Do you guys also watch your carb intake? Were you given a guideline to follow? I know my protein should be 40 - 60 grams, but what should my carb intake be?
Do you guys also watch your carb intake? Were you given a guideline to follow? I know my protein should be 40 - 60 grams, but what should my carb intake be?
Hi! Great question!! I hadn't even thought about carbs until my surgeon said yesterday that I needed 30 g. of carbs a day, even if it meant using 2 teaspoons of sugar in my protein drinks for the day. The reason: critical, he says, to prevent nausea. All protein and no carbs won't set well with the belly. Makes sense, and nice to have someone say I should eat sugar at least once in my life.
No kidding! Cream of wheat is also on my list (and oatmeal) diluted with milk. And now, sugar!! Actually, nonfat milk also has carbs - maybe 12 or so a cup, so getting no carbs would be pretty hard. I mix my Atkins drinks with nonfat powdered milk so I'm getting some right there. I just haven't gotten in nearly what I should yet so I have to be very careful. Someone's post mentioned writing it all down. I think it's time I do that, also, even if on a dry erase board or something. Easy for half the day to pass and I've had a few 3 oz cups and nothing more. You drinking well already?
Peggy, I am making a pot of Hot, Decaf, unsweet tea in the mornings to replace my coffee. I take that really well. They were serving me tea in the hospital and that was the first thing I was able to tolerate, so I am sticking with it. I really am not having trouble with anything I've tried.
I felt great on Thursday and that's the day I traveled home and really over did it. I relaxed and watched movies all day Friday to recover from Thursday and I feel pretty good this morning.
I am forcing down a protein bullet with Crystal lite so that I am getting some protein. It is pretty yucky, but tolerable with the Crystal Lite. I have to brush my teeth, because of the after taste.
How are you doing?
My dietitian wants me to have 60-80 grams of protein each day, under 60 grams of carbs, under 40 grams of fat, and between 800-1000 calories. It's easy to track all this stuff if you log your food intake on FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal.
Well accordingtome, I am feeling better every day. Like you, I overdid yesterday a little but actually slept the whole night with no headache or any discomfort and woke with the dawn. I've been completely off pain meds since day before yesterday (day 3 post-op) and the dreadful headache that came that night and even worse the following night was probably from NOT taking the pain meds. Withdrawal? Pain meds are typically more of a problem for me than surgery itself. X-Str Tylenol kept it in check pretty well both nights. Today I did laundry (didn't carry it), climbed the stairs several times slowly with no problems, swept the floors, made the bed, did dishes, prepared lunch for my family because I wanted to...I return to work tomorrow taking care of a gentleman 24 hours a day, 5 days a week, and feel up to it, however slowly... I believe in the power of prayer, now more than ever. How are YOU?
And Diane, I was looking for an easy way to track the intake online - thanks for the link. Also, by the way, you are looking FABULOUS!!! You motivate me so.
It really help you to get a protein,carb counting book. I got mine in a gift packet from mysurgeon when discharged from the hospital. I started journeling when I started on soft foods the second week. It has worked very well for me as it has made me aware of what foods counts such as protein and carbs really are. I have never gone over my limits. most of time have a hard time getting it all in. Wow that is an awesome statement considering my previous weight.
I'm wondering if the carb & fat discussion will come up at my next appointment in a week or so, or if I just need to get with it. For the moment, I'm on what sounds like a much stricter diet than most as everything going into my mouth has to be a significant source of protein so that I get those minimum 60-100 g. daily and I'm not even getting it all yet at exactly one week out - getting closer every day though. I do need to set a timer because I forget, plus it takes me so long to drink 3-4 oz. of protein drink, even though it doesn't taste bad, that it's time to drink all the time! I'm just full before I begin, always.
And at 4 weeks out when I go on soft foods, I have to have 4 oz at 3 specific meal times daily, 3 oz of which MUST be protein. I think with that guideline, it's going to be tough to get too many carbs anyway. Fluids have to happen in between those meals all day long. I just keep trying, and breathing...eek.
I am 8 weeks out and feel great, although I still struggle getting enough fluids down, but I knew that was going to be a problem from the beginning. Being a teacher and talking all day makes it hard to keep drinking throughout the day. I have to apps on my phone that I use daily, one tracks how much water I've had and reminds me to drink throughout the day and the other tracks calories/protein and exercise daily. This helps me see what I've eaten and how much more I need to eat. I am not getting enough calories in daily and need to work on getting more. With a goal of 1000 calories, I average about 584 calories a day in food, but burn 858 calories in working out daily...need to figure out how to add more into my schedule...any suggestions are always welcome.
Keep up the good work and keep us posted on how you're doing!
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