Question:
I guess I just don't

Ok, so we stay away from bread and stuff, and now there are so many lo-carb foods out there. Does this mean that I can have the bread ect... I know some of you do everything in moderation, but I don't eat any bread or pasta or rice. Now I wonder can I?? should I?? Well I just thought I would have you guys bounce this around to hear what you think. Thanks    — luckyflowers (posted on January 19, 2004)

January 19, 2004
Well, I basically follow a regular diet. I eat bread, pasta, rice, all those things, along with my protein and fats. I never have done the high protein, low carb diet from day one and my loss has been great. I'm not even one year out and I'm down 145 pounds and under my own personal goal. And I feel normal being able to eat with my family and not making something "special" for a certain way of eating. You need to do what you feel is right for you and what you can tolerate.
   — Dee ,.

January 19, 2004
WOW what a great job you have done! I know what your saying. I guess I'm so afraid that if I eat bread ect.. that I'm "cheating" and that I will fail. Just the old feeling start to creep up on me.
   — luckyflowers

January 19, 2004
Hi! I really believe that this is one of those questions that only you know your answer to it. If carb type foods were a problem food for you pre-op they still will be! I have tried a few of the low carb foods & for the money they charge for them it's not worth it to me. I'm aware of the after effects carbs have on me & I still allow myself some ( but in small amounts ). Laurie H
   — Laurie H.

January 19, 2004
Hello, I'm 9 months out, down 100 lbs and only 5 from my goal. I occasionally will eat a bite or two of pasta, rice, white bread, but to tell you the truth, I really don't enjoy it much any more. Most of that kind of thing doesn't sit well in my pouch. I do enjoy (on occasion) a slice of whole/multi grain bread and it seems to sit a lot better in my pouch than white bread. I haven't eaten potatoes at all since surgery as they are VERY unappealing to me now. I'm with the other poster who said she eats whatever she wants, just in moderation. However, for me, I have found that a lot of the stuff that I used to eat just doesn't taste too good any more. Best wishes, Barb 4/07/03 235/135/130
   — Barbara C.

January 19, 2004
For me it isn't a question of if it is low carb or not. bread just tends to ball up or swell up in my pouch and make me uncomfortable. i do eat a peice of toast sometimes.
   — Delores S.

January 19, 2004
As I'm sure you've already heard Dr Custer lecture, he doesn't want us on an Atkins like diet. He prefers a nice, well balance meal. The problem then becomes, how do you eat a balanced meal if you can only eat six ounces? Since bread will expand in your stomach, it's a bad choice for not only the reason of it not being the best carbohydrate to eat, but it takes up too much space in your pouch for the nutrition it delivers. Personally, bread is something that I still enjoy. However, I do limit my bread intake to one or two bites at the end of my meal. This ensures that I get my protein and good carbs in first. I also stay away from rice, since it's high in calories compared to it's volume. It's easier to each too much. But like you mentioned, just keep things in moderation and it will be ok.
   — rleffler

January 19, 2004
I am 18 months post-op, at goal and I eat bread and even pasta on occasion as well as protein, fruits, veggies and other carbs. I try to eat a well balanced diet including all food groups except sugar sweetened foods. I have been doing this for some time and have not gained an ounce and guess what?? I still lose a lb here and there. I think all things need to be done in moderation and you will be fine. What works for one person may not for the next, just remember if it doesn't work for you (you stop losing or God forbid even gain) then change something until you find what works for you. Good luck!!
   — Sharon1964

January 19, 2004
If you are still trying to lose more weight, it may be best to stick with low-carb or 100% whole grain products. Let's face it . . . Sometimes you just want some bread! The low carb products are OK (as long as you don't expect them to taste like regular bread) but if you have problems tolerating regular bread, you will probably have the same problems with the low-carb stuff.<p>I have never said never to any food, only tried to limit my "white" carbs and eliminating any food I find that is a "trigger" (ones that I can't control my consumption). <p>Sometimes a half a peanut butter and all-fruit jelly sandwich is just the treat I need. And it's a heck of a lot better for me than the junk I USED to eat for a treat!
   — ctyst

January 19, 2004
I'm like the others and try to eat everything in moderation. If your OK or don't miss not having bread, pasta or rice, then continue what you are doing. However, if you want to try bread,pasta or rice, go ahead. I will tell you though that some post-ops have problems with those foods. I do very well with bread and have 1/2 sandwiches on multigrain all the time and a small white roll with dinner on occasion. Rice and pasta I eat on occasion too and can't eat much of it before feeling uncomfortable. If you concentrate on protein first and then leave room for a few bites of rice or pasta, your doing fine. Low carb is fine if you like it, but in my book most of that stuff tastes like crap and with such a small amount of room to fill the pouch I want to ensure that what I do put in there tastes good too!
   — Cindy R.

January 19, 2004
I eat some whole wheat bread.. don't really eat pasta or rice.. although occasionally I eat soy pasta... its not so much that those are bad food.. they just have a lot of simple carbs... that's what you should stay away from. Some of the new choices don't have many simple carbs (Atkins products for example) and so you might want to try them. The bread is kind of twiggy -- I don't like it for sandwiches, but its makes a great french toast. I think soy pasta is like wet cardboard -- so I don't have it much. Haven't seen a low carb rice yet... but I do love carb countdown milk -- the chocolate especially! Its great to watch what you eat.. but don't get too caught up in good/bad foods... its what they're made of that you need to think about -- at least that's what works for me... good luck!
   — Lisa C.

January 19, 2004
hi cheryl...i am 19 mos out and i have been eating pastas and rice since i was advised by my dr that i could have a regular diet. I do eat these products in moderation thought, not like I eat them everyday or anything. As for breads, especially white, I have a hard time tolerating it, it makes me dump. I do ok with whole wheat bread though and tortillas. But for the most part I do try to get my proteins and veggies in daily. I started out at 322 and now weigh 180 and am still losing weight. You just have to try different foods, if they make you gain weight or make you uncomfortable, stay away from them.
   — Deb S.

January 20, 2004
I just wanted to let you know what my surgeon said about rice, pasta, raw veggies and peels.. that I should avoid them as they can plug the opening's of the pouch..
   — Kalli R.

January 21, 2004
You can have bread and rice and stuff it's just that it fills you up very quickly and doesn't supply a whole lot of nutrition. Just eat it in moderation. I am almost 3 years post-op and I love eating rice.
   — Kelly T.

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