Hello I'm 1 year and 3 months post surgery and I can't control my hunger !!!!!! I lost 90 pounds so far, I can eat pretty much anything I want with no problems whatsoever but now I'm eating more I'm always hungry please help¡,,,,,,

Let me guess. You're eating either bread, Pasta, crackers, Cookies, processed foods or sugar. Or all of the above.

You know how I know? Those things cause cravings and hunger, and never satisfy.

I went through this a few weeks at Christmas time. I was RAVAGED with hunger, and no matter how hard I tried to resist, I would cave and eat the crap again. Luckily, I didn't gain because I kept excersising, but I had to break the cycle.

I decided January 1st to detox. Lots of Water, Protein and veggies with every meal (aside from a Protein shake for breakfast). NO sugar or processed food.

I'm on day 4, and not only have I lost a pound (I'm in maintenence), my cravings and hunger are gone and my restriction is even better. Once I got over the hump the first day or so, it was smooth sailing from there. I feel great.

Give it a try! Good luck!

I agree with @Babbs. Also, are you getting in all of your Protein and fluids. Eating enough protein will keep you satisfied longer and we often mistake thirst for hunger.

If you are hungry, try drinking more Water. If you are still hungry, have a small, protein rich snack.

Be sure and avoid starches and sugar which will make you crave starches and sugar.

I agree with @@Babbs about reevaluating your intake. Also, set a schedule for yourself. The first year I struggled to hit enough calories. I needed to eat 5-6 small meals a day every 3 or 4 hours. Then magically at 11-12 months post-op I could eat more. So I had to readjust how many times a day I was eating. Now I eat 3 meals and sometimes one snack.

The Sugar Dragon will most definitely cause cravings. Make sure to eat Protein first, veggies second and starch only if room left.

Guilty as charged! Thanks for the Topic, and the responses. Will be getting back on the right track tomorrow. Been struggling since my first sliver of pie at Christmas dinner. I should have known better . In my case one sliver led to another, nothing huge but in the days since then, I've had several slips eating more and sooo hungry! Scared to say the least.

@@carfeli2004 Things that help me are adapting my recipes.

Cauliflower makes a great 'rice', mashed 'potatoes', cheddar 'tater'-tots, 'mac' & cheese, etc......

Spaghetti squash (my fave is with my homemade fat free cheese sauce and maybe a turkey hot dog)

FF/SF Cannoli cream made with FF ricotta

Lasagna made with roasted slices of zucchini and eggplant

Flourless Protein pancakes with unsweetened applesauce on top

Dannon Light & Fit Greek yogurt

I even have some recipes for super decadent protein muffins, brownies and cakes. Using either Protein powder and/or Beans

Quest bars and chips (did you know that if you cut up and bake a chocolate chip cookie dough one, it tastes like little chocolate chip cookies!!??, watch carefully when baking, they only take a few minutes)

If you want recipes, feel free to ask, I love to share!

Edited January 6, 201610 yr by TheRealMeIsHere!

Also, I used to LOVE sub sandwiches!!

Now I make salads that reproduce all the flavors of my favs, minus the bread and fatty condiments. Now bread just seems to take away from the flavors I want and I rarely even desire it!

And, don't forget to keep that half hour window between eating & drinking, you will stay full longer

Edited January 6, 201610 yr by TheRealMeIsHere!

Can I eat fruit as much as I want? I rather eat that than bread, pizza, etc etc

I'm pre op but I know when ever I am successful at cutting out the crap, it's because I'm journaling all my intake. I use my fitness pal, great app and I got a fit bit to keep me motivated. Good luck!

@@carfeli2004 Things that help me are adapting my recipes.

Cauliflower makes a great 'rice', mashed 'potatoes', cheddar 'tater'-tots, 'mac' & cheese, etc......

Spaghetti squash (my fave is with my homemade fat free cheese sauce and maybe a turkey hot dog)

FF/SF Cannoli cream made with FF ricotta

Lasagna made with roasted slices of zucchini and eggplant

Flourless Protein pancakes with unsweetened applesauce on top

Dannon Light & Fit Greek yogurt

I even have some recipes for super decadent protein muffins, brownies and cakes. Using either protein powder and/or Beans

Quest bars and chips (did you know that if you cut up and bake a chocolate chip cookie dough one, it tastes like little chocolate chip cookies!!??, watch carefully when baking, they only take a few minutes)

If you want recipes, feel free to ask, I love to share!

I LOVE the baked quest bars! I put them under the broiler and then flip them.. So good!! The white chocolate raspberry is my fave

Yes to the recipes, please share.

Can I eat fruit as much as I want? I rather eat that than bread, pizza, etc etc

I guess it depends on how much you want.

I have to be very careful with fruit because even though it has Fiber, Vitamins, and other health benefits, it is very high in sugar.

Please talk to your NUT to see how much fruit would work in your plan.

Can I eat fruit as much as I want? I rather eat that than bread, pizza, etc etc

My NUT cautions against too much fruit, as that can cause the same cravings and hunger. I rarely eat fruit, and stick to mostly non-starchy veggies.

I also have an egg foo young recipe and eggnog that are great, too.

Cannoli Cream:

1 Cup of fat free ricotta

1 TBSP fat free/sugar free instant pudding mix (vanilla, cheesecake, etc…)

1/3 Cup of Water

1/6 Cup powdered milk

1/2 to 1 tsp. extract (vanilla, rum, almond, etc…)

Blend all in a blender or bullet.

Nutrition for the whole thing (it is actually 3-4 meals for me)

Fat-0, carbs-17.5, fiber-0, Protein 25, Calories-185

Italian Sausage

1 lb. 93% lean groung turkey

4 minced garlic cloves and or 2 tsp garlic powder (depends on how much garlic you like)

1 1/2 tsp paprika

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp fennel seed (or more to taste)

1 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or cajun seasoning

1/8 tsp anise seed

2 tsp parsley

1 TBSP red or burgundy wine

Mix all together and use in any recipes* that call for Italian sausage (I’ve fooled MANY people) If you like spicy Italian sausage, you can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes. It is great grilled for burgers or in lasagna.

*My favorite thing to do with it is to flatten it into one large or several small patties, with a lip around the edge. Place on a sprayed baking sheet, top with your favorite low carb sauce, crushed tomatoes or fresh tomatoes, low fat or fat free cheese, veggies etc… Bake on bottom rack at 425* till it is done to your liking. It is a cross between a deep dish and meatlover’s pizza.

Mashed Cauliflower:

cook cauliflower then blend with immersion blender or bullet (they won't taste 'potato-y if you use a regular blender)

Add laughing cow wedges, ranch powder, garlic, onion or whatever else you like.

Protein Pancakes:

Vanilla Protein Powder, baking powder, egg beaters till pancake batter consistency, cook like pancakes. You can also add plain FF Greek yogurt or FF ricotta.

I'll post more recipes tomorrow, as I don't have them with me at the moment

Another tip

Protein always first. Eat foods high in fiber. vegetables, Beans legumes.(avoid the high fiber carbs bread etc) Fruit in small amounts.

Here is my local bariatric dietitians web site. She has some great recipes

http://insidekarenskitchen.com/bariatric-friendly-recipes/

Bariatric plate to keep things in perspective

Another thing I do is when making tuna, egg, seafood or chicken salads, I sub out half of the mayo for FF Greek yougurt. Makes it really creamy & decadent.

More recipes, just cry UNCLE at any point, lol!!

Fried Cauliflower 'rice':

stir fry with cooking spray

1/2 head of cauliflower or 1 bag of frozen, thawed. Chop in food processor

1/2 onion

minced garlic to taste

1 cup peas

shredded carrot

red bell pepper

1 tsp ginger

soy sauce to taste

optional: scrambled egg substitute, tofu, chicken breast, shrimp, etc...

Refrigerator Protein overnight oatmeal:

equal parts oats and Water or milk of choice (I prefer plain unsweetened almond)

1 scoop of a protein powder with 100 cals per scoop

Additions:

baby food fruit stage 1 only (banana, nutmeg and walnuts is delicious!!)

unsweetened applesauce

canned cherries in water and chocolate protein powder

chocolate protein powder and PB2

cheese Sauce:

3 servings

1 cup shredded cheddar (ff or low fat)

1/2 c ff 1/2 & 1/2

3 T flour

cook and stir flour & 1/2 & 1/2 till thick (will be VERY thick

stir in cheese

mix with cooked spaghetti squash or non starchy veggies such as cauliflower, broccoli, california mix, etc...

can even add some cooked turkey bacon, turkey hot dogs or diced lean ham

'potato' salad (I've fooled many with this at BBQ's )

1 bag frozen cauliflower-cooked and chopped

1/4 c celery

1/4 c red onion

1T chives

3/4 T unsweetened rice vinegar

1/2 T dill

1/2 T parsley

3 hard boiled eggs

1 T ranch powder

2 1/2 T FF plain Greek yogurt

1/4 light mayo

1/2 T FF 1/2 & 1/2

3/4 tsp Dijionaise

in a blender or bullet: blend mayo, yogurt, dijionaise, ranch, 1/2 & 1/2, vinegar

and 1/2 c. cauliflower

in another bowl, combine cauliflower, eggs, celery, onion, chives, dill & parsley

combine both & chill

Black Bean brownies:

15 oz can black Beans, drain & rinse

2T unsweetened cocoa

1/2 c oats (grind to powder in bullet or blender)

1/4 t salt

1/3 c Splenda

1/4 c coconut oil or vegetable oil

2t vanilla

1/2t baking powder

combine all & puree

bake at 350 in sprayed 8 x 8 pan

15-18 minutes, cool 10 minutes

Chickpea Blondies (some sugar and chocolate chips, pay attention to whether that causes cravings and hunger for you)

1 1/2 c chicpeas, drained & rinsed

3/4t baking powder

1/8t baking soda

1/4 t salt

1/4 c brown sugar

1/2 c Splenda

2 t vanilla

1/4 ground oats or flax

1/4 c Peanut Butter

1/2 c mini chocolate chips

blend all except chips

stir in chips

bake at 350 in a sprayed 8 x 8 pan for 30 minutes

Flour-less chocolate cake: (some chocolate chips, pay attention to whether that causes cravings and hunger for you)

15 oz can black beans

1/2 c unsweetened cocoa

1/2 c egg substitute

1 1/2 oz mini chocolate chips

1/3 c unsweetened applesauce

1/3 cup pure pumpkin

1/2 c Splenda

1 1/2 t baking powder

1 t vanilla

1/4 t salt

puree all till smooth, stir in chips

bake at 350 in a 9" round pan at 350 for 35-40 minutes

cool 1 hour

Protein Muffins:

1/3 c oats, ground

1/4 c water

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1 banana or 1 jar stage one baby bananas or 4 oz container of unsweetened applesauce

vanilla & cinnamon to taste

milk or water as needed

blend all

bake in sprayed mini muffin pan at 350 for 6 minutes

makes 16 mini muffins

Zucchini Chips:

slice zucchini very thin with mandolin or peeler

spray cookie sheet and lay zucchini in single layer

lightly spray top & season w/ salt & pepper, and any other seasonings you desire

bake at 215-225 for 45 minutes to 2 hours till desired doneness

peanut butter cookie dough dip (some chocolate chips, pay attention to whether that causes cravings and hunger for you)

1 1/4 c chic peas or white beans drained & rinsed

2 t vanilla

1/4 c peanut butter

3 T Splenda

1/8 baking soda

2 T mini chocolate chips

1/8 t salt

combine all in food processor except chips till smooth

stir in chips

Cauli-tots:

These fool people, also. Tastes like tater tots from childhood!

3 c shredded cauliflower, squeeze out all moisture

1 t salt

pepper to taste

1/2 t dry mustard

1/4 c yellow cornmeal (Quaker is the best)

1 egg

4 oz shredded cheddar

1/2 c onion, minced

combine all

spray mini muffin pan

spoon in mixture, press it in well

bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes