Meal Sizes?

[jen_1381 446]

Here I am, 12 weeks into my journey, and found out yesterday that I had misunderstood portion sizes and have been eating too much all along. When preparing my meals, I was having 2-3 ounces of lean Protein, 1/2 cup of veggies and 1/2 cup of fruit. I've been able to stay full between meals but don't have any "restriction" per se; I don't get my full signal very often. I just stick to controlling my portion sizes.

I went in for my 3rd fill yesterday (now have 6 cc in an 11 cc band) and my surgeon asked how much I was eating. When I told him my plan, he said that ideally I should be eating 1/2 - 1 cup of food TOTAL. He explained that once I'm in the Green Zone it will be easier to reach satiety after 1/2 cup of food, but until then go ahead and have 1 cup.

Okay, so, whoopsie! He didn't think there was any danger of me stretching my pouch since I explained that I do eat slowly and don't always finish my meals. I asked about doing a liquid diet for a while to ensure my pouch was restored to normal and he didn't think it was necessary.

I know each surgeon is different, and I intend to follow his direction, but is the 1/2 cup portion size what you guys try to follow? Pre-Band Me would have been a little distraught over such a little serving but it seems do-able to Post-Band Me.

[Kime-lou 648]

My nutritionist said about 1 cup total.

Your are so right, pre band me would have said your are crazy only eat 1 cup of food and be satisfied. Now I feel like that is possible with out me turning into an evil witch.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

My nutritionist and surgeon both say 1 cup total per meal

So I'll have 4oz of chicken, 1/4 cup green Beans and 1/4 cup mashed potatoes

[Desiree123 11]

So is this one cup even before any fills?

[jen_1381 446]

Going back through my material - - which I promise, I read MANY times! - - it does say even right post-op, after you move through the different stages, that you should stick to 1 cup meals.

Again, whoopsie!

[Desiree123 11]

Ugggggg! I've been doing about 1 1/2 cups.....I'm only aloud 3 meals and no snacks.....I'm starving! I dont get my fill till next wed.....it will be 6 weeks!

[Sunshyne068 97]

I can eat 1 to 1.5 cups of food. if i eat 2 cups i get the signals that ive done TOO much. If your 1/2 cup of food is good lean Proteins mostly then you will stay satisfied.

[Desiree123 11]

Thank u.....that makes me feel so much better! Sometimes I do the 2 cups and after I can tell it was to much....dont feel sick but dont like the full feeling it gives!

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

So is this one cup even before any fills?

Yes, actually especially before fills, to make sure we're not over-eating despite a lack of restriction.

It's like I always say, just because you can eat more food doesn't mean you should.

[Desiree123 11]

Thank u.....that makes me feel so much better! Sometimes I do the 2 cups and after I can tell it was to much....dont feel sick but dont like the full feeling it gives!

[Desiree123 11]

Thank u.....that makes me feel so much better! Sometimes I do the 2 cups and after I can tell it was to much....dont feel sick but dont like the full feeling it gives!

[Desiree123 11]

My Dr has never stressed one cup but I think I'm going to start measuring and trying to stick with one cup......3 cups a day of food who would have ever thought I could have just that! Lol

[judych 225]

Here I am, 12 weeks into my journey, and found out yesterday that I had misunderstood portion sizes and have been eating too much all along. When preparing my meals, I was having 2-3 ounces of lean Protein, 1/2 cup of veggies and 1/2 cup of fruit. I've been able to stay full between meals but don't have any "restriction" per se; I don't get my full signal very often. I just stick to controlling my portion sizes.

I went in for my 3rd fill yesterday (now have 6 cc in an 11 cc band) and my surgeon asked how much I was eating. When I told him my plan, he said that ideally I should be eating 1/2 - 1 cup of food TOTAL. He explained that once I'm in the Green Zone it will be easier to reach satiety after 1/2 cup of food, but until then go ahead and have 1 cup.

Okay, so, whoopsie! He didn't think there was any danger of me stretching my pouch since I explained that I do eat slowly and don't always finish my meals. I asked about doing a liquid diet for a while to ensure my pouch was restored to normal and he didn't think it was necessary.

I know each surgeon is different, and I intend to follow his direction, but is the 1/2 cup portion size what you guys try to follow? Pre-Band Me would have been a little distraught over such a little serving but it seems do-able to Post-Band Me.

i vary between a small cup and maybe 1 1/2 cups now. it depends on the day and what im having. im still having a lot of Soups so im having more than one cup. as the weather warms up more i will leave the Soups alone and have more salad.

[Jachut 487]

It depends a lot on what I'm eating. I remain very aware of portion sizes because for me, to feel happy and satisfied, I need to eat things I enjoy - which are often heavier and higher in calories and fat than lettuce and grilled chicken!

I make my own toasted muesli (granola) for Breakfast, and to eat a whole cup of that would be one very heavy, high calorie meal - I eat about 1/3 of a cup of it, with a big spoon of yogurt and splash of milk. But for lunch today I've got some home made gnocchi and a walnut spinach pesto - I've got about 1/2 of a cup which I will put on a bowl of spinach leaves. so I'll maybe have 3/4 of a cup in total.

Other things, like Soup, I measure out a full cup.

For dinner, I dont even try to measure weights or half a cup of meat. I just use a bread and butter plate and dont overfill it. Its usually a pretty small meal.