What is the best/favorite tip, trick or secret you have picked up since being banded?

Mine was from BetsyB: Put FF SF pudding mix in with the Protein shakes. Makes them sooooo much better. I also make them w/ the vanilla Almond Milk instead of Water, and I think this was her tip too.

Before Betsy's tip I was not drinking them, as I could not tolerate the thin, icky consistency it had. Now, I love to make this for Breakfast or as a treat for myself.

BetsyB gave my favorite tip too!

Never wait until you "feel like" exercising. Exercise is an absolute must do and you do it whether you feel like it or not. Don't make it an option for yourself.

Hey! It's the I-heart-BetsyB thread!

I enjoy all of Betsy's posts and tips along the way too.

She does have great tips! I absolutely LOVE Almond milk but I prefer the plain.

1) I second using FF/SF pudding mixes in protein shakes + using a blender ( I have a personal blender from Hampton Beach $15 at Walmart/Kmart)

2) If you make the shakes with milk freeze some of it into Milk Cubes (huge affect on the consistency, more like a frappe NE ice cream based milk shake)

3) Using a stick blender to mince the fruit and fluff up Greek Chobani yogurt during mushie stage (early on you may need to add a teaspoon of milk to make it runnier).

4) Pacific Brand Roasted Sweet Red Pepper & Tomato soup (package in a box sometimes sold in the "Organic Section" of the grocery store). My cheapest Grocery sells it at $2.50 for 16 oz box. I did see it yesterday at Cosco for $10.69 for 6/32 oz boxes; which is a huge savings.

5) Adding Mrs Dash flavorings to Sweet Red Pepper soup prior to heating. Mrs Dash is salt free and they have lots of flavors.

6) Low Cal Pudding Cups in the Refrigerated section have less fat then those that are in the Pudding section.

7) Walmart sells bagged frozen Wild Salmon the portions are sealed in individual 4 oz servings. Many other stores the "servings" are twice as large. Since I live alone that would mean having to have the same dinner two nights in a row.

8) Microwave sweet potato and then cut them length ways down the middle. I get two servings that way; save the other for another day.

9) Using low fat laughing cow cheese to mix into shredded chicken instead of Mayo. Which means you can heat it up making it feel more like a real meal.

10) Use Romain lettuce leaves to make sandwiches. Put the chicken/tuna on the spine and roll the edges over.

11) When making egg beaters; toward the end add in 1/8 cut fat free chive cottage cheese. Add a lot of flavor for few calories but added protein.

how much SF FF pudding to put in an individual shake? 1 tsp etc?

thanks~

I Have also fallen in love with the sf instant pudding mix..I put 1/4 of the packet in my smoothies also I use Silk unsweetened, 1 sheet of lowfat graham crackers and a few marshmallows and it is soooo good. I Love My Band!!!!!!!!

On Pudding mix I would say 1-2 tablespoons.

One thing I love and bought today is sugar free Davinci or Torani syrups from coffee/creamer isle of store. I went to walmart. Add them to shakes. I t raspberry, hazelnut. I made shake with teaspoon of decaf coffee and 2 tablespoon of hazelnut syrup.

Thanks for tip with pudding

Some good stuff here. I will try anything for the Protein shakes. The blender makes a world of difference over those shaker cups. Graham crackers sound delicious as do the syrups.

Thanks all. Looking forward to more tips and tricks.

During the mushies stage I put Rao's tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese on top of some ricotta to make some fake lasagna. Lots of people suggested it so I know it's not too original, but it made me very happy.

I think one of my fav tips was about Vitafusion Fiber Gummies from Target. I eat one every day and it keeps me going regular. This last time I got the "weight control" ones and they are a little harder to chew, but still not bad. I think they have some added vit-B. Both types are sugar free.

Thanks, everyone--the things I've gotten credit for (like the pudding in protein) have come from other sources. That one is from the boards at Bariatric Eating, where there are also a million really excellent recipes (not just for doctoring Protein shakes--lots of great recipes for that--, but for many foods.)

Like Honk, I use romaine for sandwiches. I haven't yet had bread, and don't plan to reintroduce it any time soon.

I also like Jachut's green smoothie recipe. It's great for sneaking in veggies and fruits.

From a Weight Watchers board, I got the idea for pumpkin smoothies. I use vanilla protein, almond milk, about a quarter cup of canned pumpkin (not pie filling, just the plain pumpkin), and a dash of pumpkin pie spice. LOVE this, especially this time of year.

Thanks for the tips. I'm always looking for ways to get in the protein that's suppose to be tasteless (however, it smells and tastes gross, and it's makes water a milky color = yuck).

i mix either a packet of crystal light or benefiber packet to make my vanilla milkshakes taste like i.e. kiwi strawberry, rasberry lemonade...

One thing I love and bought today is sugar free Davinci or Torani syrups from coffee/creamer isle of store. I went to walmart. Add them to shakes. I t raspberry, hazelnut. I made shake with teaspoon of decaf coffee and 2 tablespoon of hazelnut syrup.

Thanks for tip with pudding

If you like DaVinci & Torani.. you can order Torani from Amazon.com at great prices .. 3 bottles for 16.80 or put them on automatic order (I have 3 bottles of chocolate sent every 3 months) and the price drops even lower and shipping is FREE.

Netrition.com has every flavor that DaVinci makes.. and that's a lot!! Prices are a bit higher, but selection is fantastic, and shipping is a flat 4.95 whether you order 1 thing or 100. Try the Pumpkin Pie or the Gingerbread (my current fav) s/f DaVinci.

Just make sure that you do order the s/f. I ended up giving away 3 bottles of peppermint.. cause I made a mistake. Whoops.

Edited September 28, 201015 yr by Melissannde
left out info