SNACKY POOS

Susan, What was your dr.'s reason for wanting you to give up your protein drink??

Hi Michelle! Once you are 3 months out, my doc likes for his patients to get their protein from food vs. protein drinks. So far that is the ONLY thing I've not followed his protocol on precisely. I've tried, but my pouch just can't hold that much food....unless I eat all day long and I really don't want to get into the habit of grazing because I'm afraid I will end up doing that once I get to goal and will then end up regaining my weight. NOT going to do that. So, if I have to drink protein drinks, so be it!! Susan

I do snack once in a while. When I go shopping I try to find things that are high in protein to snack on. Here are a few things that I have come up with. 1.) Kashi Go Lean Granola Bars - Pumpkin Spice/Flax Seed 7gms 2.) Deli turkey cubed and cheese 3.) Beef Jerkey Sticks 4.) Processed Cheese Spread on Low Fat Ritz Crackers 5.) Cottage Cheese with Pineapple 6.) Yogurt 7.) Quaker Soy Crisps Those are some of my favorites. The meal plan that the NUT went over with me had snacks between meals. She wanted them to be either a protein drink or something higher in protein. I do drink a protein shake for breakfast most days. That gets me off to a good start. When I talked to my PCP after my surgery she told me that she had referred several people for the surgery over the years and the one that is doing the best with it does 6 mini meals a day. She recommended me doing the same. With the not being able to drink 30 minutes before or 30 minutes after a meal, I have trouble doing that and getting in all of my water. Hope you find something that works for you. Hugs, Tabby

Hey tabby, thanks for the great suggestions. What brand of yogurt do you use? I know your up in pa so what stores do you buy the quaker soy crisps? I've looked high and low for them w/o success down here in north carolina. I do eat those small cottage cheese/fruit containers and love them. But I agree w/ you, having to not drink 30 min before or after a meal does make it hard to get in six small meals. Thanks for the help. Donna, sfy

Donna.... I think I've seen the soy crisps at Super Wal-mart..... HTH, Susan

Hi Donna, I try to keep my snacks at around 7-9 grams of protein, I have several I cycle between... 1. a stick of light string cheese (8-9g depending on brand) 2. 1 serving of nuts (peanuts, almonds etc) 7g 3. 1 light laughing cow cheese with a few whole grain, low fat crackers 4. (if I'm really hungry) weight control oatmeal (7g) 5. 1/2 of an Atkins protein bar (took me awhile to learn to eat them) 10g 6. light lunch meat rolled up (depends on the choice of meat) 7-9g depending The string cheese is my "go to" snack as I can toss it in my purse and it is small but packs a pretty powerful protein punch without making me feel full.

HEY PATTI, EVERYONE HERE HAS BEEN SO HELPFUL, GIVING DIFFERENT SUGGESTIONS FOR SNACKS. I DO HAVE THE LUNCH MEAT ROLLED W/ LOW FAT CHEESE AND I DO USE "PURE PROTEIN" PROTEIN BARS, WHEN I REMEMBER TO EAT ONE. I'VE TRIED THE WEIGHT CONTROL OATMEAL AND ALMOST GAGED JUST ON THE SMELL. I'VE ALSO STARTED EATING CASHEW NUTS, NOT SURE IF THAT'S OK BUT IT'S JUST AN OUNCE OR TWO AT A TIME. WHERE DO YOU GET THE LAUGHING COW CHEESE? BEING FROM THE NORTH (N.Y.) AND NOW LIVING IN THE SOUTH (N.C.) IT'S REALLY AMAZING HOW LIMITED YOUR CHOICE IS IN AVAILABILITY OF DIFFERENT ITEMS. LIKE, IT'S NO WERE TO BE FOUND. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP DONNA, SFY

Here in PA the Laughing Cow cheese is usually in with the other cheeses. They come in a mesh bag with the individual wax wrapped rounds of cheese inside. One of the grocery stores I frequent has them with the specialty cheeses, but most have them in the regular cheese section (with the string cheese and cracker barrel type things). I also forgot to mention that every so often I get some "soy crisps" (which I find in the organic foods section)...several different brands, they taste like a cross between a potato chip and a small rice cake.

Hi Donna, My surgeon said to eat three meals and if needed two snacks a day. I usually have one snack if I feel hungry. I usually have string cheese .....the one I buy has 9g of protein....yogurt is good....a banana....haven't tried veggies yet, though! Holly