Hey guys. So glad I found this forum. I'm entering goal weight and I'm afraid of slipping back into old eating patterns. I'm at a loss of how to eat now. For the last 6 months I've had a severe stricture which made my food choices very limited. It's opening up now and I've been able to eat more, and I need to make sure I set good habits.

1. Breakfast.

I really struggle with this one. Can you give me some low carb, low fat ideas for breakfast? I've been eating bagels and Cereal which I feel is too high carb.

2. lunch.

I hate smoothies- and I eat out a ton because of my job. Anyone have any great lunch ideas that will keep me satisfied until at least the afternoon?

3. Snack

I don't really like snacking but I do get hungry in the afternoon. I've been eating beef Jerky. Any other ideas as to what will keep in my car?

4. dinner.

I'm always at a loss for dinner. What do you eat?

5. Late night snack.

I like to eat before bed although I know I shouldn't. Hopefully I can get some options here besides cereal which is my go to.

Thanks guys!!!!

I don't worry about fats either - I eat very atkins like too, but I bet it is less than many people consume since I don't eat deep fried, fast food, candy bars etc.

@@LipstickLady, I've been hearing so many people discuss their low carb, low fat meals, that I was glad to hear you mention your low carb, high fat preference. It seems like you would have more choices. My NUT said think Paleo or Atkins. Anyway, I'm glad it seems to be working for you.

@@LipstickLady, I've been hearing so many people discuss their low carb, low fat meals, that I was glad to hear you mention your low carb, high fat preference. It seems like you would have more choices. My NUT said think Paleo or Atkins. Anyway, I'm glad it seems to be working for you.

I don't LOOK for high fat, but I do eat REAL cheese, REAL sour cream, REAL salad dressings, 85/15 hamburger instead of the 94/6 I used to eat, etc.

Tastes better and keeps me full longer.

Breakfast: eggs and turkey bacon or 1 hard boiled egg and Greek yogurt

Lunch: some sort of Protein and salad

Dinner: same as lunch with mixed veggies

Snacks: deli meat, cheese, jerky, yogurt, hard boiles eggs, hummus

I loved steamed shrimp. I also love cheese. I honestly think it got me in trouble post pregnancy as I was eating way more than I should.

Today I tried to do better. I feel so full and the day is not even over! Wow I'm not used to eating like this.

My NUT told me today that she saw me at the gym last week and was shocked that I have the body of a 14 year old boy. She feels I've gotten too thin to say the least. I don't agree but I know I'm close. She wants me to have a carb at every meal.

So I tried this:

1. Breakfast

Half a bagel (going to switch to whole grain tomorrow)

Light cream cheese

2 slices turkey

Tomatoes

2. lunch

Lettuce

Parmesan cheese

1/3 can of tuna

3.

Snacks

banana

Beef jerky

Yogurt

4. dinner

2 Meatballs

salad (lettuce, kale, carrots)

Dressing

Avocado

1/4 cup wheat Pasta

Feel like I'm going to explode!!

It's a process. Going to take some getting used to!!

I, too, have a (very slight) stricture and my food choices were extremely limited for a long time. I still have "feeding" days and "non-feeding" days -- days where I can eat and days where more than a few nibbles makes me hurl.

I don't typically eat meals, I graze all day, but it works for me as I can rarely eat more than 1/3 cup or so at a time. I focus on high Protein, high fat and low carb. You do sound like you eat a lot of carby foods.

My foods include soft scrambled and deviled eggs, cheese, guacamole and hummus, cheese, beef Jerky and almonds, cheese, seafood or chicken salad, shrimp, cheese, crab cakes, refried Beans and taco meat with cheese, edamame, olives and mushrooms off the olive bar at our market, the filling of pot pies, salmon, cheese, tilapia, rare steak. cheese...

I can eat anything as long as it's softer, juicy or has a gravy or sauce. I don't eat a lot, my restriction is really tight, so I do eat a little here and there all day. I've been maintaining for a year and a half easily.

I rarely eat bread, bagels, Cereal, rice, Pasta or potatoes as they all make me gag and vomit about 20-30 minutes after I eat. I can eat a bite or three, but that's my limit. I can eat crackers, popcorn, chips and the like, but I limit those foods because I know they are not healthy choices. Cereal and milk doesn't sit well, and I used to love cereal. Boo hisss!

When I eat out, I hit the appetizer menu because I can always find protein friendly choices and a smaller portion size. I still end up taking food home.

You can do this!!

Did you forget to mention CHEESE...LOL

For me:

Breakfast: either premier Protein shake or cream of wheat/oatmeal

(If I do have oatmeal or cream of wheat , I will then have a premier Protein Shake as a snack) this ensures my protein is met for the day

Lunch: 1/2 cup cottage cheese & fresh tomatoes or cucumbers or if I have leftover protein from dinner the night before I will have that. On occasion I will have a tomato & mozerella (caprese)

Snack: nuts or jerkey, full fat cheese

Dinner: chicken, fish, beef tenderloin, pork tenderloin or shrimp prepared in different ways. Cauliflower, peas, carrots, corn, Beans, broccoli as a side dish

Snack: Apple with Peanut Butter, nuts or jerkey, full fat cheese

I use full fat cheeses with the exception of cottage cheese, I use 1 percent cottage cheese because I eat that a lot. I also use full fat dressings, mayo which I rarely use because I don't eat sandwiches of any kind.

I steer clear of breads. On occasion I will have a bite or two of potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice but I really limit this to a couple times per week. My tummy gets too full and I cannot get my protein in if I eat breads, cakes, rice.

Breakfast - overnight oatmeal.

Use mason jar

1/4 c oats

1/3 c unsweetened almond mile

1/4 c Greek yogurt (vanilla)

1t chia seeds

1T sugar free maple syrup

Mix (just shake the jar)

Add your favorite ingredients.

mine is 2 T unsweetened coconut and 1T mini choc chips

other ideas: raspberries / blueberries

Put in the frig overnight

Just wondering about the carbs. It seems that most are consuming very small amounts of carbs as in starchy veggies; squashes, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes and Beans. Is this common for most to maintain? I am hoping and trying this time around to incorporate these foods especially beans(for a Protein source) as they are very healthy and filling.

Would anyone be so kind as to comment?

@@Threetimesacharm those things are not part of my regular diet -- only on special occasions. My labs are always great and I am always very healthy, so I don't think I need them on a regular basis. I find meat and green veggies very healthy and filling and don't want to risk sliding back into carb addiction by adding in things like sweet potatoes or peas unless there is a very good reason for me to do so. Other people don't have the same issues with carbs that I do, though -- it's a very individual thing in terms of what you can handle!

Just wondering about the carbs. It seems that most are consuming very small amounts of carbs as in starchy veggies; squashes, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes and beans. Is this common for most to maintain? I am hoping and trying this time around to incorporate these foods especially beans(for a protein source) as they are very healthy and filling.

Would anyone be so kind as to comment?

I'm the odd ball. I generally eat whatever I want, just less. I have a weight range that I stick to and unless I bounce up too high, I don't restrict myself. If I go over my upper end, then I cut out the junk.

Just wondering about the carbs. It seems that most are consuming very small amounts of carbs as in starchy veggies; squashes, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes and Beans. Is this common for most to maintain? I am hoping and trying this time around to incorporate these foods especially beans(for a Protein source) as they are very healthy and filling.

Would anyone be so kind as to comment?

I'm the odd ball. I generally eat whatever I want, just less. I have a weight range that I stick to and unless I bounce up too high, I don't restrict myself. If I go over my upper end, then I cut out the junk.

So wish I could be like this!! But I'm too scared to give myself the freedom.

I am in maintenance and I do eat sweet potatoes squashes etc. I am one of those people who could eat mashed taters for a main course with a side of fries and tater tots for dessert...so i limit my potatoe temptation. I miss em...but I like being slim better!

My girlfriends and I talked about this on Sunday. ..if we ever get the terminal diagnosis we are going on the all potato all the time plan - ha!

Just wondering about the carbs. It seems that most are consuming very small amounts of carbs as in starchy veggies; squashes, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes and Beans. Is this common for most to maintain? I am hoping and trying this time around to incorporate these foods especially beans(for a Protein source) as they are very healthy and filling.

Would anyone be so kind as to comment?

I am not a big breakfast person, I usually have an ounce of cheddar cheese and a latte (not the kind that's pumped full of syrup! Just plain with one packet of sugar.) On the weekends I'll have eggs.

For lunch I either have leftovers or go out. I like Soup or turkey chili from Panera, or I'll get a bowl from chipotle (no rice! Beans, veggies, chicken, salsa, and guacamole on the side). I get 3 lunches from that! I don't do well with salad.

dinner, I cook for my family and I focus on eating the Protein. Meatballs, chicken breast, salmon, pot roast, shrimp. Most nights we have broccoli for side dish.

Night time snack, usually one or two Cookies. I cannot give those up but honestly I am satisfied with just one.

Snacks during the day or on the go - this is rare for me but if I really need one I'll have some roasted cashews, string cheese, or a small latte.

Thanks for everyone's response regarding carbs. I too am a carb addict but the wrong kind; bad carbs! I don't plan on having any pasta, bread, rice or crackers but I am having beans, sweet potatoes, squashes( 1T at a time mind you) but so far it is working for my weight loss. I didn't have any last time around and maybe that's what sent me over the edge and I started to gain weight.

Thanks again

Today's food (I've been on maintenance for nearly 6 months and am maintaining at 140 pounds)

Breakfast -

Protein shake (GNC Lean 25)

coffee latte (skim milk and coffee)

Midmorning snack -

Doctor Kracker 3-seed kracker,

1 ounce cheddar cheese

2T Smuckers sugar-free strawberry jam

lunch -

Homemade chicken / onion / peppers angelhair Pasta

4 T grated Parmesan cheese

dinner -

(Ruby Tuesday leftovers)

1/2 hickory bourbon salmon entree

1/2 green Beans serving

1/2 brown rice pilaf serving

Evening Snacks / Treats -

Dannon Greek oikos vanilla yogurt

1 cup raw strawberries

2 ounces single malt scotch (Glenlivet)

Total calories = 1,583

Carbs = 151 grams

Fat = 47 grams

Protein = 118 grams

Fiber = 17 (should be at least 21 ... oops!)

P.S. I'll eat / drink more than that this weekend. I average 1700 calories/day.