The Importance of feeding myself.

[apple-saucy 17]

This morning I got up and ate 1/2 cup of corned beef hash (and I swear once the open can is gone I well never ever buy another can so long as I LIVE!)

Then hubby and I decided to take the kids to a play place that they have asked about, despite it being absolutely gorgeous outside today... with two kids with autism one of whom has high level of anxiety we figured that memorial day the play place would be essentially empty and it was so it worked out well for them.

Anyway I ate Breakfast at 9am Got the kids ready to go, and left home at 11. Didn't think to grab anything to take with me to eat. Well the irrational annoyance didn't hit me until about 1 of course the kids were in full on play mode so decided I could wait...besides all they had at the snack bar was empty carbs and apple sauce. by 2 I start telling hubby that I need to get something to eat. It was 2:45 before we got the kids out the door (and hubby was less than thrilled that we were leaving) by this point I'm getting frustrated with flashes of anger. We go to the nearby Wal-mart to get Snacks for everyone...of course hubby decideds to go check out the Lego which takes 30 minutes...then my ability to think becomes compromised. Hubby asked if I had gotten any food for myself...uh...no. So we go down the tuna aisle I chose a ready made lunch kit and tossed it into the cart beaning my 4yr old daughter in the head. I of course burst into tears (and she just looks at me like "WTH MOM What' wrong with you?" ) I then feel like I'm going to pass out. It takes another 10 minutes to get out of the store and to the car where I Proceed to eat too fast (it's now 3:45 almost 7 hours after eating breakfast and 2 hours after I let my hubby know that I needed to eat) I have to stop eating after getting through about half of the little 2ish oz can and 2 crackers because it's sitting like a lead ball in my stomach. It takes me almost half an hour to eat 2oz of chicken salad and 3 crackers. We get home and I immediatly feel like I need to sleep. I slept for two hours and have been playing calorie catchup since 7. I just hit my daily minimum for Protein at midnight.

I feel like absolute crap. I think I may start carrying some of those lunch kits in the diaper bag for days like this...when I forget about myself...because this body cannot function for 7hours on less than 200 calories.

[Coookies 13]

Wowzers!! It sounds like you had a really tough day!! Packing Snacks sounds like a good idea!!! I've done the same thing, where my blood sugar gets so low i feel like i'm torn between passing out and ripping the nearest person's head off! LOL... you know its bad when you start to see bright spots floating around you..

I need to start carrying Snacks too!! Usually i throw a small package of sliced ham into my purse before i head out the door, but with summer coming, that's probably not the wisest idea anymore.. I think i will get some of those tuna kits too and maybe a ziplock of almonds (my sister's trick...and why she is a size 2)

[Margaret 4]

I carry a tiny plastic container of almonds in my purse. I also do not leave home without lots of Water.

Wowzers!! It sounds like you had a really tough day!! Packing Snacks sounds like a good idea!!! I've done the same thing, where my blood sugar gets so low i feel like i'm torn between passing out and ripping the nearest person's head off! LOL... you know its bad when you start to see bright spots floating around you..

I need to start carrying Snacks too!! Usually i throw a small package of sliced ham into my purse before i head out the door, but with summer coming, that's probably not the wisest idea anymore.. I think i will get some of those tuna kits too and maybe a ziplock of almonds (my sister's trick...and why she is a size 2)

[Marie from Michigan 11]

I have learned to always carry a protien bar, turkey meat stick and a Special K Protein Water packet. And I always have bottled water in the car. However, with the warm weather the past couple of weeks, that water gets HOT. Might have to pack a cooler. Take care of yourself first!

[Nancy Rivers 24]

It's always a good idea to carry Snacks for that just in case situation. I usually have a cooler in the car as well to keep Water cool. I've been doing this for a few years due to being diabetic. Sounds like it should be a good thing to continue...

[lsereno 2,525]

I'm with Kaiser NorCal and when we first join the bariatric program we get the "bible". It includes a chapter on nutrition and they recommend a cooler emergency kit for times when you are out. They suggest drinks such as bottled Water and crystal light "on the go" packets, sweet Snacks, such as unsweetened applesauce cups and fruit, and food items such as lunch meat, boiled eggs, string cheese, tuna packs, beef Jerky, edamame, and dried vegetables.

For me, I think shelf-stable foods are easier to grab and go with for long days and easy to eat Snacks, such as string cheese and a banana for shorter trips.

I'm a little more used to packing snacks because I've spent several years on the Weight Watchers treadmill and I tried to pack food for road trips so I wouldn't be stuck with only bad choices. I've found a string cheese will be OK in the purse for a few hours. I used to pack a sandwich that I might not eat for a couple of hours too. I mean, heaven forbid! I'm older than a lot of people on these boards and we used to take our lunch to school, let it sit for 4 hours (we didn't have cooler packs in those days) and then merrily eat our egg salad, tuna salad, or lunch meat sandwiches.

Lynda