ideas for visual/psychological adjustment to our new tiny portions

[Globetrotter 1,340]

Has anyone heard of bento boxes? They are the traditional Japanese boxed lunch. They are teeny tiny and arranging them can be an art form. I haven't been sleeved yet but am trying to think of ways to make my mental transition afterwards as smooth as possible. That's when I thought of bentos - they are Protein focused (we can take out the rice), tiny, and visually stimulating. Plus, for us, they wouldn't be tiny, they would be just right! We could eat an entire lunch, lol! So here's a link to a site. I think I'm going to look forward to spending time and care on my food, I've spent too long just throwing everything down my gullet. =)

Just Bento | a healthy meal in a box: great bento recipes, tips, and more

[CraftyChristie 62]

I think the visual adjustment is really important. I haven't bought a bento box because when I saw one it was actually quite a bit bigger than I thought. I did buy something similar to a bento box in the toddler section at target! One for me and one for hubby.

I also bought small plates and bowls to eat out of. The bowls only hold 1/2 cup so my 2 ounces fills it halfway and I don't feel like I'm eating so little. This visual trick must really work because when I post my food photos online people say "I can't believe you're eating so much!" when I'm only eating 2 - 2.5 ounces. lol

Here are some relevant posts on my blog if you are interested in seeing what I mean :thumbup:

Health and Happiness: Drastic Change

Health and Happiness: Stocking Up

Health and Happiness: Things I've Been Eating

[Jane_J 117]

Has anyone heard of bento boxes? They are the traditional Japanese boxed lunch. They are teeny tiny and arranging them can be an art form. I haven't been sleeved yet but am trying to think of ways to make my mental transition afterwards as smooth as possible. That's when I thought of bentos - they are Protein focused (we can take out the rice), tiny, and visually stimulating. Plus, for us, they wouldn't be tiny, they would be just right! We could eat an entire lunch, lol! So here's a link to a site. I think I'm going to look forward to spending time and care on my food, I've spent too long just throwing everything down my gullet. =)

Just Bento | a healthy meal in a box: great bento recipes, tips, and more

Will look for Bento boxes in the UK, as long as the fish is cooked ! Well I will try the raw stuff really, like rare steak I would imagine. :thumbup:

[lmmore 0]

I just use a salad plate, and fill it 3/4 full of whatever three items are on the plate. Bento plate sounds like over kill to me. But you know, what ever works for you.

[MlkPas 5]

I use a dessert plate and child-sized silverware. It didn't take long at all to adjust. These days (3 months out) the "normal" servings my DS and DH eat look HUGE to me!

[SParkle 4]

I bought myself a smaller version of our dinner plates.... so when I am able to 'eat' then I'll serve myself my food on that.

But I like the bento box idea for a picnic....

Kathy

[Globetrotter 1,340]

I was more excited by the concept of artistic visually interesting food, seperate from the notion of using small plates (which I will). Coming from the Bay Area I am predisposed to Asian-inspired foods, once I saw the pictures online of the boiled eggs made to look like tiger faces, and the little omelettes made to look like stars and flowers, I thought it was a great way to get over the anxiety some people seem to have over their newly tiny portions.

[NtvTxn 1,262]

I know this sounds weird, but I started making an EFFORT to eat slower before surgery....I would fill up and leaving food ON MY PLATE for the first time in my life, was satisfying. It is strange to do it, but it was satisfying. I have china that I love and seldom use, the salad plates are beautiful, I think that when I get back home, my DH and I will both use them. He is so supportive and it will be fun for him too. He can just get refills. He doesn't need to lose weight. I have my grandson's silverware, I may try using it. The toddler size may be perfect!

[Maddie 9]

I actually got bento boxes for me and my grandchildren. I always try to make things fun for them when they come to spend the night. They love the bento boxes and are always very anxious to see what's in them this time. I like my bento box, but as Christie said, is now too big. So, I'll have to hunt for something else. Target here I come, LOL.

[Donna4545 13]

I get sleeved July 14th and have already started making size adjustments. I bought toddler silverware--it really changes your mindset. I also got toddler bowls, 4 oz. ramekins, and 2 oz. cups. I plan on using saucers as plates. I'm starting to experiment using this stuff and I've found there is definitely a mental component. The first time I used the toddler fork I got angry--lots of different reasons, but it was something so deep seated I'm glad I tried it BEFORE surgery so I could work through it in advance--I was over it in 10 minutes, though.

[brittu 42]

The adjustment that eventually happened for me (with my band when it was working, I've only had my sleeve for 5 weeks) is how HUGE regular portions looked. After a year just looking at how much other people had on their plates made me queasy. I think you eventually get so used to small amounts and small bites and enjoying them that excess looks really unappealing.

[mila1013 0]

The adjustment that eventually happened for me (with my band when it was working, I've only had my sleeve for 5 weeks) is how HUGE regular portions looked. After a year just looking at how much other people had on their plates made me queasy. I think you eventually get so used to small amounts and small bites and enjoying them that excess looks really unappealing.

I completly agree with this, and exactly how I feel, people always would say "you dont eat anything" and I was thinking "you eat so much" funny how perception changes...

[Papillon 7]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Yum-Yum-Bento-Box-Recipes-Adorable/dp/1594744475/ref=pd_sim_k_5]Amazon.com: Yum-Yum Bento Box: Fresh recipes for Adorable Lunches[/ame]

This is really cute! : ) Thought you might appreciate it ... since we were talking about Bento boxes.

[breezy 8]

I looked at the bento boxes too and thought they were too big! I just use a desert plate and regular silverware.

My hubby and I went out for pizza recently and ordered an "individual" sized pizza. It was about 8" round. I was able to eat 1 slice and he ate 5 slices, which left 2. It was more than enough for us. I noticed another couple being served a huge pizza (which would have been us 6 mos ago) and thought "don't you realize that is WAY too much food!" I have a european friend who says that we in America have a much different measure of the amount of food to eat at a time.

[Globetrotter 1,340]

Thank you Papillon, we WERE talking about Bento boxes, lol! I think taking the time to arrange a bento is not for everyone but for me I think it will be an outlet for the focus on food that I (and I'm sure many of us) still have. Some of the finishes bentos I've seen are so impressive, tiger faces on deviled eggs, bunnies made from squid sushi, little sumo faces carved into vegetables. A common complaint here on the forum is the worry over feeling left out at mealtimes and at the dinner table, I say have fun with your food, there's so little of it now we might as well make the most of it!