Question:
Do you count all carbs or just the sugar grams? What do you think of Lean Cuisine?
For those of you counting carbs: do you just count the sugar grams listed on foods? Does anyone eat Lean Cuisines on a regular basis (a few times a week)? Are they too high in carbs or can I just count the sugar grams? — lizinPA (posted on July 1, 2003)
July 1, 2003
I started out July 18th, 2002 at 384 pounds, I am down to 252 (I am 5
months pregnant too) anyway I eat one lean cusine a day for lunch, since
it's so easy... sometimes I can eat the whole thing, other times not, but
either way I don't feel it;s hindered my loss, labs come back good... so I
don't think they are bad really... and I also don't count carbs... I just
always eat protein first knowing that I need to get in at least 60 grams a
day... I do 3 meals and 2 snacks... so I divide the protein up into the 5
times... so I allocate out that I need to eat this protein then if I have
room I'll have whatever else (perhaps the veggie or noodle etc)... hope
that helps... I also hope I don't get bombed with folks saying how bad it
is not to count...
— MF
July 1, 2003
Hi Beth, I don't really count carbs or sugar, although I look at labels and
know what I can and can't eat. I will eat one or two lean cuisines a week
at work or when I'm alone for dinner. I always pick the ones with beef or
chicken in them and eat the meat first. Then I'll have a few mouthfuls of
the veggies and if there's any room left I'll take a bite of the pasta or
rice. I am 8 months post op in a few days and can eat a whole Lean Cuisine
but I usually don't. Just remember to get your protein in, and you should
be fine. Hugs, Kim S. Open RNY Nov. 4/02 (-131 lbs.)
— Kim S.
July 1, 2003
I keep an "eye on" the sugar count, but don't tally it for the
day - I also don't eat very darned much of it in a sitting. I do count all
starch carbs - potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, corn, carrots, etc. I don't
count green veggie carbs and consider those as nearly as important to ME as
the protein grams :>)
— [Deactivated Member]
July 1, 2003
I rarely eat Lean Cuisine but when I do, I don't eat the pasta, rice or
potatos. I eat the meat and the green veggie. I do try to avoid starches
and I NEVER eat pasta or rice; pasta makes me dump and I was hospitalized
with dehydration once after eating rice - I was nauseated for a week and
finally quit eating and drinking. So I pretty much avoid these meals as
they aren't particularly good for ME.
— Patty_Butler
July 1, 2003
I know a lot of people here count carbs, but where I had my surgery at,
they didnt really stress counting the carbs. They had us watch three
things: protein intake, fat grams, and sugar grams. When I look at sugar
content, if it's over 2 grams of sugar I look at the ingredients and look
at my list to see if its a sugar thats usually tolerated well or if its one
to avoid (BTC gave us a list to look at). I will eat Lean Cuisines once in
a while. I usually cant eat the whole thing at this point though, maybe
half of one at the most. What I usually do is eat the protein first, then
if I still have room maybe one or two bites of whatever is the side dish
and that's it. I have never had a problem with dumping on these. Hope
this helps! Good Luck!
— Kris T.
July 1, 2003
I'm fairly different from most who've answered so far.. I count all carbs..
because as far as I'm concerned the simple carbs in white pasta, rice..
starches aren't any better for me than sugar. I do get a few carbs from
beans, whole wheat bread, veggies and fruit... things like that. I count
it all because I use fitday -- it seems to work very well for me and helps
me to plan my food on days I choose to do that. I don't eat lean cuisines,
mostly because I'd only eat the meat and I can do that much more healthily
on my own.. a chicken breast is a chicken breast, but one I make myself is
better. For me its just as easy to make more chicken at night and take it
to work as heat up lean cuisine. I made a deal with myself on this surgery
-- when I eat, I try to work at eating good stuff and not wasting my time
on crappy or processed food. I don't stick to it all the time, that's for
sure. *grin* Good luck.
— Lisa C.
July 1, 2003
I don't think *some* of the Lean Cuisines are all that bad. If you count
your carbs a la Atkin's, you might have a problem justifying a Lean Cuisine
in your diet, but if you are more concerned with good carbs/bad carbs and
the glycemic index of foods then certain Lean Cuisines have the appropriate
ratios of carbs to proteins and fats to be acceptable (this means that the
combination of foods in this Lean Cuisine do not overly elevate blood sugar
levels). These dinners are: Bow Tie Pasta & Chicken, Chicken Chow
Mein, Chicken Oriental, Cheese Cannelloni, Chicken Mediterranean, Chicken
Primavera, Chicken in Wine Sauce, Country Veggies & Beef, Fiesta Beef
& Rice, Grilled Chicken, Oriental Beef, Herb Roasted Chicken, Roasted
Chicken with Mushrooms, and Teriyaki Stir-Fry.
— Kristen S.
July 1, 2003
My dietitian doesn't have us count carbs or calories, and sugar only as a
way to monitor for dumping or diabetic reactions. However, in my research
on WLS and why it works, it's become clear to me that carbs have a
significant impact on how the body operates (carbs encourage insulin
resistance and fat storage), so I've decided to limit carbs. I keep them
under 50 a day, and the carbs I do eat are from fruits and vegetables. I
thought I'd have a terrible time giving up things like potato chips, pasta
and traditional snack foods, but after the first few weeks it's really not
that hard anymore. Like a previous poster, I also don't eat (many)
processed foods under the theory that because I can eat so little,
everything I eat is going to taste great and be good for me. So, I too
just make a little extra for dinner and take the leftovers for lunch the
next day. That way I control the sodium, carbs and sugars. I think you
should do whatever works for you.
— Vespa R.
July 1, 2003
i sort of try to stick to the 12% rule. if it has over 12% sugar or fat i
avoid it and i limit my carbs to veggies, i rarely eat pasta or while rice,
or bread. i am loosing so i guess for me this works! i dumped one time, if
i can go through out my life with out ever going through that again i'll be
happy!
— janetc00
July 2, 2003
When I eat Lean Cuisines, I eat the meat and veggies first then a little
bit of whatever carbs are part of it. They taste pretty good. I stock up
when they are on sale as they are easy lunches at work. My nutritionist
has said that I can have 2 portions of carbs a day in my diet so I don't
think the amount in a Lean Cuisine is too bad.
— Fixnmyself
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