I just saw a mouthwatering commercial for Denny's Red, White, and Blue pancakes. So, since I don't eat at restaurants hardly any at all, I thought I would look up their alleged nutrition. An 11 ounce serving has 490 calories of which 80 are fat calories, 1280 grams of sodium, 94 carbs, and 36 grams of sugar. In my pre-sleeve life I would have so gone for that without even considering the nutritional values. I am so glad for my new post-op plan. I am not sluggish from sugar or ready to fall asleep at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. I do not mind at all to eat at home where the ingredients of any meal can be controlled. That's not a burden - it is a release from the influence of advertising.

Isn't it amazing the changes in your life? pancakes were never my thing but before I made up my mind to have the surgery I thought absolutely nothing about inhaling a fast food meal regardless of the "nutrition" information. Twice since surgery I've pulled up to a fast food place thinking I'd just get a burger and throw away the bun or something else. Both times I pulled away before I even pulled up to place the order.

I know a lot of people would have never pulled in to start with, but it's something I'm happy about being able to do... pull away and go home and eat something better for me.

So true. My boyfriend and I went to explore a Gordon's food Service store for the first time today. We left the cart and came out empty-handed. We are so used to eating clean fresh food and high quality Protein, that all of that factory-made, flash frozen, stored in a warehouse and then in a truck overpriced crap had no appeal.

One thing I do miss...sometimes, not all the time...Mama's French Toast at Cracker Barrel. See your pancake post made me think of them. I can have a bite now, but that's it....

yum. love Denny's. Used to have the little deep fried pancake type balls dunked in icing for an appitizer....my how things have changed!

I LOVE their Super Bird and i'm sure it's pretty hefty calorie wise, but i think i would still have 1/4 of it if we EVER go there again!

the problem for ME with Denny's, Panda Express, pizza Hut, Arbys, Cracker Barrell, etc is that those places all represent strong eating memories for me with YEARS and YEARS of very specific eating patterns at all of them. including a pop. i know that it would be hard to go to my favorite places and break my old patterns and choose something completely new, so for NOW i'm just staying away completely. I would still want to go to Pizza Hut and get that huge order of breadsticks with cheese, or the Panda Express for orange chicken and lo mein...i KNOW i can't fit it, and i KNOW there are better options, but it's just easier to stay away.

6 wks post op and i have no desire to go to any of my old faves. my ONE sit down dining experience since surgery has been to Applebees where i found a great grilled chicken option with mashed potatoes. ate about 1.5 oz chix, about 1 TBSP potatoes, took the rest home and had 4 meals off it!

i'm ok with putting most of my eating out options behind me. i'm excited to eventually choose new, better places, and mostly eat at home, and our grocery bill is HUGELY lowered from no more eating out!