I've seen many people say that they're eating a cup of food and I'm confused. My doctor recommends 3 oz. of meat and veggies.. how does that compare to 1 cup? I'm obviously going to follow my doctors instructions, but I was just wondering..

Thanks so much- sorry if I sound silly

I always think of a cup as 8 oz. So if you are eatting a 3 oz piece of meat, the additional 5 oz would be the veggies.

Of course I haven't been banded yet, but this is just how I read the dietary instructions.

I was told to measure Protein by weight (3-4oz max) but everything else, if it can be measured by volume (cup) then use a cup.

The reason isn't for calories but to not accidentally over eat and stretch the pouch above the band. The pouch can't hold more than a cup of food so that's where the whole 1 cup rule comes from.

I usually end up doing about 3oz of protein, 1/4 of veggies and 1/4 of starch.

It's my understanding that our pouches hold appx 2 oz or 1/4 cup.

i DO WHAT mISSY DOES!

Ahhhh ok I get it now! Sorry! thank you all for clarifying!

What I don't understand is how do we measure a cup? Weigh 8 ounces on a scale? Or whatever food we can stuff into an 8oz cup?

I'm confused at these different ways of measuring

What I don't understand is how do we measure a cup? Weigh 8 ounces on a scale? Or whatever food we can stuff into an 8oz cup?

I'm confused at these different ways of measuring

8oz of weight doesn't necessarily mean a cup by volume. A good example: If you weighed out 8oz of popcorn it's going to fill way more than a measuring cup. Some things, like meat, you simply can't measure in a cup so they say 3-4oz

This is why my doctor and nutritionist say to use a measuring cup whenever possible because they are concerned with volume not weight. In fact my nutritionist even went so far as to say meat should be the size of a deck of cards rather than weighing to stay within the right volume of food.

8oz of weight doesn't necessarily mean a cup by volume. A good example: If you weighed out 8oz of popcorn it's going to fill way more than a measuring cup. Some things, like meat, you simply can't measure in a cup so they say 3-4oz

This is why my doctor and nutritionist say to use a measuring cup whenever possible because they are concerned with volume not weight. In fact my nutritionist even went so far as to say meat should be the size of a deck of cards rather than weighing to stay within the right volume of food.

Thank you

So how do we then know which foods need to be measured and which need to be weighed?

Until now I have been weighing my foods, which worked great because it was so easy

Thank you

So how do we then know which foods need to be measured and which need to be weighed?

Until now I have been weighing my foods, which worked great because it was so easy

If I can put it in a measuring cup, I do. For instance, right now I'm eating chicken, snap peas, peppers, and Pasta in a basil sauce. So I put it all in a measuring cup to serve myself. (it's all cooked mixed together)

If I'm having say pork chops...I'll measure about 3oz of pork (because it can't fit in a cup) but then I'll measure out 1/4 cup green Beans and 1/4 mashed potatoes via measuring cups.

If I can put it in a measuring cup, I do. For instance, right now I'm eating chicken, snap peas, peppers, and Pasta in a basil sauce. So I put it all in a measuring cup to serve myself. (it's all cooked mixed together)

If I'm having say pork chops...I'll measure about 3oz of pork (because it can't fit in a cup) but then I'll measure out 1/4 cup green Beans and 1/4 mashed potatoes via measuring cups.

And when you put foods in a measuring cup do you squash it down and condense it?

Wow I never used measuring cups and now I feel like a fool since I use a scale!

And when you put foods in a measuring cup do you squash it down and condense it?

Wow I never used measuring cups and now I feel like a fool since I use a scale!

Nooo don't feel like a fool!! It's really common, actually. People think "oh there's 8oz in a cup" and go from there. We're trained to think calories and weight, so when we're then told to start thinking volume, it takes some serious getting used to.

It really depends on what it is whether or not I mush it down. Quite honestly, in large part depending how much I like the food and really want it LOL! (hey I'm being honest!)

It's not an exact science by any means, it's just a way to try to keep your food volume compatible with your pouch size.

Missy- thank you for taking the time to explain all of this! You have always been so helpful! You're so awesome!!

Ditto...thanks Missy, good info and totally understandable.

Sorry missy going to correct you here, the pouch doesn't hold one cup of food, it only holds about a tablespoon of food.

The pouch is above the band and that's where the food you just swallowed ends up till its squeezed through the band hence the one minute rule between bites, sometimes it takes an extra minute depending on what we eat. If one cup of food were to sit in the pouch above the band we'd all be in big trouble.

I asked my surgeon, my nutritionist and my fill person about how much sits in the little pouch and they all told me the same thing, about a tablespoon.

To the op no question is dumb and as you've found out you've had wonderful and helpful replies from great people on this forum so ask away.

I have been told a .5 cup to 1 c. of solid food, never more than 1 c. I measure with measuring cup and I do not eat pasta or potatoes. I have to have 20 grams of protein in a meal. It is hard to get 20 grams of protein in a .5 c of food. This worked great until I ended up with H1N1 virus in November.