It's my first Thanksgiving with the band and I don't know how to eat. Do u eat everything just smaller portions or do completely skip over some food like the pies or are those in smaller portions as well?

eat your allotted amount and have alittle something of everything

we are not on a diet....i intend to use my small plate, get my protein first and a smidge of everything else

happy thanksgiving

As Carolina said, focus on protein first and just tiny bites of whatever else you want. You really have to learn to savor the very small amounts of the "good stuff" so you'll be satisfied.

eat your allotted amount and have alittle something of everything

we are not on a diet....i intend to use my small plate' date=' get my Protein first and a smidge of everything else

happy thanksgiving[/quote']

This is my exact plan! I am bringing my food scale to my parents house because im obsessive lol

Last year was my first Thanksgiving after being banded, and I ate a little bit of everything I wanted, including desserts. I even had a bite of a yummy roll! I took small bites, chewed well, and ate slowly. I enjoyed my meal and felt really great about having enjoyed it without overindulging.

I use small portions of my favorites for the main meal. My family doesn't eat dessert until hours later really more like dinner time.

I was going to skip the meal and come back to visit but you all are so brave. I am going to eat with my family and take it as a challenge. I am taking my measuring cups, spoons , decaf coffee and sf pudding with me.

Thanks for the inspiration

I was going to skip the meal and come back to visit but you all are so brave. I am going to eat with my family and take it as a challenge. I am taking my measuring cups, spoons , decaf coffee and sf pudding with me.

Thanks for the inspiration

no bravery needed...no skipping either or i will tell santa..

eat to nourish your body and enjoy your family

eat you allotted amount...(i stop at 1 cup). heck i may even do 1 1/2

use a small plate, chew alot and dont over think it..you can do this

Over-eating not required on holidays. Eat you normal portions and enjoy. It can be kind to fun to listen to the aftermaths of those who gorge themselves, while you feel fine! BTW, Pumpkin is a fruit!

Overeating true is not required but it will be tough to eat only half a cup. I don't get a cup like most of you. It will be nice to not feel stuffed this year and years to come.

Overeating true is not required but it will be tough to eat only half a cup. I don't get a cup like most of you. It will be nice to not feel stuffed this year and years to come.

dont eat what i do (that 1 cup)...thats me....i am a big girl and am very strict with myself ONLY

eat a bit of everything...and then get right back on track..that is what i am doing..no guilt, no drama

I was banded in October of 2010 so I had my band 4 weeks before Thanksgiving, I had my first fill, the week before thanksgiving. I will say, it was a little over whelming to look at all that food. I took my salad plate and put a small serving of all my favorites on my plate. I was able to eat about half. One I was nervious, two we were at friends house. I got collard greens stuck of all things so my dinner was cut short but I did have a bite of pumpkin pie. Just follow the same rules you always do and that will help.

To be honest personally the festive season no longer scares me. In the past food was always my focus and Christmas time I'd feel like I was dying by the end of the day with all the food consumed. This year I'm cooking for twenty people and will be making what everyone likes and I will stick with my portion controls and if there is something I really drool over I will have a small bit and be happy with that. This will be the first year in years that I won't be putting on weight from over eating and looking forward more to the company if people I love.

This is my third Thanksgiving since being banded. My first Thanksgiving was just ok. I realized for the first time how long everyone sat around the table and just grazed all day long. My second Thanksgiving I knew what I could eat comfortably without becoming sick and running out of the room. This is my third Thanksgiving. I will get a small plate and get up frequently reserving people and cleaning the kitchen AND realizing I now have control...NOT the food!

To be honest personally the festive season no longer scares me. In the past food was always my focus and Christmas time I'd feel like I was dying by the end of the day with all the food consumed. This year I'm cooking for twenty people and will be making what everyone likes and I will stick with my portion controls and if there is something I really drool over I will have a small bit and be happy with that. This will be the first year in years that I won't be putting on weight from over eating and looking forward more to the company if people I love.