purplewave

These are the foods I have in my credenza in my office:
Crystal lite packets of assorted flavors to add to bottled Water
Hot tea and no cal sweetener to make hot tea (instead of those to die for coffee drinks)
ready made EAS Protein drinks (low carb) in chocolate and vanilla
foil packages of tuna
foil packages of salmon
small cans of green Beans with a pop top.
flatbread crisp crackers
individual packages of Jerky (costco special)
plastic fork knife and spoon
small plastic plates
small glad container with lid (to make chicken salad in)
In my fridge at work I have:
baby bell cheese
laughing cow cheese (to spread on the flatbread crisps)
sugar snap peas
baby carrots
cherry tomatoes
low cal miracle whip
shrimp sauce
dill relish
With my stash of food, I can eat lunch at my desk and not have to be tempted. I make chicken salad with 1 packet of the tuna, some dill relish and the lite miracle whip. If I can't fininsh the serving, I snap the lid on the glad container and it goes in the fridge. For veggies, I either have green beans or one of the fresh veggies. I can also take the laughing cow and spread it on the crackers for lunch. The baby bell cheese or jerky I use as protein Snacks primarily, although I have had them for lunch. If I want a veggie snack, I can take a few of the fresh veggies. If I want, I dip them in a small amount of shrimp sauce. I live a long way from my office and stay at a hotel a couple of nites a week. I take food and have it in my hotel room, if I don't want to eat in a restaurant. I use the Protein Drinks for Breakfast, although sometime if I am rushed I will use them for lunch or dinner.
I eat in restaurants a lot, but I feel better knowing I am a self-sufficient island when it comes to food. If I'm feeling tempted, I can always retreat to my island.
If I want to indulge in something that is not really good for me, I decide up-front what I will allow myself to have. (say, 1/4 of a donut, or 1 cookie). Put it on a plate, move away from the rest of the food, sit down, and eat the treat. Really focus on the food - the taste, the feel, the entire experience. It may be wonderful, or it may disgust you and you spit it out. Either way, don't wolf it down guiltily. Food is something we now consciously choose to eat.
Good Luck with all the land-mines of food during the holidays. It is a challenge for me, too. I keep reminding myself "food has no power over me, I am in control of what I choose to put in my mouth."
Sharon

Hello, Everyone. I've been reading this board for over a month now, and I really appreciate all the helpful information. My surgery date is Dec 14th. I started my pre-op diet today, and so far so good. I had been considering surgery for a while and finally got the courage to make an initial consultation in Oct. Because I am self pay, I could pretty much pick my surgery date. I go for pre-op testing on Dec 7th. I look forward to your support!!!