Food and Nutrition

So, many of you know I ran an 8K this past Sunday. I summarized the prep and event here: http://www.verticals...keep-on-trying/ What I didn't mention, though, is right after the race, my wife and I had to go pick up the Girl Scout Cookies for my daughter's ENTIRE troop. 77 cases. Oy! We back our Expedition into the loading area and get out to help load. OMG!! I'm talking hundreds of cases of cookies stacked on pallets everywhere. I was laughing and crying at the same time. Thin Mints are without a doubt my favorite and my heart started beating as fast as it was during my race as I stood next to two 10 foot stacks of cases. How crazy is that? I had to take a…

The V8 soups are good during the post op liquid phase (strain the chunks). They're on the soup isle and come in cartons. I don't care much for the cream styple soups (mushroom, chicken...blah). I like the squash and SW corn.

Any one have a particular brand or type of bar they are really satisfied with? Many thanks

Hello I have a silly question. I am going out for dinner and I wanted to order a soup but if I am not allowed to drink and eat at the same time, how can I eat what is in the soup? Am I being ridiculous? I just don't want to throw up out for dinner. :-) Thank you for any responses!

I went to my 4 week post op appt and my Dr told me I can go straight to solids but to only eat meats and leafy veggies and if I get hungry betweens meals then eat a cucumber or a dill pickle WTHeck? I haven't eaten a dill pickle since I was pregnant with my last child 9 years ago. After the initial shock I pulled my big girl panties up and headed right on over to the grocery store and bought a big jar of pickles lol. If it helps me lose the weight I want, then why not. Has anyone else been told to snack on dill pickles?

It's been 8 months since my surgery. For me, the honeymoon phase of never being hungry is O-V-E-R. I caught myself grazing a few times this week, and those calories add up. My old habits made me fat, so it's time for new ones. I needed to find out how naturally thin people eat, so I did a little Google-fu and found this article on Prevention.com that pretty much breaks down the difference between the fats and the fat-nots. I'm posting a slightly shortened/edited version of the article here. Most of you will know this stuff (I'd forgotten all about HALT), but I hope it's helpful to some of you. Habit #2 might be my biggest issue. In my brain, hunger = brink of death = MUST…

Hi I'm just curious how many calories you take in on a daily bases. I was never given a number only to be sure have my Protein first and intake must be a minimum of 86 grams per day. I'm at a stall with my weight loss and was wondering if I'm taking in too much. First let me say I am not a diet food or low fat eater and since the surgery, I no longer eat junk food or Pasta so my meal is mainly protein veggies then fruits. My intake is between 1000 -1200 on a hungry day. Any advise on a daily calorie amount and how to jump start my loss again other than exercise.

Just had surgery on 2/3 had pizza tonight because my bf ordered some never again! I feel sick and it is stuck..l no matter how much I chewed it's still there.... This sleeve is no joke!

Hello everyone. I am dreaming about my mushie phase that I will be transferring to next week. I have been a vegetarian for the past 4 years and have decided to allow chicken and fish into my diet because I don't like soy and won't get the large amount of Protein I need by eating chick peas. I was wondering if you knew how to prepare chicken/fish so I can eat it during the mushies? Also I read deli meat is allowed, do you have to puree it or can you just roll and chew? Thanks

When can I drink coffee. I was told by the physician not to drink anything but decaffinated but he didn't say for how long.

just wondering how long any of you waited to try roasted eggplant?

I've started eating some meats again, and I'm finding that I'm disappointed most of the time. After several chews every meat I've had (tuna, salmon, chicken, shredded pork so far--sadly, I'm allergic to shellfish) becomes so tasteless and yucky that I don't want to swallow it. {Big sigh.} Have others had this experience? I wonder if it's the quality or preparation of the food. Or maybe meat has always been this tasteless underneath all the spices and grease, and I was just inhaling it too quickly to notice?

I hate to admit it but I have been living on eggs and hamburger because they are so quick and easy to fix. As a school teacher with all the benchmark testing and data plus parent contacts plus lesson plans plus grading... I work at least 12 hour days. I come home exhausted and just want to eat my dinner and relax or go to my belly dance class. I need some tasty EASY quick recipes. Any one have any favorites? Khy

I had surgery April 1, 2011 and I have struggled with protein from the beginning. I have yet to find a protein supplement(drink, bar, anything) that doesn't turn my new tummy. I just plain can't choke them down. I know this is a major reason that I have lost a good bit of my hair...aside from the life changing surgery. I was just wondering how people are doing it? How do you manage to get your protein in?

I started this in the Post-op forum, but realize it migh be better over here. I don't know how I did this. For the first two weeks I was on Clear liquids and stuck to it except for a couple times when I had some mashed potatoes or a blended Soup. I'm supposed to be on full liquids until the 8th and then mushies. I just felt so good I started eating solids, albeit very healthy ones. I have lost 30 pounds all together (18 post-op) and hit a stall at 3 weeks that seems to have broken today after I went down a pound. THE QUESTION: Should I go a step back and go back totally on full liquids? It doesn't seem like cream Soups are all that healthy, but I still do cottage ch…

Ok I am 8 days post op and I am very frustrated. I had lost 10 lbs and now I gained back 2. I ham having a very hard time figuring out if I am hungry or what. I will feel hungry but then I will take 2-3in sips and my stomach will hurt. Then I never can tell if I am hungry or thirsty. What can I do. I never know what I should be drinking water, juice or protein shake. What should I be doing??

On to purred foods. How much should I eat? 3oz? I had 3 pieces of gnocchi with some sauce puréed and it was so good. I was scared to eat more than that though. How many ounces of food throughout the day? How about lean ground beef? I that ok? Whole wheat pasta? Any advise would be great. Thanks!

I've been doing great, and eating Protein for me is fun (I love eggs, lower fat cheese, fish etc.)- I enjoy veggies, but find I run out of room and I'm virtually done. My personal trainer (we do moderate intensity kick boxing and weights 2x a week) is a huge advocate of getting a juicer for all his clients. He is especially interested in me getting one, because my food intake is low. When he talked to me about my surgery, and how many calories I likely get a day, his response to be answer "maybe 1000-1200 a day" was a 8O face and the explanation of "when we get advanced with you, you can burn up t 900 calories in a workout, how are we going to get your calories up a b…

The family (my husband, stepdaughter and me) went to a brunch buffet today. I am so thrilled that I have been able to eat everything, so far, within reason. All in all, I had far less than a half a cup of food, but the variety of foods tolerated was very encouraging: A small bit of bacon, a couple of small bites of a ham, egg and cheese casserole, a bit of chicken and mushroom, and a few spoonfuls of potato leek Soup. I know I am forgetting something... I ate all that very slowly and was plenty full when we left, but no reactions and no discomfort. My husband and stepdaughter ate so much food, it was upsetting to watch them become kind of miserable, although it was …

Hi, Title says it all.... I'm hungry all the time. Stomach growls and have gnawing feeling about every two hours, even after I drink a protein drink, or have a small meal. Stomach is still tight, I do get full fast and small portions, however the hunger returns so quickly. Effecting weight loss because I am grazing more. Still drinking a lot too, sometimes that works! Any advice? Thanks!

Can you eat egg drop soup during the early stages post-op? I'm talking about that soup commonly found at Chinese restaurants made from chicken broth with wisps of beaten egg thru it. I love this stuff and could easily see myself being content with it. Any thoughts?

Hey gang Once again I turn to you guys for your expertise. Yesterday I was on the go and grabbed a grilled chicken breast and a small order of green beans. I didn't get a chance to weigh the breast but it wasn't huge. Anyway, I ate half the breast and 2 spoonfuls of the green beans, I was ok then but about an hour later I came back and finished the other half with one more scoop of beans. This was my dinner and I tallied the calories nothing too high at all and loads of protein in the breast. My question is two fold. First I always UNDEREAT my sleeve big time and Im wondering should I test my sleeve to see when the restriction kicks in? Im always nervous that Im overeati…

I've found the question of alcohol consumption and vsg posed before on here, but most of the responses were lectures on empty calories or "I don't even like alcohol since the sleeve"- good for you! But I'm not interested in hearing from non-drinkers or about the empty calories. I have dinner with my European family every week, and wine is a huge part of it. Can your stomach tolerate alcohol on the sleeve? Is it painful? When in your journey (how many weeks) were you ok to have alcohol? I have no intention of abusing alcohol, but I would like to have a glass of red wine with my dinner once or twice a week, and occasionally have a vodka martini when I'm out. I do not e…

Sweet potatoes are OK, right? I know we're not really supposed to have white potatoes, white bread or other similar starches, but what about yams?

I know that I will get a few comments about this question but........ I was sleeved on Jan 24th & I am still on my liquid & full liquids diet. I am realllllyyy looking for some type of flavor & I know I could handle the consistiancy of ice cream. Just wondering If any of you tried that ? Does the sugar or milk make you sick ? Please let me know. Thanks !

I just got an all you can eat thing from Chili's for the Superbowl!!!.... I laughed, then deleted it!!Thank God for my Sleevina!!!!

I am so craving diet coke. If I take a few sips will it do any harm? I need to get past this craving!

​Yesterday was my first day of "real" food, and I was craving CRUNCH! Pre-sleeve, it would have been chips, chips, and Cheez-its. I did not want to go that route. I went to my local GNC and bought crunchy protein bars (Atkins and Myoplex Lite). Up .7 of a pound this morning, but it was all worth it. I tamed the Crunch Monster yesterday, and count it as a victory. :Banane55:

I am still looking for the right protein bar. Everytme I go look for one, they are just overloaded with calories and especially carbs! I know some people don't care cuz they are just trying to add protein, but if you are trying to lose weight like we all are, why would you want almost 30g of carbs in one bar? What are the guidelines for choosing the best bar if you are tryuing to lose weight like we are? Thanks for your input!

I use agave nectar as a sweetner instead of sugar. Will this be ok after surgery

Does anybody have a tasty High-Protein Chicken Broth Recipe? I go in for surgery on March 2nd, and want to stock my freezer. I'm not a lover of "false broths". Thanks in advance!

I thought this was a dumb question, but I dont recall anyone ever mentioning salad in the early phase of being sleeved. I've got the worst craving for a caesar salad, just wondered if it was a good idea to try it.

Hey, today is feb 1, 2012 and I am starting my basic bootcamp kickoff with an extension of 8 weeks compared to 4 weeks. I want to give my pancreas and liver a break so it doesn't have to work at spiking my blood sugar levels. I will be following a plan that gives us protein, fat and neutral veggies. Also I will allow myself 5 carbs every 5 hours. This is a diet from a Registered Dietician and she talks about the Metabolism Miracle. I know that my metabolism has slowed up alot and every time I eat carbs, I gain weight. So this is what I will be trying.

I had an awful day for eating and i couldnt belive what i could eat i ate alot compared to normal for me has anyone found that it felt like you were over eating? im almost 2 months post op and the scale is still moving quite slow.

I was sleeved on 1/20 and was 100% liquid for the first week before I moved to purees. I've been on purees (Per Drs order) since Saturday but I'm finding that I'm having trouble consuming anything other than sugar free popsicles, yogurt, and milk. I know I'm supposed to be doing the Protein shakes, I can't stomach them. A friend went to tropical smoothie cafe and got me my favorite, a pb&j protein smoothie - it made me nauseus after 4 sips. So for the last 11 days I've been surviving on sf popsicles and the little nibbles of food I manage to force into myself. I can't decide if it's the texture of the foods or the taste of the foods that just isn't sitting well …

Hey everyone! I know the main problem with most early post-op folks is staying hydrated. So, I though I would share a little something my husband and I discovered by accident. During the 100 degree+ summertime days {here in Mississippi}, when my Hubbs works outside he likes to drink cold Gatorade. On this particular day, he was going to mow, but I didn't have him one cold. So to try to chill it faster, I put it in the freezer (32oz.)...then forgot about it When I went to take it out hours later, I was expecting to find a quart brick of ice. I was surprising mistaken. It does not freeze into ice {I guess because of the salt content}, but turns into this wonderful soft sl…

Ok, in exploring for recipes for post-op, I found this site and it has a TON of great recipes that are pre-portioned and pretty much all under 150 cals and many are high protein/low carb options - and even the ones that aren't can be made that way. http://www.emilybites.com/ Enjoy!

I am almost 5wk post op and only losing about 1lb a week. How many calories should I be having a day? I am prob only getting between 400-700

I am looking for some high protein, low calorie high fiber meal ideas. I want to loose 12 pounds in the next 5 weeks! Today I ate- B-1/3 a cup of southwest egg beaters L 1/2 can of progresso light veggie beef soup S 1 small can of Chicken D homemade gauc and 1 beef taco with cheddar beef tomatoe and onions . 3 bottles of life water (SF) 2 bariatric fusion vitimans

I can have peanut butter now, but was shocked when I read the jar to see all the sodium! Does anyone uhave suggestions for any that taste decent but are less sodium? If it tastes really bad, I would rather not even have it!

I have a couple questions about myfitmesspal that I can't figure out. First, is there a way to add something to you diary with number of calories rather than selecting, for example, one banana, if you only have 1/2 banana, or if you only have 2 oz. of smething instead of defaulting to a selection of 4 oz? And second, is there a way to set your calorie goal for the day yourself? Mine defaults to 1,340 per day and I can't find how to set it lower. Otherwise I love the site. It makes it so easy to keep track! Thanks in advance if you can help me!

At home, I use the kitchen scale to measure everything that I eat. Sometimes, I can sort of eyeball an amount, but always check, just in case. However, when I go out to eat, or go to a friend's place, I find myself estimating how much is going onto my plate. Sometimes, if I've packed half my meal and brought it home, I'm surprised at how my estimations were incorrect. I might be over estimating at times (causing me to have a lower Protein and calorie intake), or under estimating (so I end up with a higher calorie intake than I should have). I've thought about getting a pocket scale, so I could use it when eating outside. Does anyone use one? Is it awkward and dif…

I can' t have bread yet but was craving a sandwich so I made an open face with a light rye WASA cracker, a slice of muenster cheese, mustard, a piece of turkey lunchmeat, and a sliced dill pickle! It tasted sooo good and was very filling. Makes me think I may never want real bread again!

I found this website, thought I'd share. You click on a category and it takes you to a huge list of foods,,you click on any of them and it breaks down how many Protein grams are in a product. http://www.highproteinfoods.net/

I asked a while back about eating nuts and people were saying its like a six month wait.. I was told I could have protein bars week 7 and on.... but lots of the protein bars have nuts in them..... is it ok to eat the bars and nuts... or stay away from both

Just curious. Can we take a tally of the following? I think it would be helpful for some of us and give some perspective: 1. How far out from surgery are you? 2. Current weight/height or BMI 3. Amount of calories on average that you eat a day 4. Amount of carbs on average you eat a day 5. Amount of Water in ounces that you drink every day 6. Amount of exercise you do a week 7. Weight loss status (losing, stall, gaining) For me: 1. 41 weeks out 2. 166/5'4 - I think BMI is on my ticker 3. 1200 4. 80 grams 5. 48 ounces (need to work on this) 6. 40 minutes/3x (circuits and running) 7. Slow, but losing approx. 1 pound every 2 weeks (want better, hence th…

My partner and I have a tradition of going out for sushi on my birthday every year. This is coming up in mid February, and by then I'll be 10 1/2 weeks post op. My surgeon's diet plan has me transitioning to a normal diet at 6 weeks. I absolutely adore sushi. It's right up there with chocolate for me. My favorite parts are the nori (seaweed) and the rice, but not so much the raw fish or roe. That being said, what are people's recommendations for making sushi sleeve-friendly?

I am NOT judging, but I do have a very sincere concern. I would like to start with please "No defensive answers". I am not aiming it at anyone in particular, and have had the conversations that I am referencing across this and other forums, in person, etc. With that said: I see blogs, videos, forum posts, etc that people discuss that they can still have sweets, or fast food is tolerated by their sleeve, or they can drink, etc...but why? We know that the VGS is unique among bariatric surgeries used for WLS, and that there is mounting evidence that you can literally change you eating patterns - your prefernces, you head hunger, your mood-association for food, and there is…

Last night I worked late, it was cold and I just wanted something different. Please tell me was eating a cup of cashew chicken (no celery) that bad? It was yummy and I did not eat too many nuts, just a few. My fitness pal charged me less than 300 calories for it and it had lots of Protein. Am I justifying? Thanks

I found it on Facebook. Not sure if I'm allowed to link the site but it's called BariatricFoodSource dot com. Looks a little pricey but interesting. Just wondered if anyone has tried their food and if it's any good.