Question:
sunflowerseed addiction

Hi all - i am 12 weeks out and am having strange cravings for sunflower seeds. I dont know if i should or should not be eating them, but i can sit here and munch on them all day - teh ones in the shells. Do you think its the salt that i am craving or what? Is it ok to be eating them?? Jan - 12-weeks post-op start 295 now 235    — Jan P. (posted on March 21, 2004)

March 21, 2004
Please have your potassium checked. It's fast, most docs won't mind doing it. If you just craved the seeds, I'd be thinking maybe it's just one of the good things in them, but the fact that you want the shells and you said "crave", not want makes me suspicious. And having one's electrolytes out of order can be amusing to a degree, but it can be deadly if not corrected. I felt "off" last fall and showed up at my PCP's office and asked them to check my lytes and they never batted and eye, just did it. They were. We fixed it. No harm done. Your instincts are often right on.
   — vitalady

March 21, 2004
You should try pumpkin seeds in the shell!!! they are great also, and they are sold in the chip isle at walmart. I love them. It would be a good idea to check your labs, my potassium was low at 12 weeks and I am still on Rx Micro k to maintain them.
   — wizz46

March 22, 2004
I had a mad craving for sunflower seeds and i still do. I am constantly scolded by my dietician because of this habit. She claims that they are high in fat, in fact she wants me to stay away from all nuts because of the high fat content.
   — aprilbaree

March 22, 2004
I wouldn't worry so much about the seeds. In and of themselves, they are not a terrible choice. What I would worry about is your desire to constantly munch on something. And, the sodium. Good luck to you!
   — LMCLILLY

March 22, 2004
Actually, I have found sunflower seeds in the shell to be an excellent snack. I think one of the single serving bags only has about 80 calories, and it takes me 2 days to get through one. Not a bad snack for only 40 calories. It keeps me busy when I get those "munchy" periods and keeps me from eating something much worse. I would caution you however, to be -extremely- careful about swallowing one of those little buggers. I have a feeling that if you swallowed a whole seed by accident, your doctor might have to fish it out.
   — Greg P.

March 24, 2004
I wouldn't worry. i had the same exact craving when I was first post op. I ate sunflower seeds till the salt broke out my mouth. I think I liked then for two reasons..one I craved the salt and two I felt like I was eating alot of something. I also craved dill pickles and salsa. One day I actually drank the pickle juice? Enjoy!
   — Jodie S.

March 26, 2004
dont stress about the sunflowerseeds.... i posted the same question about a year ago... and im still eating as many as i want.. and i drink with them (thats all i drink with) and i eat them slowly.. and ive done fine!!! ~erinn open rny 11-07-02 389/173/150
   — Erinn M.