[freebird]

so i changed my eating habits when i found out i had diabetes and started really wathcing what i was eating as far as sugars went. And recently since i'm hoping to lose a little before my surgery i have been doing protien shakes and lots of water. I'm taking daily vitamins and will be talking to my dr. about taking calcium, vit-c, vb12 and hopefully going on them before my surgery. I am trying to teach myself to only eat when i'm hungry and not just because it's 12pm or 6pm or bored upset. i was even suprised at myself the other day when i had a major upset and realized that the last thing i wanted to do was eat because in the past that's how i dealt with everything, upset=eat, celebration=eat, bored=eat, can't sleep=eat, you get the idea. So i know i have to start looking at other things in my foods, carbs and calories ect. what exactly is too many carbs, is there a range that you need to stay within aftet the surgery? What about calories, how many a day? I know most of you are going to say ask your dr. and i will but this is another one of those things that i can't let go of until then. What other things should i be doing to prepare for eating after surgery. I'm using a baby fork and spoon, got myself a couple of sippy cups, am trying to remember to chew chew chew, using a smaller plate, and not drinking when i'm eating food, is there other things i should be doing?

[DocSanae]

Did you ever receive any instructions on how many calories to take and what balance the balance should be among the macronutrients when you were diagnosed for diabetes? If you have been, that should give you an idea of how many cals, how much carbs, etc.
It so happens, I have written an article for the main site recently, on the basics of how the cals you need is calculated. It's not yet up, but should be, soon.
Just to give you an outline, the total cals you need per day is calculated from your weight adn activity. So, after you've reached goal, you need to take the cals to maintain the weight. Of that total cals, around 45-60% carbs. 10-35% protein and 20-30% fat. As I wrote in another thread, no less than 130g carbs, because you need them for your brains, and a source of energy. With WLS, it's best to take the high end of protein, and divide the others accordingly. With 35% protein, it will be 45% carb, 20% fat. This is the reccomended general guideline, so your dr/dietitian may use a different formula. Also, note that the numbers are percentage of calories, so you'll have to calculate how much in grams.
Anyway, all this is for maintenance.
While you are in the losing phase, the formula will be somewhat different, but for women, it's recommended that the minimum total cal be from 1000-1200 while losing.

Got a bit long winded, but I hope this helps.

[freebird]

thanks Doc, i missed the last day of a three day diabetes seminar,unfortunately living where i do i haven't been able to get into ottawa for the last one on any previous ones, (no vehicle still) but this helps thank you

[DocSanae]

OK, Craig's just put up the full article.
Follow the link to How Many Calories Do I Need?

[freebird]

thanks Doc, thanks Craig