In an effort to encourage my fellow low-carb bandsters, I wanted to start a thread (assuming one has not already been started) listing all the health benefits of low-carbing. While I realize this is a controversial subject, if you wish to post the disadvantages, please start another thread titled as such. :redface: I mean this in the most lighthearted way possible. (((hugs)))

I can name many but one of the main health benefits for me is:

Helps to prevent and cure my impaired glucose intolerance

LOL. :wub:

I guess I didn't make myself clear when I started this thread. I was hoping that you ALL would give your input and list the health benefits of doing low-carb. I started the list by saying it helps to prevent and cure impared glucose tolerance. So, please, please give your valuable input. Thank you in advance for helping out a fellow bandster. :confused:

My personal reasons include:

* less cravings: when I eat low carb meals I do not experience "head hunger" or cravings especially sugar cravings decrease

* feel more full: A meal that high in Protein and low carbs fills me up longer then a high carb meal

* weight loss: if I eat even a small amount of carbs I'll need to expercise to loss weight, with a no or low carb diet the exercise although still important is not critical to continued weight loss

8mood stabilizing: high protein and no carbs helps my mood be positive and stable. Lots of carbs equals an emotional rollar coaster.

Thats my list! Thanks!

Dancingbear

For me, the biggest advantage to going low carb is that when I eat carbs, I crave more carbs. This causes weight gain, not weight loss. I wish I could get them out of my diet completely, and when I do, I am a much happier person.

Then someone brings chocolate chip Cookies to work, and

all my will power goes out the window.

I choose foods with as low carbs as possible.. my blood test results show that I am carbohydrate & glucose intolerant, and insulin resistant - prior to banding, While I hope all those are now correcting, I prefer to go low carb as I feel a lot better, fitter and happier. Eating items with more carbs does not get rid of the hunger. I am hoping that when I get to my goal weight that I can introduce a few more carbs as there are many foods I really enjoy but they are high carb... so later on just to introduce them slowly would be great.. but for the moment the least carbs the better as I have heard the first six months after banding are vitally important for initial weight loss... Cheers, Trish

I have Lupus, so I initially began low carbing at the advice of my doctor to see if it would positively impact my health. I began low carbing right before my lap band surgery December 5. Let me be the first to say, removing most sugars (I still eat a small amount every now and then), flour, breads, pastas, sweets improved my health 100%. I also incorporated a liquid Multivitamin (Nature's Source of Life) into my daily regimen.

I no longer break out with hives and other skin conditions associated with Lupus like I used to. I no longer experience extreme fatigue like I used to. The fevers, pain in my joints, etc. have all decreased so that I have not missed any days of work in 2 months. I would usually miss 2 -3 days of work a month. My weight has dropped. I tend to eat around 40 carbs a day because limiting myself to no carbs is pointless. I have discovered if I can create a daily diet regimen that I can stick to over a lifetime, then I won't gain it back.

Since December 5, I have lost 17 lbs. I need to update my ticker below. I feel GREAT! I discovered that certain foods fill me up. I eat primarily fish and chicken. Cod fillets fill me up the most though and steamed broccoli. So, I stick with what works. I am positive I will meet my goal by June.

I have a real problem with yeast infections and everything I have read on the subject says to get rid of carbs in the diet. Carbs feed the yeast. As much pain as I have been in lately, it's easier to say no to carbs knowing it will cause me more pain.

I am only about two weeks out from surgery...and as soon as I'm off the soft food stage I know I will eat low carb. I get these benefits from low carbing:

Majorly reduced cravings for starchy foods

My head feels "clearer"

Less gas

More energy

Feel more satisfied after a meal

quick weight loss

And I'm sure that's not all....but those are the ones I really notice!

I did the Atkins diet twice in my life...losing 136 lbs once and 66 lbs. the second time. Gained it back , but if you want the positives, I'll give you another one that hasn't been mentioned yet.

I suffered from chronic sinus infections for about 10 years and had sinus surgery to help alleviate the problems. Still ended up with sinus infections after the surgery. The ENT would put me on 800mg Augmentin, 40mg Prednisone, and Wilson's Solution (Rx nasal wash) each time I got an infection. Anyone taking steriods knows it's not much fun. After I went on the Atkins diet, my sinus infections vanished!

This is my theory...I had been allergy tested years before that and was found to have allergies from indoor/outdoor molds and yeast. Once I stopped "feeding" the yeast/mold with "sugar" (carbs), my infections went away for good! :confused:

Hello My name is Vanassa. I have been post bad this Oct 5 will be 4 years. I have lost 64lbs altoether. I had lost 70 but put some back on because of the carbs. Before I did the bad I had done the low carb for 4 months and had lost 40lbs then put it back on plus more. During the time of low carbing I felt better and was not as hungry. I now relize that if I stay on the low carb I will reach my goal of 145 and that will be 100lbs down. I will also not always be craving carbs that keedp me from reachin my goal and stayin there. When I started seeing the scales go back up I knew that I did not want this but cold not keep from aining so I knew that I had to go back to what I have learned in the past. I did not go through this surgery just ot have it come back on slowly so I am doin the low carb for life now and need all the help and support I can et. Thanks for having this thread. I know it will help et to my goal wieht and keep it there.

I like this idea of low carb eating. I am eating less than 100 carbs, sometimes i think i don't even eat 20 per day. My husband was diagnosed with diabetes. So this is good for him also. He isn't as over-weight as I am, but he could stand to lose a few pounds here and there. I am not banded yet but am waiting out the 6 months for insurance puposes. My 2nd appointment to the doctor after eating low carbs was 10 lbs gone. It was easy too. I passed up my birthday cake and Halloween. How great is that. Making the right choices when going out to eat are VERY easy also. Who knows after the both of us lose what we need to, there may be no more meds to take. That is our goal for our retirement. We are a young mid to early 50's group and to retire early is an option my husband wants to do. He has macular degeneration and wants to see everything now. So we will be off camping the USA, hopefully soon.

• reduced carbohydrate craving
  
• reduced hunger
  
• ability to ensure that, even with finite stomach "real estate," my Protein and other nutrient needs are met; the carbs I have excised offer no nutritional benefits
  
• in a similar vein, the foods I focus on are nutrient-dense
  
• my cholesterol, triglycerides, and other blood parameters have improved tremendously (I realize this is also a function of the weight loss itself)
  
• I FEEL TERRIFIC--never logy due to carb coma
  
• complete overhaul of decades-long habits in a way that does NOT leave me feeling deprived
  
• resolution of borderline endocrine issues
  
• greater loss in shorter period of time
  
• CONTROL and SUCCESS in a way that is sustainable, long-term, with the band
  

ETA: I aim for 800-900 calories/day, 80-100 g protein, <50 g net carb (from veggie, legume, and some fruit sources only). I do not eat sugar. I occasionally eat whole grains (never refined), but feel better without them (suspect some level of gluten intolerance), and NEVER feel deprived---ever. The band gets the credit for that!

Hi,

This are some benefits of low carbing:

1.low-carbing diet helps to control weight.

2.It also helps to burn the fat.

3.Better sugar control

4.Better insulin sensitivity

5.Improved cholesterol levels and lower triglycerides.

6.It helps to decreased blood pressure

7.Increase energy

8.Better mental concentration, no brain fog.

Raymeds.com

Betsy,

Can you tell me when you were banded and how many ccs are in your band.

I was banded 8/08 and I have only lost 40 lbs. but I only have 2 ccs in my band... trying to think abt switching surgeons...

I just started the low carb thing abt 6 weeks ago lost 7.5 lbs so far.

any help?

Sara

I like this idea of low carb eating. I am eating less than 100 carbs, sometimes i think i don't even eat 20 per day. My husband was diagnosed with diabetes. So this is good for him also. He isn't as over-weight as I am, but he could stand to lose a few pounds here and there. I am not banded yet but am waiting out the 6 months for insurance puposes. My 2nd appointment to the doctor after eating low carbs was 10 lbs gone. It was easy too. I passed up my birthday cake and Halloween. How great is that. Making the right choices when going out to eat are VERY easy also. Who knows after the both of us lose what we need to, there may be no more meds to take. That is our goal for our retirement. We are a young mid to early 50's group and to retire early is an option my husband wants to do. He has macular degeneration and wants to see everything now. So we will be off camping the USA, hopefully soon.

Betsy,

Can you tell me when you were banded and how many ccs are in your band.

I was banded 8/08 and I have only lost 40 lbs. but I only have 2 ccs in my band... trying to think abt switching surgeons...

I just started the low carb thing abt 6 weeks ago lost 7.5 lbs so far.

any help?

Sara

Good for you Purple Flower!!!! I love low carb eating. It's sort of a challenge. The weight comes off without hardly trying. I believe that there are so many foods I had thought they were forbidden. When suprise!! No!!!! I can have that? Sweet!!!! The bread is hard too, but I have had altenative choices like sugar free bread and alwas a low-carb tortillas ect. It's very interesting how it all come into play. Keep up the good work.

I also have a co-worker/neighbor who was going "Zero" carbs. I told her not to do that because if you do that your body just wants it even more but incorporate at least the <100 grams. Yeah, that didn't last long for her to quit her diet. Also what was interesting was the Sugar Free candy and ice cream. It looks like carbs but the Alcohol sugar take that away and you go with the net carbs. How interesting is that? Good Luck!!!!

For those interested in learning more about why low carb works, you might check out "Why We Get Fat" by Gary Taubes. Basically, he makes a case that many obese people have a metabolic disorder that doesn't allow them to process carbs correctly. As a result, we gain weight, suffer from hypo/hyperglycemia, become insulin resistant, etc.

I do more than just low carb (defined as less than 60gm of carbs per day). I also avoid grains, fruits, dairy and starchy vegetables as they have a very dramatic and immediate impact on my blood sugar. I do not have an allergy or sensitivity to wheat, but it certainly has made a difference. Not only am I now losing about 2 lb per week instead of the 'barely' 1 lb, but all of the things attributed to chronic fatigue (which I think is just a diagnosis given when they've ruled everything else out) are completely gone. Even my arthritis has lessened in intensity.

.