I am 10 days post-op and get to go to solid foods tomorrow. I have been eating mushy/semi-solid foods since last Friday. The majority of my meals are different types of chicken in the crockpot, yogurt, and canned chicken.

The issue is that I am EXTREMELY limited on what I am allowed to eat per my surgeon. Let me give you the rundown of NO's:

NO RED meat

NO PORK

NO Beans

NO POTATOES

NO Pasta

NO RICE

NO BREAD

NO CRACKERS

NO MILK

I am limited to 3 meals a day at 20 grams of Protein per meal and no more than 5 carbs per meal. So, does anyone have any suggestions on foods that you eat that would fall into the category of what I can eat?

Here is some of what I eat. Try the less-soft stuff slowly, as tolerated, and chew very well.

scrambled eggs with tomato and cheese

blueberries and yogurt (w/ wheat germ)

strawberries + ricotta

Protein shake

kefir

tuna

hummus with veggie sticks

deli sliced turkey

garden burger w/ avocado and tomato

special yummy salad dressing:

I mix dry Ranch dressing mix with Greek yogurt

instead of sour cream. It's delicious! I have it with

baby spinach, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, etc

roasted salmon

chicken fajita filling

Trader Joe's vegetarian chili -add tomatoes

snacks:

cheese stick

hard boiled egg

yogurt

protein bar

hummus and veggie sticks

mandarin oranges

cottage cheese

nuts

edamame

orange slices

Great food ideas...can u tell me what a garden burger is pls?

Great food ideas...can u tell me what a garden burger is pls?

Garden burgers are veggie burgers. Here is my edamame burger recipe (like a garden burger, but more Protein and the main ingredient is edamame instead of a lot of different veggies): http://violinistwithaband.blogspot.com/2010/10/edamame-burger-recipe.html

I swear by this recipe. My fiance (who would eat prime rib 3 meals a day, 7 days a week) said he prefers it to a regular red meat hamburger. Try it out!

I just have to say wow. That's the most restrictive diet I've ever seen for a bandster and to me feels like overkill, unless you have some special dietary needs for a medical condition. I am very thankful my doc is very flexible. It's all about using your head, moderation and using the band as a tool to make wiser choices. I think milk and bean restrictions are wholly inappropriate and counterproductive. Both are excellent, healthy sources of protein. Personally, I couldn't follow that regimen. I don't limit myself on foods except for soda - haven't had one since pre-surgery diet. Everything else I take in moderation. I'd be lying if I said I haven't had ice cream because I have, but I had a small amount and it wasn't Haagen Dazs and I still lost weight that week. My doc has told me there will be foods that will be more difficult to digest - to just be careful and sample bits to see how they sit before making them into a meal - like solid meat and bread.

My nutritionist said I could eat almost anything that I wanted just in small portions. No white flour, sugar or fried foods. Lowfat Refried beans, mashed potatoes with cheese and taco seasoned ground beef were my main foods in the beginning.

@ stateofzen It looks like you have a similar food list to mine. Thanks for letting me know that I am not alone with such strict restrictions.

@ honk Your thoughts sound right on target. A lack of self-control is what got me to the weight I am at and resulted in me getting banded. If my surgeon was to allow me to have those things, it would probably lead to me eating the various foods you stated. That makes me feel better now knowing that he is looking out for me and my lack of self-control..lol!

I eat what ever I want! That being said, I also journal and count calories (between 1200-1400), count protien(60-100), and walk (1 hour a day)....I am glad I can eat what ever, but I do make healthy choices...I don't really like protien drinks, but if I don't get any in by lunch then I have 2 scoops (52g) 280 cal drink. I am averaging 10 pounds of loss per month..Yeah!

I too low-carbed it before banding and lost 50 pounds fast, the second I stopped, it came back with a vengence plus an additional12 pounds. Glad i'm not there any more, but I could not do it again, the thought makes me sick. So I am really enjoying counting calories,,,,

Good luck...oh yeah when I was low-carbing it the lowest my Dr. said was 15 carbs per day. That would make a huge diff. and you will still loose.

Garden burgers are veggie burgers. Here is my edamame burger recipe (like a garden burger, but more Protein and the main ingredient is edamame instead of a lot of different veggies): http://violinistwith...ger-recipe.html

I swear by this recipe. My fiance (who would eat prime rib 3 meals a day, 7 days a week) said he prefers it to a regular red meat hamburger. Try it out!

thanks it looks good, I shall give it a try

thanks it looks good, I shall give it a try

Cool, let me know how they turned out!

I can have dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. I just can not drink milk. Isn't that crazy?!?!

That's too strict. I can have Milk and Pasta and Cheese.....