Calorie counting? With small tummies now? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Phoenixfire · 04-06-2008, 11:04 PM

I've read a few threads, like the egg white vs. yolk one, and it's a good example of something I've puzzled over since finding TT.

Since our intake is so restricted, have a lot of people found that they really need to be concerned about just eating an egg white vs. just eating the yolk or the whole egg? I just eat yolks, because they're good fat (like in avocados). (BTW, I'm not addressing the issue of egg tolerance-we've all got those things that just don't work for some of us on an individual basis huh?)

The thing I don't understand is that since our intake is so low, why is there a need for calorie counting when it comes to food that isn't an obviously poor choice (i.e. doritos, cake, donuts and other filler foods without nutrients?)

Are others finding they have to be concerned with this in order to meet and maintain their weight loss goal? Because I've never counted calories, except to be sure I get enough. But I don't eat junk or sweets and I don't graze. Is this part of the issue when it comes to the counting of calories perhaps, for those of you that are handling your weight loss this way?

My reality is that my stomach only lets me ingest a small amount of food and I'm full. I eat healthy and don't count fat grams or calories, just protein content. Is this not the basic reality for most others? I've wondered if it's my surgeon's technique or just how I've used my pouch or if I've missed something along the way these years. I mean, it's worked, WLS, so I'm wondering a lot why others address this since we all have small tummies now.

As far as I know, the Roux-en-Y I had years ago is the same everyone is getting now. Or has it changed from 5.5 years ago?

tiaaya · 04-07-2008, 04:26 PM

My nutritionist and doctor both told me that calorie counting is not necessary and not recommended at all. They wanted me to be as focused as possible on a healthy well balanced diet. I am now limiting myself to a balanced 3 meal a day diet. I look at what I eat and I sometimes run approxmate numbers (or WW points) in my head out of curiousity, but I sense sometimes that I get OCD about it and I let it go. I don't want to diet anymore. I just want to be healthy at this point, and I'll do whatever it takes.

mistymee · 04-07-2008, 04:56 PM

My nutritionist insists on sticking to 600 to 800 calories a day... with 70 grams of protein, and low carbs .. I find this VERY difficult to do and frustrating because doing low carbs seems to equate to low fiber and that is a big problem for me right now.

When I read some of what people are eating, I have to remind myself that they're on their own journey and I have to do mine.. otherwise I could easily be quite jealous!

Corrine · 04-07-2008, 05:17 PM

Early out I was told to focus on just my protein and liquid.

I started using fitday.com. Initially just to keep a track of my protein, carb and fat intake. At 6 months, I also started to watch the calories (not that I ever seem to get even close to what my NUT wants!).

Nyn · 04-07-2008, 06:52 PM

Oh, I definitely need to track everything!! My nutritionist requires keeping some sort of food diary, so I use fitday.com. I was stalled for a long time, and then I realized that if I don't watch my calories, trying to get in 80g of protein a day just in food (with no protein powder) takes me something like 1400-1500 calories!!! I didn't even realize I was eating so much, so tracking everything that goes into my mouth is vital for me to keep the calories reasonable. I cut down 200-300 calories a day and now I'm losing again. Though my pouch can be picky, it seems like it can hold a lot more than many people, which doesn't help. I may be getting a bit OCD about it, but right now, I need it.