daytona57

Hi Majj
Below is a typical menu for me.
Breakfast
Steel Cut Oats with a 1/2 scoop of Protein powder, a few rasins, and a few walnuts, cinnamon, and splenda brown sugar blend
Or, a smoothie made with light yogurt, frozen fruit, splenda, and about 1/2 or skim milk, and a scoop of Protein Powder.
Or, scrambled eggs
Or, cottage cheese and fruit
Usually, lunch comes to 300 to 400 calories
Lunch
I make up batches of low fat Protein foods on the weekend when I have time and freeze them in one cup plastic containers to take to work, so that I don't go out and buy too much food. Some of my favorites are.
Turkey Chilli
Black Bean Soup
chicken Stew
No Crust Quiche
Turkey meatloaf
I have a piece of frest fruit that is in season. Right now, I love Honey Crisp Apples.
Usually, dinner comes to 300 to 400 calories.
Dinner
Grilled fish, I really love salmon
Grilled chicken
salad with a small 3 oz can of tuna
salad with feta cheese
Every now I have a small beef steak
I try to have a vegtable with my dinner.
Again, dinner usually comes to 300 -400 calories
Or, if I go out to eat I look for low fat grilled food.
I try to stay away from white flour, potatoes, white rice and refined sugar.
On a special occasion, once in a while, I will have a very small dessert. I find when I eat sweets, I just want to keep eating, so I stay away from them most of the time.
I found that once I started losing the weight, and feeling better I didn't want the sweets as much. That's not to says that sometimes I don't crave things, but I try to find a healthy subsitute when I have cravings.
Hope this helps, and have a Happy Valentines Day,
Karen

Prior to surgery and the months following, our diets are so restricted and very planned out for us. A question I get asked a lot is what do you eat now that you are a ways out from surgery? So I decided to make a list of recipes and snack/meal ideas I use now at almost 4 years out. Remember, I eat six meals/snacks a day.
Breakfast:
Frittatta with Ricotta and Mixed Greens- omelet Nonfat greek yogurt with fruit and granola. oatmeal (old fashioned oats) with cinnamon and banana One piece of whole wheat or 9 grain bread with Almond/Peanut butter Turkey bacon with egg whites and salsa Special K Protein Cereal with almond milk, or 2% milk Any kind of Breakfast smoothy with Protein Powder Protein shake Morning Snack:
Apple Slices and Almond/peanut butter Apple sauce Fruit- bag or grapes, orange, pear, banana, etc. Protein Bar Homemade protein bites- meat and low fat cheese and wheat thins and a cookie. dinner left overs. Grilled chicken Cesar Wrap (homemade) Tuna fish with low fat mayo, apple and pickle relish with wheat thins. Grilled chicken salad over spinach and kale with veggies and lite dressing. Turkey Meatball sub with heart smart marinara sauce, low fat Parmesan cheese and whole grain/wheat hogey roll. Grilled chicken fajitas and veggies on a low carb, wheat tortilla. Quinoa with black Beans and corn- Jerky Low fat string cheese Sunflower Seeds Protein bar/shake Sweet Snack Rice Cakes Low Fat popcorn (Smart Pop) Celery and Almond/Peanut butter Veggies with lite ranch Hard Boiled eggs Sliced avacado Dinner:
Turkey Chili- pizza Frittatta- pineapple juice and cayenne pepper, served with a slice of grilled pineapple and steamed or grilled veggies. Any type of grilled fish with mango salsa. Baked pork chops over apple pie filling with roasted new potatoes and asparagus Evening Snack:
Low fat greek yogurt with honey or fruit Cottage cheese and fruit chocolate milk Sweet treat Peanut Butter Spoon Protein Shake Fold over Peanut Butter and banana sandwich on whole wheat or whole grain bread. By no means is this all I eat, but this is a list of my favorites and most used. If you have any questions about recipes or preparation or possible calorie and protein amounts just let me know. Hope this helps.

Csadoney,
I understand where you are coming from. I was banded in 2008 and currently weight 203 lbs...the same weight I was banded at. Interestingly enough, that is a loss for me, as I was up to 211 at the beginning of January. I am working my weight watchers plan. Last week I did great with exercise, but not so great with eating. I just have to get the two coinciding at the same time! But, I've been thinking, "Wow, I sure am eating a lot for having the lap band." For example, tonight I'm planning out what I will have for dinner. I've been wanting pizza for 3 weeks, so I decided that tonight is the night. I'm going to have two slices of thin crust veggie pizza at our local pizzeria (far less greasy than the commercial chains). That is 10 points. A pretty point-y dinner for me. I was thinking to myself that I might need to have a salad with that. Then, I was like, "What the heck! I have the lap band. I should be eating like 1/2 a slice of pizza or something." Anyway, it is time to go in for a fill. Probably a pretty big one. I am somewhat afraid of fills because when I get hungry I take too big of bites and then everything gets stuck. I know, bad habits. Plus, I'm pretty sure I'll have issues with bread and beef as well. I love english muffins. :-( Anyway, I called and made an appointment for a fill. Well, my nurse that I've been seeing since 2008 doesn't work there anymore! She's been gone for over 6 months!!! Oh, it is sad. I felt like I could count on her, and I did for 4 years. I guess it is time to forge a relationship with someone else there. So, I'm seeing another guy there that I've known for a long time actually - since before I got the band. So, I guess my points are these: 1) I'm nervous to get a fill (I'm only at 4.something ccs in a 10 cc band), 2) I'm afraid I'll get in trouble for gaining so much weight, 3) I'm dreading the 3+ hour drive to Ventura. But, I'm proud of myself for scheduling the appointment even though I am nervous and scared.

I question whether my band itself gets tighter over the months. I'm ok for a long period and then it gets very picky! Something that I ate yesterday won't work today. Which is difficult when you are hungry and on program. Sometimes it corrects itself ; sometimes I have a small unfill. Then , months later, I need a fill.... And repeat.
This has been for over 9 years and it does not stay the same restriction for me. I can live with it. As I have, but thought I would get to the "right" spot and stay there. My band says otherwise.