I have changed so very many things about the way and what I eat. However, I can not abide "fake" mayonnaise. I have tried them all: FF, LF, Light, brand name, generic, etc. I have subbed FF ranch on my wraps and am fine with that. But, when I make egg or chicken salad I have to use real Full fat Hellman's. I cut down the amount I would normally use. I don't make it all the time either.

What "REAL" food won't you compromise on?

I had a Nut (not the one from my surgeon) once tell me that she did not tell people to buy fat free cheese because it was just bad. She would rather someone have a lower fat cheese and eat smaller amounts than eat a flavorless fat free version that would leave you unsatisfied.

I totally agree with you on the Mayo. My other big vice is real butter. I really eat very little butter. Once you don't eat much bread, it's not that big a deal. Margarine and butter-like spreads are just not the same. Until someone stops making them, it's Hellman's and real butter for me.

Cindy

Yup - mayo and real butter all the way,, surprisingly i thought soda would be thing i couldnt give up but i dont miss it and i actually had a sip and dont like it anymore

My thing I won't give up isn't an all the time thing...

Each summer when I go to the state fair I get a piece or two of maple sugar candy... Now that I'm banded I'm not going to stop- I love it more than chocolate!!! One piece a year won't hurt my "diet", and I look forward to that perfect fresh piece of maple deliciousness all year!!!

I can't really think of something I haven't given up. I'm so focused on losing I don't even think about the unhealthy stuff, crazy. I used to be a rice/pasta lover, now I stay faaaar away.

I don't think cheese is the healthiest thing, but I eat it each day, so maybe that counts? I love some sharp sharp cheddar cheese, mm. Other than that, gum! I know it's bad for some but I chew it like there's no tomorrow.

French fries off my kids' plate!

I have found that a lot of my previous favorite foods I don't really like anymore (pasta, rice and pizza). but what I can't give up is jiffy peanut butter!! I have tried the all natural stuff and I just can't do it. I am having a hard time eating all my calories so my nut suggested peanut butter in my shakes or instead of a plain apple eat it with 2 tbls of peanut butter (somedays the bad doesn't allow the peanut butter though...) I live it!

also, real tortilla chips. my hubby makes the most amazing fresh salsa...and you just can't eat it with a spoon. so I count out my serving of tortilla chips, put the bag away and enjoy with no guilt!

I have lost almos 50 lbs since may (i started at 253) so I don't think my little indulgences are hurting.

Wine! Maybe not a food to some, but for me it is crucial!

Half & half in my coffee! I only have one cup a day about 5 times a week, and I just feel like it's not worth compromising given how different the taste is!

I haven't given up too much of anything though -- it's the portion size change that has really done the trick for me. I love my band!

Catherine

Portion downsizing is also key for me. Somethings I've given up because they are unpleasant to eat since I got banded (french fries, for example, and soft bread) but I continue to eat essentially whatever I want as long as I keep the amounts under control.

Melted fat free cheese is like eating soft tar off the street on a hot day. Yuck.

Pork Bacon. Not all the time, but once twice a month.

I don't do the fake foods, in general. I do use artificial sweeteners, but things like oils, butters, cheeses--I use the real deal. It's not like I can get all that much of them into me these days. I'd rather have a tiny amount of a good-quality food than a larger amount of crapola food.

I dont do fake foods either, I prefer moderate amounts of the real thing.

I really dont like artificial sweeteners, I have a morbid fear of getting a brain tumour from eating them, but I did buy some Stevia recently and that's very good, no aftertaste and its natural. Because sugar itself is fairly poisonous, much as I love it.

But my theory is that if you need to make the food fake in order to be able to eat it every day, then you really shouldnt be eating it every day!

Other than the stuff I can't physically eat, I've given up nothing. My Dr. told me that since I don't eat much of it , use the real stuff-I'll feel mre satisfied, and it's not that much extra cals since we don't eat much anyways. THere's no way I could give up some of my faves- one of my favorite snacks is extra sharp cheddar cheese-not a huge hunk, just a couple bites worth-and it's a go to for me when I'm having a really tight day.

I think that eating chocolate and cheese and tortilla chips will be fine... but in moderation. If I cut out all of my favorite foods, I think I'd go crazy. Having a little bit every now and then will help prevent me from wanting to just binge and go crazy. I was only banded yesterday.... and like many of the posters here, some of my favorites include potatoes, pasta, rice.... also steak (which I hear can be hard to digest). Steak is something that I just can't give up. We bbq 4-5 times per week in the summer and although there are alternatives (chicken, salmon, etc.), nothing beats a steak in my opinion. I'm interested to see how that will agree with me once I'm allowed to eat solid foods again.