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I ate alot of cottage cheese and scrambled eggs. My nutritionist didn't want me to eat any starches for the first 6 months after surgery. Also had dannon light and fit yogurt. Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

Recently, I was reading the back of a Special K® Protein cereal box and saw a statement that lack of sleep can increase the feeling of hunger by 25 percent. Since I’m in a profession that is science based, I did some research on the National Library of Medicine website to verify this. Recently, I was reading the back of a Special K® Protein cereal box and saw a statement that lack of sleep can increase the feeling of hunger by 25 percent. Since I’m in a profession that is science based, I did some research on the National Library of Medicine website to verify this. I didn’t find the study that supported detailed that 25 percent increase in hunger when you don’t sleep enough. However, there were several areas where researchers are linking poor sleep and weight gain. If you are tired, you usually don’t feel like exercising. You move less, so you burn fewer calories. Being tired makes you more likely to choose a food like cake instead of salad. There were a couple of studies that did find an increase in ghrelin after poor sleep. Ghrelin is the gut hormone that makes you hungry. Sounds like the perfect storm for weight gain, right? You produce less ghrelin after surgery, which leads to less food intake. Part of weight loss after surgery is that you produce less ghrelin, which leads to less food intake. If eating more healthfully is a challenge for you, it may be that you need to start with better sleeping habits. By the way, that Special K protein cereal is a great add-in to light Greek yogurt. This is a great snack before surgery and about two months after surgery. Happy Zzzz’s!

Sugar Blues Part 1 highlighted the poor health consequences that can result from consuming too much sugar. A list of words that also mean “sugar” was provided. Remember that naturally occurring sugars are in fruit and milk/dairy foods. When you read the Nutrition Facts Label, the sugars will be listed under the carbohydrates. To find out how to compare products to better understand added sugars, click on Natural vs. Added Sugars. Use the chart on the second page as a guide to compare products.The chart compares applesauce and Greek style yogurt. You will see the products with only naturally occurring sugars, products with added sugars and “light” versions of the product. You will also see that the product with the most amount of sugar has the most calories.The front part of the food label usually doesn’t have any clues that the product can have a lot of added sugars. You must be a detective and investigate the Nutrition Facts Label and the ingredients list. Start your sugar hunt by using foods and beverages in your pantry or fridge to discover where added sugars are lurking in your food choices. Like any hunting expedition, it will take some time and practice to find the healthiest products to use on your journey towards health. Sugar Comparison Chart We are born with a preference for sweet tastes. However, sugar carries calories without any fiber, vitamins or minerals. Sugar is basically empty calories. For bariatric patients, too much sugar can lead to dumping. Natural Sugars vs Added Sugars Naturally occurring sugars are in fruits (fructose) and milk and dairy (lactose). The current Nutrition Facts label doesn’t tell us the difference. A teaspoon of sugar = 4 grams of sugar. If you drink a 12 oz. can of regular pop or 12 ounces regular fruit juice, that means you’ve consumed 40 grams of sugar. This translates to 10 teaspoons of sugar. That’s almost 1/4 cup of sugar! Other names for sugar When you read the ingredient list, look for words like syrup (corn, high fructose, maple, pancake, maltose), corn syrup solids, agave, molasses, beet sugar, brown sugar, turbinado sugar, invert sugar, cane juice, fruit juice, fruit juice concentrate, nectar (peach, apricot, pear), powdered or confectioner’s sugar, raw sugar, maple sugar, date sugar, malted barley, honey and anything ending in “–ose” (maltose, dextrose, glucose, fructose). These are all types of sugar. When you see these words in the ingredient list, look for foods that have sugar listed after the 3rd or 4th ingredient. When you see several sugar ingredients, look at the total amount sugar. Decide if it’s worth it to eat that food. Sugar alcohols These have less impact on your blood sugars. They are more slowly digested than sugar. Sugar alcohols have anywhere from 2 to 4 calories per gram. If your weight loss stalls, check to see if your “sugar free” foods have high amounts of sugar alcohols. You may be getting more calories than you think. Caution…eating too many sugar alcohols can laxative effect! Alternative Sweeteners Artificial sweeteners include Splenda (sucralose), Sweet ‘N Low (saccharin), NutraSweet (aspartame), Sweet One (acesulfame potassium) and Neotame. Stevia is extracted from the stevia plant and is considered a natural sweetener. Monkfruit is extracted from the monkfruit and is considered a natural sweetener. Natural vs. Added Sugars: Comparison Chart How do I find the amount of added sugars in a food? One way to find out what the added sugars are is to compare similar products. Comparisons of applesauce and Greek yogurt are detailed below. The order of appearance is the unsweetened, sweetened and light or low sugar version. Use this chart to compare other products you might choose. Remember that natural sugars are in milk/dairy and fruit. Is all that sugar worth it?

...is not always a bargain. For bariatric patients, keep in mind your tastes will change after surgery. You are going through a lot of biochemical and hormonal changes that affect taste and how your sense aromas. When you buy protein powders or ready to drink shakes, keep in mind when you may be going to surgery. There may be a flavor you love before surgery, but can’t tolerate after surgery. Check the store’s return policy if you decide to buy in bulk. You may able to return a protein product if unopened or you find you can’t tolerate it. Several protein powders are available in sample packs to have on hand. For multi-supplements, we ask you to use a chewable, liquid or powder form for a few months after surgery. Did you buy a 6-month supply of a multi-supplement in tablet form? If you have surgery before your 6-month supply runs out and money is tight, you can crush the tablet to powder form and add to protein drinks or soft foods like light yogurt when you can have them after surgery. Keep in your changing taste buds when you start stocking up your bariatric pantry.

I drink at least 1 glass of skim milk a day. As far as the sugar I try to stay with sugar free stuff and you have to watch the more refined sugars that are in desserts. I eat greek yogurts that have sugar in them and that hasn't bothered me at all. but when I tried a spoonful of icing that was a totally different story. Let's just say I won't be doing that ever again.

My NUT has me doing 1 week of a 'quick picks' diet then the next week a 'liquid diet'. This is to lose my required 30lbs before they will schedule surgery. Quick picks went fine it's a certain list of foods you chose from for 3 meals and I have protein shakes for my 2 snacks. Then the liquid diet. oh me oh my. I thought I was going to die. I had to have 4 protein shakes a day and 1 yogurt, 1 apple sauce, 1 sugar free pudding, 1 light soup, and 1 cream of wheat. Then I can have all the broth, crystal light, sugar free jello and pop cicles I wanted. I could also have certain vegetables all that would satisfy me. About the fourth day I was a wreck. I just couldn't get happy with what I had and I went for a burger and fries and it hasn't stopped. I have now binged 5 days and gained 8 lbs back. Does anyone have any advice on how to stay on track with the liquid diet. Appreciate it.

I wasn't a yogurt fan pre-op but I tried yoplait Greek 100 post-op in order to have something to mix my crushed ursoforte in and it tasted pretty good. Ive now had oikos and like that too. Its also good frozen for a treat. I had a very hard time with water. Crystal light helped and so did the sf koolaid. I also make decaff tea in my keurig and add some lemon and splenda and lots of ice and that helped me get my liquid in. Vitamin water zero is also good. I ususally don't care for flavored water but those are naturally flavored and taste pretty good.

Just keep sipping...try protein water or pre-made protein shakes like Premier. I'm 1 week post op today and able to get about 64 oz in. Just take sips. I stopped pain medicine immediately after I was released and did chewable children's tylenol. It could be the meds. I haven't taken any more tylenol for a few days. I've also been do french onion or beef broth, move onto yogurt today. Stay strong!

If you guys are cheating or damaging your band than what am I doing? My doctor said all liquids (broth, Water, juice) for the first 4 days and then and I quote from my handout liquid diet for first 2 weeks: "same as above, 'blenderized Soup, skim milk, suger free Jello, popsicles, mashed potatoes, light yogurt, suger-free pudding, cottage cheese, oatmeal, grits, cream of wheat, no sugar added apple sauce.' Protein supplements for 3 of 6 meals." Soft diet for weeks 3-6: "soft fruit, cooked veggies except corn, fish, seafood, soft Pasta (well chewed), eggs, toast or crackers.' Protein supplements for 2 of 6 meals." I've has most of the foods on the "liquid diet" list and I feel fine but am I damaging myself? I guess I have to trust the doctor.

I am about 3 months out from my sleeve surgery and I feel like I'm super hungry this week. I have a Protein bar in the morning, greek yogurt for a snack, a good lunch, another snack, and dinner. But this past week I feel like I keep reaching for food. I'm trying to make smart choices but those damned girl scout Cookies are in the house. I've slipped and had a few but tried to make other choices. What the hell is going on? Why do I constantly feel hungry? Has anyone else gone through this?

So I had my vsg on tuesday and stayed at the hospital for 1 night.. The gas pains and incision pain was tuff but once you start walking and holding down fluids things take a turn for the best quickly... I feel almost 100% and started thicker liquids.. Yogurt.. Cottage cheese.. Soup .. And protein shakes.. Managing 5oz per hour ... Just my quick update...

You can eat hard boiled eggs, string cheese, cottage cheese, lunch meat rolled up, veges and low carb dip, salads with meat and cheese, tuna salad stuffed in a tomato, chicken salad, there is low carb yogurt, which is actually really good! There is also low carb bread, Sara Lee Delightful Wheat. You could have shrimp cocktail, fish, lobster, etc. There really are alot of options. There is a low carb thread in the food and nutrition forum, check that one out, there's alot of good ideas on there. Good luck!

I'm really afraid I'm doing this all wrong.. I haven't been counting carbs or sugar.. I've averaged about 800 calories, until recently.. I've been pushing it..I've been reading and all of you have been so diligent in what you consume.. I usually have flavored Greek yogurt for breakfast. Cottage cheese and a cheese stick for lunch and a protein shake for dinner.. Recently, I've been adding more cheese sticks and snacking on what my family is eating.. I even had cheddar crackers the other day! Looks as if the majority is staying under 10 grams if sugar, 40 carbs a day? Is that about right?

Try the drinkable yogurts. The chobani ones that you can find at Walmart and other stores I'm sure are fantastic. Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

great article. I have been banded since 8/26/11 and i have only 2 fills at 2.3 cc. I am down 57 lbs. but i find eating solid food to be very difficult and frustrating. I pb a lot. My husband was banded at the same time and he says i try to eat to fast. The "healthy" food is the hardest to get down, especially meats. I eat a lot of soups, yogurt, sugar free puddings, frozen yogurt and protein shakes. I probably pb 3-5 times a week. Will this stop? what will happen if i keep having this problem?

Week 3,I was eating eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, shredded cheese, refried beans, chicken, turkey, fish and soy products. The same things that I am eating now at 5 weeks post-op. Next week, after my 6 week check up, I should be able to have veggies! I'm really looking forward to that! No starchy carbs for me until after the six month mark.

Let's see...I usually have watered down oatmeal and milk for Breakfast, applesauce or Jello for snack, soup for lunch, yogurt or pudding for snack and soup for dinner. I make sure I get in at least 64 ounces of Water, including my iced tea. Went today for my follow-up appointment and the nutritionist was very disappointed. I am lacking Protein. She gave me a great tip though! 1 ounce of milk has 1 gram of protein! I am supposed to have 53 grams of protein a day...as long as it is 1% milk, I can have as much as I want. :cursing: Can't wait to start mushies - can't wait to have some tuna with LF mayo! :ohmy:

I'm taking the Greek yogurt and light&fit yogurt.

Am on day 18 today 6/23/13 and was upgraded to purée on 6/20. I thought that I would love the upgrade but the thought of cooking or making something soft and end up eating two or three spoon is tiring for me. So, I'm sticking with my pudding, yogurt and protein shake especially at work. I tried ice cream at work today out of greed I guess and it just came back up when I'm almost at the last spoon. Any ideas on something interesting that I can make/cook without filling the whole pot? By the way, I'm not impressed with the amount of weight that I have lost so far. Only 10 lbs from my surgery weight on my 2nd week. My coworkers are noticing the inches lost but I'm not. I still look the same even though I walk before lunch and after work. Any words of encouragements? Thanks all for listening.

During my major weight loss phase I ate predominantly high protein foods: fish, turkey, chicken, cottage cheese, yogurt and cheeses. I did start to eat small quantities of non-starchy vegetables. I also have started to eat beans now but did not during weight loss, as you said chili is very high in carbs. Be careful eating pasta, rice and bread. I have found that carbs do create cravings and if I indulge in say too much potato; well I just want more! I don't eat bread pasta or rice and don't plan on it.

What a great attitude! You are doing great. The only thing is check the protein on your yogurt. You are interested in protein per calorie as well as just calories. I know chobani has great protein numbers (not as good as cottage cheese though)! I have the plain fat-free chobani with some sugar-free flavoring or a half teaspoon of jam for flavoring.

I am not a big loser compared to you guys but I KNOW I am going to succeed. I am down 16.5 pounds since June 7. I have had two fills. The last one was last Wednesday. I started working out and plan to start dropping soon! I must NOT have frozen yogurt, ice cream or chocolate. Had a mini binge recently but compared to what my binges used to be--it was a mini. WE CAN DO IT!

Just got home today... The place where they had my tube in is very sore im worried about gettin in my Protein starting tomorrow.... And im enjoying a popsicle.. But is a popsicle over my 2oz per hr??? Ugh so many questionsssss... So if anyone can help me with this ...... If I mix my 60grms of protein in 8oz of Water ... And just pour 2oz into a cup every other hour.. This will satisfy my protein requirements each day right??? Of course ill be getting my water, yogurt, applesauce (2oz of all these I know).. So is this the correct approach??

I do cheese and yogurt without a problem....but they are still so low in Protein. I need something more concentrated Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have a list of things that I can and cannot have prebanding. I wonder if it will be the same post banding. For my 10 day preband diet I am allowed unlimited sugar-free drinks (hence the propel), low sodium broth and sugar-free popsicles and jello, and 2-3 serving daily of low-fat low cal yogurt, 1-2 a day of Atkins shakes, Carb Countdown or Carb Solution products.( are the carb products powdered?). I cannot have slim fast shakes, ensure, boost, as they are on the NONO list. I am going to sam's club for the protein shakes next week, is that the cheapest place to get them? Also which are better, atkins, carb solutions or carb countdown? Thanks for all the info~Mandy