Question:
Too Much Fat?

For all you wonderful "experts" out there I need your help. I've been tracking my food intake on fitday.com and am a little worried about my fat intake. There is nothing on my profile so I'll tell you that I'm 5 months out and down 73lbs. Here is what fitday says...my total calories for today were 1028. That consists of 2 eggs. 2 Proscore protein drinks, 2 banannas. (one for each protein drink), 1/4 cup of dry roasted peanuts, and 2 oz of almonds. This will be my food for the entire day. My chart shows that is 48% fat. Only 6% is saturated, but still its 48% fat! My carbs total 17%, and my protein is 37% of my diet. I know for us RNY Proximals' out there, we are to really watch our fat intake. Well its the biggest part of my diet it seems which is kinda scary. On other days I will make my vegetable and such with olive oil and that also sends my fat calculation through the roof! Am I looking at this wrong or should I take this as a warning to change something up? I've also got another question on making quantity changes in fitday but I'll send that questions in later. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me! Missy-218prior to surgery-210day of surgery -now 145 :)    — Lola C. (posted on January 27, 2004)

January 27, 2004
Missy, you're doing fine. You're only getting 1000 calories a day. You need the fat to help with satiety and also to provide access to the fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E and K. As you get further out post-op you can add more complex carbohydrates such as fresh veggies and fruits. Right now you can't get that volume because you just don't have the room. Adding the complex carbs will reduce the percentage of fat in your diet. Just keep up the protein intake. Your protein choices are very good even if they are high-fat.
   — artistmama

January 27, 2004
Hi, at about 14 months post op- I have lost nearly 170 pounds- I must say- I have not watched my fat intake- Mind you, I don't slather pounds of butter on my food- but I don't eat "low fat" stuff...I eat alot of cheese, meat, cottage cheese, salads w/dressings etc- none which are "low fat" Over the past 14 months, my simple carb intake has been close to zilch- I personally am more concerned with breads, rice, pasta's, potatoes, sugar- then I am fat- If I ever start gaining- I'll know to cut back on my fat intake- Best wishes Kim
   — WABBIT F.

January 28, 2004
Ignore the percentages and count the grams. My surgeon said 20g of fat, 60g of protein, 1000 calories, and no carb counting (but only good carbs).
   — Sandy A.

January 28, 2004
That chart gives a percentage of what calories come from what. So if you ate 20 grams of protein and 10 grams of fat, it'd probably say you ate 50% fat because fat grams have more calories than protein grams. Wow, I eat like an oinker compared to you.
   — mrsmyranow

January 28, 2004
Your eating quite well, I wouldn't be concerned with the fat intake unless the intake was all saturated. Fat is actually a good part of your diet and for us, protein is the most important part. Now if you were getting your fat from french fries, pizza and fast food, I 'd be concerned....
   — Cindy R.

January 28, 2004
I'm further out than you and eating a lot more, but I get similar results on fitday, I often find my fat percentages are in the high 40's. Nuts are a big culprit, they're incredibly high in fat. Eggs are too. As long as you're getting in enough protein, fiber, and your total calories are at an appropriate level it's probably not something to worry about.
   — Celia A.