Question:
Protein vs Carbs

I have recently separated from my wife. I am 5 weeks post-op and went to the grocery store. I know we need protein but finding meals that are good protein and 0 carbs is almost impossible. So if we need 60 grams of protein a day or more is there a number of carbs or less I should have a day?    — Jeff B. (posted on October 19, 2002)

October 19, 2002
Hi Jeff - I've paid attention to this topic over the past couple of months because I've had similar questions. To summarize, it SEEMS that you'll find your die-hard, no-carb, Atkins-type group who say 20-30g/day, the group that says they just don't worry about it as long as they get their protein, and the group who reports that their nutritionist say try to keep it under 100g/day. Good Luck!
   — jen41766

October 19, 2002
My nutritionist recommends no more than 25 grams of non-vegetable carbs a day and as many vegetable carbs as I can eat AFTER my protein. What did your nutritionist or surgeon recommend to you?
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 19, 2002
Just to clarify - those vegetable carbs that are unlimited...that's non-white, yellow or orange veggies :>) And cauliflower is considered a green vegetable. Go figure!
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 19, 2002
Hi Jeff. Don't worry yourself about the carbs. At 5 weeks post op concentrate on protein first. I never worry about carbs, but I do stay away from bread, rice, and pasta. They are the "bad" carbs. I'm not saying you can never have bread, rice, or pasta, but at 5 weeks post op there are more important things to be eating. As long as your carbs are coming from veggies there is no reason to be counting them at all. For now concentrate on eating protein first, then if you have room, have some veggies and fruit. Once you can eat more, things will get easier. I am 10 months post op and can eat just about whatever I want. I don't "diet", I just eat in moderation. The ONLY thing I stay away from is sugar. I watch the sugar grams because I don't want to "dump". I eat virtually no rice, pasta, or bread only because I just don't eat it. Otherwise everything is in moderation. Lap RNY 1/9/02 down 101 pounds! 19 to goal
   — Kim B.

October 20, 2002
Jeff, it is difficult to avoid carbs, especially if you buy the frozen dinners. However, you do not have to stay away from carbs. Most of the fruits and veggies, beans, that we eat, which are good for us, have some carb. Most nutritionists say to try to limit the carbs to 100 or under. Truthfully, I do not even count carbs. Just concentrate on eating right-protein first, then fruits and veggies, and if you have left over room, some carbs. Some good carbs are whole grain breads, popcorn and beans. The occasional cookie, pasta and rice are OK too, but you'll find that some of those fill you up too much.
   — Cindy R.

October 22, 2002
Yes you want to focus on lots of protien. I try to get in 100 gms per day. And eliminate sugar and refined carbohydrates (starches/white breads) You should still try to eat lots (relative to your pouch) veggies, some fruit and even some beans and whole grains. Most frozen microwave dinners are going to be loaded with refined carbs, high in fat and relatively low in protien. But check the labels.
   — Dell H.