Question:
Pasta/potatoes/rice/breads?

I am only 3 weeks post op and am confused. I was told by the dietition that I can now eat noodles and rice and breads. I read postings where people are stating the have given up on all these foods because there so fattening. Why would my dr. advise me to eat these things then? I cant have anything but eggs and the usual soft foods and now was told to add these food groups. I dont want to gain...HELP PLEASEEEEEE!    — [Anonymous] (posted on August 14, 2000)

August 14, 2000
With carbs, you have to watch your intake. Your meal order should always be protein, fruits and vegies, and then carbs. Carbs have a tendency to fill you up much quicker than other foods, and they can be very fattening. Also, if your diabetic like me, you have to watch carb intake anyway. Also, be careful with rice at only 3 weeks post op. I was told to wait 6-8 weeks for rice because it can be hard to digest. Eat noodles (like in soup) sparingly and carefully so you don't eat too many ta one time. As for bread, again I was told 6-8 weeks. And the problem with bread is that it will fill you up so quickly that it doesn't leave room for other more important things like protein, fruits and vegies. If you do eat bread, literally only eat pieces that are the size a penny at a time. Don't stuff a big peice in your mouth, or I guarantee that it will be a problem. Too much bread balls up in your stomach and will make you feel very uncomfortable. I am 3 months post-op and still can only eat 1/8 of 1/2 of a bagel. Hang in there. It gets better! Just be patient with yourself. 56 pounds gone forever and feeling great.
   — Paula G.

August 14, 2000
I don't think they are fattening- but what we are used to eating with them are! I still like a good carb now and then- baked potato w/ cheese and salsa, a bagel w/ cream cheese (lite & only half at a time), and pasta w/sauce. I try and stay away from carbs for the most part, but when I crave something like the above, I plan it for dinner and work like heck to get all my protein in during the day (tuna or chicken salad for lunch helps). That way, I can enjoy it, the craving doesn't drive me to distraction, and I still get my protein in for the day. Now, I admit, this may NOT be the best way to maximize me weight loss, but I can live with it and don't feel deprived. I am 7 months out and have lost 86 lbs, so it works for me. Good Luck!
   — M B.

August 14, 2000
I eat carbs such as pasta and crackers all the time. i alo eat soups, and veggies, some fruit. I cannot eat a large amount of anything, only around 4 ozs. I find these foods much easier for me to digest than meats. I do not take in any additional proiten supplements, only what I eat. When I first found this website I saw alot of people saying that you must have protien supplements and to stay away from carbs. I took in all the info and then decided to see how I reacted to different foods. I think you need to try stuff on your own and not worry about it. You will know what works for you and what doesn't. I have lost 72 lbs since May 1st with an open RNY, and I eat very small amounts of just about anything I can tolorate well. I think it's live and learn from your own body. Because of this, I have my labs tested monthly and everything has came back in the normal ranges, including my protien, so I must be doing something right. I continue to lose weight weekly, even with my carbs, sugar, and so on. Remember that they are very small amounts though.
   — rosemary I.

August 14, 2000
Each surgeon/nutritionist will prescribe their own widely varying dietary regimens post-op. Following a lap RNY, there were no restrictions by my surgeon regarding pasta, rice and breads,with the understanding that protein intake comes first at any meal. If you eat carbohydrate items at the end of the meal, you probably won't have enough room left in your new stomach to eat enough of these items to influence weight loss in a negative manner. Some patients are instructed to avoid items such as rice or bread altogether, but these items have not been problematic for me, nor was my surgeon concerned about them. The cardinal rules for all of us are: eat slowly, take small bites, and chew thoroughly. Probably most problems can be avoided by following those guidelines, regardless of the types of food you eat. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

August 14, 2000
With all the Atkins, Zone, etc. diets, all I seem to hear about is carbs, carbs and more carbs! Are they bad? Are they good? Who knows? When I went to the nutritionist, she said "there are 3 basic components in food: protein, fat and carbs." Basically, if what your eating isn't pure fat or protein, it's a carb. Fruits and veggies ARE carbs. I can't imagine a healthy meal plan without those items. Every nutritionist is a little different, but what I was told was to limit breads, pastas, etc made from bleached refined flours. i.e., oatmeal is a better carb choice than wonder bread. I don't eat too many breads or pastas. Not because I'm worried about the carbs, but because proteins and carbs derived from fruits and veggies are more important for my recovery at this stage. I just don't have room for the other stuff. I've also noticed that I have a lot more energy when I eat fish w/ a side of broccoli for dinner vs. pasta. Others may have different experiences. Like any eating plan, there are differences in opinion. Getting some feedback from your doctor and a nutritionist would probably be very helpful. Take care.
   — Maxine E.

August 15, 2000
I've heard the high-carb hype in the 80's and the high- protein-eat your butter and bacon of the 90's. I've read every book and talked to a lot of BAD doctors. What I do know about diet is what I know empirically (my own life experience) and this is my conclusion: It is a simple formula. One must expend more calories than eaten. A calorie is a calorie. Now, I do care about things like colon cancer so I eat carrots and other good things but there is absolutely no food combining that will get you ahead.
   — [Deactivated Member]