Question:
Carbs in your diet...when to start including them

I ws instructed by my doctor not to eat anything that has over 6g ot carbs and sugar. i try to stay within his limitations but recently I have had a burrito here, some sushi with rice there... I feel so guilty when I eat it, but it taste so good! I am just afraid that once I incorporate carbs, I will start regaining. I am 5mnths out down 80 pounds but have hit a platue. Please help!!    — Nubicess62 (posted on May 20, 2007)

May 20, 2007
My NUT's suggestion is to eat on meal with protein,veggies and carbs, for example - lasgana for dinner. But whatever...sometimes I eat two meals with carbs - sometimes not at all - I eat sushi almost everyday - I eat the rice sometimes and get sashami other days. :) My motto - eat what you want - top tier choices - and everything in moderation. I am 3 months out and go see the surgeon and nut agan the end of June - maybe things will change then, but for now - since I am eating 3-4oz. of food total - it's free game right now.
   — jammerz

May 20, 2007
You know, I was really good at the beginning with not eating carbs. But then I found that when I did eat a few more carbs that I was losing more weight, and faster. I still eat carbs, I just try not to go overboard. You just really need to figure out your body. Malena pre surger 329/currently 148/goal 150
   — *Malena* M.

May 20, 2007
I haven't incorporated carbs at all -- but I'm only 3 months out. My surgeon doesn't suggest including carbs -- as mentioned above -- until after 6 months. The closest I've came to having a carb is taking a bite out of a cheese-steak sandwich -- small bite. CONGRATS on the 80 pounds. I'd suggest --as an experiment -- back off the carbs and see if you start losing weight again.
   — the7thdean

May 20, 2007
Hi Tanya, thanks for writing. I would ask you how much exercise do you get? I am encouraged because at 5 months you have lost 80 pounds, congratulations! That is awesome. On the other hand you feel like you are at a plateau. First of all, just know that a plateau by definition is the same weight, no loss for 3 months, so you are NOT on a plateau. 80 pounds in 5 months can cause you to slow or stop for a time because no matter how heavy you are, the average weight, even with wls, is around 10 pounds a month. So you do the math, and you a ahead of the game. The body eventually gets word about this being ahead of the race thing, and goes into panic mode. Just stick with protein, water and exercise, and you can push through. Now, about the carbs. I eat everything you list here. With exercise, I have no problem with any foods. I eat it all, in small quantities. I love shrimp, rice, sushi rolls, wow are they good. I, at 3 years out, can eat 4 nice roll slices with soy sauce, and my tummy is so happy! I can eat a Taco Bell burrito and just love it. It takes time, but I can eat it. It usually fills me for both lunch and dinner. Staying active is the key, exercise and take that seriously, and stay with water, protein and exercise, with the occasional (and I do mean occasional) carb treat. You have to decide when you get them, but I firmly believe that God gave us food to eat. Not to worship, which was my case, I just worshiped food, it was sinful and wrong. But I am to eat foods, and I do. I have 5 bites of cheesecake or have a piece of this or that, or a scoop of ice cream, but a very small one. Not every week, and really, not every month, but when I feel like having it on an occasion, then I do. You still have lots of honeymoon period left, if you exercise, so don't waste it, and don't fall for food being good, to be reason enough to eat it. Eat it because you want a small amount to enjoy and then let it go. The next time you want it, read a book instead and let the feeling pass. We have to learn to not give in to every time we want something, that is why we became obese. We can cheat our surgery right into being sorry we had it. I would hate to see that happen for anyone. Fight the head issues, know you are not in a plateau and push through this little waiting period, and look forward to great things in your body, enjoying a treat here or there along the way:) Life is Good, God is good, have a great day! Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

May 21, 2007
I am beyond my honeymoon period now. I eat pretty much anything I want, sometimes including things that are carb rich and protein poor, e.g., some rich chocolate candy. That's because they DO taste SOOO GOOOOD! The trick is to know how much is enough. For example, ONE PIECE of chocolate candy is the limit and no more than once per day (instead of several pieces several times a day as I used to do). I did, however, stick religiously to my dietary instructions during the first six months after surgery, even if I wanted to stray. That helped me to establish a mindset for a way of life after the honeymoon period. I now do occasionally get off track (my mindset is not perfect) by eating too much of something and I pay the price with a dumping session. Truly, for me dumping is a positive aspect of RNY surgery because it is a strong factor in helping me to stay on track by eating to avoid dumping. So food is like everything else in life including both the good and the bad: alcohol, exercise, sex, ... . Moderation is the key. Eating a 12 oz. steak at one sitting would be disasterous for us even though it provides lots of those "good" proteins. So my advice to you is to enjoy those things in life including carbs in your food, that make you happy but if you overdo it, your happiness will rapidly turn into sadness and grief.
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 22, 2007
I'm curious as to how well you processed the rice. I was told by my doc and nut that rice would probably always be a nono because of the way it continues to absorb liquid and plump up in the stomach and it could cause problems passing through the stoma. I have been craving rice too! I'm 11 months out at this point and watch the carbs and the sugars, although I cannot do artificial sweeteners and use real sugar in moderation. I've found that if I have to have fast food that Taco Bells Pintos & Cheese, or a Bean Burrito always go down well with tons of protein from the beans. I haven't had a piece of rice pass my lips in almost a year. Sounds like you are doing well though. Good luck and feel free to contact me offlist.
   — oceanrayne