I have had a rough time lately and have gone back to protien shakes. My tentative plan is to do that for 3 days then gradually introduce a meal. Wondering if others have done this, and how exactly they did it (how long did you stay on shakes et...) and if it worked to get back on track. Thanks!

I will admit I have done it a few times. I did shakes for 3 days or so. I've been at a plateau for almost two months and got desperate. It didn't work; after going back to food the few pounds I lost came back. I now just measure and log every single thing. Eventually my body will realize what it's getting and start shedding the lbs again. I do go back to liquids if I have a bad stuck episode (only once to date) for a day.

I have done the shakes to get through plateaus. I just followed the pre-op diet that my doctor gave me which was two shakes a day and frozen dinner or something comparable. It equals out to being 70-80 grams of carbs, 70-90 grams of protein, and 800-1000 calories. I like to have a shake for breakfast, a shake for lunch, and then a pretzel bread lean pocket and cottage cheese for dinner. I also drink about 50 ounces of water a day while doing it. I asked at one of my fill appointments about doing this, and they said as long as you don't do it for longer than 2 weeks it is fine. I did it for 10 days and lost another 8 pounds, and I have done it this week (not perfectly by any means) and lost another 4 since Monday. I only use it when I feel like my weight loss is stalled.

In what way(s) have you been having a rough time? Having eating problems, or making poor food choices and/or overeating?

Can anyone give me ideas on a meal plan. I think i need a change and some new ideas of what people are eating

Can anyone give me ideas on a meal plan. I think i need a change and some new ideas of what people are eating

The best meal plan would be one made for you by your dietitian.

One way to learn what other people are eating (and stave off boredom) is to start a thread entitled something like What Are You Eating Today? That way you'll get a good variety of responses. If you had posted a thread like that today, here's how I would have answered:

B: Protein latte

S: baked oatmeal w/ fruit & walnuts

S: Greek yogurt w/ a few blueberry Fiber crisps

L: baked shrimp w/ tomatillos

S: tomato salad w/ Havarti cheese

D: Buffalo chicken potato skin

S: trail mix

S: Peanut Butter banana oatmeal bar

That looks like a lot of food but I'm only eating about 1/4 cup at a time (that's all I can manage right now) and I have to eat every 1-2 hours because of a blood sugar issue. But it does give you an idea of the variety of things I like eating.

As a "boost" to get back on track my doctor said it was okay for a day or two, but to try and eat properly is the best way for the band to work effectively.

The best meal plan would be one made for you by your dietitian.

One way to learn what other people are eating (and stave off boredom) is to start a thread entitled something like What Are You Eating Today? That way you'll get a good variety of responses. If you had posted a thread like that today' date=' here's how I would have answered:

B: Protein latte

S: baked oatmeal w/ fruit & walnuts

S: Greek yogurt w/ a few blueberry fiber crisps

L: baked shrimp w/ tomatillos

S: tomato salad w/ Havarti cheese

D: Buffalo chicken potato skin

S: trail mix

S: Peanut Butter banana oatmeal bar

That looks like a lot of food but I'm only eating about 1/4 cup at a time (that's all I can manage right now) and I have to eat every 1-2 hours because of a blood sugar issue. But it does give you an idea of the variety of things I like eating.[/quote']

If you are going to post a food log that looks like that, the least could do is post recipes for the buffalo chicken potato skin, baked shrimp w tomatillos, and the baked oatmeal w fruit & walnuts. Jeez!

If you are going to post a food log that looks like that, the least could do is post recipes for the buffalo chicken potato skin, baked shrimp w tomatillos, and the baked oatmeal w fruit & walnuts. Jeez!

Okey dokey!

Buffalo chicken potato skins - recipe is here: http://jeanslapbandjourney.blogspot.com/2012/10/buffalo-chicken-potato-skins.html

Baked shrimp w/ tomatillos - recipe is here: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/baked_shrimp_with_tomatillos/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+elise%2Fsimplyrecipes+%28Simply+Recipes%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

Baked oatmeal w/ fruit & nuts - recipe is here: http://jeanslapbandjourney.blogspot.com/2012/10/baked-oatmeal.html

I have done it for a day here and there to get off a plateau.

You may want to consult your Dr as to how to get back on track before you do it for longer than that.

I always have one protein shake a day regardless. I do this to ensure I at least hit my daily requirement of 90 -110g of protein. Typically this is my breakfast as my band is usually tight in the morning.

Jean, thank you so so much!! I hate to cook but lately I have been really good about trying new healthy recipes.

Jean, thank you so so much!! I hate to cook but lately I have been really good about trying new healthy recipes.

Even if you just try one new food or new recipe a week, you'll be improving your nutrition as well as your cooking skills.