Snacks or no snacks, I'm confused

[quiltermom65 38]

When I read about having a VSG I read that you want to eat 3 meals a day no Snacks. Then I read in the Big book of Gastric Sleeve some healthy snacks to have. Reading about others GB or VSG and they eat snacks in between "meals". How do you get all that in plus your Water that you're not supposed to have while you eat? I haven't had surgery yet, but I'm trying to read all I can. I'm just confused if you are supposed to eat in between meals or not. Help.

[Daveo 485]

I snack, Quest bars and quest chips or cheese. I don't have a problem with losing right now with snacking. I'm five months out and still losing.

[Babbs 14,680]

Some days I'm hungrier than others, so I'll have a snack or two. On the not hungry days, I skip them. I'm learning to listen to what my body wants.

My Snacks consist of cheese sticks, Jerky or nuts.

[judyoz 240]

I eat every 2-3 hours, mostly Protein.< /p>

[ShrinkingPeach 1,291]

I am 8 weeks out and have 3 meals and 2 Snacks a day per my nutritionist. When I am able after eating I am drinking to get all my fluids in for the day. You really do get a rhythm going.

[Hopscotch 57]

I do what Babbs does: nuts and cheese sticks for snackage. Sometimes I will have a hard-boiled egg or a slice of avocado. It's all about listening to my body. Sometimes I feel like I could eat the house down and other days I forget to eat until my stomach feels so hollow I can feel it hating me and it reminds me to eat something. I start everyday with Premier Protein drinks for Breakfast though. My surgeon suggested 3 meals and snackage to get my Protein in. As long as I stay below 50g of carbs, and get as close to I can to 100g of protein a day, it doesn't matter how much I eat. I was actually having trouble getting my protein in and my surgeon and nutritionist told me to snack. It really depends on your medical team and what they find to be best for you.

[Thenewnic 139]

I eat 5 small meals a day (the first of every day is a Premiere Protein Shake). Two are mainly snaking items of cheese, Jerky, and nuts. I'm almost 8 months out and down 109 lbs as of this morning.

[misswhitneym 12]

I eat 3 meals and sometimes a snack. My nutritionist encourages the snack, especially something high Protein to help me reach my goal, but some days there's just not enough time to get all of my liquids and eat a snack. Plus, most days eating more is the last thing I want.

[jess9395 5,448]

Different plans and surgeons and nutritionists recommend different things. Mine is fine with healthy planned Snacks. I can't eat much at a time even now 17 months out and could never meet my nutritional needs and Protein goals in three meals. I eat 4-6 small "meals" a day.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

When I read about having a VSG I read that you want to eat 3 meals a day no Snacks. Then I read in the Big book of Gastric Sleeve some healthy Snacks to have. Reading about others GB or VSG and they eat snacks in between "meals". How do you get all that in plus your Water that you're not supposed to have while you eat? I haven't had surgery yet, but I'm trying to read all I can. I'm just confused if you are supposed to eat in between meals or not. Help.

As mentioned different programs have different protocols. Whether or not to incorporate snacks is something to discuss with your nutritionist. In the beginning I could eat very much. It was easier to break up my meals into 5 small ones so I could hit my Protein goals. As I progressed I could handle 3 meals and an afternoon snack if I needed it. Some days I don't and even now some days I may need 2 snacks. Especially if it's a busy, active day. Some days it's something light like sliced cucumbers. Some days it's an ounce of nuts. I stick to pistachio, cashew or almond. I also always have a water bottle with me so that makes getting the Water in easy. I don't need to not drink 30 minutes before eating, but I do still give myself a 30 minute window after eating. My day typically looks like this:

Wake up: Drink 4 - 8 ounce of water

Breakfast: 8/9am - typically a high Protein shake made with Protein powder and greek yogurt

Gym: 9 - 10:30 - water aerobics

Running around/errands: Drink 20 ounces of water

Lunch: 12/2pm

Afternoon: drink at least 30 ounces of water

Snack: 3/4 high Protein snack if needed

Dinner: 7pm

Rest of the night drink water.

Sometimes I go to the evening water aerobics class from 6 -7. On those days I will always have a high protein snack on the way home. Usually nuts, sometimes a Protein Bar.

[Suzyjoy61 12]

I have that book also.I have 3 small meals and 3 Snacks. Just remember low calorie,low carbs,low sugar and fat. A snack may be a lite and fit Greek yogurt with 1tbsp sunflower seeds. Also snack has to have Protein, protein,protein. Protein and Fiber help you feel full. I got snack ideas out of the book.

[Suzyjoy61 12]

I am 8 months,8 days out and down over 120 lbs.Are you still having large amount of hair falling out. Great to find a 8 month sleeved. I eat 3 small meals and 3 Snacks ,but I don't always get at least 1000 calories a day. My nutritionist increased my Protein Shakes to 2 a day.How are you doing.

[blashlee 509]

I think when doctors and plans say no "snacking," they don't want you mindlessly eating or eating between meals when you aren't hungry. I've discussed with my doctor that I eat pretty frequently but I treat everything I eat like a meal. I sit down to eat it, I eat until I'm full and then I move away from it. I don't eat between Breakfast and lunch just because a clock makes me feel like I should. I eat when I'm hungry.

Which is disturbingly frequent LOL

[Soapandcandlequeen 124]

I eat 3 meals and 2 Snacks each day. Some days I feel like I don't need the snacks. As long as I am getting to my Protein goal then I skip it

[Kindle 8,667]

I eat every 2-3 hours all day long. I don't really distinguish between a meal and a snack. I just eat what I eat to satisfy my hunger, no planning or counting or measuring. Healthy choices 80% of the time, total crap the other 20%. I keep a rough tally in my head to know I'm getting all my Protein and fluids, but don't bother with all the other numbers. I'm 19 months post, 10 pounds below goal and this is what I've always done. Postop life doesn't have to be all that complicated.

Edited July 19, 2015 by Kindle