Snacking...

It seems that there have been a bunch of posts about snacking. I am guilty of snacking too. But I try very hard to make the best possible choices when I do have a snack. I believe that a snack once in a while is NOT going to hurt us. I plan for it during the day by sticking to my diet plan since I usually want a snack sometime in the evening. Here is what I keep on hand ALWAYS: sliced deli meat (turkey mostly, not the processed kind) string cheese soy nuts smart pop popcorn (can't do the regular kind, too much fat ) apples oranges celery sticks w/fat free ranch, or peanut butter carrot sticks w/fat free ranch sugarfree popsicles soy crisps Quaker Rice Cakes (very infrequently on these) This way, if I want or feel like I need a snack, this is what is there for me to grab. Don't get me wrong.... I have on occasion grabbed a few Cheezits, or some bagel crisps. I am human! But I don't make a habit of it. My family has learned a whole new way of eating. I don't buy anything sugary. I don't buy pop, they drink water or juice. If chips are bought, it's for our soup/sandwhich dinner nights and they usually get eaten up by my son so no worries about leftovers! We don't buy junkfood anymore. I don't know if this post will help anyone or not but I wanted to just post some advice to anyone who needs it! You know me... I love to help anyway I can!!! Hope you all have a wonderful day! I love each and every one of you! Lori 281/190/140 YESSSS! Back down to 190! 50lbs to goal!

HI Lori GOOD post thank you....You are right we are human and it occasionally a bad choice will happen .. I'm on track, cleared my mind about the snacking.. I'm getting some of those mini rice cakes for evening snack. Have a great day !! Priscilla

Good for you Priscilla! That's all we can do.. When we fall off, we have to get back on that and hold on for dear life! Lori

Thanks. I'll take any advise that I can get. Sherry

You're most welcome Ms. Sherry! Lori

Hi Lori, This is a great post! Thanks so much for the extra help. I hadn't thought about making sure the house is snack friendly for myself. I need to do the same thing and have better choices for snacks on hand. I started the plateau buster diet this week and so far I'm doing great. I am doing so much better on getting my protein in instead of eating meals with protein and veggies or straches. I've lost 1.75 since Monday and have 7 more days to go. It is interesting how focused I am on getting my water and protein shakes in each day. I thought I would really struggle, but so far so good. Again, thanks for the encouragement and helpful hints. I can use the deli meats & cheese sticks now for snacks while on the buster diet! Your the greatest, Lori 293/213/135/130

Thank you so much Lori. And good luck on the plateau buster diet. I don't think I could do it! I don't do protein shakes! Take care, Lori

Lori! You bring up a very-very important issue. For most of us it's very difficult to overeat at one meal, meaning even if it seems like much to us now, technically it really isn't.... we are just not capable anymore of stuffing burgers/fries/ whole pizza/pot pies...or whatever your guilty foods may be.... but those snacks can be evil..... if we are not careful. WE HAVE TO LEARN TO MAKE RIGHT CHOICES IF WE HAVE TO SNACK. I know my Surgeon Doesn't recommend snacking at all, but reality is that most people snack (I know I do) I think you listed most of good and healthier choices for us. From what I understand improper snacking is THE # 1 reason for regaining weight after WLS. Grazing kills us at the very heart ofWLS. We Do have to be strong and stay on guard... Thanks again, Lori I'm off my soap box. P. S. Lori, you seem to be on a roll with wt. loss. You go, girl!!!

Thanks Rita! And you bring up some very good points too. I don't graze. I have a snack. To me, grazing is when you eat little bits all day long. I separate my meals into breakfast/lunch/dinner and thats it. Unless it's one of those days that I want a snack. Then I have it sometime in between dinner and bedtime. I don't have time to graze and get my water in at the same time. There isn't enough time in the day for me to do both. That might change the farther I am out but I hope it doesn't. I hope I can continue to eat exactly the way I am now forever. I fully intend on doing just that! Lori

Great post Lori.... Good thinking. I am guilty on the cheez-it twisterz. My husband works for keebler & brings all kinds of snacks home every week. I do really good & have not yet touched anything sugar filled, but I do grab an occasional cracker. I like to keep mozzarella string cheese and sugar free pudding on hand as well, just in case i want to munch. Keep up the great work...you're doing awesome Tammy