Portion sizes

[christinabryan89 14]

Hello everyone! I'm pre-op and I'm trying to prepare myself for my new lifestyle after surgery. Do you guys use a food scale to weigh your food, use measuring cups, or just eat a small amount until you are full? I meet with my nutritionist the 23rd and I have been doing research but everyone seems to have a different theory. Any advice would be great!

[2muchfun 8,927]

I measured things out in a cup the first few weeks but changed over to just eyeballing food and eating till I was no longer hungry. It works better if you're in the green zone. If you're not, you could overeat but I refused to be hungry all the time. It's just a diet till you get enough fills to make you feel satiety.

I have a decent scale but I seldom use it. It's mostly to make sure I'm using the correct weight of Protein for a recipe.

[gowalking 10,790]

I'm nearly 18 months out and I still weigh and measure everything at home. Sometimes I don't feel the satiety right away so I make sure I know when to stop. I can eyeball just fine when I'm out to dinner or just not at home.

You are correct, we all seem to have different ways of doing this. You will find what works for you. Good luck!

[stylehair4u02 15]

What kind of cup do you use?

[Lady VS 1,147]

I measured my food for the first six months or so. Then I paid attention to what 4oz looked like via lean cuisine frozen meals because my doc said that's how much my total meal should be. So I just started eyeballing like tmf did and have been ever since. Good luck

[kentx05 3]

My doctor told me that I should invest in a food scale. I did and it has worked wonderfully for me. I measure all my solids on it and it keeps me from overeating. It's harder when I go out, but that's when I stick to the 20 minutes per meal-20 bites rule. I bought a relatively cheap food scale, it's from the Biggest Loser and you can find it at Walmart. Good luck to you.

[desertpixie 76]

The best thing I did was buy a food scale and a set of measuring cups. Track everything on myfitnesspal too. It really helps me. On average I never have more than 1cup in one sitting, as the band gets tighter I notice I am eating less each time. In the beginning I didn't weigh anything, but since being ridiculously anal about everything, the scales have moved consistently.

Try and focus on eating to the point of satisfied. Six months in and I still haven't mastered it properly, but I am getting there. Satisfied to me, means I am happy to walk away from the meal and I don't feel weighed down, or bloated or stuffed. I would sooner stop than risk sliming or getting stuck or over full.

Last night we went to the meat co and I had the most amazing fillet. I love steak and that was my first since having the band. I wanted to eat it all and fast. But I managed 100g, enjoyed every mouthful and gave the other half to a friend. It was win win.

Good luck with your band!

[cutlass6521 124]

I weigh all my food. I was surprised at what 4 ounces of Protein is. Funny, it didn't look like that much on the plate, but it took forever to eat it and sometimes I could not finish it all. I have learned to love leftovers.

my eyes are still bigger than what I can really eat and feel satisfied.

stick to the rules and eat foods that you have to chew thoroughly, eliminate slider foods and starchy veggies and you will make out just fine.

[stanpry 66]

I am just about at goal. I use a scale and measuring cup for everything. I was told not to count calories. I don't buy this. I put myself on a 1200 calorie regiment. Fills to match so that I am not hungry. The band will not do all the work for you. You can always eat more if you wait. You have invested a lot to lose weight and it requires work on your part. The weight will come off. Be patient and be very proactive. The choices you make will determine how successful you will be.