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Bread, Brocolli, Pasta, rice and tortilla's...............Beans sometimes but if I eat them slowly......I need them for protiens since I am vegetarian. But yea sliders go down easy all the time so you have to have willpower and stay away from them. The band won't stop sliders............... I wasn't lifting anything for a couple of weeks not even my cats. To sore...........I would have help around if you have babies.

Hi all- anyone struggling with high cholesterol? I'm 37 and 2 years ago my cholesterol went absolutely wacky, high. It's always been healthy and low, low prior. It was one of the reasons I did LBS. I'll give it some time. But, it's unnerving. Now, the docs don't think it's food related, maybe genetic or something wrong... I feel great otherwize. I'm 2+ months post op now and my cholesterol went higher. Trigs high too. LDL,HDL sucks? Some of the shakes I've been doing are supposed to help LOWER it? I added in the oatmeal too. I'm a vegetarian so I have been doing up dairy for protein. I'm starting a statin today to see if once I get it lowered in 6 weeks and retest, maybe it will stay low. Hopefully I don't get all the icky side effects from the script. I loathe meds. I couldn't find a Red Yeast Rice tablet that would be small enough to take, or I probably might have done that. It too, comes with complications/ side effects. Exercise, check Whole Grains, check, check Vegetables, Fruit, check No greasy, fried foods, red meat, check Dumbfounded, check.

Mine was a frull three months. Four appointments. The first reply to the post made me laugh too. My dietician was very thin and a vegetarian and always looked at me funny when I told her my food preference. Meat and Potatoes gal! I thought it would be better if they had someone a little more understanding, but she was very sweet. The three month diet was difficult for me, becase it is a diet we've all done over and over. It was hard without the help of my new tool. Good luck!

I was banded a little over a month ago and haven't yet had a fill, so my answers may change once I have. I do have a bit of restriction now, though. I have had some wine and a couple martinis since I was banded. My physician's office knows this and just said to do everything in moderation. I definitely drink less than I did prior to surgery, and I am thrilled with my loss so far, so I'm going to continue to enjoy life and have a drink once in a while or even some pizza. awhenry-- I had half a piece of thin crust pizza one evening and just ate it slowly and savored it...it went down fine, but, again, I don't have a fill. You can also consider making pizzas on whole wheat pita or a whole wheat tortilla after surgery. Again, this might not work for everyone, but if they are toasted and you chew and eat slowly, they should go down fine. I think it's thick, chewy crust that would give people problems. Some people completely avoid carbs, and I respect that and think they are amazing, but that's not me. I am a vegetarian and see the value in whole carbs, though I haven't had any "white" carbs since surgery. So far, I'm losing more than 2 pounds a week without a fill...if that stops, I'll cut out more carbs. I think the important thing is to always make sure you get all your Protein, whether you are eating carbs or not.

You can always say your going vegetarian!

carbs namely white ones are really hard to get through the band. I have gone totally vegetarian so it is possible to do it while banded

It is my personal belief that a higher carb diet consisting of carbs from foods like legumes, Beans, nuts, seeds, vegetables and wholegrains - in other words an ideal vegetarian diet - is MUCH healthier than a low carb diet consisting of a lot of animal products - particularly manufactured ones like cheese and deli meat or processed Protein shakes. a perfect low carb atkins style diet can be very healthy - where the Proteins are lean, low fat and lots of good fat from fish and avocados and nuts are consumed (too many carbs???) and mountains of fresh low carb vegetables are eaten to provide nutrients and fibre but in reality who eats like that banded?. Most of us could never hope to fit in the large quantities of produce an ideal diet like this requires. Truth is, most of our protein foods and animal products come packaged up with salt, trans fats, other additives that are terrible for us and cause major health problems, so to base your diet on those, and avoid healthy relatively unprocessed foods because of the carbs makes very little sense. However, nobody needs donuts and ice cream. Well, not often anyway, lol

Not all carbs are bad, I was told to stay away from white carbs and watch the net carbs in stuff. They are the bad ones. Check with your Doctor because the net carbs might have been what he meant because veg's are good for you and on most of our list from the Doctors as long as you don't over do it. There are alot of vegetarian bandsters and it seems to work for them. Good luck and you'll make it through bandster hell even if it doesn't seem like it sometimes. It does get better as a matter of fact it gets way better.

I was banded May 10th and am currently in "bandster hell". My surgeon told me to stay away from carbs. That is hard! Everything has carbs. I am not a big meat eater. I was actually going to go vegetarian. Anyway, my issue with the doc saying no carbs is that I could have gone on the Atkins diet instead of getting the band. I thought the band allowed me to eat "most" of the foods that I enjoy but in VERY limited quantities. Am I mistaken? I went grovery shopping last night and nearly everything that I picked up had carbs. I know that overeating caused my obesity but is it really the carbs? I would appreciate ANY advice! Thank you!

i haven't posted in a while, i went in for a fill last week and was down almost 10 pounds. i am at 209 now, my highest was 353 and i was at 315.5 on surgery day april 22, 2009. my goal is to get to 160 then stabilize for 3 months then i am going to l.a. to have plastic surgery done by dr drew ordun. i have recently become a vegetarian and have never felt better!

Oh I am in for sure but have to figure out how to set up my PM. I need to update my account setting I will work on that this afternoon. YOu have Dr. Baggs everyone likes him and likes going in to see him. :-) I love talking to him because he really gets it. I always tell him things are easy when he sets goals (than don't make them) and he wants me to quit saying that!! LOL. He keeps telling me nothing about this is easy don't keep saying that!! I am registered over at Obesity.com but haven't checked in a year or so. I might need to reactivate my account again. WHat is going on over there?? SO Bella 25 is about 8 pounds a month........Maybe I should do that as well. It is probably more realistic than the 30 I would like!! I can't keep getting discouraged by setting outlandish goals it has been a whole 7 months of that. I need some successes to keep me moving! forward! :-) I think Pam is right small goals ......so if you instead of 25 pounds focus on the 8 X 3 or if you want to break it down more 2 pounds a week.................LOL. Yea Bella I will do the 25 pounds too that seems health and realistic..........and if I end up with more I won't complain! :-) That would still but me firmly under 200! I am lacto ovo vegetarian. And yep I am on top of the vitamins. Even when I was gaining weight I stuck with the vitamins......... Getting ready to watch Invitus and fold laundry.......trying to give myself an incentive to get the housework done!! LOL.

Tina, I only know what Dr. Baggs gives me so the answer is no, this is the first time he's given me a goal. When I asked him, he said he doesn't go by numbers (protein etc). It's probably different for Banders because you need the follow-up care for fills. Sleevers just get blood work every three months and I guess a visit with the surgeon every three months. I have a feeling that's until Year 1, then it may change to every 6 months or once a year. I like seeing the doc because he inspires me to really go for it. I understand the challenge of vegetarianism. I was a vegetarian in my 20's then vegan for 9 years in my 40's, raw vegan for 3 years in my 50's. You can do this! Are you getting in all of your vitamins? I never took them before surgery until the month pre-op but now I'm all over them to try to stay healthy. Let me know if you're in and I'll send you a PM. Have you ever been over to Obesity Help forum?

BELLA: I see Dr. Baggs on June 3, 2010 but I see him monthly not every three months....I know his goal is 5-10 pounds between fills. SO for three months that is 15-30 pounds. I sorta like the 30 but gonna think about it. I have tell June 1 right?? I used to drink 120 ounces of water when I was losing well and pre op. I survived on water. Right now I am struggling with the 64 so yea I need to do better on that. I can buy into that one easy. Well I would have to say sweets and low carb is something I need to work on. I need to get creative with vegetarian protiens and not be lazy and revert to carbs. Dr. Baggs always give the band people a goal walking about the door. But maybe the sleeve is different. Isn't everyone getting a goal out the door with Dr. Baggs?

MAMA ASH: Wow this is your week. So excited for you. How long do you stay in the hospital? Will be thinking about you this week. TAMRA: I want to lose another 7 before the 3rd of June. I want to be down 15. I am still going between 8-10. So another 7 would be great. That is my goal. I have 13 more days until I go back..........So is it the pouch test that is getting you down or protiens? I read up on the pouch test last night and it said it is to break carb addiction and to stop mindless snacking........it is suppose to get you back on track and make you feel your pouch. Not to test if it is broken which is what I thought!! LOL. Suppose to make you stop in your tracks and get serious again..........so I guess there is good and bad. As long as it is not used as a crash diet.........I got to thinking breaking the carb and snacking thing would NOT hurt me. But not to many suggestions for vegetarians. The first three days I would be good........day 4 an 5 are the problems. Anyway there is a book they sell onthe 5 day pouch test!! LOL. Than another one called day 6 and beyond!! LOL. BELLA: I want to be part of the challenge. August 31?? 90 days? I need to think what is realistic before I decide my goals. I know what I want to make a goal but I gotta think about what I will do as well. I would love to be at goal of 150 but I need to do the math. I might need to add a couple months on to that goal!! Are we talking weight down specifically or other stuff too?? For sure under 200 but sorta want more than that too...............Bella is 800 enough a day. I thought if you go to far under 1000 you go into starvation mode?? I think I would struggle with 800 everyday!! Well I am working today. DIdn't make the Kaiser Group. I planned to leave work for a couple hours to head to Kaiser but my supervisor showed up at work to help me out..........so I ended up staying. I am so close to caught up now!! Riley you doing ok? Happy weekend all.

My doctor said definitely no dairy also - i have having a VLCD (Very low calorie Diet) opti fast shakes and a vegetarian diet basically. The idea (my interpretation) is the get the maximum amount of fat removed form around your liver to ensure a safe passage to the doctor to fit the band. Not long to go, small sacrifice to make for a very long term gain. I am going through it to, 12 meals in to a 42 meal plan to prepare for surgery. Good luck, enjoy some tomato or eggplant with mushies...

I asked Dr. Baggs once about the pouch test and he said, "What is that?" LOL. I tried to explain it and his comment is "but why?" LOL. He said that is against the lap band rules but I was telling him it is to test the pouch is not streched.........he laughed!! So I don't know what the medical opinion of the pouch test is!! LOL. THey probably think it is a fad diet or something!! But I tell you it works.........I know AUDSMOM did it and went down fast too. I have never done it more than a day!! :-( Being vegetarian sorta makes it hard. Ok serious I have to get off here and take a break until I get caught up. I may not be on for a few days!! LOL.

I agree with Betsy B! I'm a vegetarian so protein is way important for me to get daily.

If you ever wondered what side of the fence you sit on, this is a great test! Lot of truth here! If a conservative doesn't like guns, he doesn't buy one. If a liberal doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed. If a conservative is a vegetarian, he doesn't eat meat.. If a liberal is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone. If a conservative is homosexual, he quietly leads his life. If a liberal is homosexual, he demands legislated respect. If a conservative is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation. A liberal wonders who is going to take care of him. If a conservative doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels. Liberals demand that those they don't like be shut down. If a conservative is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church. A liberal non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced. If a conservative decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it. A liberal demands that the rest of us pay for his.

John I agree eating out is hard. We do it at work alot for unit meetings. It is hard to make 1/4 cup last the whole hour and people want to know why you don't eat......awkward. Especially since my boss pays for everything I feel like I need to try and eat. I usually go for soup and sorta panic when we go to a place without soup. Soup you can make last a long, long time.......LOL. Sizzler just about did me in and so did Red Lobsters.........I am a vegetarian so they are hard resterants anyway. But still when I good restriction I sorta like to eat alone more than go out..........it is just a pain trying to figure it all out. I would rather eat alone which I am sure probably means I need to practice eating in a group!! LOL

I am noticing that if I eat anything sweet, even sugar free sweet................than I get on these sugar and maybe carb cravings.................I think the reason the salad got me last week is that MAYBE the dressing had sugar in it............ So trying to figure out now what kind of vegetarian protiens I can have this week. I did beans all last week and Pam just told me they were sliders so I am trying to get creative right now and elimnate the beans this week.....if nothing else they have way to many carbs!! Are you SLEEVE people getting dumping?? Just curious...........

Hi all. Hope everyone is having a great weekend. JULIE GLAD TO SEE YOU!!!! I know weve all missed your daily posts....and was wondering how you were feeling...saying a prayer every day for you!!! Im glad to hear that you at least are comfortable for now. Hoping it will get only better!!! Janet, didnt I tell you id remember what I wanted to respond to your post at about 2 AM.... well it was about 3. lol Yes,, NY is a great place to come to vist. I suggest what a great place to have a get together and I would gladly accept the role of ambassador...lol I was thinking....that we could all rent a house for the weekend or week which would be so much cheaper then a hotel. We can all cook together, sharing our favorite recipes that weve been posting here in LBT. I live right next to the railroad to Manhattan. No need for renting cars etc. We can see its "Girls night out" which is a fab interactive show about 5 woman. I loved it and with a group of friends....the house will come down. Well....just a thought to add to your post!! Just say when...the rest is done. Of course you can all stay with me in my little two bedroom apt if you wanted more cozy..but no more dogs!! Hiatus here. So, Ive been caughing still. Feeling much better overall. The medications have deff kicked in but im still caughing like crazy...now the congestion has broken up but getting all the mucus out is freaking me out. I keep thinking the band is going to slip with any caugh as they are so deep and it hurts so much my ribs are hurting. I called the surgeon again....as I was so sure....and he again assured me that if I did I would know emmediately.. great and now im more worried that it can happen. He said not to worry but the nerosis in me is worrying. I think that I actually ate a little more then needing to tonight just to make sure that I was okay and I didnt throw up or reflux etc etc. So far its okay. Shabbat was quiet...and low keyed. I organized the coat closet. Needed to give away coats and sweaters that I know will not fit come fall/winter. While I was at it I went through all the hand bags and purses. Got rid of all the bags that I havent used within the last 3 yrs. Not easy but done! Reorganized, switched around and cleaned up the closet..which really should have been done before passover but just shut and sold the whole lot as didnt need it then. lol Last night organized all my jewelery, had to get rid of half. It was time. There was stuff I was never going to where again but couldnt get rid of. Nothing worth much except of sentimental value..but needed space for all the new pieces that my step mom gave me to go with the outfits...which btw are olmost too big allready sadly to say for the clothes were fabulous but taking them all in as I go down. lol Not giving those up. So, spent the evening and afternoon organizing and decluttering. In between we went to shul and after the kiddish lunch and organzing closet we went to the park with our dog Starlight. We walked around and chatted with some people we knew then sat on a bench and just enjoyed the gorgeous weather after the horrible week weve had in NY...brr was it a cold one. We just sat and enjoyed chit chatting about this and that...it was a perfect afternoon with my daughter. We did notice that something was missing. BOOMER. yes, the park had taken on a different view with him...and talking about the past two weeks with him and the visits to the park was fun but I was happy to just sit and relax and catch some sun for a change instead of running with him all over. The kiddush lunch in the afternoon after synaguage (shul) meal was catered. It always is and anyone whose been to the beginning of any NY jewish wedding can imagine just what this is like. It was interesting...as this was the first one like this ive been to since banding. I did look at all the foods that were offered...as usual all the most amazing foods that could be offered that entails fat more fat and then some. All the jewish foods that you can think of in one giant room. Food enough to feed an army. So....what did I eat???? I had an amazing lunch. First I had a tablespoon of three bean salad, and two ounces of grilled chicken slice, two strawberries, three rasberries and one little chunk if watermelon. It was really good. I could have eaten about 3,0000 calories easy as I have in the past...as everyone can easily do..when food is good and is in front of you and its free. Those days of thinking this way are over. Not going to happen every month....in shabbat, I enjoy the socialization when these buffet lunches we call Kidush happen. I get to see and meet new people in the shul that I wouldnt normally and I dont have to cook at home...so it usually means its my turn to invite Dassis friends over to me as apposed to on other weekends and my mom so they are taken care of for this meal at least. Kind of silly but hey...I need a break sometime from cooking and with the cost of feeding 4 or 5 people at a meal that needs to be the so called "elaborate shabbos style meal" Tuna and bread just doesnt cut this meal. lol Although the meals I have been preparing have gone through a transformation from the 3-4 course fish and fatty meat and potatoes and side dishes with more oil then id like to think about now...high calorie deserts etc...have been replaced with more healthy choices.....Its just what has to be in this house....taste and style is not forfeited just healthier style. I have to say....trying new things is sometimes not so good like the spelt challah we tried last week tjat was a bust. It was like eating sandpaper. We agreed his week to have he white flour, egg and raisin challah that we love..and only had about an oz. (Dassi had some more...lol) and I dont feel bad, It was delicious. I worked that into my plan for dinner and the dinner was a good low cal, dinner of 3 oz of terryaki salmon...and two bites of grilled portabella mushroom. For desert we had a 100 cal fudgsickle. Just as elaborate and elegant on the shabbos table as was the past traditional foods eaten and presented and I felt really good about creating new recipes. Dassi seems to be good about this and is anxious to try these new things as well...however...she says she isnt giving up chulent or chicken soup with matzah balls and noodles. I guess thats okay....she wont need to know that I will change the recipe slightely for each to make it low cal. lol Last night I made...... Salmon with ginger and terriyaki sauce. Yes, this was a keeper. Shavuot is going to be a real challenge. My plan....is to plan. lol Lots of fresh vegetables, fruit with either fish, or chicken breasts. Ill make lots of grilled veggies with olive oil and herbs and spices. boy....my family and friends who we will be going with are going to be so um either estatic of really peeved..but I dont really care. The food will be tasty nutritious and fit for holiday fare...and we will not be eating 3 meals a day for three days straight at about 2,000 cal meals which was easy in the past. for deserts....I will have some, sorbet, frozen yoghurt, and fudgsickes along with cool whip to top fresh berries, and to have on hand throughout the week there to eat just whenever will be hard butterscotch candies, lemon lolipops and litt choc kisses (instead of choc cheesecake, pies and choc cookies and so on and so and so on) for snacks for the kids. All low cal alternatives to the traditional cheesecake and high cal/fat deserts this dairy holiday entails. okay....have I convinced you all??? PLEASE help me between now and Monday night to not be tempted to fall back in the end to the traditional meals of this holiday so easy to make as I am so familiar with them and can make them with eyes closed. It would be just so easy. SO need lots of encouragement to stick to the plan!!! Just to make sure I wouldnt start to think about the possiblities of the above...I just ran through the pantry and got rid of anything that might be threatening my plan...which I should have done right after passover in any case. Got rid of a box of matzah meal. Will not make matzah balls from wheat, the noodles for soup ...bye bye. The three cans of whole berry cranberry sauce as well. There was a can of bread crumbs, that I just tossed. The bag of sugar...I gave next door along with a bag of choc chips and walnuts. I will not have anything in the house that I can grab for or use in cooking any longer that is not healthy or low cal. There are plenty of healthy snacks for Dassi that she enjoys and the above candy stuff that are low cal for her. Ive found some gluten free low cal cookies and stuff she actually likes so...we are getting good...the shopping is getting better....and what I found is...if I have the stuff that is healthy and I stock up the pantry with these items then all I need to do every day is decide what fresh do I need....is it fish? chicken breasts? lean meat? Easy. Bought some low cal sauces for grilling, baking, steaming, poaching and boiling. Frying is out. out out! lol Okay....so this is what I would love from anyone. Im stuck on the side dishes...for the holiday. It will be 6 days. I need some dairy or vegetarian recipes that I can make with all the yummy veggies I will get that will be fairly easy to make in a strange place?? lol Please post any kind...id love some ideas besides the zuchini dish that I think either Karen or Linda posted but not sure. Ill take any at this point. Ive been looking as well at some sites...but only have a few. Thanks in advance!!! Phyl, Im so sorry about your BFF. How sad not to have been notified not to mention insensitive. Families often forget to call and reach out to those out of touch themselves to those who did really care as they either dont know you, forgot as they were bereaving or thought someone else would do it... None good excuses but to herr is human. Im sorry for your loss..... OMG...ive been ranting on and on...and now Ive truly junked up this thread.... cant imagine anyone reading all the above...but if you have....thank you and im sorry...but apparently had so much to say... anxiety about the upcoming vacation. Jessica and I....what a pair both fwe are feffing over the what will bes with others on our upcoming vacation..in dealing with our banding issues and the foods we will choose or not. lol Have a great night allJ Tomorrow....Dassi has another audition with a major film director. Please Please..let them think shes got something....she has one more audition with an agent next month after this and then the program is over. If this doesnt pan out we wont be sad.....the experience of this program was fantastik and weve had 6 auditions that we would never have ever gotten ourselves with these great directors, managers and agents. If god wants Dassi to be in the movies or on TV it will happen...if not thats fine as well. But it sure would be nice. Crossing fingers. Not nurvous, Not Nurvous, Not Nurvous..... Have a great night all Jodi

I went to Outback a while ago and had the sirloin steak. It was very unpleasant. I was up all night, even though I took tiny bites and ate slowly. I braise short ribs and chuck steak in the crock pot all the time and have no problems. I haven't tried bread, but I love corn tortillas with my vegetarian pinto Beans. Haven't tried Pasta yet, either, but I guess I will soon. I'm doing a 5K walk on June 5th, and there is a pasta dinner the evening before. Hope they have whole wheat spaghetti. I guess I'll eat mostly salad and have a Protein shake when I get home.

Thankyou both... I am home...from seeing the dietitian and supposidly the fill doctor... NO FILL.... Went to see the dietitian and the doc. for a fill if needed ... She was so pleased with me I had lost 4kilo`s since my last visit (5 weeks ago) , She did not think I needed a fill as I am still just eating the requirerd meals (can`t eat more than one sandwich /small plate of meat veggies (bread and butter plate) am feeling a restriction when full.. I have a 10ml band with a 7 ml maximum fill my first fill was 3.2 so thats where it stays for now , she said I can call and go in early than 4 weeks if I feel I can eat more and /or my weigh stops coming off , she said the majority of bandits with my size usually get to about 3.5 or 4mls and are at their sweet spot around there , but as I am not having any problems with over eating I am fine for now , the small pouch could streatch a little in time alowing more food without that full feeling if so thats when I need a fill.. So all in all I am happy with that I was wondering how on earth I was going to feel with a fill as I get full on so little now (well I think its little and I am still loosing ).... Gotta Go my Boys (the birds want OUT of their bird room and I need a cuppa)... P.S....I wore my new 18 jeans and a size 22 top that I could not get into 4 moths ago and FELT great ..I have now changed into my sloppy size 20`s and a nice warm sloppy Joe ....can`t have the boys pooping on my new smaller gear.... I hope everyone is having a great day..I have done the groceries and the cupboards are full again , easy meal tonight maybe a veggie pattie and a egg....Hubby is travelling to Lithgow and won`t be home till late so its just Me and my son(David) who has just decided to turn a vegetarian Bye for now ...Marion

Hey there everyone. I decided it was just about time that I quit lurking and spoke up! My name is Lori and I am 24 years old. I live in the north Dallas area (Garland, to those familiar) but I go to school in central TX (San Marcos). I was planning on waiting to post here until after I had my consultation this Thursday, but I just got tired of waiting! I am going to be seeing Dr. Nick Nicholson in Plano this Thursday and I am so very excited. I am a self paying patient and I am basically ready to schedule the surgery ASAP so that I have the whole summer to try and lose and get acclimated before I head back to school in the fall. I can't wait to be a new person. I can't wait to look forward to REAL exercise. I can't wait to go to the river with my friends and feel comfortable. I can't wait to hike through the hill country and take beautiful photos of places I've never been able to climb before. I am so excited for this opportunity. So...the nitty gritty...I weigh around 283 right now, hopefully will lose a decent amount in the pre-op diet. I would LOVE to end up in the 145-150 range, but of course I wouldn't mind weighing less :001_tongue:. My BMI is almost 54, yikes, it was pretty shocking when I saw that. I'm only 5'1" so I really think I COULD get down to a healthy 125-130 eventually, but I would be ecstatic if I stayed around a healthy 150 forever. I am glad I decided to do this at my age. I've been a fat kid my entire life so I think I damn well deserve this! I want to be able to live out the rest of my 20's like any other "normal" 20-something. Anywho, I just wanted to introduce myself and possibly get to know some of you great people that I have been cyber stalking on this great forum! You all seem so wonderful and supportive. Cheers to a fresh start! Lori p.s.- I'm a vegetarian and would be very interested in meeting other sleevers that are as well for tips and recipe sharing down the line.

Interesting take on the whole carb thing, and I think it makes a good deal of sense. I grew up a strict ovo-lacto vegetarian. Everybody I knew was either LOV, or strict vegan (religious thing). Everything I've ever known about eating a healthy diet was centered around low-fat, high-carb, high-Fiber food combinations to create whole Proteins (Beans and rice; :tongue_smilie:legumes such as lentils, and grains like barley and buckwheat, and on and on). The emphasis on healthy living was so strong that I actually remember attending church services where the sermon was about the evils of eating meat, consuming alcohol, and any source of caffeine, and what it would do to you. So far, I can't seem to kick the carb habit, or at least the automatic mental process of pairing foods to create balanced meals that are, of course, high-carb. It seriously sucks being diabetic with that kind of background, let me say! My reaction to eating something high in carbs is more like serious annoyance, and, "Crap, all that health stuff I got hammered into my head, and I had to go and get diabetes and now I have to try to convince myself that the nutritionist isn't full of crap on the whole 'eating meat' thing." I guess some kinds of indoctrination go deeper than others, because I'm still not totally convinced after all this time that vegetarianism (if one includes sufficient sources of protein) is at all a bad idea. There're always dairy products and eggs, after all...or at least I'd like to try to maintain that pleasant fantasy for a couple more weeks, anyhow! :001_tongue::laugh0::001_smile: