I'm 6 months out and still don't really know what a 'normal' plate size is. I hear 1/2 cup, 1 cup, small plate with 1/2 Protein, 1/4 veggies, 1/4 carbs. I also heard "I can only take a few bites and I'm satisfied."

For those of you in the green, how much are you eating to be satisfied for 4 hours?

Thanks!

Typically speaking, most surgeons say a cup or less of food per meal. Some say as little as a half cup. The reason for the cup limit is to avoid stretching your pouch above the band.

Hi yoyo. I think you hear different things because folks follow different 'plans' or 'rules' and go with what works for them. I can't really figure what a cup of food is so for me, it's much easier to work a WW type of plan which is the 3 oz. Protein, 1/2 cup veggies, 1/4 cup carbs for dinner. Breakfast is sometimes eggs, but mostly cream of wheat or oatmeal...1 packet. Lunch often is a half a tuna sandwich or some other type of half sandwich...grilled cheese is another favorite of mine (no butter...use PAM) or hummus with a WW pita or wrap. I enter everything I eat into myfitnesspal and stay at around 1,100 calories.

Find what works for you and you'll be just fine. Good luck!

I'm in the Green, and because of that I no longer measure food portions, or count calories....the band lets me eat just so much, and then that's it....unless I like the adverse results and probable pain, which I do not!

Example: today for lunch, the Mrs. and I went to our favoritre Sports Bar....I began with a cup of Soup, finished less tha 1/2

Then for my entree I had some chicken wings (off the appetizer menu, no full meal for me)...they gave a serving of 12....I was only able to eat 4 of them, along with a little cole slaw....that's it...could not eat anything more, no matter how much I would have tried....

Brought the remaining 8 home, will continue with them come dinner, see how many I will be able to eat then...but probably about the same.

It does not bother me, because I have not been hungry all day either...not just 4 hours or between meals.

Now I do realize I did not get my daily veggies, etc in for today, so I will have a veggie juice later...

I do know I got my daily Protein in though....most of that was before and after my morning workout....

Edited December 9, 201312 yr by B-52

My surgeon gave me a small plate and it's supposed to be half protein quarter starch and quarter vege. Starch amt the size of boiled egg. Eat protein 1st then vege then starch. If I get hungry before 4 hours, add more protein with next meal. If I'm eating that amt with each meal and not losing adequately he will give me a fill.

yep what the others said. a cup saucer of food. Protein first.

I guess we've all seen the plate the nutritionist shows as a demo -- I agree it's hard to figure out just how much food goes on to the plate divided into the protein, veg and carbs. Yes it's a small plate but that seems like a lot of food! My nutritionist also wanted to know why I was so wedded to the half cup measure. I was eating right out of the stainless steel measuring cup with a little fork or spoon. Just trying to get used to the new way of eating (I am almost five weeks out). So a half cup was working for me -- I could have two, like one half cup cottage cheese, one tuna -- and I would not finish. Listening for signals. She advised me to give that up. Has me labelled as a restricter. So the next day I overate and maybe too fast, too, and had my first and so far only episode. Violent hiccups for twenty minutes followed by sliming and throwing up. I love my little half cup measuring cup -- think I need that just to get my eyes bigger than my stomach issues resolved.

Maybe try doing the measuring cup but put it on the plate from the cup. That where are you you learn what your servings look like on a plate.

My surgeon's office recomends using a salad plate with 3oz protein 1/2 cup of fruit/veggies & 2Tbs of starch. Which is a cup per meal.

But as mentioned, stop eating when feeling satisfied.

Typically speaking, most surgeons say a cup or less of food per meal. Some say as little as a half cup. The reason for the cup limit is to avoid stretching your pouch above the band.

Missy - when you're eating soup, how much can you typically eat? Lets say…..something like chicken & rice soup. I was sick all last week, and wanted nothing but soup and hot tea. I ate about a cup of soup, but it didn't keep me satisfied for long (all that liquid). I got more bloated initially. I don't think soup is a good band choice, but sometimes….???

Maybe try doing the measuring cup but put it on the plate from the cup. That where are you you learn what your servings look like on a plate.

Good idea, thanks! I'm definitely harkening back to the days of feeding a baby. Small amounts, little spoon, watching for signals of full or wanting more of something. Now I'm the baby!

Typically speaking, most surgeons say a cup or less of food per meal. Some say as little as a half cup. The reason for the cup limit is to avoid stretching your pouch above the band.

Missy - when you're eating soup, how much can you typically eat? Lets say…..something like chicken & rice soup. I was sick all last week, and wanted nothing but soup and hot tea. I ate about a cup of soup, but it didn't keep me satisfied for long (all that liquid). I got more bloated initially. I don't think soup is a good band choice, but sometimes….???

Soup is mostly liquid which goes right through (slider). Realistically, you're measuring the solid pieces not the broth. That's not exactly easy or something I want to bother, so I just pour about cup to cup and a half and call it a day. Even if you had a whole can, which is about 2 cups, you're not likely to over a cup of solid food.