I heard no lettuce, but i really want a salad. Anyone tried eating lettuce.

I have a salad once a day and it goes down fine.

I was banded in Sept. 2008 and have eaten salads all along. But after my second fill two weeks ago I was told to shred the lettuce, which I have been doing. I don't use raw vegetables in the salad - just chopped onions, some canned beets (chopped) and maybe some left over canned green beans. I avoid raw veggies like carrots & celery. But everyone is different as to what they can tolerate.

I wasn't able to have salad until 4 weeks after surgery but I do very well with salad. Just chew chew chew. That's the key.

salads are not a problem for me

use spinach

I was told the darker greens are easier for us to eat

- so enjoy -

Who told you "no lettuce"? If you are early post op then you have a specific diet yuou're supposed to follow and lettuce may not be a part of that, but otherwise, who said? Unless your surgeon or nutritionist bans foods, please take any advice with a grain of salt.

I cannot imagine why anyone would ban lettuce. Now it might be a matter if you and your band can tolerate lettuce.

I eat lettuce without problem.

salads are no problem for me at all. remember to add a protein like chicken or an egg, and stay away from the cream-based dressings! food tolerances are different for everyone, so maybe try a salad when you are alone first to see how you handle it.

One of my favorite meals is my version of a chicken caesar salad. I buy Romaine in heads, store them in those green bags you see on TV (they really work well with greens). When I make a salad I grill some chicken breasts in olive oil or Pam, cut up one for the salad and store the rest for other meals. I also cut up a hard boiled egg, then sprinkle Parmesan cheese to finish off my Protein. Then I top with light caesar dressing and fat free croutons. I eat this several times a week (I don't like to cook, so this is my work around). I also get jullienne cut turkey and ham at Mars and use that instead of the chicken to vary it a little. I love it. I could eat it every night.

I have heard of some people having problems with greens but so far I have not. I did have trouble with a fresh tomato last night. I cut it up and put salt and pepper on it. I think I didn't chew it enough and it got stuck and made me slime. But I can also make chicken, turkey, or tuna salad with chopped onions, celery and Kosher pickles and eat it without problems. Post band eating is a bit of trial and error. Talk to your dietician. She may have some tips too. Good luck on your journey.

I heard no lettuce, but i really want a salad..

try it!

you won't know what foods you can/can't handle if you don't try & i can't imagine a dr or nut swaying patients away from healthy greens .. which we need.

i have yet to have a problem w/a single veg/fruit - like jayne i enjoy throwing some Protein in - chicken/chickpeas/shrimp/grilled steak/eggs.

give it a shot, especially if your body is craving it:smile:

Salads have been no problem for me unless I'm eating out and they pre-toss the salad. Sometimes if it's been sitting in the dressing and the lettuce starts to get soggy it's harder to chew and that has been a problem. But if the lettuce is fresh and I put the dressing on myself, then no problems at all with salad.

Pachelton: Who makes fat free croutons? I have tried to find them and couldn't. I love salads and would hate to give them up.

I too have heard no lettuce. Well, not totally banned but have heard that alot of people have had trouble with eating it. I had my surgery 1-15-09 and go to dr tomorrow to find out when my first fill is. I am soooooooooooooooooo craving a salad. This is wonderful news to me. I will just take it slow (as always) and I have always used shredded lettuce in the past so hopefully I will be able to enjoy my salads again!! Its funny, salads was the last thing I thought I would be craving at this time. :tongue_smilie:Thanks!!!!!!

WOW! I'm so excited. I too had heard no lettuce and I loved salad before I was banded. Too bad i had a fill yesterday and am on mushies or i'd run out and get a salad right now!

I eat lettuce almost daily.

Pachelton: Who makes fat free croutons? I have tried to find them and couldn't. I love salads and would hate to give them up.

You could make them yourself.... Cube up some plain bread and sprinkle with dry spices like garlic, onion powder, oregano. Put on a baking sheet and toast in the oven around 300 degrees till light brown and crunchy. When I do them I check them and toss them around every 10 minutes to toast on all sides. No added fat. Cool and store them in a zip lock baggie at room temperature.