Hey , im 3 months post op and i have 6 ml in a 10 ml band, im just starting to learn things i can or cannot tolerate, ive been told by my dietician to start eating "crunchier" textures eg vegetables cereals, do these types of foods keep you fuller for longer?

Edited January 24, 201412 yr by lozzy

Vegetables yes, cereals no. Vegetables like jicama, broccoli, green Beans etc are usually low glycemic index foods which means it's harder for your stomach to break them down and digest. They also require the esophagus to go through more peristalsis contractions which stimulates the valgus nerve giving you the satiety you need.

Cereals for me are like slider foods. Mostly they're highly processed so they have high glycemic indexes and that can spike your insulin.

I wonder if a handful of sprouts would satisfy my desire for real crunch once in a while......I have cut up celery into little pieces and enjoyed that. Got to chew, chew, chew. Any kind of cereal product for me except oatmeal is too slider-y also and kicks off a desire for more. The oatmeal we use is not instant -- we cook it on the stove and it is very chewy and thick in texture. I can tell it is band friendly for me (good esophageal workout). The instant stuff is too processed and falls into the category with gluten-free crackers, etc.

Thank you both for your response its helped a great deal, I've never looked at food scientifically i will have to look into that!

re: "start eating "crunchier" textures eg vegetables cereals, do these types of foods keep you fuller for longer?"

yes, along with a most essential sensation of 'chewing and swallowing' and taking actual bites of something solid...

Jicama was a great help, as was Water chestnuts. There was a very tenuous balance between 'not enough' crunchy and 'too dense' crunchy. I believe such nuance is a personal issue that is acutally a delight to discover in the new eating habits we all must embrace.

Even now though, it is way too easy to retreat to carb city in place of more appropriate dietary intanke.

First, I'm not sure what people are talking about when they say "Feeling Full"...and ":Fuller for longer"...obvious the people saying this are not banded...I have NEVER felt full....nor see how it is possible...

Myself, crunchy foods are at the top of my "Do not eat list"....raw vegetables, things breaded and deep fried...they are just too harsh passing through my band, and I can feel it....especially since I cannot drink while eating either....

But then it all depends upon how your band is adjusted, if at all....there can be a vast difference....

Edited January 25, 201412 yr by B-52

I'm only 6 weeks post op and had my first fill recently, so my advice might be different than someone that's banded for a while or has other intolerances

I like slicing up bell peppers, putting in a container, add a bit of salt for a snack at work. The salt brings out more of the juices and it's just nice to have a salty (that you control) crunchy snack. If you can tolerate almonds or other nuts that's a good crunch but really watch the quantity as they are high in fat (good fat but fat nonetheless). There are a number of 'vegetable' chips in the organic section of my super market. Some taste like dirt but a good number of them taste pretty good. I love making kale chips, but I haven't tried those with the band yet. Is the goal of 'crunchy' more for lasting fullness or more for satisfied eating? I'm a stress eater and LOVE crunchy salty things. That's my goal when I'm craving crunchy.

I have never been a crunchy eater as in potato chips and other salty crunchy things so I guess I have nothing to offer. I don't crave crunchy.

While not exactly crunchy, I developed a fondness for frozen blueberries. A table spoon of those with my morning Holy Shredded Wheat (yes, finally got back to that!) a little skim milk or often just warm Water, a squirt of stevia, I'm set for morning crunchy time.

I eat Beanitos (chips made of crushed Black Beans or Crushed Pinto Beans). I eat them with homemade guacamole. I eat this as a meal every once in a while..... Not as a snack!

I found something made of snap pea compote, baked in a very pea pod shape and with certain spices I really enjoy.

Every once in a while I get some along with the meal. Something like 190? calories a bag, which easily lasts...well maybe not so easily....but it typically can last thru a couple days with caution.