Food aversions / tired of what you used to like?

greythope · April 7, 2009

Hi Everyone

Just wondering if anyone is having a similar problem as me. I was banded last June, FINALLY got the adjustments right 12/1, I have lost close to 50 pounds, 50 more to go.

Anyway I am to the point now I have gotten aversions to many foods I used to like and would be healthy for me to eat now. For example I used to love grilled turkey burger patties (no bun) and a bit of cheese and avocado. Can't stomach them anymore. I feel this way about most meats now. I only eat poultry and fish but the crazy thing is I would LOVE a beef burger. I am still mostly OK with grilled chicken but obviously have to take it very slowly. This evening I gave my salmon to the dogs and had a Protein shake with strawberries blended in for dinner.

Breakfast is tough also. eggs were always a bit tough for me, now they make me ill. Eating in the morning is tough anyway. I feel like I could eat a big Breakfast but obviously physically can't.

The Proteins I still like are dairy, nuts, and Beans. I crave things like burgers and breakfast sausage from somewhere gross like McDonalds but I won't eat them for health reasons and I wish I could be a vegetarian so haven't eaten mammels for years as a sort of half-way.

Honestly sometimes I wish I didn't have to bother! But I know I have to eat, I need energy for my busy life and I like to work out. I got this surgery for my health, not my vanity so I am focused on the quality of my life more than the quantity and quickness of weight loss. I am also sort of sad because I also wanted to still enjoy food, just in smaller amounts, so my tastebuds going nuts is making me nuts!

Another side of this is I am driving my husband nuts. I'm like a child (or how I was when I was pregnant - and no I definitely not expecting!) with these food aversions. He might as well just do his own dinner and not worry about me. I honestly feel like I just don't like a lot of foods anymore. It's like since I have to chew chew chew chew foods I have noticed the taste isn't actually that good. I'd rather have something simple like a 1/2 a grilled cheese sandwich (I can do bread in small amounts if it's toasted with the crust cut off) for dinner than a grown-up meal of salmon and veggies.

I am going to try to get more creative and see if I can't come up with some different options.

Anyone else had this problem or any advice?

Jachut · April 7, 2009

Yes, I can relate to that. I can eat almost all foods, but many dont appeal to me much anymore, although for the sake of a balanced diet, I still eat them.

I no longer enjoy the meat and 3 veg type meal - even a good roast dinner like on Christmas day. I make them still as its a family staple, and a good way to get in your Protein and vegies. But I'd be happy with Soup every single night.

I went years and years without eating yogurt - although I liked it. Its a staple now.

I dont eat a lot of bread. I can eat it - even most of a sandwich but I just plain dont fancy it much.

Thankfully I never ever crave McDonalds or pizza or similar. I cant eat in food courts, I stand there staring round in despair for half an hour before giving up and buying coffee. I dont want ANY of it (although I could have a healthy sandwich made up). I can easily go into McDonalds with my kids and not even be remotely tempted to eat anything. Sadly Cookies are more appealing than ever.

All the difficult "solid" foods that are a bit harder to eat basically no longer appeal like they did. But you know, I think its dangerous to give into that or you end up with soft foods that are easy and then up goes your calories. If I want to be sure I'll go from lunch to dinner without snacking, then I *MAKE* myself take the time and effort to eat a sandwich. Because yes, I can eat a yogurt in five minutes, but I'll be looking for Snacks an hour later.

Snapdragon · April 7, 2009

I can relate. I used to love tuna salad and now I can't stand the stuff. There are certain foods that just don't appeal to me any more. I think our bodies are just adjusting to this new lifestyle.

I'm not a doctor, but my assumption is that the more we have to chew and eat slowly, the more our taste buds, brain and emotions tune in to the food.

I'm learning a great deal of patience with myself. Some days I really miss the joy of just grabbing a burger and fries and wolfing it down (horrible, I know!), but then I realize that I'm healthier, stronger and better for having had this surgery and I'm slowly, but surely losing the weight.

I do have to remind myself to eat foods that are harder to get down, i.e., chicken, salads, eggs, etc. That type of food fills me up - the slider foods do just that - slide. They're easy and require no effort on my part. I spent the greater part of my life not concentrating on what I put into my mouth.

I tell myself that I can now spend the rest of my life being thoughtful.

greythope · April 7, 2009

The weird thing is the main issues I am having are with meats I used to eat. It's rough when we're supposed to be high Protein diets when I am grossed out by what used to be delicious and is still a healthy option.

I used to like tuna also and now can't stand the stuff. Things have to be cook in a certain way and have a certain texture.

I do still like salads and vegetables, even with the extra chewing, so it's not all about slider foods. Honestly my worry is getting ENOUGH to eat Protein wise. I want to also be satisfied and not resort to having a Protein shake for dinner like I did last night.

I am starting a group therapy session for WLS patients that's supposed to help end 'disordered' eating so I am hoping to figure out what's going on in my head.

Heartscanner03 · April 8, 2009

I am so glad to know I am not alone on this. I used to love tuna salad, the thought freaks me out now, eggs...forget it, just the smell drives me out of a room...I crave vegetables, but have such a tough time digesting them especially salad, that I find myself avoiding some things just because it's hard to eat, chicken I like but it's the toughest of all the meats for me to digest BTW I had the VSG in February but was wondering if I was alone in my food aversion. I noticed too that anything with Red Dye in it, was impossible to drink or eat...red gatorade, kool-aid, red Jello...it feels like I'm swallowing lead...anything else is fine though...just can't figure out why the red dye is a problem.

Pamela

:glare:

The weird thing is the main issues I am having are with meats I used to eat. It's rough when we're supposed to be high Protein diets when I am grossed out by what used to be delicious and is still a healthy option.
I used to like tuna also and now can't stand the stuff. Things have to be cook in a certain way and have a certain texture.

I do still like salads and vegetables, even with the extra chewing, so it's not all about slider foods. Honestly my worry is getting ENOUGH to eat Protein wise. I want to also be satisfied and not resort to having a protein shake for dinner like I did last night.

I am starting a group therapy session for WLS patients that's supposed to help end 'disordered' eating so I am hoping to figure out what's going on in my head.

luluc · April 8, 2009

maybe your mourning the joy of food - because it's a chore sometimes to eat? i'm a foodie, and there isn't much i can't eat - actually there isn't any....i do catch myself watching others eat while dining out. like i just want to bite into a huge burger w/all the fixings and not have to wait till it's cold before i dig into another bite. or i notice that someones' meal came 20mins after mine & they're done - while i gingerly take my time. sometimes the joy is gone.

as for cravings, dairy & fish are much stronger than before the band. artificial sweetners - can't stand them. i was a diet coke freak, low fat this / that .... now i get headaches, and the taste is metalic. funny all the diet stuff didn't stop me from getting fat:)......