Compare Before and After…Your Kitchen!

[Alex Brecher 10,516]

Before and after comparisons come up all the time. There are the before and after pics, of course, showing how you looked before WLS compared to how you look now after coming so far. Then there are the comparisons like how much weight you lost, how many inches, and which new activities you can do now.

Here’s a fun thing to compare before and after weight loss surgery: your kitchen. There may be a few of us whose kitchens have always been well stocked with healthy fare and free from packaged treats, but I think there may be many more of us whose kitchens looked a little different before WLS.

I can think of two likely possibilities. The first is that the kitchen had too much junk and not enough healthy stuff. It could be Pasta, chips, and snack cakes in the pantry, ice cream and TV dinners in the freezer, mayo, salami, and butter in the fridge, and white bread and Cookies on the counter.

The other scenario I envision before WLS is a pretty empty kitchen, except for possibly containers filled with leftover take-out and delivery, and drawers with single-serve Condiments like soy sauce, parmesan cheese, and ketchup. Back before WLS, pizza delivery and Chinese take-out may have been a way of life.

And the “after” picture of your kitchen? Has it changed much? Does it have fresh fruits, vegetables, Proteins, and dairy? Is there a well-stocked pantry with canned tuna and tomatoes, spices, and oatmeal, and a freezer full of vegetables and fruits so you can make a healthy meal at a moment’s notice?

Tell us how your kitchen has changed from before WLS, and how that reflects your changes in eating and food prep habits! If you’re pre-op or post-op, maybe you can learn a few things about how to make your kitchen even more weight loss-friendly!

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Mine is actually more full than it was pre-op. I have a small kitchen with very little pantry space and it is overflowing.

Pre-op, I always had milk in my refrigerator. I ate a lot of Cereal and other carbs.

Now, in addition to Protein shakes and supplements, I have lots of Condiments, spices, herbs, specialty/gourmet food (jars of pickles, olives, peppers, salsas, marinades, etc.).

Pre-op, I bought pop by the 2 liter bottle. Now, I have enough tea, crystal light, etc. to fill a cabinet.

I did eat a lot of tuna pre-op, but now I tend to buy tuna packets by the case.

I also buy mr cheese os by the case.

My refrigerator is full of yogurt, cottage cheese, other cheeses, eggs, fresh vegetables, fruit (right now I have fresh raspberries!), and opened bottles of condiments and specialty food (see my pantry).

[borg/assimilated 576]

I no longer have any bread or Pasta in the house. I buy one potato or sweet potato a week and that is for my husband. I also do not buy chips, Cookies, chocolate, candy, cake mixes etc. I still have chocolate chips in my pantry from over a year ago, since I don't bake Cookies anymore, not sure what to do with them.

I have a whole shelf in my refrigerator dedicated to Chobani key lime Greek yogurt. I'll buy 20 of them at a time if they are on sale. Lettuce, spinach, fresh vegetables and fruit fill the bins and cheese takes up some space as well. Lots of meat in the freezer.

My children are grown so I don't need to think about what they would need and my husband is eating pretty much what I eat.

Very different from before WLS!

[2goldengirl 2,076]

Mine is about to become radically different: our remodel starts Monday

Currently it's being emptied! Our temporary "kitchen" will be in the guest room, so the guest room is being cleared, too.

What's different about the way I cook in it since surgery? pretty much only that I haven't cooked Pasta since February. I used to one or twice a week (Huz loves it). And our overall anything lasts longer, because my portions are so small. We are going through cottage cheese and eggs at a rapid clip.

[KristenLe 5,980]

I'm still pre-surgery but I don't think mine will look much different. I usually buy lots of healthy foods and our refrigerator is stocked with yogurt, meat, fruits, veggies. My cupboards have a lot of Beans, diced tomatoes, tuna). However, my boyfriend is a sweet eater and snack eater (chips) and those items are in my kitchen now - and will be afterwards. Luckily - I can live with those things in our house without wanting them myself. I just need my kitchen organized so I can prepare meals easily and can see what's in my fridge and freezer.

[Ryan TN 348]

probably my biggest kitchen change has been my small kitchen scale. i weigh everything just about.

[Valentina 2,642]

Kitchen? What kitchen??

Oh, are you talking about that room with all of the cobwebs?

I think it's still there. It's been awhile...

[kaitlynm 335]

Interesting topic, I just thought the other day if I put my house on the market what would people think of my pantry. My kitchen is much more filled than it was pre surgery. My pantry is filled with Protein of all sorts, along with new gadgets for cooking items. My refrigerator is crammed with chicken, turkey, and fish either uncooked or leftovers. Also all kinds of almond milk and tons of oikos triple zero Greek Yougert. Gone is bread and Pasta which used to be basic staples. I too have added greatly to my spice and seasoning collection. Penzey's has become one of my go to online shopping stops. There also seems to be an abundance of cheese growing in my refrigerator.

[swimbikerun 1,048]

Same here, but mine is more filled with veggies, fruit, things that are not prepared.

[CHM 1,011]

The biggest difference in my kitchen since surgery has been the amount of advance prep work.

All of my Proteins are divided into 4 oz portions, vacuum sealed, and frozen so I can just take out what I need and nothing goes to waste.

I try to have meal and snack components like veggies, fruits, and cheeses sliced/diced/grated into containers and ready to go for quick food prep.

I've been keeping a half batch of mini egg muffins thawed in the fridge for easy to grab, high-Protein Snacks and meals for when I have neither the inclining nor the time to cook.

I make full-sized batches of chilis and stocks to portion into 8 oz containers for single serve meals, Soups, or cooking liquid.

All of this prep really helps me to keep on top of my calorie and Protein goals, both of which were quite lacking before adopting these habits. I can no longer come up with a valid excuse not to eat or even throw a meal together. No matter how tired or lazy I'm feeling, something can always be ready in under 5 minutes.

[Alex Brecher 10,516]

Thanks for the answers! As always…quite a range! Yes, @@Inner Surfer Girl, Condiments are more present for me, too, than they were before. They help break things up a little.

@@2goldengirl, good luck with the remodeling! If you end up eating out a few extra times because of your lack of kitchen access, I am sure you know exactly what to do to get the healthy foods you need.

@@KristenLe, it’s great that you can pass up your boyfriend’s sweets. It’s also good that you’re thinking about how to put the healthy foods front and center in your kitchen so it’s easier to remember to eat them. As you organize, you might also want to make room for a kitchen scale so measuring becomes second nature if it isn’t already.

@@Ryan TN…it’s working for you!

@@Valentina : do tell! Do you eat out a lot?

[2goldengirl 2,076]

@@Alex Brecher, We are eating out more often, but I get plenty of mileage out of a restaurant meal. I had a third of my lunch for lunch, another third for dinner, and there is more left for tomorrow, too.

[KristenLe 5,980]

Thanks for the answers! As always…quite a range! Yes, @@Inner Surfer Girl, Condiments are more present for me, too, than they were before. They help break things up a little.

@@2goldengirl, good luck with the remodeling! If you end up eating out a few extra times because of your lack of kitchen access, I am sure you know exactly what to do to get the healthy foods you need.

@@KristenLe, it’s great that you can pass up your boyfriend’s sweets. It’s also good that you’re thinking about how to put the healthy foods front and center in your kitchen so it’s easier to remember to eat them. As you organize, you might also want to make room for a kitchen scale so measuring becomes second nature if it isn’t already.

@@Ryan TN…it’s working for you!

@@Valentina : do tell! Do you eat out a lot?

Thanks Alex. I just bought a scale - just haven't used it yet.