'm having full fat something.
— susanje
June 22, 2003
I don't dump easily on sugar anymore. Even when I did, I would choose sugar
free over fat free any day! Our bodies need some fat, but we sure don't
need refined sugar!
— Sharon M. B.
June 22, 2003
Sugar free. Fat won't make me fat again, sugar will. Guaranteed. I even
avovid fat free things because they are higher in sugars.
— vitalady
June 23, 2003
That's an easy one...sugar-free, of course!
— yourdivaness
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