LAWLS Neighborhood > Cream Cheese Please?

LAWLS Neighborhood > The Town Square: LivingAfterWLS Knowledge Center > Diet, Nutrition, Supplements

mickeefynn

Mar 4 2008, 01:39 PM

Hi all,
I'm wondering if cream cheese is an OK food during weight loss/ 5DPT, etc.
I'm talking about cream cheese when used in conjunction with a diet
rich in proteins, natural fats and very few carbs. What's the non-conventional wisdom
around these parts? I've used it in a number of ways:

a lump of it wrapped in thin sliced deli turkey, ham or beef
mixed with a bit of mayo and chopped olives (Yeah... and what about OLIVES?)
mixed with a bit of mayo and tuna
mixed with a bit of mayo and Buddig dried beef
mixed with a bit of mayo and canned salmon
mixed with a bit of mayo and...yahda, yahda, yahda...

(I'll take my answer off the air)

toris

Mar 4 2008, 02:46 PM

I don't really know the answer to this, but with 9g of fat, only 2g of protein and 90 calories (80 of which is fat), is it really something that we should be eating in the weight loss phase? Obviously, in moderation it might be o.k. for maintenance, but I wouldn't think it would be something that should be eaten more than rarely. JMO

Celadon

Mar 4 2008, 02:48 PM

I actually use Neufachel cheese which is just a fancy way of saying reduced fat cream cheese. It tastes just about the same. I only use fat free when cooking with it cause it has no real flavor. But, I would say it is okay as long as you don't use the full fat version.

As for the olives, use them in moderation cause they are really good for you but very fat laden.

Let me add in that I use Laughing Cow light instead of cream cheese in any form most times. I love the stuff and it is a much, much better choice.

mickeefynn

Mar 4 2008, 02:49 PM

Sounds right Toris.
But doesn't the same go for peanut butter? as in Protein Balls??
They seem to be a staple for a lot of folks here.
I wonder if unflavored protein powder would work mixed in? hmmmm

toris

Mar 4 2008, 03:59 PM

Peanut butter has a lot of fat too - but it also has a lot of protein. 16 grams of fat, 8g protein for 2 TBSP.

The PB protein balls, which I love BTW, after everything is mixed together end up 8g fat and 9g protein - with about 116 calories each. Still high in fat, I guess, but an easy way to supplement your diet with more protein (without having to eat another meal). I try to remind myself that not all fat is bad - we need some to make our skin pretty!

mickeefynn

Mar 4 2008, 07:18 PM

QUOTE(Celadon @ Mar 4 2008, 04:48 PM)

Thanks for the recommendations, celadon. And how do you pronounce that Neufachel? Never knew.

mickeefynn

Mar 4 2008, 07:20 PM

QUOTE(toris @ Mar 4 2008, 05:59 PM)

Maybe I should just smear that cream cheese on my skin, toris!

ikagram

Mar 4 2008, 07:21 PM

QUOTE(mickeefynn @ Mar 4 2008, 02:39 PM)

a lump of it wrapped in thin sliced deli turkey, ham or beef
mixed with a bit of mayo and chopped olives (Yeah... and what about OLIVES?)
mixed with a bit of mayo and tuna
mixed with a bit of mayo and Buddig dried beef
mixed with a bit of mayo and canned salmon
mixed with a bit of mayo and...yahda, yahda, yahda...

(I'll take my answer off the air)

I love cream cheese and I specifically asked my nut about it she says it is a no-no to many calories for the nutritional value or something like that I am going to ask her about the low fat and fat free to see if they are ok

Sandi

Mar 4 2008, 07:47 PM

I don't think that you're in danger of going nuts on cream cheese. Think of it as butter. It's a thin smear, just for the texture and creaminess hedonistic pleasure food. It ain't a real food. Just like butter....

Does that help!?

Waving my magic Glenda the good witch wand!

Celadon

Mar 4 2008, 09:44 PM

New-fa-chell. Does that help????

QUOTE(mickeefynn @ Mar 4 2008, 09:18 PM)

Thanks for the recommendations, celadon. And how do you pronounce that Neufachel? Never knew.

mickeefynn

Mar 4 2008, 10:14 PM

QUOTE(Sandi @ Mar 4 2008, 09:47 PM)

I bleeve it does, Sandi... thanks!

mickeefynn

Mar 4 2008, 10:15 PM

QUOTE(Celadon @ Mar 4 2008, 11:44 PM)

New-fa-chell. Does that help????

Thanks! Show do! What a GREAT umbrella...errr watermellon! Adorable!

N A

Mar 4 2008, 10:41 PM

QUOTE(mickeefynn @ Mar 4 2008, 01:49 PM)

Sounds right Toris.
But doesn't the same go for peanut butter? as in Protein Balls??
They seem to be a staple for a lot of folks here.
I wonder if unflavored protein powder would work mixed in? hmmmm

I personally can't even tempt myself with those peanut butter balls - Only two a day? LOL
Maybe if I was at some ones house... I am not that strong.

I got this off "The Daily Plate"
Cream Cheese
Serving Size: 1/4 cup (232.0 g); Calories: 810, Total Fat: 80.9g, Carbs: 6.2g, Protein: 17.52g
Even cut in half, it seems like a lot of calories...

I'm still needing to lose, so this would not be a good choice for me.

*shrug*

I know I know, I was no help at all... LOL

Nancy

mickeefynn

Mar 5 2008, 04:48 AM

I think the jury is in! Thanks to all.

Big calories...
not enough protein...
and "I can't Believe It's Not Buttah!"
bye bye cream cheese. hello, Laughing Cow!

You all are the best!
Thanks!

Celadon

Mar 5 2008, 07:05 AM

Good choice! You will LOVE the Laughing Cow!

BamaGal

Mar 8 2008, 03:51 PM

I happen to feel a higher fat content is just fine even in the weight loss phase. Granted lots of protein is needed but your fat content should always be higher than the protein content.

WLSers essentially follow a low carb approach and low carb should be high fat not high protein.

Too little fat and too much protein leads to "rabbit starvation syndrome"

so enjoy your cream cheese----since my stoma ulcer diagnosis---I've been living off of it pretty much---mixed up in a huge variety of savory cheesecakes---I just add an unflavored protein powder to it and am good to go

mickeefynn

Mar 8 2008, 04:41 PM

QUOTE(BamaGal @ Mar 8 2008, 05:51 PM)

Bamma... I saw your post about the OK-ness of good fats and Rabbit Starvation Syndrome when I first came to the
neighborhood. I really haven't been counting anything but protein, avoiding most carbs except for occasional fruit or veggies
and I've paid no attention to natural fats. I came here in November and have dropped 13lbs to a new-ish low of 149 now. My BMI is still in the overweight range and will be until I reach 136, I think. But 144 was my absolute post-WLS low so I'm coming in real close again and THIS time, I'm eating right and exercising. I know 13lbs since November isn't breakin'
any speed records but I haven't allowed myself to be hungry and cravings have been few. So I feel great about it for now.
Thanks for your comments. I always enjoy your posts!