Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Good carbs



Recommended Posts

So I know the word carbs is kind of a bad word around here lol but I'm interested to see what people's opinions are on good carbs like sweet potatoes, whole grain bread and starches like quinoa. I'm still early out and have been keeping it very low carb and I'm fine with that. I don't miss carbs for the most part, but down the line it would be nice to add some of these into my diet (with Protein of course ring king) thoughts? How do you all feel about the so called 'good carbs'? I feel especially when I'm eventually able to step up my exercise good carbs may be helpful for energy.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Good carbs is what you want to go for. Sweet potatoes are good carbs, but watch how you prepare them. I would stay away from breads in general. Quinoa is my goto carb, very easy to digest, doesn't cause any problems. Just remember to track it and work it out. Good carbs are a good source (and needed source) of energy.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

We need carbs for energy, so yes, incorporate them! It's also been stated that men do well on Atkins type diets but that women benefit from a more balanced approach to food. I eat about 40% Protein, 30% carbs and 30% fats and feel perfectly satisfied. I also maintained my weight very easily before I got pregnant - I think, in part, because I never felt deprived or the urge to snack because I was limiting myself. And I definitely noticed an improvement in my mood once I added in more carbs. I get pretty grumpy and cranky when I deny myself carbohydrates.

Before I jump into a "the sleeve is not a diet" lecture, I'll simply say that it's important to learn to eat like a normal person, in moderation, BEFORE achieving goal. Build the habit of healthy eating and you'll carry it with you for a lifetime. Deny yourself critical elements of your diet and you'll only be unhappy and risk binges.

That said, avoiding empty calories and artificial junk is always something we should do. If you're going to eat, try to make it a high quality food that will benefit your body instead of making you crave more junk.

Quinoa is one of my FAVORITE foods to incorporate post op. It's a complete Protein, an easily digestible seed and can be used so many different ways that I never tire of it.

bread is an iffy thing. Not for health reasons but because your sleeve is going to decide for you if you're going to be able to eat much of it. I'm more than two years out and it's only now that I'm pregnant that I can eat more than one very thin slice of bread. A nice, fluffy whole wheat roll with dinner would still be out of the question. I'm a baker and this really hasn't been much of an issue. If I really want/crave some bread I indulge in a reasonable portion. Usually that means half a piece of toast with breakfast! That's all I can fit in most of the time.

I love lentils and several different rice and lentil dishes. Again, I can't eat too much because the rice swells a bit like bread does but this is an option, too.

Experiment and find what you like. The goal is to avoid things that cause you an issue - either by slowing your loss, causing discomfort or by causing cravings - while still eating a balanced diet and feeling satisfied.

Good luck,

~Cheri

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I haven't had surgery yet but in my consult apt with my Dr I said "Carbs" he said there are good and bad carbs, I don't care about the good carbs well call the bad carbs "Starches" and those are evil and the ones you should get out of your mind and stay away from. It helped me put it in a little better perspective cus I knew there were good carbs but everyone here on VST kept saying "low carb" but I like the way my Dr. explained it. Hope this helps you a lil bit :}

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@clk where can I get good info and cooking idea's for Quinoa? I have never heard of it and now i'm curious. I Google'd it but it ran me around and I still wasn't quite sure what it was....lol Thank you in advance for your help :}

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Great stuff here guys thank you for the replies!! When you come on here and read low carb all the time it's easy to forget that there are good carbs.

Cheri excellent post! I also look at VSG as a lifestyle and I don't feel like that included depriving myself. It doesn't mean I can feel free to eat crap either. For me a balanced diet has always been the goal. Clean eating is so appealing to me now also. It's amazing how much my outlook on food and eating has changed. Fresh veggies, roasted potatoes things like that are so appealing to me these days where as pre op I LIKED them but didn't crave them.

I'm very excited to try some recipes with quinoa. I was introduced to it by my ex a few years ago who was all about health food at the time and I kind of just turned my nose up at it. I had it again before surgery a few months ago and really enjoyed it. There are tons of great recipes on Pinterest for it btw!

Thank you for the input everyone! I'm glad I'm not alone in feeling like carbs have gotten a bad rep. Not all carbs are bad :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×