Hi. I swear I've seen people list a recommended schedule for eating/drinking throughout the day but have been unable to locate using the search feature. I know I can figure it out for myself, but would love to see some recommendations from those more experienced. I'm two weeks post-op and was cleared by my surgeon yesterday for soft solids. I made some delicious slow cooker beef--it really is amazing how my sleeve only allows about 1/4 cup! Oh the money I'll save on food! Anyone have any recommendations on a food/drink schedule in a typical day? I'm struggling a bit with water trying to space it out from food...thanks in advance!

Surgery weight, 8/3: 275

Current weight, 8/17: 258

Wow.. beef at 14 days out.. will wonders never cease. Lol. I was eating pureed split pea soup and that was difficult at first! But, as long as it's in your plan and working...

Anyway, basically plan on eating 6 times a day, every 2-3 hours. In between you get your fluids.

Personally I kept doing full liquids for a lot of "meals" since you don't have to wait to drink around them.. and the milk or broth counts as fluid too.

As I was able to drink more at once..around 6 weeks postop... I moved away from liquid meals.

My NUT gave us a 4-5 mini meal a day plan. I eat every 3 - 4 hours. Meals include protein eaten first (3-4oz), a multigrain or fruit serving, and veggies if there is room. At 5 weeks I could only eat the protein (1-2oz) and had to supplement with shakes. But now I only eat real food as I really detest any sort of protein shake or smoothie.

I am nearly 11 months post-op. I eat 7-8 times per day, about 2 hours or so apart. I also allow for 30 minutes before and after eating for water consumption. I eat the same thing every day (and have for the entire journey), so a day for me looks something like this:

Meal #1: Scrambled Egg with 1 piece of American Cheese and 2 oz of grilled chicken

Meal #2: 4 oz cottage cheese with 1 T sugar free strawberry preserves

Meal #3: 3 oz grilled chicken, 1 string cheese, and 10 ParmCrisps

Meal #4: 3 oz salmon, 1.5 oz green beans, 10 ParmCrisps

Meal #5: 3 oz grilled chicken, 1.5 oz green beans, 10 ParmCrisps

Meal #6: 3 oz hamburger steak (93% lean), 1.5 oz green beans, 10 ParmCrisps

Meal #7: 3 oz grilled chicken, 1 string cheese, and 10 ParmCrisps

Meal #8: 4 oz cottage cheese with 1 T sugar free strawberry preserves

I drink 32 oz of water after Meals 1 and 2, 16 oz of water after Meal 3, 8 oz of PowerAde Zero mixed with 8 oz water after Meals 4, 6, and 8. I usually eat for the first time around 10am, and finish around 11pm. This comes to approximately 1700 calories per day, 20 carbs, and 130-140 grams of protein.

Blizair's plan is a good overview of how many of us eat through the day. Lots of little meals. Keep in mind he is a guy, so his protein needs are higher. As a 5'7 female, you likely don't need as much protein. (Follow your doc's plan on your specific goals).

I'm a 5'7 female and my protein goal is set at 70g/day. (Has been since the beginning on liquids).

13 minutes ago, blizair09 said:

I am nearly 11 months post-op. I eat 7-8 times per day, about 2 hours or so apart. I also allow for 30 minutes before and after eating for Water consumption. I eat the same thing every day (and have for the entire journey), so a day for me looks something like this:

Meal #1: Scrambled Egg with 1 piece of American cheese and 2 oz of grilled chicken

Meal #2: 4 oz cottage cheese with 1 T sugar free strawberry preserves

Meal #3: 3 oz grilled chicken, 1 string cheese, and 10 ParmCrisps

Meal #4: 3 oz salmon, 1.5 oz green Beans, 10 ParmCrisps

Meal #5: 3 oz grilled chicken, 1.5 oz green beans, 10 ParmCrisps

Meal #6: 3 oz hamburger steak (93% lean), 1.5 oz green beans, 10 ParmCrisps

Meal #7: 3 oz grilled chicken, 1 string cheese, and 10 ParmCrisps

Meal #8: 4 oz cottage cheese with 1 T sugar free strawberry preserves

I drink 32 oz of water after Meals 1 and 2, 16 oz of water after Meal 3, 8 oz of Powerade Zero mixed with 8 oz water after Meals 4, 6, and 8. I usually eat for the first time around 10am, and finish around 11pm. This comes to approximately 1700 calories per day, 20 carbs, and 130-140 grams of Protein.

Thank you for posting this meal plan it is very helpful

Thanks all! That is very helpful!

Ok, so you want actual meal plans! Lol. Here's mine:

1. 1 cup milk

2. 4oz full fat cottage cheese

3. Fruit.. however much gives me 15g net carbs

4. 1oz nuts or seeds

5. 4oz non-starchy veggies

6. 4oz meat or fish

7. 1-2 eggs

8. 4oz starchy beans

9. 2 cups coconut water or 1 cup low sodium v8

I eat this schedule every day, but mix up the times. So it's a framework, but every day looks a bit different. I.E. dinner: salmon and green beans or hamburger patty and spinach.

I get 1200-1300 calories a day, 70g protein, 60g carbs.

On 18/08/2017 at 4:56 AM, Kasparkles said:

Hi. I swear I've seen people list a recommended schedule for eating/drinking throughout the day but have been unable to locate using the search feature. I know I can figure it out for myself, but would love to see some recommendations from those more experienced. I'm two weeks post-op and was cleared by my surgeon yesterday for soft solids. I made some delicious slow cooker beef--it really is amazing how my sleeve only allows about 1/4 cup! Oh the money I'll save on food! Anyone have any recommendations on a food/drink schedule in a typical day? I'm struggling a bit with Water trying to space it out from food...thanks in advance!

Surgery weight, 8/3: 275

Current weight, 8/17: 258

Is beef in your plan from your surgeon? 2 weeks post i was still on liquids, your struggling to get water in but your having beef, does not quite make sense to me . Protien is important but I would say the liquids need to be worked on befoe having beef, unless its speciically what your team recomended.

So funny how we all tolerate different things at 14 years out I still can't do beef and oh how I use to love steaks and brisket but now it is a major upset to my system. Lots of luck to you and I think the rule of thumb in order to get your protein in is you will need to eat every 3 to 4 hours and nothing after seven pm.

Is beef in your plan from your surgeon? 2 weeks post i was still on liquids, your struggling to get water in but your having beef, does not quite make sense to me . Protien is important but I would say the liquids need to be worked on befoe having beef, unless its speciically what your team recomended.

Thanks! Something to consider. Water has been going much better--just a lot of focus. And yes, per my surgeon, beef was fine as long as I am tolerating it, which I am.

If anyone is interested I've created a meal plan that have been inspired by other plans and changed to my personal preferences. It's 7 meals 2 hours apart with 10oz of water in between each.

Calories: 1,400
Protein: 141 grams
Carbs: 128 grams
Fiber: 34 grams
Sugars: 26 grams
Fat: 39 grams

All data provided by the MyFitnessPal app

8:00am MEAL #1: ! scrambled egg with 3 oz chicken and 1 thin slice of cheese

8:50am: drink 10 oz with 1 t of fiber powder

10:00am: MEAL #2: 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 T Peanut butter powder, medium apple

10:50am: drink 10 oz water

12:00pm: MEAL #3: 3 0z hamburger steak (93% fat free), 1.5 oz green beans, and 3 parm crisps

12:50pm: drink 10 oz water

2:00pm: MEAL#4: 4 oz salmon, 1.5 oz green beans

2:50pm: drink 10 oz of water with 1 t of fiber powder

5:00pm: MEAL #5: 3oz chicken, 1 string cheese, and 1 serving of pretzel chips

5:50pm: drink 10 oz water

7:00pm: MEAL #6: 1/2 cup cottage cheese with t of sugar free strawberry preserves

Note: The 3 hour gap between meals #4 and #5 is because of my work schedule,

7:50pm: drink 10 oz of water

9:00pm: MEAL #7: 3.5 oc chicken and 1.5 oz green beans

9:50pm: drink 10oz of water with 1 t of fiber powder

Edited July 12, 20188 yr by joely oley

Thank you

for posting this meal plan

I've tried doing the meal prep stuff and I've found my way around it successfully

Meal #1: any flavor Oikos triple zero yogurt (Salted caramel is amazing) = $1.09

Meal #2: 1/2 cup cottage cheese = $0.50

Meal #3: 1/2 cup oatmeal with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter powder (buy from nuts.com) $0.50

Meal #4: Starkist tuna meal pack = $1.89

Meal #5: !/2 Premier protein shake (DOESN'T TASTE LIKE THE DREADED PROTEIN lol) It has 30 grams of protein 1 gram of sugar and is a delicious milkshake = $2.30 (full shake cost) Sam's Club has the BEST price I don't have a membership as I'm single and eating like a bird.

Meal #6: finish off remaining premier protein shake (these shakes are perfect during work hours)

Meal #7: 2 low fat cheese sticks and small apple = $1.25

Total daily cost: $7.53 - $8.00 daily

be sure to add fiber to 2 water breaks during the day to combat the constipation from the protein!