I will be over a year post-op by the time I go. My surgeon's program does technically allow brown rice and whole wheat Pasta at this stage, but I'm choosing not to add any of that back into my diet if I can help it. The only grain I eat is quinoa. I have had some frozen veggie burgers that probably have rice product in them. I've used some bread crumbs or panko in recipes. But mostly no bread, no pasta.

So I'm not really interested in adding any of that in, though I am fairly certain that I'm at a stage that it wouldn't really hurt me. I mean, I'm sure I could eat some gnocchi and not have any intestinal problems, if I needed the food just to not go hungry. But I would prefer not to.

I'm going to be primarily in Milan and florence. I might pack a bit of Protein powder to supplement, just in case. But does anyone have any experience in the country and know how easy or hard it will be for me to find appropriate high protein options?

Hi, I was in Italy two years ago, mostly Rome, florence, Umbria and Tuscany. I found that at most restaurants they have many courses. You can order Soup as a first course, many of which have Beans in it, second course is usually a Pasta, then the third course is meat and potatoes. So you can skip the pasta, just order soup and/or the meat course. If you do want pasta, get it with a light marinara sauce, try to stay away from the cream sauces. I found the breads to not be that appetizing so you can skip that. Breakfast you can always order eggs, also several choices of meat, although prosciutti can be highly salty. They do have many pastries, so be careful with them, although I had a pastry every morning for breakfast along with my cappacino. I would bring some Protein powder if I were you. I was there for 12 days, eating every meal, plus Desserts and gelato but never gained a pound. You will find you do a lot of walking wherever you are so you will burn calories (bring comfortable shoes).

I know you will have a fantastic time. I would love to go back...it was a trip of a lifetime! Also, you have to get the gelato, it is awesome!

Betty

I was in the Florence ,&Tuscany area last year. U will be fine.. Just check out Places to eat before u go. .ask the hotel..they can help u with that also. I don't like pasta...you can find healthy foods there..just like here. Stay away from their fatty meats like salami, prosciutto..the gelato ..it is hard to pass up...but u can do u if u r determined.