First of all I will introduce myself, I am new to the boards and to the band. I was banded on May 16, 2007. I went to see the dietitian today for the first time--because if some other issues I never met with her before. She said I was doing good, except I was still eating a little too much. I have been eating about 1/2c Protein and then 1/2 cup veggies for lunch and dinner. For Breakfast I usually have these 3 little veggie bites from Boca that are very soft and mashable. Usually before bed I will have a little bit (like 1/4 cup) of peaches or mandarin oranges again, cut/mashe up. She said I shouldn't have any Snacks at all. And occasionally I will have a mini babybel lite or some soy crisps broken up and chewed really well. That way I have been hitting about 80g of protein per day and staying at about 700-1100 calories. She also said to try and eat starch with my meal like mashed potatoes, toast or cream of wheat...

Okay now here is my question? Do I have to? Especially since I am eating enough protein? She wants me to supplement with Protein powder or drinks... Which seems unnecessary to me... She said to have more of a "balance." I just find bread, Pasta and potatoes to be trigger foods for me. I have so far never gotten hungry.. granted I do sometimes have a 50-100 calorie snack though, but always a high protein one. Also I have never (knock on wood) gotten sick. I don't eat until I am "full" I allot a small portion eat it and am really satisfied. I am just afraid to deviate too far from this routine b/c it seems to be working pretty good. ( I have lost 18 pounds so far) But I also don't want to do anything that will hinder my weight loss.

I figured you all would know best. You have probably interacted with a lot more band patients on a regular basis and also probably hear a lot more about their eating patterns and what works for them "realistically" I guess I just felt like this was a very generic outline. But believe me I am not trying to be difficult, I just wanted your input. Now I am in no way trying to follow a "low-carb" plan--I just find that I am really happy and satisfied with fish and chicken and veggies? Which is so incredibly unbelievable to me! Like tonight I had about 3/4c of this 99% lean turkey chili I made (with no beans) and two mushrooms cut up and sauteed in 1 tsp of olive oil, I would much rather eat that than 1/4c chili, 1/4c mashed potatoes, 1/4c fruit, 1/8c of veggies and 1/8c of cottage cheese... what the handout suggests...

Thanks so much for listening--I hope I am not being difficult.

If it is working for you, you are losing weight, and not hungry all the time then it is clearly what is right for you.

The bandster rules are not absolute rules that everyone needs to follow. I look at them more as a guide. What works for one doesn't work for another. If your current plan stops working then look to make some changes.

Thank you! I'll try to remember that.

Why would she want to you add an empty carb like potatoes? If you know those are trigger foods, then don't do it...they serve no good purpose in your wls journey at all! Sounds like you are doing very well the way you are.

Hi, Congrats on your weight loss! It sounds like you are doing GREAT with your protein, and eating only good quality foods. I agree with GayleTX that the stuff she suggested are poor quality carbs!

I was banded 5/14/07, and the dietitian I saw told me to do just as you are doing- eating the protein first, then veggies, then fruit/carbs. She said if you don't have enough room for anything but protein, that's NO PROBLEM!! Also, I asked about including snacks, and she felt as long as it was a quality food choice (protein or fruit/veg), then it's OK if you're really hungry. I worried a little bit myself that I'm not getting a balanced diet, but I do have carbs (oatmeal w/protein) for breakfast and drink milk a couple times a day. So far, the scale has been a positive experience!!

Keep up the great work!

-Lisa