Social eating can be a challenge after WLS. You can be set with your diet and meal plan and everything can be going right, and then – bam! A box of doughnuts appears at work. Or you’re at the mall with a friend and your friend picks up a soft pretzel and a frozen raspberry lemonade. All of a sudden, you want something to munch on!

How do you prepare for social eating situations? Are you able to completely resist? Or do you keep healthy Snacks on hand to pull out instead of caving into whatever else is being offered? It can help to keep nuts, Protein bars, and cheese sticks at work, or to pack a hard-boiled egg, some beef Jerky, or another protein snack when you’re going out with friends. What do you do?

I always keep Protein bars, and/or nuts like almonds or walnuts. Not many other choices that are quick, easy, and live well in a purse. lol At home I like frozen berries. Slow to eat and satisfying.

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The ones in green are easy to carry with you. Would love to hear other suggestions as this can definitely be the most challenging thing to come up with various snack foods that help you avoid social eating if the food options aren't ideal.

• Homemade beef jerky
• Raw Almonds
• Dehydraded Macademia nuts
• Walnuts
• Pecans
• Real cheese Cubes or real cheese string cheese (not the processed string cheese)
• Baby Carrots
• Sugar Snap Peas
• Parmesan Cheese Crisps (minimal ingredients and minimally processed) - http://amzn.to/2brnKap
• Various Fruits & Veggies
• Smoked Salmon
• Frozen Blueberries
• Frozen Grapes
• Bean Sprouts (easily done in a sprouting jar or even just a mason jar)

Snack strategy ???

My surgeon was very clear on this. He advised that I avoid Snacks for the first year and stick to three measured meals per day.

This is what I've done and will continue to do.

Three meals spaced out helps me to maintain Protein intake. Snacks simply contribute to keep food focus thoughts. My experience anyway.....

Snack strategy ???

My surgeon was very clear on this. He advised that I avoid Snacks for the first year and stick to three measured meals per day.

This is what I've done and will continue to do.

Three meals spaced out helps me to maintain Protein intake. Snacks simply contribute to keep food focus thoughts. My experience anyway.....

Hi Dub

Do you manage to get all your protein/ calories in 3 meals? I've been on 3 meals and 3 snacks a day until this week. I'm 6 months out and my surgeon said things will slow down now so I'm trying 3 meals plus 1 snack but I can eat only such small portion sizes I'm struggling a little. Any advice is appreciated x

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My go to snacks are ....cheese, jerky, almonds, yogurt, berries and premier protein shakes....having had gastric bypass I have to eat a snack or two a day or I won't get in all my protein [emoji107]????

@@madadams

Hi, I eat very similar to @Dub. I'm 7 1/2 months out.

Yes, I get my Protein in every day...usually about 80g.

The only time I have a "snack" is if I've done a really extreme workout like long bike ride, bootcamp, hot yoga....on those days I'll have a Protein Bar or some other serving of protein.

I've never snacked between meals since surgery simply because I'm not hungry, and I get in all my protein with the 3 meals I have per day.

Good luck to you!

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@@madadams

Hi, I eat very similar to @Dub. I'm 7 1/2 months out.

Yes, I get my Protein in every day...usually about 80g.

The only time I have a "snack" is if I've done a really extreme workout like long bike ride, bootcamp, hot yoga....on those days I'll have a protein bar or some other serving of protein.

I've never snacked between meals since surgery simply because I'm not hungry, and I get in all my protein with the 3 meals I have per day.

Good luck to you!

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Thanks for that. I've tried replacing 2 of my daytime Snacks with extra fluids and it seems to be working. I haven't been hungry. I'm just a bit worried that my portion sizes are so small my calorie intake will go down again. I'll just try different foods. ????

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@@madadams

Yes, I find drinking a lot of fluids really helps. I drink around 84oz per day.

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@@madadams

Yes, I find drinking a lot of fluids really helps. I drink around 84oz per day.

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Thank you

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Thanks for the ideas! These are some good tips for convenient and easy healthy Snacks that you can use in a pinch instead of going for something sugary, fatty, or high-calories. Dried Beans and soybeans are another nutritious, easy Protein snack to think about.

I think @Dub’s post brings up a couple of great points. One is that different surgeons and nutritionists have different protocols – some suggest snacking, while others don’t. Another point is that some of us do better with snacks, and others don’t. It’s almost like with indulgences – some of us are best off staying away entirely, while others of us do best by having a bite or two to satisfy a craving. With snacks, some of us can be satisfied with a portion-controlled snack, while for others, a snack is a trigger to think about food and to eat more.

I make sure I have good food choices - 3 small meals, 2 Snacks per day and high Protein, high Fiber to make sure I am satisfied.

I find the bad stuff people bring around rarely tempts me when I am already satisfied.

so far, it's working for me.