Question:
Is it possible to be addicted to calcium chews???

the chocolate flavored calcium chews (yes, this sounds nuts... read on) have got me totally out of control. i was a chocoholic before my RNY, and now with the blessing of my nutritionist, i started chocolate flavored calcium chews. i am 9 mos post op, lost 103 lbs, doing great in all other areas except this one... i can eat about 20-30 of these things a day, and still want more. i know the solution is to just quit buying them, and switch to another form of calcium. i just wondered if i was the only one out here that has gone off the deep end over these things... to me they're like candy.    — Karen D. (posted on September 23, 2003)

September 23, 2003
If these chocolate calcium chews are Viactiv, then this is calcium carbonate and you are getting no benefit from these whatsoever. I know that it is not good to take excessive amounts of any vitamins or minerals..JR
   — John Rushton

September 23, 2003
First...Your weight loss is fantastic :) Congratulations. Second, I assume you're talking about the Viactiv calcium chews??? I have also bought them just to have as a treat and so far I haven't had a problem limiting myself to one or two a day. They won't hurt you unless you go overboard and if candy/chocolate was a problem for you pre-op (wasn't for me luckily), then I can see how it would be very easy to fool yourself into believing they're o.k....they're medicine - not candy - right??? However, you shouldn't count on them for your calcium supplement since they are calcium carbonate and not calcium citrate and as post-ops, we do not absorb the calcium carbonate. Also, too much calcium can cause organ damage (kidneys I believe). If you are eating 20 of these daily - that is 10,000mg of calcium, 4000 IU of Vitamin D and 800 mcg of vitamin K - not to mention the 400 calories. The vitamin and calcium intake is 10 times the daily recommended amount for a non WLS patient. We need a little more due to absorption issues, but we don't need 10 times more. You could be doing damage to your body if you eat 20 or more of these daily. Do a little research on excess vitamin usage and the harm it can do and maybe that will be the motivator to limit yourself to just 1 or 2 a day as a "treat". If I'm coming off sounding like a preacher, I apologize. I don't mean to. I'm just trying to help. Good Luck.
   — Carolyn M.

September 23, 2003
Aren't these like 6 calories per chew? If so you are throwing away some very important calories that should be eaten as something else. Also, like John said, if these are viactive then not only are you wasting calories but not getting an calcium benefit from them as calcium carbonate is not absorbed after an RNY. Do yourself and your body a favor and give these to someone who has a normal stomach and buy the ones you should have to stay healthy. It will actually take a long time before you see the lack of benefit of the calcium carbonate and then it may be too late!
   — zoedogcbr

September 23, 2003
OK, here's another scary thought to add to your collection: If these calcium chews are made of calcium carbonate, you should know that excessive calcium carbonate intake (especially without lots of water intake) can cause kidney stones. That's some really *serious* kinda pain. This is yet another reason to use calcium citrate rather than calcium carbonate. Good luck!!
   — Suzy C.

September 23, 2003
What you're experiencing is a sugar addiction. The first ingredient on the chews is corn syrup, the third is sugar. This is why they're causing you to "binge". This will sabotage your weight loss eventually, probably causing you to crave other refined carbs.
   — mom2jtx3

September 24, 2003
Try switching to something that wont make you want to eat so many. I buy the SF Tums Orange Creme, they are good and I take 4 a day for calcium. Good luck!
   — Sandy M.

September 24, 2003
Karen, Yup! Sounds like the addiction is to the "candy" not to the calcium. I am 3 weeks post-op and have already stopped buying string cheese because I would eat too much of it. We gotta be careful not to fall back into our old habits. Good luck and God Bless You. "Bopper" Open RNY 9/3/03 345/324/??
   — Bob M.

September 24, 2003
Sandy, The calcium you are taking is calcium carbonate and will not protect your body. You need to switch to calcium citrate which doesn't come in any wonderful tasting chews etc. Just big honkin pills and liquid. But it's critical that you get in calcium you can absorb or else will end up with severe osteoporosis.
   — zoedogcbr