Curious about not drinking while eatting - - mainly concerned about having soup with some veggies or other healthy things in them, as essentially having soup is like eatting and drinking, correct?

That's pretty much true. Anything that you eat that is very liquidy is going to go through the band faster. That's not to say you can never eat soup again, but it's not going to be a meal that has staying power, unless you make it heavy with meat and veggies, and light on broth.

I wondered the same thing about cereal with milk. I mean I have not had that yet but isn't that defeating the purpose of the eating and drinking thing?

Cereal and milk can be the same. In fact, as I'm typing this, I'm eating my breakfast of dry, high fiber, cereal. I really enjoy the texture and the flavor this way, and I don't feel like I'm missing anything because it's dry. I thought I would, when I was pre-band. Some people add a little milk, and say it works for them, but I'm all or nothing when it comes to milk and cereal. I always ate cereal floating in skim milk. I tried that once after my band as a treat to myself, and it was one of the two times I had a sliming event. I'll stick to dry..haha

Edited February 5, 200917 yr by kiz

I just considered soup, cereal or anything that has a wet or mushy texture as something that won't stay long in the pouch. You can definitely eat it but you may be hungry again soon after.

It really is the same as eating and drinking. If you consistently drink while being banded you are going to flush out the food faster, get hungry sooner and probably injest more calories in the long run.

I asked the same question and I was told not to eat soups - but I do anyways - especially on liquid and mushy days - sometimes I strain out the solids in soups and throw away the broth--- with won ton soup I strain the solids out and freeze the broth for liquid days

We were all told to avoid slider foods! But if we gotta have them, than moderation is the key..Except for after fills! I have also found out (on my own) if my calories for the day are low then slider foods are also ok in moderation.

I don't do soup much unless it's homemade.

Dr. thinks soup is evil b/c of the slider factor. Too many calories and it doesn't "hold" you.

If at a restaurant or using canned I will drink the broth first, then eat the "goodies" and that seems to help a lot.

Homemade, I use less broth to make it so it's a lot thicker, on the "stew" side of things. I'll also take more "goodies" than broth. Or, I'll drink a cup of warm broth before dinner (if I'm really wanting broth). Since I need to prepare DD's bowl first (so it has time to cool down), this gives me a chance to have some yummy broth before actually eating. This also gives the broth time to leave the pouch before eating.

I love soups and this is how I get around the "no soup, ever" rule. If I've had a fill or have gotten stuck, then I don't give 2 figs about my doc's rule and will eat soup til I feel better. I feel at that point the nutrition and fluids is more important.

Cereal, I actually haven't had since surgery. I eat a whole grains hot cereal if I'm wanting cereal. Cold or dry cereal just never occurs to me. Never has! Admittedly, I'm not much of a breakfast eater. Though now (meaning post-op) I make sure to have "something" for the nutrition.

I find this discussion interesting. I don't think soup is the problem, but what is in the soup. For instance there are parts of my diet the are difficult for me to eat such as veggies. Soup is one way that allows me to get them down. More importantly I try to ensure that my soup is high in protein like tofu. It is also a good way to consume an egg. Like anything else, everything should be moderation. I find soup to be a good alternative when I'm dining out and you choices are limited. Again it's about choices so soup with legumes can be a good source of protein. A far as lasting power, the thicker the soup the longer you feel full.