Why sugar free?

[crosswind 134]

I've been noting that the post-op diet is all low-carb and sugar free. It would make more sense to me that in the post-op period with very few calories allowed anyway that sugar would be allowed. Real fruit juices, non-sugar free koolaid and etcetera. Does anyone know why only sugar free things are recommended?

[bilka 6]

I have diabetes 1 so for me s/f stuff is compulsory, but I think that that helps you a lot with your diet. The first months you are supposed to lose a large amount of weight, so why should you get extra calories from sugar, when you can get the same things sugar free?

And I read that many people, being obese, also get diabetes 2, which does go away after a great weight loss, so I guess it's just better for everyone, diabetes or not, to keep the sugar level down...

Sugar causes cravings as well and you don't want that either.

(btw in the morning I do have some sugar, because of my bloodsugar being very low at that time: I have a light pudding sweetened with artificial sweeteners AND sugar, but it only has 95 kcal. This hasn't killed my diet at all, I guess if you do things in moderation you are fine)

[thinoneday 445]

I've been noting that the post-op diet is all low-carb and sugar free. It would make more sense to me that in the post-op period with very few calories allowed anyway that sugar would be allowed. Real fruit juices, non-sugar free koolaid and etcetera. Does anyone know why only sugar free things are recommended?

Ultimately that choice is yours, however like it's been said a hundred time, this surgery is only a tool, it is our responsibility to use the tool to CHANGE our eating habits and make ourselves healthier. . . we think in the early stages that our eating is so little what difference would it make, which we are of course, but just wait until we're over 1 year out. . . if we haven't changed our habits and we still "think" sugary things are ok, we have a big surprise coming. . . good luck!

[Tiffykins 672]

Our bodies will burn sugar before burning our fat. That's at least how it was explained to me. Also, sugary stuff can irritate the stomach, and while it's only temporary usually sugar intake can cause more gas, diarrhea and discomfort to an already pissed-off digestive system.

I was allowed to have juice, diluted and no more than 4oz a day on the clear and full liquid stages. When I was having issues getting in calories, and fluids, and felt dehydration was becoming an issue, I did drink regular gatorade and pedialyte which has a lot of sugar, but I never drank anymore than 6-8oz per day. I needed hydration, and cleared it with my surgeon. It's what I "had" to do, and some guidelines have be tailored to accommodate your specific needs.

[ngory07 22]

Instead of doing sugar free I just dont drink those juices. I am now tryng to eat more of a whole foods and organic diet and all that sugar free stuff is pumped full of chemicals. I have not had too many sweets since surgery maybe 3 items if that. I am moving away from processed junk so I will not be eating Cookies and stuff unless I make them and I will be using either honey, maple Syrup, agave nectar or raw sugar to sweeten them. I am also not doing fat free anything especially cheese and I have stayed within my calories and have so much energy without all those chemicals in my body. I have already lost 50 lbs in a month and a half while following this. I track on myfitnesspal.com and that has helped. Whole foods are so much healthier.

[Luanne 32]

I was and still am addicted to sugar-free popsicles! ~ My treat when I crave sweet!

[Disney 20]

I posted a question like this last night in the nutrition section but only got two answers so I'm glad you re-posted it. It does make sense about the sugar irritating the tummy, but I'm like Tiff and need to get my fluids in for fear of dehyration and am drinking gatorade. Right now it's my sole source of fluids besides the broth. I eat popsicles too, but they are only like 1 oz each and it would take several boxes to get my 64 oz in!

My question was, how can you get your 600 calories a day in (in the early stages) with SF everything? Even with my Protein powder, and full sugar products, I can't even get 400 calories in.

[crosswind 134]

I posted a question like this last night in the nutrition section but only got two answers so I'm glad you re-posted it. It does make sense about the sugar irritating the tummy, but I'm like Tiff and need to get my fluids in for fear of dehyration and am drinking gatorade. Right now it's my sole source of fluids besides the broth. I eat popsicles too, but they are only like 1 oz each and it would take several boxes to get my 64 oz in!

My question was, how can you get your 600 calories a day in (in the early stages) with SF everything? Even with my Protein powder, and full sugar products, I can't even get 400 calories in.

Right. It just seems like, for a shorter period of time, a little sugar might help. Later when your first priority is Protein it makes sense to cut carbs since the belly won't hold much food. But in the beginning for the sake of calories?

[crosswind 134]

Right. It just seems like, for a shorter period of time, a little sugar might help. Later when your first priority is Protein it makes sense to cut carbs since the belly won't hold much food. But in the beginning for the sake of calories?

By the way I don't mind sugar free and I basically eat sugar free everything. Except normally maybe in this case, when I've just had major surgery.

[**LaSaJaTa** 4]

I prefer to use products that do not contain artificial sweeteners. That means, eating the 'real' thing, suger, when necessary. For example, with my 1 and only coffee in the morning. Also, when drinking my Dandilion Leaf tea, I now drink it without suger/sweetner, it's just better for me. For yogurt, I prefer to eat the ones with sugar, not fake stuff...who know's (down the road) what effects Sorbitol, Aspertame ect is going to have on our bodies? I just limit my intake of foods with sugar, refined sugar. A little in moderation is fine....

[MICHELLE LEE 19]

The other reason for sugar free is that some of us tend to "dump" on sugary foods. I am one of those people that do not tolerate sugar post op. And it has been 4 months...

[MRSKOUBiK 27]

I heard that your body tends to burn off the sugar first, then the fat... so it may run out of energy to burn off the most important thing FAT!