Do you snack?

[macman 603]

I have been eating 3 meals and two Snacks a day for the last year. It works very well for me. In my opinion, one of the keys to losing weight consistently is maintaining satiety for as long as possible. My goal is to last 3-4 hours by eating dense Protein at meal time. At almost a year post surgery I usually eat 4-5 ounces of Protein and a small amount of vegetable or fruit at meals. In between meals I usually snack to get to the next meal. It is usually additional protein, or fats and carbs that might be missing from my diet. When I exercise, I usually have carbs beforehand to give me the necessary energy, and follow with protein to repair and grow muscle.

I would follow what the program details are, they are there for a reason. But.. after a while you have to do what is right for you and your body. I currently eat about 1400 calories a day, over 100 grams of protein, I have to supplement meals with Snacks or Protein shakes to get the necessary nutrients that I need.

Edited December 6, 2014 by macman

[Janice1968 92]

My nutrisionist said to eat 1-3 ounces every 2-4 hours. Surgery date October 1st. I am down 64 lbs from HW & 37 pounds from SW. Sometimes I wonder if I am on track.

OMG! My surgery was Oct 1st as well. I am down only 31 pounds. You have done amazingly well. Do you mind if I ask what your start weight was?

[mamie60 104]

But do you drink Protein drinks in between your meals. If not, how do you get all your Protein in. Or do you use a Protein Drink as a meal?

I drink a shake for Breakfast

[filmgal 45]

Macman.... great response!

[LisaCO 169]

OMG! My surgery was Oct 1st as well. I am down only 31 pounds. You have done amazingly well. Do you mind if I ask what your start weight was?

305 surgey day weigh in. Today I have hit the magical 100 pounds to lose to get to my goal weight.

[thesuse2000 698]

The nutritionist at my surgeon's office told me I wouldn't want more than 3 meals a day but that was never true for me. I don't usually "snack" but I do eat 4 times a day, which is about every 3 hours. If I need to go longer than 3 hours between meals I do add a small snack. I carry something called Nut Punch with me all the time. They're little two-bite nutty Snacks. I buy them online. High fat, but good fats. 95 calories in each and they satisfy me nicely in a pinch. I also sometimes eat one before or after a workout when I need a little extra energy. But I do eat more calories when I add a snack to the day so I avoid it when not needed.

[enjoyinglife 313]

I am probably the poster child for what NOT to do. I eat little bits ALL day long.

[Djmohr 6,965]

I have been doing quite well and I snack in between. My surgery date was 9/29 and I have lost 62 lbs. I drink 2 Protein Shakes with 30 grams of Protein per day. I eat 3 small meals about 1/4 cup - high protein/ vegetable and then I will snack on either a light string cheese or an oz. of beef Jerky. I will say my Breakfast is only higher carb meal I eat and that is oatmeal with fruit and protein boost.

I also do about an hour of cardio every other day, on those days I have to push some extra calories in. I am up to about 750 calories a day on those days.

[micmt 120]

I snack just a little. Just to taste something that's not sweet. Sometimes with salt. Omg! Not on a regular schedule though.

I try to do 2 Protein shakes a day 55 grams of Protein. I am down 57 lbs from my hw of 325. 30 lbs since rny nov 4. My dr is going to kill me when I go Friday for my 30 day post op. He said no more than 15 lbs loss a month. Oops

[filmgal 45]

No oops, your body has just followed its own schedule. Just don't get dismayed when it slows or stops for awhile, for its own reasons too.

[Amyllf2 206]

Do what your program tells you to do!!!!!!!! Don't compare yourself to people on the board.

I am a perfect example. I haven't had a Protein drink since week 2. I am only required to get 35-45 grams of Protein a day. That makes people cringe on this board because it's so far off of what other people do. But I'm down 98.5 pounds since my highest in February, and 86.5 since my 4/15 surgery. I do what my practice tells me to do despite what the boards say. It's working.

Edited December 11, 2014 by Amyllf2

[filmgal 45]

Amy, I do believe you are wise AND successful woman. Well said... :-)

[wildGoose 207]

I had a hard time with the idea of 3 meals a day. The problem was that I could not get enough Protein if I didn't eat more. Now I try for an extra Protein Drink each day, but I have to split it in half because its just too much to drink it all at once. It took me some time to really learn how to eat so little. I shoot for 500-600 cal a day.

[wildGoose 207]

Amy. I think you have it right. You do what your surgery team says. I trust my PA, and I'm about to take a special class they offer called "What to eat after surgery."

[wcdaniels 48]

Totally agree with Amy: you trusted your surgeon to perform the operation, you need to trust his or her recommendations for what to do afterwards.

But for FYI: My plan calls for 3 meals plus three high Protein Snacks from 6 weeks through 7 months. I am to get 80-100g of Protein a day, and 900-1200 calories. My first snack is a Protein shake, my second snack is a stick of string cheese, and most days I don't end up eating my third snack, mainly because snacking after dinner was a huge reason my weight got so high, and I just don't want to get in that habit, even if it is a healthy snack. I get my protein daily (usually over 100g), and I'm normally at around 1000 calories daily.