Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Can't believe I am saying this, but I miss salads. When did you guys introduce salads (lettuce and raw veggies) back into your diets?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was allowed to at 6 weeks. Check with your surgeon and/or NUT, as everyone's meal plan is different.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I added spinach to my Protein drinks from week 1 but they were blended in the nutra bullet. I started back on salads and raw veg week .6. I agree check with your NUT.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery on sept 2 and just had my first real salad today, lettuce and some cucumbers and tomatoes. I couldn't believe how much I missed a simple salad

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I miss salads too. I'm 6 months post op, and I still don't eat salads. They just take up sooo much room, and there is no room for Protein if you eat a salad. and...there is really no nutritional value to a salad. At least iceberg lettuce salads. Spinach has nutrients. But, for me to keep losing, I need Protein. So, protein first, and no room for salads. It's ok. Its a small price to pay to get small and healthy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am always puzzled by the stance that there is no nutritional value to salads. Yes we need Protein but we also need fiber, healthy fats, Vitamins and other nutrients that we can get from fruit and veg. I'd rather get nutrients naturally than pop a zillion pills and I definitely enjoy having normal bowel movements. Part of this process is relearning to eat. Doesn't it make sense to learn how to eat a balance meal?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am always puzzled by the stance that there is no nutritional value to salads. Yes we need Protein but we also need Fiber, healthy fats, Vitamins and other nutrients that we can get from fruit and veg. I'd rather get nutrients naturally than pop a zillion pills and I definitely enjoy having normal bowel movements. Part of this process is relearning to eat. Doesn't it make sense to learn how to eat a balance meal?

My thoughts exactly! I've seen a number of posts on this site that make disparaging comments about eating salads (and even vegetables in general). When I get a salad, I usually get one with grilled chicken and make sure to get a decent chunk of chicken along with a bit of lettuce, etc. on my fork with each bite.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

At 2 mo I was adding salad.... kinda. I make a salad and eat the meat and cheese off of it! Spinach salad with boiled egg, turkey/ham, cheese is yum.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

3 months

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was allowed lettuce at one month, and other raw veggies at 6 weeks. I was so excited to add them back in, just for some more variety! Unfortunately, after I eat my Protein, I don't have much room left for salads or other veggies yet, but even a couple of bites have been wonderful! If you had told me two months ago I'd be excited about salad, I would have called you a liar!

~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've always loved salads, especially a good Greek salad with some feta, olives, tomatoes, anchovies, some places put stuffed grape leaves on it too YUM!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was cleared for salad at 7 weeks. I'm 3 months out now and eat them often. My little salads are full of Protein, at least 20g. I have my veggies but I add bacon, hard boiled egg, grilled chicken, and cheese. I chop everything up tiny so there's a mix of protein and veggies in every bite. I also use Bolthouse Farms yogurt dressing.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Also keep in mind not every salad has to have lettuce. Chopped veg makes a good salad. Sliced thin yellow squash & zucchini with onions & white bean or chicken breast served with a lite dressing or vinaigrette is great. Apples, walnuts and chicken makes a nutritious salad and you can swap the mayo for plain Greek yogurt to save calories & up the Protein. I do that with mock chicken and use lettuce to make wraps. It's not a ton of lettuce but I still get that nice, crispy crunch from the lettuce and apple.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×