Question:
Why can I hold down the wrong kind of foods?

Why am I hungry 30 minutes after I eat? Why can I hold down sweets more than regular meals? I'm 16 months post-op and have lost 170 pounds. I've stayed at the same weight for the last few months. I realize it's the sweets but I crave them most of the day. I started with an ice cream cone from Mc Donalds and now crave the icream with oreos/. How can I change this terrible habit? I had the VGB and have never been coached on what foods to eat.    — June S. (posted on February 19, 2004)

February 18, 2004
I can only tell you what i think. If you start out with high carbs, that's what you're gonna crave all day! Start your day with something low in carbs and high in protein and not only will you stay full longer but you want have those cravings. After 2-3 days you'll feel much better and be more in control.
   — LilliesMimi

February 18, 2004
I agree with the first poster. The only way to stop craving carbs is to eliminate them completely! Not everyone has an extreme problem with carb cravings, though. If you're not turning these cravings into regular habits, a few carbs (even bad ones) here and there shouldn't hurt you that much. Also, our bodies do need some "good" carbs, such as veggies, fruit, whole-grain bread and cereal, beans, etc.
   — Carlita

February 18, 2004
It's simple to say (maybe not to do) but STOP eating them. After about three days, the physical craving will be gone. I don't know about how the VBG works but the same was true for me and others in my family before I ever had the RNY. If I ate bread, pasta, rice, or any kind of sugar, I just wanted more and more. Once I totally quit eating that junk back in March of 2003, I never craved them again and I lost 40 pounds while getting ready for surgery. If you find that you can't quit and tough it out for a few days, go to a support group, talk to someone who understands, get all that stuff out of the house, don't take any money to work, anything to help you break free. Looking at your question, it would seem that if you are craving a particular sweet (ice cream with oreos) you may also be dealing with head hunger and counseling or a support group can help you with that. Hope you get an answer. You've done WAY TOO well to sabotage yourself now. Congratulations on your wonderful progress.
   —  SCbabe B.

February 19, 2004
I'm a sweet craver too. I would prefer to eat sweets at every meal and all day long if I could..and yes, I did do that as a pre-op! But I know as a post-op that I need good proteins and have to eat good healthy foods to stay healthy and keep from gaining. It does not mean I cannot eat sweets, just that I have had to learn moderation and have to keep up the healthy meals and exercise in order to maintain my weight loss. In other words, I cannot eat pizza, french fries and chocolate in the same day. I do eat sweets every day, small amounts,but only if I have eaten well the rest of the day. I don't see anything wrong with having the ice cream cone if you are able to maintain your weight loss, and it doesn't turn into a day long out of control sweet fest. For some post ops they have to totally avoid sugar to get by. Its true, if you de-tox your system from sugar (3 solid days of no sugar at all), the cravings subside. As for why you are hungry 30 minutes after eating, are you drinking with or right after meals? If so, do not drink with or for an hour afterwards. Are you eating solid protien foods like chicken or beef or something soft that slides right thru? The more solid the food, the more it will stay with you and fill you up.
   — Cindy R.

February 19, 2004
If it's not necessarily a carb craving thing, have you thought of trying the low fat or low carb ice creams? That way you can have your sweets and eat them, too! Oh, and try to avoid McDonalds :o)
   — ScottieB86

February 19, 2004
I know pre-op (I haven't messed with the stuff post op) if I didn't have sugar or sweets for 3 or 4 days I wouldn't crave them. But once I had something sugary it's all I wanted. I think it's a blood sugar thing (I am not diabetc) and as soon as you come down from that sugar high you're craving another one 30 min later. Try toughing it out for a week with out them and see if the cravings go away. Find lower sugar/carb subsitutes. <br><br>Hang in there, and work on it, you have done so well (170 lbs -- wow!) you don't want to jepordize your success!
   — Patricia T.

February 19, 2004
I've got the same problem, but it's with opposite foods :-). It seems that the only things I can stomach is the greasy stuff, and no sugars at all. I miss carbs and veggies - even milk so much, but get so sick. Beleive it or not what works best for me is really high fats. Ugh! I'm only 4 months post-op and down 75 lbs, but it's frustrating.
   — Amy E.

February 19, 2004
Hi, I had a VBG in June, down 87 lbs. so far. What I do well on is things like cheese and crackers, peanut butter and crackers, protein bars, milk, peanuts, almonds, or sunflower seeds, mostly things that aren't cooked. I never eat pasta, rice, breads, things like that. My appetite stays pretty well under control when I stick with the protein. I hope you can experiment with trying other foods to help you get this under control. It has seemed to work for me. I wish you much success. Since we both had the VBG, and would like to keep in touch, you can email me at [email protected]
   — betterfitness