Carb Talk with my NUT :)
The following is a copy of an email conversation between myself and my NUT in regards to eating carbs.... :)
From: Rebecca G Robinson [mailto:rrobins2@uoregon.edu] Sent: Monday, August 19, 2013 2:18 PMTo: Tucholke, ErinSubject: Carbs
Hello Erin,
I know we talked about carbs at the nutrition classes and that you said we should limit carbs to around 50 per day (full carbs, NOT net carbs) which is very strict.... Even more so than Atkins considering we are not using net carb counts.... And I realize this is thru the losing stage and once I hit maintenance I can probably up that a bit. My notes from class say, 50 whole carbs while losing, up to 90 whole carbs later on.... and never over 130.
So.... that leaves me with the only carbs I can have is what comes from fruit and veggies, right? Cause I am craving bread... and am trying hard to stay away from it... But i know whole grains are good for me in limited quantities. I guess I am feeling confused and a bit worried that I can maintain such a strict low carb diet. I think I assumed that such restricted eating would be easier after surgery, but its not.
Thank you for any light you might be able to shed on this....
Sincerely.
Rebecca Robinson
Hi Rebecca –
It really depends on how much you are exercising and how fast you are losing weight. If you are eating your protein foods and losing weight very quickly, you might want to add some whole grains. If you are losing slowly and having a lot of plateaus, you probably need to stay away from them. You are right – most of your carbohydrates will be coming from fruits and vegetables, plus some dairy products (yogurt, milk) if you include these. You can fit a little whole grain in over time – perhaps 1-2 servings a day (which isn’t much!), but be careful with these. Often portion sizes get larger and larger over time, and then you start to crave these foods more and more.
You are right – following a low carb diet is hard! Your body fat is now supplying you with most of the calories you need, which is why you are losing weight…you just don’t need as many carbs right now (or perhaps ever). Sadness surrounding the loss of these foods is normal, and is expressed by many patients after surgery. You are not alone ;)
Hopes this helps a little.
Erin
**********************end email********************
I highlighted the "how much you are exercising" part above because this reminded me of conversations with Erin (NUT) regarding the importance of exercise. Of course it is good for us, builds muscles and heart strength, etc etc. But it is also important when it comes to how many calories and carbs we can consume later in my journey. I will keep my carbs to a minimum for the rest of my life. But in time I will also add in whole grain bread once in awhile, and maybe a serving of brown rice or other such healthy carbs. And I think the key to being able to do this without gaining is to balance it with exercise.... On the days I have a big workout, that might be the day I have bread...
I will find a balance to this because I want normalcy in my life. In fact, I want to find this balance to the point I don't have to be very thin... I even prefer some curves (so does hubby) and if I can find myself a size 10 or 12 I'd still have curves, I'd still be able to find the balance between life, food, and health. I don't need to be 150 lbs (I am tall) to be healthy. I can find health, curves and balance at 185 ish for the rest of my life :) And still have bread once in awhile! At least his is how I see it today!
From: Rebecca G Robinson [mailto:rrobins2@uoregon.edu] Sent: Monday, August 19, 2013 2:18 PMTo: Tucholke, ErinSubject: Carbs
Hello Erin,
I know we talked about carbs at the nutrition classes and that you said we should limit carbs to around 50 per day (full carbs, NOT net carbs) which is very strict.... Even more so than Atkins considering we are not using net carb counts.... And I realize this is thru the losing stage and once I hit maintenance I can probably up that a bit. My notes from class say, 50 whole carbs while losing, up to 90 whole carbs later on.... and never over 130.
So.... that leaves me with the only carbs I can have is what comes from fruit and veggies, right? Cause I am craving bread... and am trying hard to stay away from it... But i know whole grains are good for me in limited quantities. I guess I am feeling confused and a bit worried that I can maintain such a strict low carb diet. I think I assumed that such restricted eating would be easier after surgery, but its not.
Thank you for any light you might be able to shed on this....
Sincerely.
Rebecca Robinson
Hi Rebecca –
It really depends on how much you are exercising and how fast you are losing weight. If you are eating your protein foods and losing weight very quickly, you might want to add some whole grains. If you are losing slowly and having a lot of plateaus, you probably need to stay away from them. You are right – most of your carbohydrates will be coming from fruits and vegetables, plus some dairy products (yogurt, milk) if you include these. You can fit a little whole grain in over time – perhaps 1-2 servings a day (which isn’t much!), but be careful with these. Often portion sizes get larger and larger over time, and then you start to crave these foods more and more.
You are right – following a low carb diet is hard! Your body fat is now supplying you with most of the calories you need, which is why you are losing weight…you just don’t need as many carbs right now (or perhaps ever). Sadness surrounding the loss of these foods is normal, and is expressed by many patients after surgery. You are not alone ;)
Hopes this helps a little.
Erin
**********************end email********************
I highlighted the "how much you are exercising" part above because this reminded me of conversations with Erin (NUT) regarding the importance of exercise. Of course it is good for us, builds muscles and heart strength, etc etc. But it is also important when it comes to how many calories and carbs we can consume later in my journey. I will keep my carbs to a minimum for the rest of my life. But in time I will also add in whole grain bread once in awhile, and maybe a serving of brown rice or other such healthy carbs. And I think the key to being able to do this without gaining is to balance it with exercise.... On the days I have a big workout, that might be the day I have bread...
I will find a balance to this because I want normalcy in my life. In fact, I want to find this balance to the point I don't have to be very thin... I even prefer some curves (so does hubby) and if I can find myself a size 10 or 12 I'd still have curves, I'd still be able to find the balance between life, food, and health. I don't need to be 150 lbs (I am tall) to be healthy. I can find health, curves and balance at 185 ish for the rest of my life :) And still have bread once in awhile! At least his is how I see it today!
Replies
Becca,
This is so true. Initially, when I was just walking and doing a class a week, I had zero carbs from breads, rice, or potatoes. However, I\'m now doing several classes a week, running, and crossfit so my energy is depleted. I\'ve added in whole grain carbs (limited to those days) to keep up my energy and to develop a good habit of limiting and choosing brown rather than white :) Still losing!