I have two questions. First: How do you get in your Fiber each day when the bulk of our diets is supposed to be Protein? I have the beginnings of diverticulosis and the doc told me to eat more fiber. I had to laugh at the "eat more" as I think I am eating more than I should already with the band, and I have questions on how to get more fiber in my diet. Anyone taking and supplements and are they working for you?

Secondly, I remember the dietitian telling us to make sure to sip Water between meals to make sure you get all your fluids in. Okay, I don't have to sip. I can still gulp down a healthly 8 oz of water in seconds. Is this normal? Too much? A sign of pouch stretching? I would think any Fluid would just flow through the restriction.

:biggrin:

Banded 1/25/08

Weight lost - 32 pounds, Goal 100

I could gulp Water too (but I don't). I think the lesson of sipping water is a precaution. If you do not have a tight restriction, the water will go right by the band when the pouch is empty.

As for the fibre... I don't agree that the "bulk" of our diets should be Protein (my opinion, and my dietician and doctors). That seems to be favoured by North Americans - not so much elsewhere. You only need .75 grams protein for every kilogram of body weight (so at 270 pounds, I need 90 grams protein a day).

I get my fibre via oatmeal for Breakfast, homemade vegetable Soup, v8 juice, ryvita multgrain crackers at lunch, fruit, and vegetables with dinner (strawberries are great for low cal/high fibre). I add 2 teaspoons of Benefibre to my liquid Vitamin every morning.

I average about 25 grams fibre a day (recommended amount) 90 grams protein, 35 grams fat, 160 grams carbs, and 1200-1300 calories a day. I burn around 200 from exercise 4 x per week. I am currently losing about 1.5 kilograms (3 pounds) per week average.

Edited May 25, 200818 yr by Luscious

I add Benefiber with just about everything when I cook for my family because they don't know it's there because of it's fine, powdery consistency. I was surprised the first time I used it to find out that it wasn't like bran fiber I was used to.

youll really struggle to get enough fibre on a Protein based diet - which is one of the reasons I dont eat that way. You can still lose weight without a protein based diet.

Personally, I dont want to die thin, but of bowel cancer. I eat grain foods in moderation, I eat protein foods in moderation and I eat fruit and veges as the basis of my diet.

I havent lost my hair, I have good skin, strong nails and plenty of energy. Protein is not the only nutrient we need, but focussing on it when you have a tiny stomach is, in my humble, uninformed and totally non medical opinion, asking for trouble in other areas of your health.

I still tend to supplement fibre with benefibre, becuase I like to know I'm getting enough. And plenty of Water and exercise will keep your bowels moving (and therfore healthy) too.

I wouldnt advocate going against what YOUR doc tells you but I always put my 2c in on this topic for other Australians or people elsewhere in the world reading - this very issue put me off banding for a good six months. The diets I was reading about - especialloy the what did you eat today threads - absolutely horrified me. I felt that I was nowhere near fat enough to risk my long term health in such a way. Of course six months down the track I was FATTER, lol, so I saw a doctor and learned that in Australia anyway, this is not the recommended way of eating.

Edited May 25, 200818 yr by Jachut

Unprocessed wheat bran. You can buy it at the health food store, it has both protein AND fiber. I sprinkle it on my food. I have a recipe for cookies using this stuff I will have to dig out! It will keep you regular I promise

I try to get 50 grams of Protein a day.

I have a morning smoothie that has 1 cup of milk, 6 oz. of nonsweetened, non fat yogurt, and 1/2 of all bran with extra fibre.

I have two spoons of benefiber in coffee in the morning. Benefiber is soluble fiber, which keeps food in your gut longer and gels, while non soluble fiber is just that: fiber. It doesn't really mutate much and adds bulk to your digestive tract.

Berries are in season right now so I'm going to town on them. I have at least a cup a day of berries. Blackberries are wonderful right now.

thanks for your suggestions. Is there really any difference between benefiber and metamucil. I realize it will be personal preference, but if anyone has tried both could you let me know which one you prefer and why?

Also - Laurinda - I wouldn't mind those recipes for cookies! thanks! Karen