I need help, I do so great during the week, when I can control what I take to work and what we make for dinner. The weekends, however, kill me. I need to find control regarding this issue before surgery. My family likes to stay going, we go constantly on the weekends. With that being said, we eat out mainly just on weekends. I have a family of two girls, 2 and 9, and a husband who does not need to lose weight. It's not always fast food either, sometimes it could be at the mall or a sit down restaurant. How do I control my food? For a sit down, I understand I can order grilled chicken and such, but for fast food or fast casual, what do you do? Any tips? Should I not eat, is that weird? Do I eat half? Do I take a protein shake? I need tips, these weekends are killing my weight loss and I want to get it under control before surgery, but I don't want to tell my family we can't go somewhere because I can't control my eating or don't know what to order. HELP!

I too am in the same boat as you, a super busy life, 2 girls (4&12) and a hubby who doesn't need to lose either.

During the last 5 months there has been times that fast food/gas station food has been the only on the go option. So at 7-11 I may pick peanut butter and apples, McDonalds - just a cheeseburger (which is wayyy better than what I used to order :)), Wendy's - a chili or salad. I do a quick search on my baritastic app to gauge the protein and nutritional value when making my decision. I've not been anywhere yet where there wasn't an option for me (and my family).

This is forever and a lifestyle change. Don't not eat - you'll come to regret your surgery by feeling left out. Just adapt and do what's best for you.

6 minutes ago, JCKlgl123 said:

I too am in the same boat as you, a super busy life, 2 girls (4&12) and a hubby who doesn't need to lose either.

During the last 5 months there has been times that fast food/gas station food has been the only on the go option. So at 7-11 I may pick Peanut Butter and apples, McDonalds - just a cheeseburger (which is wayyy better than what I used to order :)), Wendy's - a chili or salad. I do a quick search on my baritastic app to gauge the Protein and nutritional value when making my decision. I've not been anywhere yet where there wasn't an option for me (and my family).

This is forever and a lifestyle change. Don't not eat - you'll come to regret your surgery by feeling left out. Just adapt and do what's best for you.

Is that the name of the app you use? I use my fitness pal, but many times during the weekends, I am so over that I just almost give up on tracking during those times. You are right, this is a lifestyle change, it's very hard. I find myself creeping back to old ways as my surgery time gets closer. I think it's almost like I'm saying bye to food at times. Maybe I need to plan my food before we even leave the house, if we go out, check the website or app.

Also, for those times that you get "caught" unprepared, keep something non-perishable in your car or purse. My fave was almonds. That way, even if there was no good option (which was rare) at least I wasn't starving. Because when I'm starving, all reason flies out the window.

That's great idea! Thanks!

Baritastic, yes - and I promise you that tracking will be so much easier post-op. I flat out told my nutritionist that refused to track because it was too much and boy did my tune change during the pre-op diet and beyond. Sometimes, weekends mostly like you, I miss tracking and the day gets away but I have a somewhat mental idea of what I'm consuming.

As for the food choice now - I get it. I needed to eat all of the wings because I would never eat wings again. Guess what, I've had wings and probably a taste of everything I thought I'd never eat. It was my inner fat girl freaking out and I think it's normal. But I assure you, it'll be okay.

14 minutes ago, JCKlgl123 said:

Baritastic, yes - and I promise you that tracking will be so much easier post-op. I flat out told my nutritionist that refused to track because it was too much and boy did my tune change during the pre-op diet and beyond. Sometimes, weekends mostly like you, I miss tracking and the day gets away but I have a somewhat mental idea of what I'm consuming.

As for the food choice now - I get it. I needed to eat all of the wings because I would never eat wings again. Guess what, I've had wings and probably a taste of everything I thought I'd never eat. It was my inner fat girl freaking out and I think it's normal. But I assure you, it'll be okay.

Awesome, I'm going to check it out. We have a pizza meeting today, I've brought my bento box with tuna, strawberries, and an egg. I'm trying! My inner fat girl freaks out a lot haha. I've got this though. Thank you for your help!

We don't eat out very often and it's rarely fast food any more, but I'm a planner. So when we do, I have a list that I go to for emergencies so I can quickly know what to order at a particular place--that way I'm not tempted by looking at the menu:

Chickafila

Grilled nuggets + fruit cup (split with Mr. F)

Egg white grill (bunless) + add sliced tomatoes on the side

Grilled chicken club (bunless)

Iced Tea unsweetened

*******

Wendy's

Value Menu: Grilled Chicken Wrap xtra lettuce, no tortilla

Value Menu: JR. Bacon Cheeseburger (bunless; no ketchup or mayo)

Southwest Avocado Chicken Sandwich (bunless) made with grilled chicken

Small Wendy's Chili

*******

McDonald's

Egg White Delight (bunless)

Bacon Egg Cheese Biscuit (bunless) - if you prefer omelet texture to poached egg

Pico Guacamole with Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwish (bunless)

Happy Meal with Cheeseburger (bunless; no ketchup) + apple slices + small iced tea instead of milk

*******

TacoBell

Chicken Soft Taco (eat the filling only)

Steak Soft Taco (eat the filling only)

Refried Beans/Cheese

********

Whataburger

Chicken Fajita Taco (eat the filling only)

Grilled Chicken Melt (bunless)

Justaburger with Cheese - kids burger (bunless; no ketchup) add lettuce tomato and onion with extra lettuce for wrapping burger or with Apple Slices

*********

Carl's Jr

Steak and Egg Breakfast Taco (eat the filling only)

Grilled Chicken Bacon Egg and Cheese Breakfast Biscuit (bunless)

Low Carb Char Grilled Chicken Club in a Lettuce Wrap

Any Burger in a Lettuce Wrap rather than bun

*********

Any BBQ Place: smoked turkey and green beans

Any Mexican Place: fish tacos, grilled chicken soft tacos without tortillas; lots of fish; sub grilled veggies or avocado slices for rice/beans sides

Any Italian Place: any grilled fish/shrimp/chicken or veggie entree without pasta on a bed of sauteed spinach or veggies

Any Pizza Place:

Eat toppings off the pizza

Crustless Pizza Bowls

Salads with grilled chicken or antipasti meats/cheeses. Vinaigrette dressings check no sugar added.

Edited April 16, 20188 yr by FluffyChix

I keep a Tuna Packet in my purse at all times in case I can't find anything to eat on the go. Other things you can keep are unsweetened apple sauce, almonds, turkey snack sticks, roasted chick peas, premade (unopened) protein shakes, and protein bars (but watch the sugar!). Obviously these are just items you don't have to worry about refrigerating. If you keep a lunch box or cooler, the options are limitless. It doesn't seem easy now, but it becomes second nature. I've found that there are little places I go that I can't find something on the menu to modify to meet my dietary needs.

2 hours ago, FluffyChix said:

We don't eat out very often and it's rarely fast food any more, but I'm a planner. So when we do, I have a list that I go to for emergencies so I can quickly know what to order at a particular place--that way I'm not tempted by looking at the menu:

Chickafila

Grilled nuggets + fruit cup (split with Mr. F)

Egg white grill (bunless) + add sliced tomatoes on the side

Grilled chicken club (bunless)

Iced Tea unsweetened

*******

Wendy's

Value Menu: Grilled Chicken Wrap xtra lettuce, no tortilla

Value Menu: JR. Bacon Cheeseburger (bunless; no ketchup or mayo)

Southwest Avocado Chicken Sandwich (bunless) made with grilled chicken

Small Wendy's Chili

*******

McDonald's

Egg White Delight (bunless)

Bacon Egg cheese Biscuit (bunless) - if you prefer omelet texture to poached egg

Pico Guacamole with Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwish (bunless)

Happy Meal with Cheeseburger (bunless; no ketchup) + apple slices + small iced tea instead of milk

*******

TacoBell

Chicken Soft Taco (eat the filling only)

Steak Soft Taco (eat the filling only)

Refried Beans/Cheese

********

Whataburger

Chicken Fajita Taco (eat the filling only)

Grilled Chicken Melt (bunless)

Justaburger with Cheese - kids burger (bunless; no ketchup) add lettuce Tomato and onion with extra lettuce for wrapping burger or with Apple Slices

*********

Carl's Jr

Steak and Egg Breakfast Taco (eat the filling only)

Grilled Chicken Bacon Egg and Cheese Breakfast Biscuit (bunless)

Low Carb Char Grilled Chicken Club in a Lettuce Wrap

Any Burger in a Lettuce Wrap rather than bun

*********

Any BBQ Place: smoked turkey and green Beans

Any Mexican Place: fish tacos, grilled chicken soft tacos without tortillas; lots of fish; sub grilled veggies or avocado slices for rice/beans sides

Any Italian Place: any grilled fish/shrimp/chicken or veggie entree without Pasta on a bed of sauteed spinach or veggies

Any pizza Place:

Eat toppings off the pizza

Crustless Pizza Bowls

Salads with grilled chicken or antipasti meats/cheeses. Vinaigrette dressings check no sugar added.

This is amazing and I'm stealing this list to start my own!!

2 hours ago, AshAsh1 said:

I keep a Tuna Packet in my purse at all times in case I can't find anything to eat on the go. Other things you can keep are unsweetened apple sauce, almonds, turkey snack sticks, roasted chick peas, premade (unopened) Protein Shakes, and Protein Bars (but watch the sugar!). Obviously these are just items you don't have to worry about refrigerating. If you keep a lunch box or cooler, the options are limitless. It doesn't seem easy now, but it becomes second nature. I've found that there are little places I go that I can't find something on the menu to modify to meet my dietary needs.

I was wondering about protein drinks, I drink premier protein and I live in the south, I wasn't sure if they would spoil or turn bad. The tuna is great idea though! I'm putting that on my grocery list. We have cliff bars, my girls love them, but they have a ton of carbs. Do you have any protein bars that you love and are good?

2 hours ago, MissLindseyR said:

I was wondering about Protein Drinks, I drink Premier Protein and I live in the south, I wasn't sure if they would spoil or turn bad. The tuna is great idea though! I'm putting that on my grocery list. We have cliff bars, my girls love them, but they have a ton of carbs. Do you have any Protein Bars that you love and are good?

I like the ones that I ordered through this website. The variety pack was nice to try them all!

https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/protein-bars

Or there is a good one at Vitamin Shoppe (online too) that is plant based protein

https://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/fit-plant-based-high-protein-weight-loss-bar-smores-12-bars/gu-1351

5 hours ago, MissLindseyR said:

Awesome, I'm going to check it out. We have a pizza meeting today, I've brought my bento box with tuna, strawberries, and an egg. I'm trying! My inner fat girl freaks out a lot haha. I've got this though. Thank you for your help!

Great decision & good for you girl!

Feel free to message me anytime