Question:
What do you count? Calories or Carbs? Which seems to work best?
I am almost 3 months post op down about 49lbs. I have been counting calories not carbs. I have stayed below 600 calories per day, however, I find myself getting closer to 700 + calories per day now. I talked to a dietician who acted like I was weird when I mentioned watching my carbs. My surgeon also stated that counting carbs works just as well as counting calories but that I shouldn't try combine the two methods. I would like to hear from those post op who have counted calories or carbs which method has been more successful for them. I've also seen posts stating that you need to have about 900 calories per day to lose weight. I would appreciate any opinions on this. Please know I don't have a dietician and the one I did see was an hour away and not very helpful. Thank you for any help. — Kelly S. (posted on December 28, 2003)
December 28, 2003
I count calories AND carbs. Preop I couldn't do that, but postop it works
very well for me. My calories range from 1000 to 1500 daily (am 18 months
postop, down 210 pounds and have done this since about 6 to 7 months out)
and my carbs I keep around 50 or so. But I ONLY count starch/sugar carbs.
I do not count good veggie carbs at all and eat those pretty much at will.
I also don't count the carbs that are naturally found in all meats
(including eggs) or cheese. So what DO I count? Breads - and I usually
eat either 7-7-60 low carb bread or hearty whole grains, cereals, starchy
veggies (corn, carrots, roots - like potatoes, etc.), and most processed
foods like pasta and such.
Do you need more than 900 calories to lose? SHRUG! Every person's body is
somewhat different from another's. I personally need to stay in that 1000
to 1500 calorie and under 50 carb range or I gain (or plateau). It took a
while to find my set point. You need to find yours. Could be 900 is ideal
for you...could be more. Depends on your bone and muscle mass - are you
large or small framed? How high is your BMI? Etc. etc. I am large framed
and around 6' tall with a BMI of 29 (though it was near 60 preop).
— [Deactivated Member]
December 28, 2003
I count both. I am currently 8 /12 months out and try to stay around 1200
calories and under 50 grams of carbs. If I eat more carbs, I tend to be
hungrier throughout the day. Of course, your consumption should be based on
your activity level. If you check out my profile you'll see that I am a gym
rat so may require more calories and/or carbs than someone who is not
exercising as much. Best wishes, Barb 4/07/03 235/140/130
— Barbara C.
December 28, 2003
I usually look at both. My surgeon's office insists that carbs are as
important to a healthy balance as protein is. I strive to get in half my
calories in carbs and half my calories in protein. I also focus
specifically on how much sugar is in what I'm eating and TRY (sometimes) to
keep that to a minimum. I would say that everyone's doctor has a different
opinion on what post-ops should be eating. Consider the Atkins diet. It's
hailed by some doctors and others don't recommend it. It's up to you to
find what's best for you and your body. Good luck to you! Kimberly (3
months post op Lap RNY...minus 51 pounds)
— Kimberly S.
December 28, 2003
i don't "count" either. My dietician would like me to keep my
carbs under thiry but I don't get that many anyway, i eat very little fruit
and veggies and no bread or pasta so I don't even worry about it.
— Delores S.
December 28, 2003
The only things I track are sugar g and protein in my supplement. Don't
care about carbs. Don't care much about protein foods. I avoid milk &
sugar & grazing. That's all. Weight has been stable around 110# (150
lost) for 8 yrs. Surgery was 9 years ago.
— vitalady
December 28, 2003
I don't do either. I just follow the pouch rules. Protein first, then
veggies, and then carbs.
— joeandteri
December 28, 2003
I dont keep an actual count of calories or carbs... but I am very aware of
both. I am 2 1/2 years post op and havent fluctuated from bottom weight of
136 in over 1 year.
While I was losing I made sure I got ENOUGH calories, enough protein and
was relentless about keeping under 25 carbs a day. Now that I am
maintaining, I make sure I get enough protein and still use one or two
protein shakes or shake bar combo daily plus I do not EVER ingest more than
5 grams of sugar at once in any type of food... plus I dont eat simple
carbs at all... No pasta, no rice, no bread (unless it is extraordinary and
warm which will entice me to have two small bites) and only very low carb
vegetables and fruits.
So... I guess that I dont actually count carbs because I dont eat sugar,
and only eat low carb foods as part of a new life pattern... meaning that
there isnt much to count... but I know that carbs are the most important
feature to our new lifestyle paired with making sure we get enough
protein.
If you read up on the ossg graduates boards of long term post ops who have
gained weight... they are mostly the ones who havent changed their eating
styles and continued to eat primarily carbs... they didnt curbs carbs and
it bit them in the backside.
ciao Susan Maria www.bariatriceating.com
— SusanMaria
December 28, 2003
Honestly I just read my labels and see what kind of nutritional value is in
it, I don't graze and I try not to over do it on carbs. That is about it so
far.
— Saxbyd
December 28, 2003
To pretty much echo what I have read... <br><br>
I am 21 months post-op. I get in protein first, then veggies, then a few
carbs.<br><br>
I shoot for 1000 calories, but that is tough for me with no hunger. I try
to keep it around 25 carbs/day. Bread and pasta make me sick, and I am
lactose intolerant, and I dump easily... no problem staying away from carbs
;) So no sugar, stach, cow's milk.<br><br>
I try to drink about a gallon of water a day, and I still drink some
caffeine. No soda, and the only milk I drink is Soy Slender (and I love
that).
— kultgirl
December 29, 2003
Most of those who replied having 1000-1200 calories a day are over a year
post-op. At 3 mo post-op, I would stick closer to 700-800. As far as
counting carbs, some surgeons really restrict carbs to under 30 a day and
others allow good carbs (fruits, veggies..). The key is to stay away from
white carbs as long as possible or minimize as much as possible. Another
WLS friend of mine was told to make sure her protein grams were always
higher than her carb grams. I never counted calories or carbs, just
protein and ensure that even at 23 mo post op, for all meals I eat protein
first, then veggie, then a bite or two of carb. I think your doing
fine...
— Cindy R.
December 30, 2003
I am 7 weeks post-op. I do not eat ANY carbs!!! I watch my calories
(never more than 300 a day). Something else you should be aware of...salty
foods will STOP weight loss! Personally, I count every thing in food...fat,
carbs, calories per serving (adjusting for the small bit I eat)
salt...everything. I am down 41 lbs.
— Renee B.
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