Recommended level of carbs in the diet - research

[RetroGirl 210]

I'm only 3 weeks out, but I've been looking for different diet recommendations for sleeve patients. During my pre-op appointment my nutritionist specifically told me she was not the low-carb believer, meaning she would prefer me to have a balanced diet. I know most people here tend to stick to the low carb rule, so I started questioning her advice and I'm now a little bit lost.

I am suppose to see her in 3 weeks to talk about my further diet, but I've come across this article:

http://bariatrictimes.com/recommended-levels-of-carbohydrate-after-bariatric-surgery

I now it applies mostly to the gastric bypass patients, however, the recommendations seem to be based on the average calorie intake 6 months12 months post op, which I think are not too different from those most sleeve patients follow.

What do your NUTs say about carbs?

[OKCPirate 5,323]

Thanks for the article, interesting read. Mine was mostly interested in adding in some more fruit and vegies. She did suggest adding a small serving of steel cut oats in the morning.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I was never instructed to count carbs but the meal plan was definitely"moderate" not low carb....much like that article recommends. Since I had so much weight to lose i went low carb about 8-9 months post op. It helped me get go my goal.

[Whitney1968 54]

No more than 100 carbs a day

[Stevehud 1,790]

my nutritionist, is a triathlon trainer, and as such is on my page of little to no carbs during the losing phase, after that , you increase carbs to whatever you can to offset workouts etc. so you take in what you put out, kind of thing. as such im 9+ months post surg, and i take in about 10 to 15 carbs a day, 30 on a max carb workout day. and thse high carb days are rare for me. I do this because it works. im not good at moderation. i have 2 teaspoon, fulls of basmati rice with my chicken usually 4 days a week, i started that at the 6 month mark. I find that carbs derail my weight loss faster than even sugars right now although i shun those as well. i go ultra low carb because it works for me, After the losing phase i will increase first to 30 carbs then probably upwards of 50 but i doubt ill ever get higher than that. Unless i take up distance running ( yeah right ha ha)

[Whitney1968 54]

OMG, my Protein drinks have more carbs than what you take in a day. I don't know how you do it. EVERYTHING has carbs. I don't know if I could live without carbs. It's bad enough that I may never have pizza, Pasta, bread again. This is getting more and more depressing.

[toasty 371]

@@Stevehud Wow, 10-15g of carbs a day is extraordinarily low. The bariatric paper referenced above indicates (CHO = Carbohydrates):

"Clinically, it has been proven that a low intake of carbohydrates may cause some damage to the human body. A severe restriction of CHO (in diets of about 15g of CHO per day) may lead to an increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), following the increased consumption of foods rich in fat and low in nutritional value, thus raising the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, diets rich in fatty foods can induce a state of insulin resistance. Over time, these diets may cause acute ketonemia, which can lead to metabolic acidity. Additionally, the specific recommendation of a high-Protein intake and totally eliminating CHO from the diet has serious consequences to patients’ health, such as Vitamin and mineral deficiencies and ketosis, which can lead to cognitive alteration and an increased glomerular filtration rate. Furthermore, long-term effects can include nephrolithiasis and osteoporosis."

I would be very cautious about such incredibly low carb diets for any extended length of time.

[Julie norton 2,850]

I was surprised bananas are so high In carbs. Sigh

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I consider total, not net carbs. I think it is very low to stay under 30 total carbs a day. The brain needs em to think clearly. I felt staying 30-50 total carbs while losing was good. Really good.

[James Marusek 5,244]

I am 28 months post-op RNY surgery. So I don't know how well this applies to sleeve patients. Weight loss is achieved during the "Weight Loss" phase through portion control (meal volume). During this phase RNY patients need to restrict their intake of fats and sugars because the portion of their stomach that processes these has been cut away and taking them can result in dumping syndrome.

Once you bottom out and enter the "Maintenance" phase, the ground rules change a little. The goal is to control hunger. Generally my nutritionist recommends a balance between Protein, carbs and fats. [At this stage, my intestines have stepped in and have taken over the function of processing fats and sugars replacing what was lost by my stomach.] So for my meals, I shoot for a balance but I always apply the "protein first" rule. I incorporate fats in meals and Snacks to control hunger. Because I once had diabetes, I avoid process sugars like a plague. I limit my complex carbs (Pasta, bread, etc.] to one meal a day.

[RetroGirl 210]

It would be so much easier if weight loss (and maintenance) was as simple as calories in - calories out... Seems like everyone has to find out what works for them. Too bad I need to experiment on MYSELF.

[Mountaingal 322]

Very interesting article..thank you.

[joatsaint 2,814]

My doctor's guideline was 75% Protein 25% low glycemic carbs (meaning vegetables and fruit).

Following those guidelines has helped me lose 170lbs and keep it off.

For my 1st year post-op, I was fanatical about following this rule.

Once I hit my goal weight, I tended to be a bit looser about the rule.

But if I see my weight creeping up, I go right back to the tried and true.

Works everytime for me. :-)

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Carbs = energy.

My nutritionists is not concerned with carbs at all. As a general rule I don't look at the amount of carbs. I look at the source of the carbs. As such the only change I made is limiting the amount of processed, highly refined carbs. Typically this is breads, pastas, etc.... My carbs probably avg about 50 - 60 a day out of a 850 - 1000 calorie diet. My carbs are mostly from plant based sources such a Beans, whole grains and dark green vegetables. At a little over 11 mths in I have yet to experience a stall of any sort, or experience difficulties with Constipation.< /p>

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

It would be so much easier if weight loss (and maintenance) was as simple as calories in - calories out... Seems like everyone has to find out what works for them. Too bad I need to experiment on MYSELF.

That's not necessarily a bad thing. Since we are all different, have different metabolisms and body chemistry, the best thing to do is read from reputable source and figure out what works best for ourselves as individuals.