Overeating : Low Carb v. Moderation

[muncheechee 21]

Okay, since surgery (vsg Feb 2016) I've tried to stay very low carb and feared carbs in moderation because I didn't want to end up overeating them and gaining. Well now I'm finding myself having a really hard time staying low carb and I keep binging on carbs. I keep trying to get back on the very low carb wagon and I'll do good for a day or so but then over indulge in sugary junk. I'm gaining and freaking out because I am not sure how to fix this.

So I'm considering not being so restrictive with carbs to see if I can overcome this all or nothing mentality and find more of a balance with my eating so that I can continue towards my goal. Thoughts???

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[SuperSparkly72 116]

Personally, I can't do the moderation thing . . . my carb and sugar addiction is too strong. Carbs and sugar create a craving for more carbs and sugar and I find that I'm always hungry. It took me two weeks to detox from a sugar binge I went on and I was starving most of that time. Once I got the sugar out of my system, I was fine. But I won't touch refined sugar again.

Of course, when I say carbs, I'm talking about the empty-calorie processed foods: crackers, chips, bread, etc. Same with sugar: processed white sugar. I get plenty of healthy carbs (and sugar) from Beans, veggies and fruit. I stay away from anything potato because that is another big trigger for me.

But that's just me. For some people, the thought of never having something they love is as more of a trigger to binge than actually eating the food itself. You need to figure out what works best for you. Maybe a compromise though? Maybe you tell yourself that you won't touch the stuff during your weight loss phase and then revisit some of your favorites during maintenance. That could curb some of the all or nothing thinking that might be driving you to overeat right now.

Good luck with your journey! There are hard days but it is definitely worth the sacrifices we make to become healthy.

[James Marusek 5,244]

Sugar is my kryptonite. After you lose the weight if you want a quick way to gain it all back again, then use sugar. There are so many artificial sweeteners such as Splenda and no calorie natural sweeteners such as Stevia available today to satisfy my sweet tooth. These have been integrated into many items on the grocery store shelves today. So this is what I use. I am over 3 years post-op RNY surgery.

There are two phases to weight loss surgery. These are the "Weight Loss" phase and the "Maintenance" phase. The goals and approaches of these two phases are different. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery2.pdf

[Christinamo7 4,041]

my plan has always allowed for carbs in moderation. we have a Protein goal, and calorie goal worked out with the nut but we are expected to eat veg, fruit and things like oats.

it's worked very well for me. I would say I am still "low carb" when you look up low carb - but not super low.

[Dee755 20]

I was told because my metabolism is slow i should stay away from carbs fir now. I am 5 months post op and have consistently lost 6 lbs each month and am up to 44 lbs lost. This past month i have had a slice of Italian bread once and that satisfied me. I am scared to death of gaining this weight back and i have 40 more to lose. So I continue to exercise which will be a way of life like brushing my teeth.

[Dee755 20]

No sugary stuff i have not experienced dumping syndrome ever. I use splenda and eat sugar free ice pops thats my candy.< /p>

[KristenLe 5,979]

@@muncheechee Carbs crave carbs - so once you add sugar, Pasta, etc into your diet - it is likely you will crave more. Healthy carbs from fruit, veggies and whole grains can be done in moderation.

[esskay77 785]

@@muncheechee WHen you say you are having/craving carbs -- which ones. What are you eating and craving? Maybe there are substitutes? I was told to not have any during the weight loss phase, though I had gastric bypass so your mileage may be different. Even now, I'm not super strict but I do my best to keep as low carb as possible. Almost no carb, depending on the day. THe problem of course is that carbs bring on cravings for me. I have not had Pasta since surgery but I have had multi-grain bread though I am going to switch over to Ezekiel bread again. The carbs and the sugar will definitely stop you from losing weight and will put all your weight back on. You have a choice. Gain it all back or follow the program and lose weight. The decision is simple, the follow- through is tough. But you should give it a try. And take it one day at a time.

[catwoman7 10,939]

I can't do ultra-low carb. I do carbs in moderation (up to about 100 g per day), but they're all the healthy kind - I eat fruit, vegetables, dairy, and a limited amount of whole grains. I know some people even get cravings with that, but I don't. I don't think I'm particularly carb sensitive - but then I almost never eat sugar, white flour, rice, etc. Maybe once a month and most and only very miniscule amounts. I know a lot of WLS patients are on really super low carb diets, but I don't think I could sustain that for long. Plus what I'm doing works (I've lost over 200 lbs), so....

[esskay77 785]

@@catwoman7 yeah, fruits and veggies and dairy are all good carbs. I just don't consider the carbs even though they are. I mean crackers, Pasta, bread, rice, that sort of thing is what I stay away from. I do have fruit but try to keep it limited, unless there is something really good in season!!

[madadams 130]

I eat carbs every day but never have cravings. I have rice most days for lunch. I have Pasta although rarely. I allow myself 1 slice of bread a week. I have 25g of pretzels every evening with cheese for supper. I have under 100g of carbs a day. I'm 6 months post op and 84lb down.

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[Cindi_Augustine 99]

Willpower and moderation does not work for everyone. When you're brain is addicted to sugar, then it can be as hard to kick as cocaine. I found David Kessler's book, The End Of Overeating helped me a lot. We are conditioned to use sugar, fat and salt as a reward, and we must break that. I've been blogging about the tools I've learned, hoping to help others kick the addiction.

The important thing to remember is that you are NOT weak, or alone. You can read more on my blog or check out his book. You CAN do this!

[Dub 9,922]

Exactly why I don't eat carbs other than what's in Splenda for coffee and minimal amounts in traces of other things.

When I open the door and eat something carb loaded.....it simply sets up a crash and craving 30 mins later.....and the cycle of cravings occurs repeatedly until I cut out the carbs.

Exactly why I chose to skip puree stage where my NUT's plan allowed oatmeal, creamed potatoes, yogurt and the like.

Everyone has their own strategy......for me....it's much easier to sidestep the cravings by not giving in to them. It takes a day or two each time to get back on track and "purged" of them.

[mi75 1,235]

i too say stick to the low carb/paleo type way of eating post op and avoid sugar. i did NOT do this...i started slowly eating more and more sugar (because i wanted to believe that i COULD eat all things after my surgery), and now i'm on a downward spiral but seeing a new doctor and working hard to get off the 20 lbs that crept back on.