On Thursday, I get to add soft foods to my diet. Frankly, I've already had a few here and there but it will nice to be legit. At the store yesterday, I bought some Wolf Brand turkey chili, canned chicken, Egg Beaters, and some Weight Watchers Smart Ones dinners that feature softer foods.

I also got some Special K Protein Water powders! You add it to your bottle of water and get both Fluid and 5 grams of protein. It tastes pretty good, too. I got iced tea, lemonade, and kiwi-strawberry flavors. I ordered two stainless steel water bottles because I'm trying to cut down on buying and using plastic bottles. For now, I'm just shaking it up in a shaker and pouring it into a glass.

I know of y'all have been on soft foods already. How's it going and what are some of your favorites?

Mmmmmm, soft foods:

Tuna and light mayo with relish on club crackers

Crab cakes

Black beans, egg, salsa

Cottage cheese mixed with yogurt

Sushi

Avocado

Laughing Cow light wedges!!!

Egg salad

Spoonful of peanut butter

spanakopita (sp?)

ground up turkey with cranberry sauce

I begin my normal diet tomorrow, the last two days I have been adding more meat to my diet in the form of chicken, baked of course. I have had no problems with it at all.

I was getting tired of living on FF refried Beans although they are delicious when mixed with salsa and LF cheese. I had some shredded lettuce yesterday at lunch with them and it was devine....really good and I also had some avacado....wow truly tasted like heaven.

I am going to try and stay away from potatoes and rice and Pasta as much as I can the 1st 8 months. I know these are not BAD per say just should be limited.

I was told to steer clear of rice and pasta as it swells in the stomach.

I am nervous about eating normal food, but I am going to make sure that I measure everything that goes into my mouth.

What is the difference between mushies foods and soft foods? I am uncertain of that. I thought they were the same.

Good Luck Longhorn it is nice when you get to eat a variety rather than the same ol same ol.

Hugz,

Thanks, Kristin!

My doctor doesn't really have a "mushies" stage -- at least, not by what he calls it. His plan is two weeks Clear Liquids, four weeks full liquids/pureed foods (what I assumed are mushies) and until five months after surgery, soft foods. That's what I'm headed to this week, though I've already been adding some soft foods or foods that become soft when you eat them, such as crackers. I think the biggest difference is that I no longer need to puree foods.

So now I'm wondering what hard foods are!

I have questions about this as well, I have assumed the "mushies" were soft foods, but I have not had to blend anything up. My post-op diet has consisted of clear liquids first week, full liquids second weekto soft foods third week. I begin my 4th week tomorrow which is "modified regular food". I can now add in moist baked chicken, low-fat thin sliced deli-meat, vegetables and soft fruits. I have been able to eat fish, shrimp and scallops this week (3). I have made sure to never eat more than 1/2 cup of food and chew very well. Also, my dr. told me to forego the Protein Shakes, which I have done. I am now getting plenty of Protein grams in per day, and feel great. I am not able to have bread, rice, Pasta, or red meat for 2 months, and after that, it's as tolerated. I have not had any issues with eating, but I also feel no restriction (I will have my first fill Jan. 2). I love this forum, especially this monthly support group, b/c there is such a learning curve with this band. I am making sure I follow my surgeon's instructions, but I almost feel guilty eating when I know some of you are on liquids for longer than I am. Is anyone else _nervous_ (for lack of a better word)?

In answer to the question about favorite soft foods:

imitation crab mixed w/ ff miracle whip and a little bit of malt vinegar w/ crackers (ABSOLUTE FAVE)

shrimp sauteed w/ butter flavor spray

egg beaters

mashed potatoes (frozen in 2 oz. portions after Thanksgiving since I was on clear liquids that week)

Gee, Crispy - you're making me crave seafood. LOL I haven't had any (except tuna in the pouch) since being banded and I DO have some in the house. I'm gonna have to ask DH to defrost my shrimp so I can have some tomorrow! Mmmm. The Krab sounds good with mayo and malt vinegar, too! It's so weird to me to be drooling over real food these days rather than sugar! LOL

How exciting to get to move to soft foods, LH!

I made a wonderful meal this evening and it was so nice too cook for a change...LOL Glad I have not forgotten how. I made the recipe up so here goes:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 tsp garlic fresh or minced

1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper

1tsp of Emerils Essence Original

1 can low sodium creme of chicken Soup

1/2 cup skim milk

1 package of frozen mixed vegtable of choice (I used snow peas with red peppers and zucchini)

1 box of low sodium stove top stuffing

In Iron skillet saute or braise the chicken til brown and not pink coating with the spices, in a pot that is oven safe ( I cook with cast iron) mix the soup and milk and belnd together with wire whisk. Remove chicken and lay over the soup mix then pour the vegtables over the chicken making sure to cover it, prepare the stuffing according to package directions and spoon atop the vegtables.

Bake covered in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes until bubbly.

My DH went nuts over this and it was so delicious.

I am going to do a variation of this with beef and creme of mushroom soup. But it is great and easy and Quick which is wonderful when I get home from work and it has been hours and hours since lunch.

i had my 2 week post op check up today...dr said move on to mushies...yeee haaaa.... he also put me on anti biotics for just in case because my port site is a lil red...so be in the look out folks.....even a little reddness is something to be checked...i thought i was fine....no pain though so good...and i get to eat i get to eat...i ate a boiled egg tonight ...and i was in heavennnnnnn..... i'm taking it slow...but only mushies one week then onto whatever i can handle...gl all .... i'm excited....OH AND I'M DOWN 20LBS!!!! WOOO HOOOOO!!!!!

Wow, Longhorn, your doc has you on liquids/soft foods for a long time...my doc has me on liquids/pureed Soups for 2 weeks, then "mushies" for one week, then regular foods.

I like the stuff you bought though. I'll have to get some of the Special K Protein powders. That's a good idea. I was drinking the crystal light powders (they're good) but why not get the protein too?

Foofy, what are Laughing Cow light wedges? I get to move to "mushies" on Saturday so need to go shopping!

I got some of the Laughing Cow light wedges. They come in a round, flat box that kind of looks like it's made out of wood. Inside are around eight individually wrapped wedges of soft cheese that you can eat alone or spread on a cracker. I found them at HEB in the deli cheese section. I bought two flavors -- garlic and French onion, I think.

Yes, my doctor is pretty conservative but he believes it cuts down on getting stuck and other problems. I haven't had any difficulties yet and still hope I can avoid them. I don't understand the folks who post on this board that they can't wait until they PB or get stuck so they know they have restriction! I understand the impatience to lose weight but that's too high a price for me, especially since doing that too much can cause you to have to unfill completely. I haven't set any goals other than staying on my program. The weight will come off when it comes off.

All that said, I wouldn't argue with anyone's surgeon's plan. I feel comfortable with mine but that doesn't mean everyone else is wrong.

Hey Worth the Weight,

Longhorn gave you the correct location, the Laughing cow wedges are in the deli case at my supermarket. I actually got a four box package of them at costco. I LOVE them. I like the light Swiss. They are soooo creamy and are in the PERFECT little darling package. Talk about portion control. I feel skinny just looking at them. I can take them to work in my pocket. I think mine are 35 cals each, and two fill me up. Mmmmm - like eating buttah! ;o)