Hi,

I was banded 11/5/07 but not until my 2nd fill did I get restriction on 01/07/08. Since then I have been trying out different types of food. I can see how one resorts to "easy" foods like pastas, grits, sugar free yogurts and puddings as they go down easy and they are quick when you have a busy lifestyle. I need suggestions for foods for dinner that will give me a feeling of fullness instead of a feeling like I am going to gag after 4 or 5 bites. It seems like I can not find a food in between "slides down easy and I eat too big a portion and am still hungry" and "it hurts to eat it so I just don't." I've lost about 5 pounds but only because I just don't eat because it hurts and I am left starving ALL the time. Once you're hungry, then you scarf and then you hurt. Any suggestions on snacks that will fill the hole but not hurt? I'm thinking chicken or fish for dinner with a vegetable and more chewing might be the solution, any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Traveler

Read the What You Ate Today thread. Lots of good ideas.

At your phase I was eating Toddler Phase baby food (not bad actually)

The Protein drinks are awesome.

Protein first, protein, protein, protein. It's what satisfies your appetite.

I refused to even try Protein shakes, because I don't like milk, ugh, and I can't stand the smell of most protein. I use a rice based protein, not as high in protein as whey or soy, but it works for me. I use the little magic bullet blender, 1/2 crushed ice, a few frozen strawberries, 2 scoops of protein, 1/2 a banana and either light orange juice or fill up the container with flavored Water. Blend well and it's very filling. If I don't use a banana, I might add a little splenda or a variety of other frozen fruits.

I keep two small frozen containers in my freezer, one with strawberries and one with mixed fruits, for easy access, that way you don't have to pull out those big bag of frozen fruits when you're in the mood for a Protein shake.

How about tuna, chicken or egg salad?

In the mushy stage, I loved refried black beans, mashed bananas, mashed avocado, baked sweet potatoes, unsweetened applesausce. But I agree. Try to get more protien in your diet. It staves off hunger. Egg salad was a great suggestion. some meat is dry and gets stuck. I've found if I roast my chicken in a roaster instead of baking it, it's much more tender, easier to chew and doesn't hurt going down. I roast a whole chicken and pull the meat off the bones. I put it in one cup tupperware containers with a little bit of veggies and stack it in the fridge. Then I just grab one in the morning on my way out the door to work. Tuna in water with a little fat free salad dressing works well for me too.

Mix up some ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce in a bowl, microwave it for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Delicious!!