Question:
Should I avoid carbohydrates?

I am about 6 months post op and have been staying away from all processed carbs. Was anyone else advised to do the same?    — [Anonymous] (posted on October 1, 2001)

October 1, 2001
I was advised to eat wisely and to eat anything in moderation - carbos if I choose to....I've lost 90 lbs in the 3.5 months since my OpenVBG...and I eat a good many carbos every day - must not be causing too much trouble for me!!!!
   — Cathy J.

October 1, 2001
I don't seem to have a problem with carbs, though I know that some people do. I eat pasta if and when I want and get in some mixed veggies each day. My surgeon advises against patients' eating only protein but YMMV. So far, my blood work results have been excellent and I'm down 86 lbs in 3-months. All the best to you!
   — CaseyinLA

October 1, 2001
You can't eliminate all carbs from your diet because you need carbs for energy. Also, an all protein diet can damage your kidneys. Some people have no problems with carb consumption while others, like myself, have to limit them. I find that if I limit my carbs to 60grams a day spread out over my three meals, that I don't get hungry at all and I don't crave sweets. It took me three years to realize that.
   — [Anonymous]

October 1, 2001
Research shows that if you keep your carbs down to below 40 grams/day and consume enough protein to maintain your lean body mass you will lose fat. Those studies recommend that you maintain that until you reach about 30 pounds from your goal, then start slowly adding back carbs. If you start to gain, cut back on the carbs. When you find the amount that allows you to maintain the weight, you have the right balance! I personally think the high protein diet is one of the reasons WLS works so well.
   — ctyst

October 2, 2001
AVOID CARBS LIKE THE PLAGUE!!! ha ha...no seriously, this is probably one of the hardest things for me to do. But it is usually the culprit whenever I have a plateau. I try to keep my consumption of white carbs to a minimum (bread/rice/pasta/potatoes). And if I do indulge, I try to do so earlier in the day. The same with fruits. They are supposed to be the lesser of evils in the carbo world. But if I want fruit I'll usually try to have it at breakfast or as a morning snack. Anyway...when I eat carbs I notice that I am hungrier throughout the day. Weird. I never paid attention to any of that stuff before. I truly believe now that carbs cause cravings for more carbs. So I usually just go for some Crystal lite or a protein drink when I am feeling hungry an hour after having a carb. It helps. It also helps me to remember that that spaghetti I'm wanting will turn into sugar and get absorbed. Hard to say yes to a plate of sugar disguised as innocent looking noodles. Good luck and God Bless!
   — Kimberly L.