Question:
I am still pre-op but trying to better prepare myself with the eating issue

So, I started using fitday.com to track my intake. I have been trying to up my protein now so it'll be easier later on when that's all I should be consuming. However, in doing so, I feel like I am making good choices but it does not show up that way. It's apparent in my pie chart on fitday, it's darn near half, if not more, carbs, 1/4 or so protein, 1/4 or so fat. So, what exactly are some good examples of protein rich, low carb, food items? I feel like I should already know this but I am drawing a blank. Thanks for any input.    — Dee ,. (posted on January 14, 2003)

January 14, 2003
Hi, Deena! How's it going? I had tried Atkins last spring, which as you know, is a high-protein, low-carb regimen. There is a lot of good information on their website. I think it's atkinscenter.com. When I was on it, I ate eggs and bacon or sausage for breakfast, maybe a grilled chicken salad (heavy on the chicken) for lunch, and for dinner, usually a meat or fish with a side of vegetables or another salad. For snacks, I usually ate cheese, or celery with cream cheese spread on it. I bought some of their proten bars, too, and used them sometimes for an evening snack. That was the basic diet - then you can add more carbs as you get into it. But not the kinds of carbs we're used to - it was berries and nuts first. One of the cool things about Atkins is you can eat the amount you want (within the diet's guidelines), so there was no measuring portions, etc. Too bad I couldn't stick with it. I guess I'm just too addicted to carbs. Hope surgery helps with that! Good luck and let me know how it's going.
   — Carlita

January 14, 2003
The high protein/lo carb lifestyle seems to be a bit of an art. You can work protein into your diet in a hundred ways. First off, make sure that every time you eat something, you eat some protein. Also, eat small meals every few hours. Big meals need filler, which is usually carbs. Also, realize that low-fat usually equals high-carb. If you're trying to do both you are probably going to need another psych consult! LOL<p>Here are some ways to work protein into your diet while keeping the carbs to a minimum:<p>Breakfast - This is really rough because most breakfast foods are full of carbs and sugar--even the healthy ones! Some good choices are eggs and cheese, cottage cheese (I like mine with lemon or lime juice and splenda or fruit), deli meat & cheese, yogurt, etc. I sometimes eat refried beans and cheese in the morning, too. You can get a little protein boost if you're a coffee drinker by putting nonfat dry milk in your coffee instead of creamer.<p>Lunch/dinner - If you are a frozen food eater, search out those meals that are 20+ grams of protein. They do exist! If you prepare your meals, try fixing a meat and two non-starchy veggies (say, carrots and green beans)instead of the usual suspects (potatoes, rice, pasta) which are white carbs. Or use beans as one of the veggies, which will add protein along with the carbs. If you eat out, avoid the "filler foods" that are usually cheap white carbs like rice or pasta. Just tell them not to even put them on your plate! Chinese food is fine as long as you avoid the rice: Hot and sour soup has lots of protein. Mu shu pork, chicken, or beef doesn't need rice. You're a mexican food fan? Try fajitas sans the tortillas and double beans instead of rice. And tell them not to bring the chips if you can't stop at a few. Salads loaded with meat and cheese and beans have lots of protein with few carbs. Order sandwiches open-faced. You get the idea. I have come to believe that bread in a sandwich is just a way to keep your fingers from getting messy. Use a fork and knife. It's lower in carbs. ;)<p>Snacks - Apples and peanut butter, cheese, protien bars, jerky, nuts, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, etc. There are lots of choices! My favorite snack right now is Genisoy soy crisps. They come in a bunch of flavors and have 7 grams of protein per ounce. I like the apple cinnamon flavor with peanut butter, the plain or cheddar flavor with salsa and cheese, and the tangy salt and vinegar flavor by itself--it tastes like potato chips!<p>Good luck and don't be too hard on yourself. A lot of this stuff is much easier after surgery. I still have cravings but they are not the same for me and I am much more suceptible to a bait & switch procedure so that I end up eating healthy most of the time.
   — ctyst