Okay, this may be a stupid question; however, I am going to ask it anyway ... Nina told me for the pre-op diet to get in at least 60-70 g of protein and less than 30 g of carbs. She suggested protein drinks/bars ... however, I notice that although they are high in protein, they are also high in carbs ... is she talking total carbs or net carbs? And what exactly are net carbs? I don't have any trouble getting in the protein, and I cut out pasta and breads -- basically refined sugars and anything with flour -- out of my diet quiet awhile ago. So I am totally confused on what would be the best things for me to eat ... I love fresh fruit, however, a banana has like 27 g of carbs ... HELP!

Fruit is horrible as far as carb content even though they are "natural sugars" they are still carbs. Look up info on the Atkins diet and that will help you learn about high protein, low carb ideas. Net carbs = total carbs - dietary fiber

low carb slim fast doesn't have many carbs. as far as Protein bars, the only ones that don't have a ton of carbs are the Atkins ones. same with their shakes. There are some better ones but you have to get them online.

there are several good web sites that show how many carbs there are in foods. Some people say net carbs make no difference. Net carbs are the total carbs minus how ever many grams of fiber are in the product.

Nina wants you to do this so you aren't so hungry on the post op diet. Carbs are what cause the hunger. Have you ever read any of the Atkins books?

Edited May 27, 200917 yr by Oregondaisy

low carb slim fast doesn't have many carbs. as far as Protein bars, the only ones that don't have a ton of carbs are the Atkins ones. same with their shakes. There are some better ones but you have to get them online.

there are several good web sites that show how many carbs there are in foods. Some people say net carbs make no difference. Net carbs are the total carbs minus how ever many grams of fiber are in the product.

Nina wants you to do this so you aren't so hungry on the post op diet. Carbs are what cause the hunger. Have you ever read any of the Atkins books?

Thanks Denise -- I went to the Atkins website last night and read up (I did the atkins diet years ago and was not very succesful with it -- and never thought I'd be able to eat another egg or red meat again). So now I believe I have it all straight in my head. For some reason, i was just having a hard time wrapping my brain around it all ...

I have an apricot tree in my backyard and it is loaded with apricots ... at least they are only 3 carbs ... and the tree will be empty in another week or so ...

Are the Atkins bars any good? I got the pure Protein Bars, they are great; however, although they have 20 g of protein, they are high in carbs as well (*probably why they taste so good)

I love the carmel nouget ones and the ones that say morning on them are a chocolate Peanut Butter crunchy

kind.

You can get a really good Protein drink whey Gourmet Chocolate Peanut butter at Netrition.com - The Internet's Premier Nutrition Superstore!

there are only 3 carbs in there and made with Water it's 120 calories.

I only use bars that have the same or less carbs than Protein. These sorts of bars are few and far between! But they exist.

Pure protein is one and the other I like is the Supreme protein brand.

I have to also be careful that they don't have any of that sugar alcohol junk in them. They cause so much gas that it's

almost unbelievable.