Eating/Drinking schedule???

How on earth do you get in all of your water and still manage to eat 3 times a day? I can't drink for 30 minutes before or 60 minutes after I eat. It makes it very challenging to do it. In the morning, for example, I can have coffee or I can eat, but I can't do both. I really need the coffee. I am the manager of a busy restaurant, so I don't get breaks...it's eat if/when I can. That adds to the challenge of planning a meal. I usually work 730 am to 6 or so pm. Then it's 45 minutes home. What are some examples of how you schedule everything? Any advice would help. I think I need a real schedule that I can follow everyday. I feel like it would remove some of the doubt and some of the ability for me to forget when to eat/drink. Thank you for any help you have!! Jeannie

Jeannie, When you wake, have your protein shake while you are getting ready for work. I usually get up at 5:30 shower and then while doing makeup and hair I drink my shake. I have a 30 min. drive to work, so when I get to work, I get my coffee. I always have my water bottle with me, so I don't even think abou****er intake. I am always thirsty. At 11:30 I put my water bottle back in my refrigerator and leave it there until 12:45 when I return from lunch. For lunch I eat a rolled up piece of Boar's head ham and a block of cheese or cottage cheese. At 2pm I have a tiny 5 min. break and I toss some almonds into my mouth. When I snack, I don't follow the water rule. I try to wait 30 mins. after to drink, but honestly, I am one that likes to rinse my mouth out after eating, so i will take a small sip. I leave work at 4:00.. I make a protein shake before leaving and drink it on the way to the gym. From 4:30-5:30 I work ou****er in tow. I am home from the gym in 10 mins. and we usually eat dinner at 6:30. For dinner I eat 4-6 tiny bites of fish or chicken.... from 7:30-10 I make sure to drink atleast 10 more oz of water. A hint to ensure water amounts.... It may sound foolish to some, but I refill my water bottle from the water fountain at school and every time I do I use a sharpie marker and draw a star on the neck of the bottle. By days end, I find I have 4-6 stars. I hope this sorta helps. Being that I am a math specialist who pulls the needy students, I totally understand how days are not regular and Lord knows my schedule is never the same.

Thank you, Nancy! That is a big help! I love the stars on your bottle. I've often thought about doing something like that to keep track myself. Thank you again!! Jeannie

Don't forget your shakes and coffee count toward your liquid requirements (although I've read that some DON'T count the coffee due to diuretic effects), but if you drink it with NF milk the milk counts! I also switched to Yogurt Smoothies since they count as liquids (according to my nutritionist). There are also different opinions on when to drink. I'm told wait 15 minutes before eating and 30 minutes after eating, so that gives a little extra leeway. There are ways and there are ways...You'll find yours!

Don't forget your popcicles. I was told they count as liquid also. I was given the 5/30 rule for water, none 5 minutes before, or 30 minutes after. Depends on what I eat, I have to wait longer. My belly will tell me . Best of luck

coffee are you talking real coffee with like caffeine what am i missing out on something here i thought we can only have decaf i want coffee, i am starting a new job next door to a starbucks and yeah i want coffee.

omg watch your budget! that would killllll me! every doc is different. my doc says for every oz of caffeine, add another oz of water. so, for us newbies caffeine is a good thing to avoid right now. i cannot spell caffeine to save myself!

Hey, girl! want me to write you a permission slip???? We do't want no cranky Serena! I was allowed decaf the first 2 weeks post-op and then high test. I waited though until I was 4 weeks post-op to go for the gusto!

Yep...the real McCoy!! My surgeon says none for the first month while healing, then having it in moderation is ok. It does not count towards water intake though if it has caffeine. So...it's in addition to not in place of a glass of h2o. Enjoy!! Jeannie

I was told no drinking 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after. I try to sip water throughout the day. I usually have a yogurt around 8, 2 ounces of protein of some kind around noon, a protein bar around 3 or so if I'm going to have a late supper. Supper is usually around 6 and involves some sort of protein. I have not really had any veggies since I am still concentrating on getting my protein in. Good luck. Julie