The Carb Monster has a hold of me - HELP!

The 5 Day Pouch Test: Express Study Guide

Why can't I just quit carbs cold turkey?

And why does the 5DPT help me quit carbs?

This article excerpted with permission from the 5 Day Pouch Test Bulletin January 2014.

Have you ever had a particularly bad snacking day only to find yourself the next morning promising to give-up snacky-carbs for good, cold turkey, right now. And by noon that will-power is forgotten as you reach for the snack of choice. And then the self-blame begins: "Why am so weak? Why am I a failure? Why don't I have will-power?"  I've lived this scenario more times than I care to admit and I know I'm not alone.

But it turns out we aren't just a bunch of weak-bellied carb-addicts. There is a biological reason that motivates the reach for the snack: our body has become accustomed to digesting and using processed carbs as it's primary source of fuel. Withdrawing them cold turkey puts the metabolic process in panic and serotonin levels drop. "You may be powerless to resist baked goods, pasta, and their carb cousins," according to Wurtman and Marquis in "The Serotonin Power Diet. "The reason for this specific, very tough-to-ignore craving for carbohydrates is that your brain is forcing you to yearn for them so that it can produce serotonin."

With the 5 Day Pouch Test we methodically transition from fatty non-nutritional processed carbs to healthy complex carbohydrates found in grains, vegetables, and fruits. The body still produces serotonin from these carbs while benefiting from the healthy nutrients and fiber missing from processed carbs. While some cravings for carbs are experienced the biological trauma is not as severe as when processed carbs are withdrawn cold turkey without providing a similar replacement fuel.

Below, from the 5 Day Pouch Test Owner's Manual page 49:

 

Carbohydrate withdrawal:

When any heavily consumed food is withdrawn from the diet the body is likely to experience symptoms of withdrawal that may include headache, dizziness, cramping, and nausea. This is not unique to our WLS body; this is a simple fact of biology.  On the 5DPT when processed carbs are withdrawn many people report symptoms of "carbohydrate withdrawal." Do not suffer through this.  If you notice symptoms of carbohydrate withdrawal eat a small piece of melon, some berries, an apple or an orange. Any low-glycemic fruit or vegetable will reduce the symptoms of carbohydrate withdrawal.

You may also try a serving of Emergen-C® energy booster fizzy drink mix, which is known to reduce the symptoms and discomfort of carbohydrate withdrawal. In addition, Emergen-C® provides B vitamins for energy and C vitamins for immunity along with many other vitamins and minerals. You can count a serving of Emergen-C® as part of your daily intake of water. Do not be put off by the 5 or 6 grams carbohydrate per serving: these are beneficial nutrient dense big-bang-for-your-buck carbs. Enjoy!

For nausea, try sipping freshly brewed warm green tea or ginger herbal tea. You can add fresh ginger juice to further ease the symptoms of stomach distress and nausea. If you made the Fennel & Celery Soup (page 36) for a grumpy pouch and have some left then enjoy a 1-cup serving of this soup. It is a known remedy to digestive discomfort and distress resulting from dietary change.

Helpful Article:

Three Keys to Lasting WLS Success

Nearly a quarter-million people in the United States will undergo weight loss surgery this year to arrest their morbid obesity and lose weight. In spite of the drastic nature of gastric surgeries not all patients will reach a healthy weight and some may eventually regain weight they lost initially with surgery. Link to Article

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You deserve to be your very best:
Obesity be damned for getting in the way!

 

This article excerpted with permission from the 5 Day Pouch Test Bulletin January 2014.