What's a carb to you? In the context of "avoiding carbs" or "low-carb" as a bariatric patient?

• Fries, pizza, ice cream, cookies, etc. - of course (although most of those foods are actually 50%+ fat so it seems weird to call them carbs).
• Bread? White bread seems obvious, but what about whole wheat? What about the gross, "healthy" kind with all the seeds and grains?
• Pasta? Again, refined white pasta seems clear enough, but how about the kinda gritty "meh" whole grain version?
• Potatoes?
• Beans?
• Oatmeal, rice, quinoa, corn... all whole grains, so which ones do you avoid?

Thanks for any discussion you can provide! I'm just curious about how real life post-op folks make their decisions about what's acceptable to eat when it comes to carbs.

10 minutes ago, Apple203 said:

I've grown weary of the diet wars, and the leading questions. The facts are the facts, as inconvenient as they may be. Many a RD would strongly disapprove of Creek's calorie intake and total carbs. Its just a fact.

<< I just threw that in to pretend I don't actually mean what I write. Not sure why men don't do this like women always seem to!

I didn't intend for this post to have any leading questions, and I'm sorry if it came off that way. I was trying to word it in a neutral way that would result in specific answers about specific foods. I see so much generality, like "avoid carbs" "keep carbs down" etc. and I'm just wondering what people mean - what foods specifically they mean when they say that. A lot of the answers have been really helpful - some people do delineate between "bad carbs" and "good carbs" and some people don't care, they literally count the grams and keep them below a certain #. That's the kind of info I was looking for. Hope this helps a bit!

1 minute ago, Creekimp13 said:

Wrong. I eat a ton of low fat dairy (carbs), fruit(carbs), whole grains(carbs), lower glycemic breads(carbs), brown rice(carbs), potatoes(carbs), Beans (carbs), nuts and seeds(carbs), etc. I eat a massive amount of carbs. I just don't eat sugar, high glycemic carbs or processed foods. I eat very little animal fat.

On average, a full 50%+ of the calories I eat come from carb based foods.

So... 600 calories worth, right? As I stated?

"Some people don't care" as in they don't care if the grams of carbs come from a whole grain vs. a starch vs. sugar, etc. Just to clarify.

Apple....I have a suggestion. Perhaps you could stop being an expert on MY diet...and I assure you I won't pretend to be an expert on yours. Thanks!

Maybe you'd like to talk about your diet instead?

1 minute ago, Creekimp13 said:

Apple....I have a suggestion. Perhaps you could stop being an expert on MY diet...and I assure you I won't pretend to be an expert on yours. Thanks!

Maybe you'd like to talk about your diet instead?

My diet is an open book, Creek. 20-40-40, 800 calories. Lean and nutritionally packed as I can get it in the limited space available in my altered stomach. If there is a god in heaven, I will be cleared for salads when I hit 3 months, because I miss them. If I ate 50-20-30, it wouldn't make a lick of difference -- I'd still go in to ketosis and burn fat.

So...what you're saying...is that my carb rich 1200 calorie diet...works great:)

We agree!

Kudos on getting your salads back. I missed them dreadfully in those first couple of months.

First one I wanted was Chicken Summer citrus salad

Chicken breast

Field greens

Mandarin oranges

Avacado

Granny Smith Apple

Strawberries

Cukes

Green Peppers

A little goat cheese

Raspberry vinegarette

So Good:)

Edited May 27, 20188 yr by Creekimp13

2 hours ago, Creekimp13 said:

I eat a ton of low fat dairy (carbs), fruit(carbs), whole grains(carbs), lower glycemic breads(carbs), brown rice(carbs), potatoes(carbs), Beans (carbs), nuts and seeds(carbs), etc. I eat a massive amount of carbs. I just don't eat sugar, high glycemic carbs or processed foods. I eat very little animal fat.

This is my diet too...but no meats.

Just saw your transformation pics, Newme:) Looking amazing! Woot!

10 hours ago, Creekimp13 said:

So...what you're saying...is that my carb rich 1200 calorie diet...works great:)

LOL, yes! I agree that your carb rich 1200 calorie diet works great at pushing you into ketosis and losing weight!

YOur salad sounds fantastic. You may be surprised to learn that my favorite salad has quinoa, chickpeas and a homemade cashew-based viniagrette dressing. 2 more weeks... I wonder why the exclusion of leafy vegetables until 3 months -- do you know?

*unfollows this thread*

Oh you are SO still following the thread, Little Green. LOL. Too entertaining.

Ok, Apple....just cause I can't resist...

Say I was eating 600 calories worth of fried chicken, and HALF A 10oz BAG of large marshmallows (500 calories) each day.

Would I still be in ketosis? Would my diet still be low carb?

Cause if your logic is consistent (that low-carb is all about carb calories consumed to output calorie ratio....I should be able to eat HALF A BAG of roasted Marshmallows...and still be "low-carb" in your eyes and in ketosis.

Apple, you've already said that you believe I eat about 150g of carbs each day....and in fact there are about 150 carbs in half a bag of marshmallows.

To get into ketosis, you need to severely restrict carbs. You're not gonna get there on 150 grams of carbs each day....and thank God...cause I HATE how I feel in ketosis!

About Ketosis....since you're interested! The net carbs required to enter ketosis is around 20 to 100 grams per day (and very rarely over 100 grams per day, think large muscular hard training super athletes). Most people need to restrict their carbs to 20-50 grams of net carbs per day to enter ketosis.

Mayo Clinic describes a low carb ketogenic diet as eating fewer than 50 grams of carbs each day. Something I will never do.

Edited May 28, 20188 yr by Creekimp13

Once you are out of glycogen for energy, your body burns fat. When you burn fat, you produce ketones. Ta dah!! It really is that simple.

This is my last post on the topic, 'cause you've issued a straw man argument suggesting I am recommending fried chicken and marshmallows. In my experience, once this happens, no logical discussions can happen. Bye!

When you can't admit a diet made up of 50% carbs is a "carb rich diet",,,...was logical discussion ever happening?

Dude, I get it....you like Keto, you're horrified by the number of carbs I eat, and you think I eat too much. LOL

It's cool...to each, their own.

But to address your concerns......my carbs and calories are an approved part of a study being conducted by a major medical research hospital...and they seem to be working great. My doctor and nutritionist are delighted with my progress and compliance. And most importantly, I am, too.

I love that I'm off my blood pressure meds, I love that I'm off my diuretic, I love that my legs don't swell anymore, I love that my cholesterol is low. I love that my A1C blood sugar is normal. I love that I don't have any nutrient deficiencies. I love the energy I have!!! I love that I can mow my whole yard comfortably, without getting out of breath. I love that I sleep better. I love that I haven't had a cold or flu or illness in over a year. And I love my forever diet! I don't ever feel deprived or hungry. I feel like I can do this forever...and that's the first time that's ever happened with a diet in my life.

There are a lotta ways up this mountain. I wish you tremendous success no matter which path you choose:)

Yikes! Carbs are a hot debate.

Yes, I specifically asked Creekimp and Jess bc I know that they both have had different journeys to the same place -SUCCESS!

I am trying to figure out the best diet plan so I can get to the same place. I love all of the food suggestions Jess made, just not feeling full eating only protien (yes on PPI) and trying to figure out what to add in. For right now I think I will add veggies and plant based protien to increase my fiber and nutrients with out adding too many carbs, YET.

I love carbs and will have to add more complex carbs later. That is why I asked Creekimp bc I know she uses carbs the right way to still lose weight.

Calm down everyone, we all find our own way ?

So... just a question... you say you aren’t feeling full eating only Protein. How much Protein are you eating? I’m not saying whether you should or shouldn’t add carbs, but even people who eat carbs will usually agree that dense protein is the most filling. Have you tried adding an ounce or two to your serving size?

Healthy fats are another source of satiety. Avocado, olive oil, mayo, full fat dairy.

If you’re looking for something to help you feel full that’s somewhere to start.

If you want carbs to make you full look at the Fiber content, that’s the part that will make you feel full. Even lots of “whole grains” don’t have a lot of Fiber so look at veggies, Beans, etc.  make sure whatever grains you add haven’t been processed and retain the fiber.