[angieblu]

Yeah, that is sooo weird! I feel like I look like I'm getting smaller and my clothes are getting bigger, but the scale isn't moving at all! I don't get it! I can say thought that I don't weigh myself but once a week. I don't even own a scale at home, I do it at work. It takes away alot of stress that way!

[Christy0283]

The reason I asked about carbs was I wondered if carbs slowed down the weight loss, even if you're getting in protein, all of your water, and all of your vitamins. Any idea?

[angieblu]

That's exactly my thoughts, too!

[DocSanae]

No, carbs shouldn't slow down the weight loss if taken in appropriate amounts. Just as with everything else, it does harm when taken in amounts more than you need--your body uses effectively.
Truth is, there is soooooo much myths and misunderstadings about carbs (and fats, too) because a lot of the fad diets stress the minus effects of carbs, that the general public has a big misconception, and a phobia of carbs.
Getting it as low as you can, as close to zero as you can, will actually hinder your weight loss, because the body will try to stop losing weight when it realizes that it isn't getting the amount of important nutrients that it needs. And as I wrote before, low carbs will fog your mind.

Just keep to your surgeon's rules--fluids usually recommended at least 64 oz, with food, protein first the recommended amout at least 60g, veggies, fruits, and if you have some space left, carbs. Also, no drinking with meals.
The most important habit to set up during the first year is good eating habits, good choices of food.
While what you can actually eat, will be limited early out, as time goes by, your pouch will start accomodating to a wider variety of food. As your pouch starts spreading its wings, to use it wisely, you'll need to make the right food choices, with good balance and variety.

[Christy0283]

Thanks Doc. That makes perfect sense to me. You are so full of wisdom. Thanks for all your help.

[A new me]

Actually, as far as the FDA RDA(recommended dietary allowance) goes, the daily carb intake should be at least 130g. This is because our brain cells can use only glucose for energy (this is from docs post but I dont know how to do the quote thing. sorry )


Hey Doc I am a bit confused. You ay we should be getting in 130 grams of carbs. I dont do hardly any carbs. I mainly stick to my protein and then if I have room a bit of veggie or fruit. Once in a while I will eat some carbs but I doubt 130 grams worth. So am I doing something wrong?????

[Christy0283]

Sherry, I agree. That's why I was confused. I thought we were suppose to be making sure we didn't take in too many carbs. Then today Doc made the statement that not enough carbs is actually a bad thing and can make you not lose weight because your body will hold on to them.

[DocSanae]

Well, if you go take a look at the nutritional values of various foods, you'll see that carbs are included in virtually everything, even if it is very low. Even protein shakes have some carbs in them, as a matter of fact, 100% protein is rather nasty, so it's offset with fat and carbs. So, you are getting in a certain amount of carbs without really knowing it. Fruits and veggies have a certain amount of carbs in them, too.
On the other hand, though the major nutrient of rice is carbs, it also has a very low amount of protein in it. So, you don't necessarily have to get in food that are major carb sources, but you do need to get in some food that has a small amount of carbs in them, although their major nutrition is protein. Also, some conversion from protein or fat to carbs, and vice versa, goes on in our body, but this is in an emergency.

Carbs are also our main source of energy. During the rapid losing phase, you replace most of the enoergy source with fat that you have stored in your body. Incidentally, this is why you get ketone breath and ketones in your urine. Ketones are products from the fat burning cycle, which under normal circumstances isn't as active, because you have plenty of carbs to burn. You can replace your source of energy for the rest of your body, but you can't replace the glucose that your brain cells need, because the brain cells can only utilise glucose as energy source. "Carb fog" as it is sometimes called, is not because of too much carbs, it is because of too little carbs.

As I said, there is a minimum amount set for carbs, but no upper limit. However, too many carbs, of course, is not really good. So, basically, keep your carbs at 130-140g. This is actually for your maintenance phase, and this amount of carbs should be safe for you either way. Not too low, not too high.
While you are in your rapid losing phase, go by your surgeon's rules, and don't worry about the actual amount of carbs. The only numbers you need to keep to, are the amount of fluids and the amount of protein. While your pouch is adjusting, you won't have much rooms for things other than that, so there isn't much danger of overdoing carbs, unless you get in a grazing habit, and graze with high carb stuff.

[BOOTS]

You Can Eat Much Healthier Foods Containing Carbs In Them; Like Bananas, APPLES, Beans, Granola, Protein Bars, And Some Veggies Have Carbs And Proteins Like Peas, Asparagus Etc.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by DocSanae

Getting it as low as you can, as close to zero as you can, will actually hinder your weight loss, because the body will try to stop losing weight when it realizes that it isn't getting the amount of important nutrients that it needs.

And then when it does get them, it will hold onto them for dear life! I know I am one of those people who has totally messed up my metabolism by doing this - so it no longer works effectively - part of why I'm here now!