carbohydrates and energy

[Guest guest]

I saw this soapbox standing here, sO I thought I'd try it out. ;-)

I haven't noticed any discussion about good carbs here. Good carbs are

really important for energy. Good carbs being whole grains like brown

rice, whole wheat bread, quinoa, non-instant oatmeal, etc (and also

veggies and fruits). Whole grains take longer to break down, and you

have a steady supply of energy for a longer period of time. If you

eat simple carbs (like sugars and even white bread), you get a burst

of energy, but with no fiber to slow down the energy conversion, it

drops right back down again, making you feel tired.

I know that healing from this surgery takes a lot of energy (and

protein) but I wonder if a lot of people who complain about fatigue

are getting enough good whole grain carbs. I'm not wagging my finger

here (at least I don't mean to), but maybe that is something for tired

ones to consider.

I try to have a whole grain as well as a source of protein with every

meal, and I've been doing pretty well with energy levels.

Any thoughts on this?

Eileen :-)

[Guest guest]

Eileen,

I don't think there's alot of carb questions as post op that seems

to be what your diet gets limited to as alot of softer foods are

carbs - bread, noodles, mashed potatoes...

Good carbs being whole grains like brown

rice, whole wheat bread, quinoa, non-instant oatmeal, etc (and also

veggies and fruits). Whole grains take longer to break down, and you

have a steady supply of energy for a longer period of time.

=also though whole grains tend to be harder to eat, sure you can get

them but the carbs can be 'smoother' so to speak. But I am sure

alot of us do eat whole grain carbs, I do.

I don't think its the carb issue that you get hungry or fatigued

about but rather the lack of substance in the tummy and lack of

protiens, oh yeah and fibre. Most food post op has to be mushy, I

went on the other side and got solid food and broke it down into

chewed size whole pieces and swallowed them like that so my stomach

had the type of food it was used to.

Anytime you drastically change the diet your body is going to let

you know. But you should post some whole grain ideas as alot of us

probably go for easy and convienent post op without thinking about

whole grain. However in this post atkins carb nightmare...you may

not get many listeners - the beer commericals make me laugh - if you

are drinking a sixpack of beer how concerned are you really with

your diet?

Shiloh