How much is too much???

[TammyA 77]

Today is my 7 week anniversary of my surgery. I had a sleeve done on August 1st. I went to the gym this morning and when I got back I was hungry...so I scrambled one egg with a slice of american cheese (.6ounce) and half of a Tomato from my garden. I diced it up and threw it in there. When it was done cooking I weighed it and it was 4 ounces in total. I ate it and I didn't feel full. I'm satisfied and will eat again about 6:00 or so for dinner.

My question is this. Am I eating too much food? Is 4 ounces at one time too much? Is one egg and a bit of cheese and tomato over doing it? As I read back over the info my nut gave me it says I should try 1-2 ounces of food per meal. At first that was fine, but now I feel like it's not enough. Am I sabotaging myself? I would love some input as to what others are eating and what an acceptable meal would be. Thank you to anyone who takes the time to respond.

Edited September 19, 2017 by TammyA

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

eggs were hard for me from the very beginning. I avoided them for months.

To answer your question, adding the tomatoes added moisture to the egg and the cheese making it less dense and easier to eat. There is no way you could eat 4 ounces of steak, or anything that is a dense Protein or dry. You were able to eat 4 ounces of this because it lacks density and has a high moisture level.

This is okay early on but something you want to avoid long term. In a year or 2 you would be able to easily eat 12 ounces like this.

[TammyA 77]

18 minutes ago, OutsideMatchInside said:

eggs were hard for me from the very beginning. I avoided them for months.

To answer your question, adding the tomatoes added moisture to the egg and the cheese making it less dense and easier to eat. There is no way you could eat 4 ounces of steak, or anything that is a dense Protein or dry. You were able to eat 4 ounces of this because it lacks density and has a high moisture level.

This is okay early on but something you want to avoid long term. In a year or 2 you would be able to easily eat 12 ounces like this.

Ok, I follow what you're saying. But does that mean I shouldn't add tomatoes to my eggs? What if, in one year, I'm still eating the same 4 ounces of egg and Tomato? Would that be ok, or is it something I should avoid altogether?

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

No, I am not saying that. I am just saying the tomatoes are why you can eat more.

As long as you are weighing your portions out before you eat it doesn't matter.

I was just explaining that adding moisture makes it easier to eat more.

One thing with tomatoes is be careful with the acid if you have any acid issues.

[TammyA 77]

4 minutes ago, OutsideMatchInside said:

As long as you are weighing your portions out before you eat it doesn't matter.

Ok, that's what I was hoping. I know it can be a slippery slope. Thanks for your explanation! I don't want to do anything that will hurt my progress.

[dreamingsmall 1,125]

What your eating sounds great.

I have 3 ounce egg whites, and 0.5 cheese 0.5 tomatoe. I cant have a whole egg if I want to add something else as I get full. For me under 4 ounce is fine for me 4 ounce on the dot is fine for me , I dont eat over

[XYZXYZXYZ1955 675]

I tried four ounces of the ricotta bake and it was too much; I also tried two eggs with some cheese and that was definitely too much (I was really just trying to up the protein). I can do four ounces of Soup or something liquid, but a lot of foods that's too much. I can do one egg scrambled with some cheese . .. that works for me.

At this point I wouldn't worry that much as long as you are eating the right foods--you almost can't eat too much. As a check, if you're tracking your foods, you'll see your calorie counts--not the first thing to measure, but something to tell you if you've gone over what's normal for you. I think I've only gone over 500 calories a day once or twice at this point . . .

Edited September 25, 2017 by XYZXYZXYZ1955

[TammyA 77]

1 hour ago, dreamingsmall said:

What your eating sounds great.

Thank you! My nutritionist hasn't been very specific about counting protien or calories...she just talks in terms of ounces. I feel like there's a lot of guesswork involved for me. Of course, I should just have called the office Thank you for responding. It makes me feel like I'm not messing up as much as I thought!

[dreamingsmall 1,125]

3 minutes ago, TammyA said:

Thank you! My nutritionist hasn't been very specific about counting protien or calories...she just talks in terms of ounces. I feel like there's a lot of guesswork involved for me. Of course, I should just have called the office Thank you for responding. It makes me feel like I'm not messing up as much as I thought!

I am no expert I hear people say aim for 60+grams a day but also hear people say depends on your weight etc.

I feel if you focus on Protein first and your veg second you can't go wrong i feel i love adding that little bit of cheese to my egg to yummy. and your welcome!

What made you think you were messing up at all ? Here to help! i am 11 weeks post.

[TammyA 77]

21 minutes ago, XYZXYZXYZ1955 said:

As a check, if you're tracking your foods, you'll see your calorie counts--not the first thing to measure, but something to tell you if you've gone over what's normal for you. I think I've only gone over 500 calories a day once or twice at this point . . .

Thanks for that suggestion! My nutritionist hasn't been very specific about counting calories or tracking foods. I met with her today and she showed me portion sizes. Now that I'm almost 2 months post-op she bumped up my portion sizes. She says I should be eating 3-5 ounces of protien at each meal and adding an ounce or two of veg and starch if I have room. She's all about measuring the ounces. I can't eat 2 eggs either...it's too much, but it seems like my 4 ounces is right where I needed to be! I told her I've been worried I was eating too much and of course she said I should have called her and she would have put my mind to ease. I feel better about it though!

[TammyA 77]

4 minutes ago, dreamingsmall said:

What made you think you were messing up at all

On the last menu plan handout I got from the nutritionist it said I should eat 1-2 ounces of food at each meal. It wasn't enough for me and I was so hungry so I was eating more like 3-4 ounces. I met with her today and she said that menu was 5 weeks old and I should be bumping it up each week (the paper didn't say that so I didn't know). I'm glad I met with her. She said I should be at 3-5 ounces now so I was exactly where I needed to be!

[dreamingsmall 1,125]

1 minute ago, TammyA said:

On the last menu plan handout I got from the nutritionist it said I should eat 1-2 ounces of food at each meal. It wasn't enough for me and I was so hungry so I was eating more like 3-4 ounces. I met with her today and she said that menu was 5 weeks old and I should be bumping it up each week (the paper didn't say that so I didn't know). I'm glad I met with her. She said I should be at 3-5 ounces now so I was exactly where I needed to be!

Ahh I understand my plan says a few spoonfulls, but does not talk much about the normal food phase, it can be confusing, glad to hear she helped you!