I'm new to the boards, and I apologize if this has been covered before.

I am working on insurance approval for banding, and I'm trolling here to determine food and nutrition specifics for life with the band.

I am a big believer in Fiber - mainly from grain based sources like hot and cold cereals, but also berries (blue, straw, etc) and ground flax seeds.

As I've read through these posts, fiber seems to be somewhat controversial as a good food for the banded.

Any ideas on what can be tolerated with the band? I know it's different for everyone, but I'm just looking for experiences and perhaps some guidelines.

Thanks

I believe in fiber too, from wholegrains. And I eat them, although possibly I'm the only one here who does. I am anti anti anti cutting out the entire carbohydrate group. I think low GI carbs (as on oatmeal, muesli, stoneground wholemeal bread etc) are important foods, and our bodies need carbs for energy. You *may* be able to get enough fibre and carbs from fruit and vegetables if you're not banded, but banded, there's no way on earth.

I also think that if you have to remove a foodgroup to lose weight, then add back in fiber in artificual form such as metamucil or benefibre then you cannot possibly argue that you have a healthy diet.

Good nutrition for optimal health and the best way to eat for maximum weight loss are not necessarily one adn the same thing. Yes, a high Protein low carb diet works to strip weight but that doesnt mean you've done a whole lot for your health. Your bowel health, energy and Vitamin and mineral balance are important too and man does not live on Protein shakes alone.

I really LOVE it when people argue that prehistoric man wasnt into agriculture so didnt eat grains then go on to extol the virtues of protein shakes. Last time I read a history book, prehistoric man didnt live on whey protein isolates either.

Personally I think you'll find you can tolerate some carb foods, particularly oatmeal and muesli, if not actual bread, and probably small amounts of Pasta and brown rice. And you might find like me, that THOSE are the foods that fill you up so that you dont have to be tight as a fish's proverbial to keep from overeating.

I believe in fiber too, from wholegrains. And I eat them, although possibly I'm the only one here who does.

I try really hard to meet my fiber needs with whole foods. It's a rare day that doesn't include a high-fiber Cereal with added ground flax along with servings of vegies and fruit.

I do add a fiber powder to at least one glass of Water or Kellog's K2O (a protein/fiber drink that I enjoy in ice tea flavor) because I can't seem to get over 15g with whole foods - the combo of fiber powder and K2O brings me up to the 25g I was told is a good goal.

The more I tried to eliminate my fiber foods, the more I could see that would not work long term for me, so I've added a high fiber, high protein cereal for b'fast ( Kashi go Lean) and add a fiber one bar a few times a week. Sometimes I have a piece of whole grain bread. I stay within my calories, but sacrificing fiber for extra protein was not working for me. I also eat berries once or twice a week.

I think sometimes there is confusion between the need to avoid "fibrous" foods, and eating high-fiber foods. Fibrous foods are things like celery, asparagus, and pineapple -- they are stringy and hard to chew down small enough unless cut into tiny pieces. A lot of banded people have trouble eating these types of foods.

food with dietary fiber -- both soluble and insoluble -- is a different thing. It's unhealthy to not eat adequate fiber. Not to mention uncomfortable since you'll probably be constipated. :tt2: