Hello, I know this subject might have been discussed a lot, but I couldn't find info for my particular question..

Since I got my band, I've been eating (freestyle) meaning I don't measure food, just eat until I feel I had enough then I stop.. But since I got my last fill and I feel that I'm perfectly restricted, I would like some hints about the portion size..

I know that we should get Protein first, then veggies. my questions are:

How much protein is ideal per meal? and how many meals contain protein per day? How much veggies? what about carbs? are they important, or they can be omitted? I know the serving size is half a cup, but half a cup of all foods combined, or half a cup of each kind of food?

By the way, do you eat out of cup (instead of a plate) to know the portion, or you just measure it, and then eat from a plate?

Thanks a lot in advance:)

I was told a portion of meat is about the size of a deck of standard playing cards. That is between 3 and 4 oz. I eat meat about 4 oz then veggies then carbs if I still have room. I usually have about 2 bites of carbs before I am full. The meat and 4 or 5 oz of veggies fills me up. I can't eat whole kernel corn, or crisp broccoli, my veggies have to be slightly over cooked. the extent of carbs are mashed potatos, or cooked fruit. I can't do pasta, rice, bread or fried potatos at all. I eat off of a bread plate or saucer, never a full sized plate. Hope this helps. ~Mandy

I was told to eat protein first always and that you should only eat about a size of an egg. You should be eating 45 - 60 grams of protein per day. I would get the protein in first, then go to veggies, then good carbs only if you can fit it.

You might be interested in reading "Eating for Life". [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/explorer/0972018417/2/ref=pd_lpo_ase/002-8179998-7205644?ie=UTF8]http://www.amazon.com/gp/explorer/0972018417/2/ref=pd_lpo_ase/002-8179998-7205644?ie=UTF8[/ame]

I use this book as part of my doctor's program. It was really informative and easy to read. It discusses portion sizes and general nutrition plus includes lots of recipes. I've lost over 100 pounds following this book!

As my restriction increased (and I did this very slowly), my portion sizes changed considerably. I don't measure food, but have learned to "eyeball" (is that a Southern term?) the amounts...1/2 chicken breast is about right, and sometimes it is too much. I eat about 1/3 cup of veggies if they are cooked. I can eat about 3/4 cup of salad, including any meat that is in it.

I just pass on the bread, most of the time. If it really looks good to me, then I'll break off a bite, just to taste it.

Hope this helps!

Cindy

I dont measure, I serve myself MUCH smaller meals than what I used to but I still often overserve, I just leave what I cant finish.

Its still incredibly hard not to clear my plate though, old habits die hard. I eat about as much as my 3 year old, lol.

I also dont do the Protein first thing, I eat a bit of everything. It really alarms me that people are being told to favour one food over another, I very strongly disagree with it. Its not a healthy meal if you get your chicken in but leave your veges. So I eat about equal amounts of each. I tend to leave the potato or rice off my plate a lot of the time, because that's probably the least valuable, and I eat better carbs at other times of the day.