Diverticulosis and drinking

KarenH · May 25, 2008

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

Luscious · May 25, 2008

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, 2008 by Luscious

Long2BFree · May 25, 2008

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.

Jachut · May 25, 2008

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, 2008 by Jachut

Laurinda · May 26, 2008

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

Hastings · May 26, 2008

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.

KarenH · May 27, 2008

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