I keep reading that most people are told to not snack in between meals, but I was told 3 meals and three snacks. Is snacking an Aussie thing or just my docs advice for me. Can everyone please tell me what they were advised.

Just your docs way of doing things. I'm Aussie too and my doc's plan is 3 meals no Snacks.

Wish I had your plan. As I'm only 4 days post op haven't got that far yet but where I see myself being likely to struggle is between lunch and dinner. Breakfast to lunch should be OK as that's not such a long gap!

I think all Dr.'s have their own way of doing this but common sense tells me that your 3 meals should be high protein, low sugar, fat carbs etc.... and snacking? That could be a protein shake, bananna, anything light and sugar free. We are all in this for one reason and that is because we are fat and are tired of it mentally and physically, so make your decisions based on where you want to be in a year and the rest will fall into place!

Good luck and hang in there......we are all in this together!

Judy

My doc doesnt really have any "rules". However, the doc I see at my surgeon's practice was also our Olympic Team doc last year, and he works with lots of athletes and is also the Hawthorn team doctor. He agrees entirely with my carb based diet. My surgeon is not a high protein fan either. Neither of them care much whether I prefer to eat 3 meals or 5 small meals.

My doc and dietician told me to eat a balanced diet of approx 1200 calories a day. He agrees that my diet of 3 meals and 2 snack works well for me. I like to ensure that I get my fruit and veggies in and can only do that by having Snacks. I also include carbs as I like to have all food groups.

Dietry advice really does differ so much from different surgeons but over here in the uk, they are not so focussed on high Protein no carbs as seems to be the case from the Us posters here.

I agree and I think the saying "whatever" works for you then.......... that is what you should do. I did not make myself clear I guess but I did not mean fat free, carb free...I was meaning low doses. There are needs in our body for a certain amount of carbs, fat etc.. I was just trying to say limited I guess.... I, personally and again this is a personal opinion as to what worked for me so far.....70 grams of protein per day while on my pre and post op and I truly believe that it saved me from "caving" in because the protein gave me the energy to get out and do things instead of sitting around feeling half starved lol

This is a classic example of ......trust your Dr. and what feels right for you. There can be a thousand answers to the same question because a person has to do what works in their case. Sorry if I said that all wrong....

My doc doesn't really care what we eat, just mostly wants only 3 meals a day at similar times. This is for life; it has to be something I can live with. I've done diets and bought the special diet foods etc...what a pain in the neck! I eat fairly normally but in WAY smaller quantities. And if we have protein shakes...they are a MEAL not a snack.

What happens if you don't get all the nutrients in during the day and you have to snack on something to get those in? What do they say then? I've been having some cheese sticks during meals just to help with overall protein and other stuff (like jaqui my dr doesn't push getting in a certain amount of protein but I'd rather just have a little more, I don't count it either) but I think I might switch it to a nutrient drink.

I get plenty nutrients eating 3 meals a day! I am more careful what I choose to eat...not because I'm trying to diet, but because I can't eat as much and the right foods fill me for up to 6 hours. It is a no brainer, for me.