Question:
HELP!!!! I visited my dietician on Friday and leftt confused.

For years now I have been reading how everyone has to watch their carbs and basically eat nothing but protein protein protein. I went to my dietician on Friday and was blown away. She never stressed that protein be my #1 goal or water for that matter. She gave me the basic nutrition chart and said to basically follow this. I am suppose to have atleast 6 servings of starches/breads a day. With a serving being no more than 15 g of carbs. I am so worried and confused that I will screw this up LOL.... Also does anyone have some really creative tasty meal ideals that we can enjoy WITH our family?    — lillbitofsin (posted on August 19, 2003)

August 19, 2003
Your dietician is one of the folks who is in the 'balanced foods' camp and goes with the standard nutrition chart. Other folks aren't of that mind. I think you have to do the research yourself and determine what is best for YOU. I will tell you that for me, I started out doing protein, protein, protein and when I talked with my nutritionist, she explained why we need carbs in our systems....I then added carbs and felt way sharper, mindwise and more energy. I had to work out the right balance of carbs. I do not follow the nutrition charts, but what I am doing is working for me. I think at some point she had us trying to get in 1200 calories a day at six months out with about 120 grams of carbs a day. I'm more in the 700-900 calorie a day range with about 70 grams of carbs a day. I'm 8 months out. They are 'good' complex carbs, not simple carbs also. I've lost 130 pds since Christmas. It works for me, but there are folks who need to go with very very few carbs to lose weight, so it just depends on you. Good luck!
   — Susan F.

August 19, 2003
Keep in mind that different programs have different postop diet philosphies. Believe it or not, not everyone believes that carbs are the route of all evil! lol When I tell folks that my first meal in the hospital consisted of roast beef, mashed potatos and broccoli they go NUTS!! My surgeon firmly believes that going to a solid diet immediately helps your body adjust to the surgery better (which means less food intolerances,etc.) So far he has been on the money. As for the carb issue, the goal is to do what works for YOU! My diet consists of an emphasis on proteins yes...but in order to give your body the fuel it needs, you do need to have carbs. Granted, the CHOICE of carbs is ultra important. I go with the complex carbs daily. This is how we look at the food issue/diet thing in my program: If it FLIES, SWIMS or RUNS, it is a protein.. so make sure you get in a sufficient amount (I shoot for 70-95 grams of protein a day). If it GROWS above ground (on a vine, tree or bush), eat a fair amount a day. (This is your fresh fruits, veggies and grains). If it GROWS below ground, eat it occasionally (i.e., root veggies like carrots, beets, potatos, yams). If it does NOT grow or is processed or refined (white rice, bleached flour, pastas, etc.), really limit the intake. If you get it out of a box.. skip it ALL together. My way of thinking is that MODERATION is the key to survival and success after weight loss surgery. This philosophy works really well for me. (And as we know all too well in our WLS world, what works for me won't necessarily work for you and vice versa). Don't worry. You will find your way.. and will figure out what works for you. I just thought I would share what works for me. Just keep remembering that the ultimate goal is to not only lose the weight but to become a HEALTHY person which means eating a well rounded, healthy diet. I personally can't imagine not having a diet without complex carbs. Hugs, Kathie (in Hawaii).. (Open RNY 08/07/2002..down 160 pounds)
   — KathieInHawaii

August 19, 2003
As for meals with the family, just about anything would do. Try grilled chicken/fish/beef with a salad or on top of the salad-throw in hard boiled eggs, beans. Or a roasted chicken with veggie. How bout chili made with meat or ground turkey or chicken with beans. One of my favorites is burritos that I stuff with meat, cheese, refried beans. On the weekend, I use scrambled eggs instead of meat. YUM.
   — Cindy R.

August 19, 2003
Sounds like a dietician that just does not accept what post-op WLS life is about. There is one of those at the hospital I had my surgery at. The 15 grams of carbs is on the higher side but okay, but not 6 servings a day. If you ate the 15 grams for 3 meals that would be a lot in my opinion.
   — zoedogcbr

August 19, 2003
I felt that same way. But then it was explained to me like this...always eat the protein first, veggies second, carbs last. As for family meal ideas....email me & I have a VERY large amount of recipes low fat, low sugar, low carbs, no sugar...crock pot, pork, chicken....I have BUNCHES OF THEM! LOL GOOD LUCK
   — Leslie N.