[fr1endly2]

think that most weight loss surgery post-ops will tell you that processed carbohydrates led to their obesity. After surgery during weight loss we live by the guidelines from our bariatric centers concentrating on a high protein diet. Then somewhere along the line the snack monster attacks and we return to processed carbs. A little nibble here, a taste there. At first it doesn't slow down our weight loss so we test the water and more carbs come back into our diet.

Then the cycle is set and suddenly the scale reverses directions and we regain. This happened to me and it all started with an innocent graham cracker. Pretty soon it was stacks of graham crackers, then popcorn and then Nutter-Butter cookies. The snack monster had me firmly in its wicked grasp.

Not only did I gain weight from the carbs, I felt shame and guilt because I knew better and I promised my surgeon that I would comply with the rules. I committed for life to be a good bariatric patient and here I was doing the same thing that made me obese in the first place: mindlessly eating nutritionally void foods.

My cycle became predictable: a moment of lost willpower lead to a carb binge followed by a guilt binge and resolve to do better. I repeated the cycle often, sometimes more than once a day.

What I have since learned is that the carb monster is not necessarily a mental demon. The carb monster is the body's biological roller coaster that results with a blood chemistry imbalance. More often than not it has nothing to do with willpower or personal integrity. According to Drs. Richard and Rachael Heller in Carbohydrate Addicts, blood sugar swings are the leading physical trigger for carb cravings. They write, "High-sugar, refined starch, convenience and comfort foods feed the (carb) addiction like a drug. They produce correspondingly high blood sugar and insulin levels, which leads to more cravings. They also produce higher levels of the brain chemical serotonin. In sensitive people, particularly those who may have low serotonin levels to begin with, a carbohydrate binge is the equivalent of self-medicating, just to get the sugar high.”

I realized that not only am I a recovering morbidly obese person, I am a carbohydrate addict. That’s why I was spinning out of control when I broke from the high protein weight loss surgery way of life.

[A new me]

Lisa thanks for sharing. I feel like I could one day be in the same boat as you. Carbs are my big downfall. That is why now I am so careful to stay away from them and not munch. I know this gets harder each day as we get further out and its great to hear experiences from the veterans like you.

[armywife2aerial]

OMG This is me Im a carb addict. I need to just stay away but it seems they call my name its horable. I was getting ready to post about carbs when i read this.

[MsVickie]

You know what Lisa, Your right. I would have never thought in a million years carbs do things to me like they do. I have just now started realizing it. I will admit I thought .....hey ......im not like that.....but I AM ! I dont know if im a addict but..... this had made me realize alot already and ..........I have you to thank for it. So...
Thank YOU!

[Lovie]

Thanks for the info Lisa, it has been invaluable. I have allowed those sneaky carbs back into my diet a little at a time and I am hungry all the time now. Easy snacks are obviously not the best for me. Thanks

[fr1endly2]

yeS AND I DIDNT MESS WITH THEM IN MY EARLY DAYS OUT.
\i REALLY KEPT CARBS DOWN AND LO (ATKINS INDUCTION LEVEL)
BUT THEN WHEN DONE LOOSEING...
i have let them in but there evil!
hate them....
i have learned what causes it for me
hugs thanks

[Chilly]

GREAT post Lisa!!!! Hi, my name is Tiffany, and I'm a carb addict!!!!

[BOOTS]

Aint This The Truth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Is Why Im Trying To Change My Habits Now By Finding Things That Are Like Carbs (with That Crunch) But Still Have Protein In It And Dont Trigger The Wanting For More Carbs. First Off If Im Dying For A Sweet Like Cake, Etc I Eat Half A Banana, Yummo, And I Order Online Alot Of Protein Chips And Protein Cereals And People I Have To Say This Stuff Is Helping Alot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I Feel Like Im Earing Chips So I Get The Enjoyment And Crunch But Yet When Im Done I Dont Crave More And I Still Got My Protein In

Little By Little We Will All Find Better Ways

[SHH]

I think I am a carb addict, too....and a salt addict.

Today i was working in another city. I went to the deli and bought a sandwich for lunch. I picked up two $0.25 bags of chips........salt and vinegar, and cheese.....and then a bag of peanutbutter m and m's. I put the candy back, but bought the chips.

I went back to the school, and ate about 3/4 of the sandwich, and was full. I did not open the chips....I wanted them, but I was NOT HUNGRY....I was actually STUFFED and knew if I ate them I would . I went to do my lesson and even though I wanted the chips, I gave them away as prizes to two kids! I am proud of myself that I dodged the carb monster! (Still have tonight to get through........)

S

[maryanncrow]

The carb monster...what a wonderful way to put it! I actually mindlessly ate some of those Chicken in a Bisket crackers while on the phone this evening. I'm going to go back upstairs and throw the box away into the garbage- the only appropriate place for them! Thanks, Lisa!
Mary Ann
Recovering morbidly obese person and admitted carb addict