did it take you a month, two months, 3 ??? Thanks Im mexican american and I love spicy foods.

Italian lady' date=' Give us some idea of what you ate/drank when on liquids to get your Protein in without drinking protein shakes. Thanks. I don't mind them, but they are not agreeing with me and are causing diarrhea. You have done so well with your weight loss. Congrats.[/quote']

Italian lady, I would like some alternatives as well. I strongly dislike the shakes & powders that I tolerated pre-op.

Bmooney, I recently tried the Adkins Cafe Caramel shake & I love it. The problem is that it only has 15g of protein. However, it is very tasty! I also have Bariatric Advantage's protein elixir in white grape (haven't tried the berry). It's not too bad...better than the shakes & powders.

Littlebits

good for you....but you are not everyone....and I won't criticise anyone for choices they make to put things they chose into their body' date=' it's THEIR body and no one can judge....put good job on the encouragement *applause*. I don't feel it necessary to beat anyone up for a food choice.....instead let's encourage each other to take it a day at a time....[/quote']

Italian lady--- thank you for your encouragement!!

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I never did the shakes, I have to admit. They made me gag alot and they were sickeningly sweet. I got most of my Protein through my diet and it took alot of effort. Some days I could get it all in while others I did not and I did lose a fair bit of hair doing it this way, but vomiting and gaging everyday was not an option for me. I basically ate my five meals a day and at five meals a day if I had 10 grams of protein then I was lucky....that gave me 50 grams, not quite enough but better than nothing. I ate things like scrambled eggs with cheese, refried Beans with cheese (all fat free cheese at that point) tuna with fat free/low fat mayo on protein bread. I never did the no carb thing because it just made me feel like I was missing out on something then i would binge later on those things feel guilty and start the cycle. That's why I don't believe in cutting anything out, because this is supposed to be about changing your relationship with food and I'm sorry but the foods i like are not going to be the black sheep in my family. If those things make me gain weight and we can't get along I do with them like I do with relatives I love but can't get on with....I take them in small doses! That being said. I eat like a normal person, I watch my intake, I used to write everything down religiously but don't do it anymore as I am almost a year out. I make sure I'm not over eating and I maintain my tummy by doing the 5 day pouch test every few months to get myself back on track, detox and shrink my tummy down. Here are some food ideas for you

refried beans with cheese, quac, salsa and plain greek yogurt

meat balls with a quarter of a baby bello cheese placed in the center and baked (not friend) in the oven

beef jerkey (chewed chewed chewed)

look up my recipe for turkey meatloaf and stuffed mushrooms (yum yum yum) it's on the recipe forum.

I ate and still eat tons of hummus, lentils, pistachios, almonds (not the naked kind either the roasted tasty ones) and I eat two tons of sunflower seeds....I should be a bird by now. Instead of potato chips and Snacks high in carbs these items give me my snacky go tos instead of taking in tons of carbs...

I also eat tons of popcorn. I know they say no no no but as far as I can see, popcorn is FULL of Fiber, low in calories and if not loaded with butter low in calories as well. It helps me go to the bathroom because as time goes on and with the amount of protein you will take in moving your bowels becomes a challenge. SO I have to force myself to take in enough liquids that's my BIGGEST challenge. For me Water is not something I reach for so I will usually reach for my diet decaf ice tea mix by liptons which I swear by....that's how I do it. I try to be realistic about this because living this kind of lifestyle is a big big challenge and for all of us who are living this life KUDOS to us, its very very hard:DDDD

BUT WE ARE DOING IT!!!!!

I never did the shakes' date=' I have to admit. They made me gag alot and they were sickeningly sweet. I got most of my Protein through my diet and it took alot of effort. Some days I could get it all in while others I did not and I did lose a fair bit of hair doing it this way, but vomiting and gaging everyday was not an option for me. I basically ate my five meals a day and at five meals a day if I had 10 grams of protein then I was lucky....that gave me 50 grams, not quite enough but better than nothing. I ate things like scrambled eggs with cheese, refried Beans with cheese (all fat free cheese at that point) tuna with fat free/low fat mayo on protein bread. I never did the no carb thing because it just made me feel like I was missing out on something then i would binge later on those things feel guilty and start the cycle. That's why I don't believe in cutting anything out, because this is supposed to be about changing your relationship with food and I'm sorry but the foods i like are not going to be the black sheep in my family. If those things make me gain weight and we can't get along I do with them like I do with relatives I love but can't get on with....I take them in small doses! That being said. I eat like a normal person, I watch my intake, I used to write everything down religiously but don't do it anymore as I am almost a year out. I make sure I'm not over eating and I maintain my tummy by doing the 5 day pouch test every few months to get myself back on track, detox and shrink my tummy down. Here are some food ideas for you

refried beans with cheese, quac, salsa and plain greek yogurt

meat balls with a quarter of a baby bello cheese placed in the center and baked (not friend) in the oven

beef jerkey (chewed chewed chewed)

look up my recipe for turkey meatloaf and stuffed mushrooms (yum yum yum) it's on the recipe forum.

I ate and still eat tons of hummus, lentils, pistachios, almonds (not the naked kind either the roasted tasty ones) and I eat two tons of sunflower seeds....I should be a bird by now. Instead of potato chips and Snacks high in carbs these items give me my snacky go tos instead of taking in tons of carbs...

I also eat tons of popcorn. I know they say no no no but as far as I can see, popcorn is FULL of fiber, low in calories and if not loaded with butter low in calories as well. It helps me go to the bathroom because as time goes on and with the amount of protein you will take in moving your bowels becomes a challenge. SO I have to force myself to take in enough liquids that's my BIGGEST challenge. For me Water is not something I reach for so I will usually reach for my diet decaf ice tea mix by liptons which I swear by....that's how I do it. I try to be realistic about this because living this kind of lifestyle is a big big challenge and for all of us who are living this life KUDOS to us, its very very hard:DDDD

BUT WE ARE DOING IT!!!!![/quote']

Italianlady -- how much have you lost?

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Italian lady, I would like some alternatives as well. I strongly dislike the shakes & powders that I tolerated pre-op.

Bmooney, I recently tried the Adkins Cafe Caramel shake & I love it. The problem is that it only has 15g of Protein. However, it is very tasty! I also have Bariatric Advantage's protein elixir in white grape (haven't tried the berry). It's not too bad...better than the shakes & powders.

Littlebits

it it's relatively good for you, if it's tasty, then why would you not use it...although I found Protein Bars even better than adkins bars (which I find are too sweet for my changed taste buds). I LOVE the Pure Protein bars. They have 20 gr of protein, 2 grams of sugar, 6 grams of fat (a bit high but we can't find the perfect product that tastes perfect either) 180 calories....I love them. Usually you can get them on sale for like 2 dollars per bar. They taste like a candy bar and they are relatively good for you too. I don't eat them often but when i'm having one of those 50 grams of protein a day then I get in one of these and I can get up to 70 grams which is the lowest we should take in. At my current weight (125) I should be taking in 100 grams of protein for optimal health but I can live with 70.... Whatever you do, don't beat yourself up, tomorrow is always a new day! It's all about attitude:)

Italianlady -- how much have you lost?

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85 pounds in 9 months. I have been maintaining for three (although I lost a pound this week)

Italian lady--- thank you for your encouragement!!

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No problem ANY time. I have been through this and if I can help anyone i'm there in a flash:D

it it's relatively good for you' date=' if it's tasty, then why would you not use it...although I found Protein bars even better than adkins bars (which I find are too sweet for my changed taste buds). I LOVE the Pure Protein bars. They have 20 gr of protein, 2 grams of sugar, 6 grams of fat (a bit high but we can't find the perfect product that tastes perfect either) 180 calories....I love them. Usually you can get them on sale for like 2 dollars per bar. They taste like a candy bar and they are relatively good for you too. I don't eat them often but when i'm having one of those 50 grams of protein a day then I get in one of these and I can get up to 70 grams which is the lowest we should take in. At my current weight (125) I should be taking in 100 grams of protein for optimal health but I can live with 70.... Whatever you do, don't beat yourself up, tomorrow is always a new day! It's all about attitude:)[/quote']

Kudos to you for your success & I totally agree with your philosophy! I think that a lot of us chose VSG so that we wouldn't have a lot of food restrictions. This tool gave us a new outlook on life, but it's up to us to figure out our limitations. Thanks for sharing your experience!!!

Littlebits

I agree with the previous posts....if you're hooked on Doritos and Hot Cheetos, try to seriously limit your intake of these. They're bad news for your progress. Surprisingly, hot and spicy food goes down like water for me and has since about 2 weeks out. Chili, salsa and Tapatio sause are some of my favorites. Moderation on the junk food is the key.

Kudos to you for your success & I totally agree with your philosophy! I think that a lot of us chose VSG so that we wouldn't have a lot of food restrictions. This tool gave us a new outlook on life, but it's up to us to figure out our limitations. Thanks for sharing your experience!!!

Littlebits

No probs! Any time you need help you let me know I can help out

I forgot to add something: I cook with as many fresh herbs as I can to make the food tastier without adding any extra fat. for instance tonight I made my own salad dressing with lemon juice, fresh garlic crushed with salt, olive oil, pepper, whole grain mustard and dill (the kind that comes in the tube that's all ground and kind of like a paste) it was heavenly. I topped it with some chopped up egg and some fresh grilled steak it was awesome. I could only eat like four bites but I'm looking forward to my evening meal of it later on tonight after my walk:D

Good afternoon all,

Please stay on topic. Inflammatory remarks will begin to receive formal warnings via PM by the Moderation staff. Please remain respectful and supportive at all times regardless of personal feelings towards the topic. If anyone is unable to give respectful and helpful comments without getting into a back and forth with others, then please refrain from responding.

Thanking you all in advance.

No probs! Any time you need help you let me know I can help out

I forgot to add something: I cook with as many fresh herbs as I can to make the food tastier without adding any extra fat. for instance tonight I made my own salad dressing with lemon juice' date=' fresh garlic crushed with salt, olive oil, pepper, whole grain mustard and dill (the kind that comes in the tube that's all ground and kind of like a paste) it was heavenly. I topped it with some chopped up egg and some fresh grilled steak it was awesome. I could only eat like four bites but I'm looking forward to my evening meal of it later on tonight after my walk:D[/quote']

Thanks!

Littlebits

To All, I really appreciate all the positive input from fellow sleeves!

The recipes and healthy tips to better eating...I know I need to eat small portions very slowly but frequently.

I get depressed when I see my family enjoying my cooking but it's bcs I want to eat as well. I am so happy today I went to the barrio where they make flavored drinks out of fruit. They made me cantloupe Water, watermelon water, pineapple water...i got some nectar whey Protein isolate to add to my favored water..for protein..i also got some spanish Soup caldo de res but drank the broth...ohhhhhh it was so goooddddd....yummmmmm..I'm 10 days postoperative. The dr said I can try some yogurt, sugar free puddings.mushy mash potatoes, .I'm soooo happy.". But I eat very slowly n 1/2 tsp at a time..I know how to appreciate these lil baby steps...my tummy lets me know when enough is enough..

To All, I really appreciate all the positive input from fellow sleeves!

The recipes and healthy tips to better eating...I know I need to eat small portions very slowly but frequently.

I get depressed when I see my family enjoying my cooking but it's bcs I want to eat as well. I am so happy today I went to the barrio where they make flavored drinks out of fruit. They made me cantloupe Water, watermelon water, pineapple water...i got some nectar whey Protein isolate to add to my favored water..for protein..i also got some spanish soup caldo de res but drank the broth...ohhhhhh it was so goooddddd....yummmmmm..I'm 10 days postoperative. The dr said I can try some yogurt, sugar free puddings.mushy mash potatoes, .I'm soooo happy.". But I eat very slowly n 1/2 tsp at a time..I know how to appreciate these lil baby steps...my tummy lets me know when enough is enough..

this is not forever just keep telling yourself that this is not forever it's just a small part of your life and soon you will enjoy small portions of your wonderful healthy cooking along with your family.....

awesome thanks @kamrie37 and @sv2 I know what you mean but Im sorry Im addicted to food, a little wouldnt hurt

At the risk of sounding like a food general and a know-it-all...Please, do NOT start eating junk food! You have invested much (financially, psychologically, physically) to let yourself believe that "a little is ok". Find a healthy substitute. I don't know you from Adam, but I would hate to see you backslide, all because of a handful of chips...