It takes a while after surgery to get to this point, because early on, every food is questionable. But as you settle back into eating real again, is when the hunt is on for things that are Protein based, nutritious, etc.

Im not going to use Labels here just the item. We all in different states and countries with different product names.

3 months post-op, or whenever my 'Food Phases" were over. I was so gung-ho, anal, paranoid. I bought the Surgeon recommended Protein powder, chewable vits, Water bottles, listened to all the YouTube video bloggers. Bought the latest and best workout clothes my bank account would allow. Cuz, you know, I wanted to do all the recommended THINGS. Be a good WLS'er.

This is not a bubble bursting thread. It a REAL thread.

I was anxious to get started on a normal eating pattern. And one my dietitian & nutrition agree would be good for me. I trust them, their professionals. In short, I was testing lots of foods (not dead foods) and either loving it or throwing it away. But after all this time, I have I finally have 'staple' foods I will never be without. I even make sure when I'm at a restaurant I have a good portion of them in a meal somewhere:

vegetables: Spinach, Bell peppers: all colors, Mixed greens, any kind of Beans, olives, cucumbers, Kale, celery, broccoli, mushrooms and onions. Non-negotiable. Any other veg I buy is to go along with these staples, I'm always trying new veggies, like okra, turnips, cauliflower, I even try foreign vegs if available, most I don't like. But at least I tried them. All vegetables are welcome except lima beans, not so fond of those.

Fruit: All fruit, except kiwi & pineapple, not so much for me. So the fruit category is huge.

Meat: All meat, except cow or anything that comes from a cow (personal choice)

Dairy: none, (personal choice, not really the surgery caused lactose intolerance, I'm that 1%)

Grains: oatmeal, flax seed, wheat germ, millet, Quinoa. Whatever grain I do buy, thess guys are still in the cart first.

Vitamins: Here is a category that has hundreds of variations, according to our doctor orders. But in the beginning I did buy all the designer Vits, WOW.. was that some expensive pee, it glowed for Christ sake!!..sorry TMI..but the dollar amount was to high every time I needed a refill on a vit. It was my dietitian who told me to research vit stores near my house, with a price tag I could manage. Good call on her part, more practical advice than my surgeon pushing their product.

This thread would be to long with the other things I eat, and try, but these are a few my staple foods, I'm sure there are more, you get the idea, everything else is just filler. Thanx for listening. Another thread about what I drink, including cocktails.

Funny thing is I always ate these staple foods. My problem with weight started at 41, now being 45 I was over weight due to a hysterectomy and quitting smoking. I have always jogged 7 miles a day and when I stopped jogging and lost my hormones and cigs I upped my portions... I'm about the only one I know that can build a 2000 calorie salad! Lol so at 220 I had lap band... body rejected at 175#, reversed and was at 190#... so had this done.

I have learned so much from you all. I'm only 9 days post op and still getting info. Ty for your post, you seem very strong, I might need you! Lol I have cried a few times!

Need away That's why were all here..to lean on eachother, were our own best advisors & cheerleaders, I have learned that. Even our surgeons can't help us once were out on our own. When I do call and ask him, and he does get back to me, finally, most of his answers are generic.. so thank goodness for sites like this, where support is in abundance, and we are all like minded, some better than others...lol