Question:
Does Your Surgeon Count Veggies and Fruit as Carbs?

I know that technically they are carbs but I've also seen people post in the past that all they need to count towards their carb count is refined carbs and not veggies or fruit. My plan counts all carbs, which includes veggies and fruit. Counting them sure does not leave much room for the refined carbs or other starchy things. Also how far PO are you and how many carbs a day do you typically eat. Just curious!    — zoedogcbr (posted on September 9, 2003)

September 9, 2003
Well, they say that the veggies and fruits are the good carbs. I am about a month post op and I have very little room for ANY carbs... good or bad. By the time I get down the protein and you know that should be FIRST... I am just about full. The only way I can eat carbs (veggies or fruit) is to eat them first and that is a NO-NO. It is like all I have is protein, water and vitamins. NO room for anything else. Maybe later on in the game... but for now, none. I must admit I miss salads.
   — Eleanore Davis

September 9, 2003
In terms of ketosis and fat burning, yes, they count. In terms of insulin spikes and cravings, some people only need to worry about refined carbs, others, like me, have to worry about all of them (except for certain veggies).
   — mom2jtx3

September 9, 2003
My doctor's plan doesn't have us counting carbs or fats. His rules are at least 60 grams of protein a day and no more than 1200 calories a day (and, of course, vitamins, calcium and at least 64 ounces of water). Protein must be eaten first, followed by veggies, then fruits, then refined carbs. By the time all that's taken care of, there isn't any need to count refined carbs. I simply don't have room for them. And, that's a good thing. Refined carbs are a big contributor to my weight problem, and the further away I stay from them, the better. If I plan my meals and snack carefully, I can work in veggies to lunch and dinner (not much, but enough to get some nutrients, fiber, and my taste for them satsified). If I'm following the rules, I just never get to the refined carbs part. Good for me. Unless you're one of those rare individuals that carbs don't create cravings, overeating and weight gain, good for you, too, that you don't have room for refined carbs. I'm just over five months out, rarely eat refined carbs, and plan to keep it that way forever. In the past five months I could probably count the number of times I've had pasta (once), rice (three times), bread (twice), and potatoes (three times). I don't intend to increase that frequency.
   — Vespa R.

September 9, 2003
Some do, some dont. My doc and dietetian(sp?)says no they dont count. They want us to learn to eat a healthy diet which includes those "good" carbs. I try to eat at least one veggie a day along with my protein first. I have hypoglycemia so I have to eat fruit to bring/keep my blood sugar up. I eat fresh only for the fiber and fresh is not as sweet as the canned or frozen. I have lost 3 pounds in 4 days so I know it has not effected my weight loss at all. I'm only 13 pounds from my goal and I'm 10 months out. ~Sidney~ Open RNY 10-23-02 down 115+ and counting
   — Siddy I.

September 9, 2003
Original Poster Here: I do eat a small amount of refined carbs from toast or bread or baked potato but it's about 2-3 times a week and 1 to 1-1/2 ounces max. I do not buy it at home so I will have it as part of a dinner out and maybe bring a small piece home for another meal. I do eat veggies and fruit at least once a day, but never for every meal. I usually average 25-40 grams of carbs total and about 70-100 grams of protein, so I am definitely eating protein first and foremost. I usually eat 5-6 ounces per meal for 3 meals a day and maybe a snack at night. My calories range from 650-1000 depending on how low fat the meats are than I choose that day. Steak is much higher and so is string cheese than like shrimp. Some days a meal is 3 cheese sticks which gives me 15 grams of fat, which I'm not to excited about but it is good protein and very convenient when in a hurry or don't have time for a sit down meal. <p>I see some people eating like 100 carbs a day and I wonder how I would ever lose weight on that. I was doing 5-20 grams of carbs day for the first 4-1/2 months to keep my body in max ketosis. I'm half tempted to go back there to burn off this last 80 lbs, but figure that it would be too hard to transition to maintenance that way. I was just curious what other people were doing ad how their surgeon's looked at carbs. FYI I am 7 months PO.
   — zoedogcbr

September 9, 2003
Per BTC handbook I was given. Milk 4-6 serving (1/2 cup milk or yogurt,or cottage cheese) daily. Meat 4-6 oz daily (meat , fish,poultry, eggs , may substitute 2 tb peanut butter or 1/2 c beans for 1oz meat.) fruit 4-6 servings (1/4 c fresh or frozen or canned in water or juice.) grains 4-6 serving (1/2 slice bread, 1/4 bagel , 1/4 c rice or pasta or cereal 1/2 tortilla, 1/4 english muffin 2 crackers 1 1/2 c air popped popcorn.) veggies 3-6 per day (1/4 c fresh or frozen or 1/2c leafy greens.) balance and moderation in portion sizes.
   — **willow**