I am scheduled for surgery two weeks from now and have started getting ready with protein, chewable vitamins, jello. I also want to get rid of the items that might sabotage me in the future, but wonder if I might be going overboard.

So--KEEP or TOSS:

Boxed cake mix

Ovaltine

Saltine crackers

Triscuits

Walnuts

Butter

"Light" butter

Pancake mix

Noodles

Barley

Coconut

Raisins

Heath bar chips, choc chips, butterscotch chips

Condensed sweetened milk

I ate the rest of my ice cream yesterday and won't be buying any more. I live alone so no need to cook for anyone but me and guests maybe 2x/month.

I would keep the light butter, put the walnuts in the freezer for a good protein snack down the road. I know we don't need the starch, but the saltines with some baby food meat (salt and garlic powder added) saved me from chewing off my own tongue at the end of full liquids. Throw the rest out or donate anything unopened to a local food pantry.

I just went through the same process earlier this week. I ended up donating nearly 60 lbs of food to the local ffod bank (yes you could say I overshop for food!), and would agree with the advice to get rid of anything tempting and only keep food you can eat after surgery. You will feel good to give away most of what you listed as the food bank folks are always so happy to receive donations.