Some of the women that attend water aerobics classes with me, are wanting to organize a support group to help them lose weight. I am all for it. Does anyone know if they can profit by using our diet? By that, I mean the high protein and low carb diet.

Just wondering if they should observe the "no carbonated drinks" also.

If anyone has any ideas on this and maybe how to conduct the diet without the surgery, please let me know.

We will exchange recipes and such.

I have lots of recipes but I am just wondering if they will help.

Thanks for any info.

jazie

Well, your body doesnt change after the surgery in the sense that what is a healthy diet after surgery is also a healthy diet before surgery. So if high Protein low carb is your thing, there's no reason why you have to be banded to do it. Your body's nutritional needs remain exactly the same, banding just tends to change the way you go about meeting them a bit.

I would never suggest a non banded person eat as few fruit and veges as bandsters often seem to. I would actually suggest that they fill in the difference in the volume required to satisfy with fruit and veges. Cutting down white carbs, eating good sources of quality protein and plenty of fruit and veg is good for everyone.

The drinking rules, the carbonation etc, there's really no reason to do that.

I find though that I'm sure the slower eating, as required to chew properly has a LOT to do with why I feel satisfied on smaller volumes of food. Learning to eat slowly would be really helpful.

I'd also suggest to them using something like thedailyplate.com to help food journal. It's free, so suggesting it at your support group might be a huge help to them. Food journaling makes a huge difference.

I am not into high Protein low carb diets. I am into nutritionally proportioned meals. I like meat, fruits, veggies, and fat. If I were to eat only protein, my body would not be healthy.

I track my calories, Vitamins, Water, fat, protein, and carbs at Sparkpeople.com. It is a free web site.

If the ladies want to support you, I would recommend they consume well rounded meals, which include items from the food groups.

I would also pay attention to serving sizes. We Americans tend to distort what a real serving size is.

I don't see why this eating plan could not be used by anyone. It is quite similar to structured diets you would get from a nutritionist where you eat meat, veggies and good carbs. The key is to watch calorie intake and portion sizes plus most people don't drink nearly enough water each day. GOOD LUCK!!!

since it took me 5 months to get any kind of restriction - i measured out my food to get my portions sizes under control. i wasn't really "that" bad of an eater - i just had issues putting down the fork when the food was REALLY good.

i found generally i was satisfied with what i doled out to myself & by the time restriction hit - i was good to go.

calories in - calories out. if they are working out exercising, that's half of it...the rest it getting a balanced meal into the mix

Thank you all for the input. I guess what I wanted to ask among other things, is, would someone without the band need to drink as much protein as we do? I agree, that a well rounded meal is most important. Portion size is one of the tricks and also not eating empty calories. I have a hard time with water, but drink a lot of tea. Fluids are very essential.

I am banded and do not drink my Protein. I eat healthy foods that have protein, such as nonfat milk, nonfat yogurt, cheese, fish, poultry, eggs, Beans, and so on.

I do not think a person needs to be on a protein liquid diet. (Unless the doctor orders it so).

A person can consume enough nutrition....including protein without resorting to liquids. That is just my opinion. Your doctor might have a diffrent opinion.

I track my protein from regular food every day and I do consume the 60 to 80 grams of protein my nutritionist reccomends.

I think the Proteins should come from lean food sources, I see no reason to substitute Protein drinks.

Bandsters only need them for when they are incapable of getting enough protein in, but your group should have no problem with intake.

I agree with the balanced diet with lower carbs. Carbs should come from fruits and vegetables more than highly processed white bread or rice. Whole grains are really good to include in your diet.