I've been very restrictive with carbs so far. I am considering adding a few "safer" complex carbs in strict moderation.

I have read that oatmeal is OK. Steel cut even better? What are your thoughts on oatmeal?

I have also not had any bread since surgery. I feel its safest to stay away from it, period. And sadly, no potatoes at this point in my journey. Wow did I love potatoes before! (Still do...but will wait ti ll I reach goal to incorporate them moderately.)

If you incorporate complex carbs into your diet, what are your top 3 that have not hindered weight loss?

I began adding regular old fashioned oatmeal about 8 months post op. Mostly out of wanting something different than eggs, cheese, Protein drink, ect....I do 1/4 cup oatmeal then add 1tbsp chia seeds, 1tbsp hemp seed and a few walnuts. It helps the flavor and adds some protein and good fat as well. I do this only a few times a week when my food log allows for it:-) As far as other carbs, I still stay away from Pasta, rice and bread because they are my weakness. As a treat I do add a serving of Calbee Harvest Snap Peas occasionaly, I am addicted to them so I have to be really careful! Good topic @@The New Kel

Do you plan to eat like this for the rest of your life? I went in with the mindset of everything but in moderation, I lost 10 lbs more than I ever even planned for. Instead of bacon eggs and hasbrowns, I would eat an egg. For lunch, instead of a whopper meal with drink, I would get a whopper jr and maybe finish it, or a piece of bread with peanut butter. For dinner, the other half of a sandwich, for dessert- maybe some Greek yogurt or a piece of candy.

Tootsietoes,

I will adjust my intake when I've reached my goal. But for now I want to restrict carbs but maybe try some complex ones in moderation.

I admire your success by eating what you like in moderation. Personally I cannot go near fast food even in moderation. I have a food addiction to most fast foods.

Thanks for posting your sample diet. Which of the carbs would you say are your top three?

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1. Veggies like okra, cabbage and broccoli/cauliflower. They all have carbs, but they also have Fiber and the carbs are good carbs.

2. Brown rice. I eat that pretty often with my 3rd choice...

3. Beans. I love kidney and pinto, but my current favorite are black beans.

LOVE making a black bean and brown rice skillet - cook up brown rice in the microwave first so it tender (approximately 2-3 cups). In a large skillet, add in things like onion, broccoli/cauliflower, red/green peppers and whatever other veggies I have on hand that sound good and add about a half cup of chicken broth* and cook veggies until tender. Add in rice and 1-2 cans of rinsed black beans (I buy organic black beans for like 65¢ at Aldi), about 1-2 cups of chicken broth and spices like garlic, curry or sriracha sauce (and salt and pepper). Bring to a low simmer and stir until all liquid has been absorbed. Top with shredded cheese (I like extra sharp cheddar or pepper jack). YUM. And really cheap and fast too if I do it with the frozen precut veggie bags.

* I make my own chicken/turkey/pork broths. I cook drumsticks and pork roasts in the crockpot about 3 times a month, and end up adding Water to the bones/spices and letting it simmer overnight after the meat itself is done. I even saved and broke down the turkey carcass from Thanksgiving and made a boatload of beautiful turkey broth. Once done (I like to simmer the bones/carcass/skin and bits of meat for a minimum of 8 hours), I cool, strain, and freeze in quart containers. It is way tastier, better for you, and less sodium than any canned stuff, but I have occasionally used canned low sodium broth when making lots of dishes and running out of the good stuff.

Edited December 17, 20169 yr by FrankiesGirl

Beans, nuts, some whole fruit.

Green veggies

Water

That trace carb in coffee.

Carbs are a bottomless pit. Once you fall down the hole you just keep falling. Its best to just say away from the well entrance.

I have a carb addiction; therefore, they are my enemy. I am going to have to always restrict them. I might not have to keep them below 20 after I hit my goal, but I can't imagine being able to have them go over 50 on a regular basis, but we'll see when the time comes.

Right now, my 19.5 carbs per day, come from the following:

1. Cottage cheese (two 4 oz servings for a total of 8 carbs)

2. sugar-free strawberry preserves (two 17 g servings for a total of 4 carbs)

3. Green Beans (three 1 oz servings for a total of 6 carbs)

4. Reduced sugar ketchup (1 tablespoon for a total of 1 carb)

5. Powerade Zero Fruit Punch (12 oz pour for a total of 0.5 carb)

Cottage cheese is my favorite. I never would fathom that I would become a cottage cheese lover, but I have! If I had to toss one of them, it would be the powerade zero. I front-load Water in the mornings (I have 64 oz before noon most days), so I usually have the powerade zero in the evening before bedtime.