Protein Vs. Calories Vs. Fat Vs. Carbs

[Missy05.29.12 13]

I'm almost 4 weeks post op and feeling great. I exercise regularly (3.5 miles 5-6 days a week & weights 3 days a week) which really keeps my energy up.

My starting weight Pre-op was 250.5.

After 1 week Pre-op diet, I was 235.

One week post op, 225.

Two week post op, 228 (wk I started adding mushies)

Three week post op, 230. Ugh!

Had first fill of 3 CCs at 3 weeks. I was required to do 3 days of liquids, now 3 days of soft foods, and then "normal."

I was so discouraged by my weight gain before, I am working hard to avoid it this time. I made some poor choices when I could finally eat, not this time.

Today, I am 3.5 weeks post op, weight 222.5. I'm very excited!!! Doing the liquids for days really jumped started everything. I lost 8 pounds in 4 days! Craziness!!!

To help continue this weight loss trend (although I know it will slow back down) I have started a recording everything in a food journal.

I need people's help! How many grams of fat do you eat a day? Calories? Carbs? My doctor recommends 60-70 grams of Protein, not sure about the others.

Thanks for your help!

[Cazzy 725]

I eat probably around 30 carbs a day not many more and fat i dont count but only eat low fat or 0% and sugar is either sugar free or complex sugars like tsp maple Syrup .. but i dont really count sugar either and salt i use low sodium salt and try to restrict my salt intake .. dont eat processed foods or any foods that are white other than 0% fat dairy things good luck

the transition from liquids to mushies/soft food always runs the risk of a gain in weight and u are still quite new to the process, just accept there will be fluctuations in your weight till you start getting some restriction and then things should settle down more ..

[2muchfun 8,927]

I don't track those things. I keep my calorie intake around 1200 a day and make sure I get adequate Protein and I rarely consume processed grains such as flours or cereals. My consumption of carbs is mostly restricted to one fresh fruit a day, sometimes 2. Fatty foods I avoid which is why I can stay around 1200 calories a day.

tmf

[honk 780]

I don't really track things either but I do eat low fat Protein (mostly chicken no skin); I don't eat any Pasta, rice, processed carbs (I do have high protein Kashi Go Lean in my morning yogurt (1/3 cup). I don't eat any Desserts (candy, cake, ice cream, cookies) or breads, crackers. I do eat fruit my doctor considers natural carbs from fruit to be different from a refined carb. I have 0-2% yogurt and maybe 1-2 oz low fat cheese daily. I find not eating the refined carbs also keeps my fat level down. Woopie pies how I miss you!

[wannabethin2012 12]

I eat probably around 30 carbs a day not many more and fat i dont count but only eat low fat or 0% and sugar is either sugar free or complex sugars like tsp maple Syrup .. but i dont really count sugar either and salt i use low sodium salt and try to restrict my salt intake .. dont eat processed foods or any foods that are white other than 0% fat dairy things good luck

the transition from liquids to mushies/soft food always runs the risk of a gain in weight and u are still quite new to the process, just accept there will be fluctuations in your weight till you start getting some restriction and then things should settle down more ..

Wow, you lost 237 pounds, that is amazing! Could you share exactly what your day consists of as far as foods and exercise, I too want to be as successful as you

[Cazzy 725]

well as i am english my food choices will probably slightly different to you but on a normal day i eat around a 1000 calories a day ..

Breakfast i have smoked salmon every morning on a low carb type crispbread .. i dont think u get them in the uS but they are like a savoury cracker type thing with low fat spread and probably 2 cups of tea one cup of coffee with skimmed milk ..#

lunch is the same very day home made green veg Soup and another crispbread, followed by some sugar free Jello made with Water and an equal amount made with milk , if i am still hungry i will have some greek yoghurt 0% fat with a teaspoon of maple Syrup on it ..

dinner i start off every night with a weight watchers Tomato Soup, i do this as i am normally hungry and eating a 70 calorie soup before dinner really helps curb the hunger and stops u eating to much or too fast, i follow this by fish or chicken or some Protein with either 2 green veg or a mixed salad . followed by my sf jello made with water and same with milk ...

i tend to drink tea of coffee as and when during the day to stave off any hunger pains .. Snacks can be greek yoghurt , or cottage cheese or if u are really hungry u could have another soup

I burn around 600 to 1000 calories a day on my exercise bike and doing strength training .. this is essential to keep the metabolism up ... i dont miss a day cycling .. this routine i have followed for approx a year and half, i am in recovery from my cosmetic surgery to remove my skin and so i had to stop the exercises for a while, i am eating slightly more because of needing the extra for healing .. i had 1 mls removed from my band for surgery .. iw ill go soon and get this replaced .. the trick is with this band, is to become your own expert, stick with what works and change things if it doesnt work ... dont cheat .. plenty of time to cheat once u hit goal ... good luck !

[2muchfun 8,927]

well as i am english my food choices will probably slightly different to you but on a normal day i eat around a 1000 calories a day ..

breakfast i have smoked salmon every morning on a low carb type crispbread .. i dont think u get them in the uS but they are like a savoury cracker type thing with low fat spread and probably 2 cups of tea one cup of coffee with skimmed milk ..#

lunch is the same very day home made green veg Soup and another crispbread, followed by some sugar free Jello made with Water and an equal amount made with milk , if i am still hungry i will have some greek yoghurt 0% fat with a teaspoon of maple Syrup on it ..

dinner i start off every night with a weight watchers Tomato Soup, i do this as i am normally hungry and eating a 70 calorie soup before dinner really helps curb the hunger and stops u eating to much or too fast, i follow this by fish or chicken or some Protein with either 2 green veg or a mixed salad . followed by my sf Jello made with Water and same with milk ...

i tend to drink tea of coffee as and when during the day to stave off any hunger pains .. Snacks can be greek yoghurt , or cottage cheese or if u are really hungry u could have another soup

I burn around 600 to 1000 calories a day on my exercise bike and doing strength training .. this is essential to keep the metabolism up ... i dont miss a day cycling .. this routine i have followed for approx a year and half, i am in recovery from my cosmetic surgery to remove my skin and so i had to stop the exercises for a while, i am eating slightly more because of needing the extra for healing .. i had 1 mls removed from my band for surgery .. iw ill go soon and get this replaced .. the trick is with this band, is to become your own expert, stick with what works and change things if it doesnt work ... dont cheat .. plenty of time to cheat once u hit goal ... good luck !

"the trick is with this band, is to become your own expert"

That is so well said. I see so many posts from people wanting to know what to do and what the norm is, but there is no norm and we all have to be an expert with our own tool/band. I know that I've formed an intimate relationship with mine and sometimes I want to slap her(she, because I deserve it) sometimes and other times give her a big hug.

tmf

[ValleyGirlRN 32]

I don't track anything...I stay away from anything fried, bread, and sweets...have Pasta occasionally...for me it's all about portion control...7 weeks postop and I've lost 35 lbs (overall, including 2 weeks preop)...

[Jachut 487]

I'm not by nature a tracker or counter but I have been lately because I have to keep records for a dietician I have to see for bowel problems.

What I've noticed, years into maintenance, I tend to eat about 1400 calories a day across three meals and a snack, plus milk for coffee. My diet pretty much ALWAYS falls somewhere around 25-30% fat, 25-30% Protein and 40-50% carbs.

For me, I run a lot so I burn those carbs, but I have no trouble maintaining my weight. I have a BMI of 21 and feel great. The program I've been using doesnt give you grams of each of those macronutrients just percerntages.

I try to stay away from fried foods, takeaway foods, really processed foods like Lean Cuisines and canned Soups (I make all my own Soups, I absolutely LIVE on thick, homemade soups) and sugar. Sugar and I do not have a good relationship, I tend to binge on it, so even though I really believe in anything in moderation, when i am going to eat sugar, I know I'm in for a pig out. Sometimes, I simply plan for it, enjoy it and move on.

[ValleyGirlRN 32]

ahhhh, yes..forgot to include that...I also stay away from the 'freezer meals'...and only eat out about twice a month...cooking most of my meals, substitute turkey for practically all meats...