Hello,

I was banded on March 12th 2010. I currently have 6.5 cc in my band.

I still have snacking cravings-today has been really bad. I've tried crackers...and even some backed lays...but I'm still STARVING!!!

I know about the normal "fruits and veggies" ideas for Snacks, but does anyone have any inventive ideas to help ward off my hunger in between meals.

I go for another fill Aug. 16th...which I will need as I have restriction, but I am not at my "sweet spot" as of yet.

Please help...I'm starting to beat myself down about my food choices !!!

Processed carbs are a bad choice for snacking (my opinion). Can you eat chicken breast? Or even the canned shredded chicken or tuna? I think protein would stay with you longer. How about reduced fat cheese sticks? Another option might be Greek Yogurt Fat Free with fruit with a couple tablespoons of Vanilla Whey Isolate Protein powder with Splendra (fat free can be sour).

Can't do artificial sugars...it gives me pain in my stomach...but I might wanna try the canned chicken (don't like tuna) and see if that helps me any...thanks!

Oh yeah...Greek Yogurt is too sour for me.

Iagree with the reduced fat cheese sticks- I eat them all the time. Nuts in moderation are a good snack option as well. I eat 1/4c almonds as a snack almost every day. There is some fat, but it's healthy fat. I think it' the fat that helps fill me up. Good luck!

It sounds like you need a fill! I don't really eat snacks too often and I thought that was how the band was supposed to work.

Are you really hungry or is it head hunger? Sometimes I have to stop and really think about it. I also sometimes think about what it is I REALLY am craving"sweet, fatty, crunchy etc, and then have a small amount of that. The Light Laughing Cow cheese (35 cal each) are good too. They have new flavors too.

Sometimes I forget to "stop" and just eat. Still leftover behaviors from pre-band days.

A fill may also be in order. I had my last one in May and have really not been hungry. Thankfully.

Good Luck

When you do snack - just pick more "protein focused" snacks - and if you do pick a carbohydrate type snack - pair it with protein. (Crackers WITH cheese - not just crackers....)

I like string cheese and nuts, apple with peanut butter, cottage cheese and cucumber slices, yogurt with granola - etc...

I take a slice of deli turkey breast (10g Protein - 50 calories) and wrap it around a string cheese stick (7g protein - 70 calories). This is my planned go-to snack. I notice that protein keeps me fuller longer.

I agree with the other posters about the crackers. Carbs are never a good choice for a snack. They just won't stick with you and you will be hungry again sooner.

Good luck!

Maybe I should clarify- they were peanut butter crackers...it's all I have at work right now...I guess I didn't say it, but I KNOW they aren't good for me, that's why I'm asking for assistance.

I have eaten snacks since I could eat after my surgery. When you get up at 4am and don't go to bed until 10 or 11 pm you have to have a snack some time during the day. My doctor is okay with it since it hasn't affected my weight loss any. My snack usually is either a protein bar, protein shake or string cheese/happy cow wedge with a slice of turkey. Sometimes I also eat peanut butter. It works for me and helps me make it through the day.

Maybe I should clarify- they were Peanut Butter crackers...it's all I have at work right now...I guess I didn't say it, but I KNOW they aren't good for me, that's why I'm asking for assistance.

Everything is good in moderation. If you enjoy those peanut butter crackers, then go ahead an eat one or two. If they are out of a vending machine, find somebody to split them with so you aren't tempted to eat them all. Take litytle bites and chew long and hard. It's amazing how satisfying two crackers can be.

I love fat free yogurt and cottage cheese but once in a while I have baked chips or Cookies and they are delicious.

This isn't a diet, this is the rest of your life and you don't have to sacrifice the things you desire. You just have to cut down the quantity and frequency.

I agree with others about the Protein. I keep a Protein Bar in my purse all the time for "emergencies" and I also keep Protein drinks at both of my offices.

When I do snack (which isn't often- I was a grazer preband so have to try to not snack) some better choices have been: trail mix (nuts and a little chocolate), cheese sticks, 100 calorie snack packs, a spoon of Peanut Butter and yogurt.

I have made bad choices too-everyday is a learning process for me.

ok more questions with all this Protein and not much Fiber are you all experiencing the constipation I am? One poster suggested fiber gummies I started them today.Hope they work cause me and milk of magnesia are starting to not like each other very much. LOL

another question how far out do you have to be to start eating nuts? my doc said no nuts but i thought he meant ever, maybe i misunderstood.

I refuse to be constipated! I put 5 teaspoons of dissolvable Metamucil in my Protein drink for Breakfast and no problems. No flavor, no thickening, no mess. Never know it is there. I like the Inulin fiber as it has more fiber per teaspoon.

I use extra thin sliced deli meat - I love the Cajun chicken Breast - for Snacks. Three slices is one ounce of chicken and only about 25 calories. I just roll it up and eat it las a finger food. It takes the edge off and I forget about hunger.

Hey everyone i got banded 8/2/10 am having the worst day of pain,headace and i think am hungry.hav be drinking and all incld sugar free jello but am still hungry what's up with that? can some one plz help explain

:redface: Hey everyone i got banded 8/2/10 am having the worst day of pain,headace and i think am hungry.hav be drinking and all incld sugar free Jello but am still hungry what's up with that? can some one plz help explain

I was really stiff in the morning on day 4 and attributed it to the IV fluids leaving my body.

It could be that or dehydration, Vitamin deficiency, stress, etc...

Are you drinking at least 64 ounces of Water a day?

Have you been told that you can have Protein shakes or yogurt yet?

I was drinking Protein Shakes / Meal Replacements immediately after surgery and never hungry.

It could be that Bandster Hell thing that a few people have but 4 days seems a little early for that.