I'm having lapband surgery on March 6th I want to go food shipping before hand but have no idea what I need. Can you please tell me some of your healthy meals that you enjoy. I'm sure this has been done before but for the newbies it would be much appreciated.

Please post some of your favorite meals..

Hi everyone 8 months for me and I love BBQ'd chicken(boneless skinless) , no more steaks for me to much chewing it gets kinda flavorless, chili, lots of hearty vegi soups, whole wheat bread & pastas, if your going Mexican food anything crunchy no flour tortillas just eat it with tortilla chips , ISO-pure protein powder 40 grams per scoop hope its helpful

I agree with Shirlee and Elcee. First, until you are banded and at restriction, you do not know what you can eat or tolerate. It is different for everyone. Protein s/ always be first, and most can no longer tolerate white meat - chicken, pork, etc. Chicken thighs, really high quality steak, etc are the best. While traditional "gravy" may not seem like a smart diet choice, most of us know that any sauce or moistening agent, makes the protein easier to consume. Once you are at or near restriction, it is more about moderation, than dieting. If dieting worked, than we wouldn't need the band now, would we?

I am as interested in weight loss as much as being healthy, that's all. Animal protein, fat and starch are simply not THE BEST choices for our health. My healthy heart is as important as my healthy weight. Moderation is key. We can all make our own choices. I am allowed my opinion.....JEN

Isopure also comes pre-mixed in a bottle. Yummy

OK Jen, please tell us, if you are not going to eat animal Protein, fat or starches what are you going to eat?

For the record animal protein is healthy and is one of the things most band Dr's advise you to eat first when you have a band. Fat is an essential part of a healthy diet and helps to control hunger. The important thing is to choose the right type of fat. Nuts, avo's ,fish etc all contain healthy fats. Foods with lots of fats added such as croissants or donuts are obviously not healthy. Starches are fine, they help to give bulk and are still the bodies best source of energy. Again you should choose wholemeal, grainy starches over white extremely processed ones.

I assume that you do not have your band yet. You may find that once you do your opinion on what is/isn't healthy may change.

A good example is that a diet preband would probably contain a nice grilled chicken breast with lots of salad. After you are banded you will probably find either a) you cannot eat the chicken breast because it is too dry or you can eat a small amount but it makes you too uncomfortable or c) find that it gets stuck. You will probably go for option d) still eat chicken but choose thigh over breast and instead of grilling it you may cook it in the crock pot and serve it moist with some kind of sauce.

If I am wrong and you are banded already then please share some of your favourite meals with us. The title of the thread was

Can You Tell Me Your Favorite Meals!!!

not

What are the healthiest foods to eat that I should be eating once I have a band.

I am six weeks post -op and did WW pre -op. A lot of what I ate then, I can't tolerate now. My doctor told me since I am eating less high quality food is important. Soups were my fave for full liquids, especially egg drop, bean soup pureed with my immersion blender, very thin oatmeal, grits or any hot cereals for breakfast. Mushies my faves were FF refried beans thinned with salsa, baked sweet potato soft scrambled eggs with cheese and salsa. Protein first, complex carbs then whole grains. My DH had a heart transplant in 2004, I am an expert on heart healthy foods and can mock "fry " almost anything.

OK Jen, please tell us, if you are not going to eat animal Protein, fat or starches what are you going to eat?

For the record animal protein is healthy and is one of the things most band Dr's advise you to eat first when you have a band. Fat is an essential part of a healthy diet and helps to control hunger. The important thing is to choose the right type of fat. Nuts, avo's ,fish etc all contain healthy fats. Foods with lots of fats added such as croissants or donuts are obviously not healthy. Starches are fine, they help to give bulk and are still the bodies best source of energy. Again you should choose wholemeal, grainy starches over white extremely processed ones.

I assume that you do not have your band yet. You may find that once you do your opinion on what is/isn't healthy may change.

A good example is that a diet preband would probably contain a nice grilled chicken breast with lots of salad. After you are banded you will probably find either a) you cannot eat the chicken breast because it is too dry or you can eat a small amount but it makes you too uncomfortable or c) find that it gets stuck. You will probably go for option d) still eat chicken but choose thigh over breast and instead of grilling it you may cook it in the crock pot and serve it moist with some kind of sauce.

If I am wrong and you are banded already then please share some of your favourite meals with us. The title of the thread was

Can You Tell Me Your Favorite Meals!!!

not

What are the healthiest foods to eat that I should be eating once I have a band.

Ok Elcee, I never said I wasn't going to eat animal protein, fat or starch. I said these were not "the best choices" "for the most part"

According to my nutritionist and Surgeon, fish, Beans, legumes, nuts, tofu, eggs/egg whites, vegetables such as avocados are great sources of healthy protein and Fat. Protein powder is good too. My surgeon is happy to know that I prefer these protein choices rather than red meat. Yours may feel differently. "choices" And yes, I am aware that we need to have fat in our diets. You repeated what I said, which is that it is important to choose the RIGHT type of fat. Choose the RIGHT type of food. So, thank you for agreeing with my whole point. "Choices" "Moderation and choices".

What I read was not just the title of the thread but the question, which was, "I am pre surgery and I want to go food shopping before hand but don't know what I need" I thought she meant post surgery meals. Foods to buy for post surgery. When I read the answer about corned beef, gravy, chicken nuggets and deep fried mushrooms, I disagreed that those were good choices "FOR THE MOST PART". I still disagree. I am entitled to disagree and to give my opinion. Thank you, JEN

There is nothing wrong with chicken nuggets there white meat, and oven baked.

Corned Beef is done it a slow crock cooker. there is nothing wrong with that,,, look it up on calorie king.

Gravy does not have to be fattening, and only a little, not drowning in it.

Mushrooms can be baked. There is not a thing wrong with this. I read my Packages before I buy, and there fine.

The way your Dr. wants you to eat is fine if you want to try to live like that. A lot of people find that this artificial

way of getting in their Protein gets boring quick, and go back to eating there protein instead.

I do a shake everyday ! I have protein for Breakfast, and I watch my meals for dinner, for my calorie, and protein intake

Ask your Surgeon or Dietitian if a little Carbs. is not a kicker for your protein in your meal. ?

What it does is help give gas in the Tank, and you feel better. I was schooled and taught this method, and there is nothing wrong with going, with what works....

Shirley.

I still don't see how an artificially manufactured protein powder could be considered a better choice than red meat!

I find white poultry often to be too dry as well. Without the skin, the dark meat is just as good but it tends to stay more moist because it has a bit more fat in it (honestly, it's more tasty also). I didn't find anything wrong with 54Shirley's recommendations except she seems a bit lax on the veggies. We are supposed to eat our protein, then veggies, then if we can a bit of starches. However, I admit myself I don't eat enough veggies or fruit because for me they are difficult, but I'm looking for other ways to get them in. As also stated, fruits with skins can be tough too. Follow your doc's recommendations for the stages after your surgery and I'm sure you'll do great!

I still don't see how an artificially manufactured Protein powder could be considered a better choice than red meat!

DITTO !

If it matters all that much about the vegetable choice from me,,,, I prefer them steamed. I like a small salad sometimes, but it must be Lite in dressing.

But I like Cauliflower, Broccoli, Asparagus, Fresh Spinach, Beans, Tomatoes, Peppers, Onions, Mushrooms, Spaghetti Squash for a meal, Eggplant for a meal, Sweet Potatoes Baked in their skin on a oven rack. Peel and slice, then add nutmeg, and cinnamon, and a little pat of light butter, and spread that all over DELICIOUS ! I live in Michigan so I grow my own Vegetable Garden, So I eat things as they come in, and that includes corn on the cob.

Fruits I love Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Freestone Peaches Watermelon, Honey Do Melon, banana, Granny Smith Apple, .Indian Apple, and more.

I just can't eat all of this stuff !

I have tried TOFU, and was not fond of it, but I did find out I was ALLERGIC to it ! ! !

So I do the best I can, and I enjoy it. and trust me,,, that's not the food that got me FAT at all...

Shirley.