Going back to work.....HELP!!!

Hi All , Well the vacation is over for me. I go back to work on Monday . I have actually been ready to go back for a while now. I feel great and my energy level is up there . Can anyone give me some suggestions as far as planning my meals. I work 11:15am-7:30pm so I am not on a regular schedule. What types of foods do you all bring to work with you and how do you deal with all of the "curiosity" from your coworkers? I have a Christmas luncheon Tuesday, so this will be my first time going out for a meal since surgery...Any suggestions what to eat and how to order? I work behind a desk so I should be fine physically. But one of my biggest problems in the past was constantly munching junk food all day long and I don't want to start grazing. So with all of that said , if anyone has any suggestions or care to share your experiences It would be greatly appreciated . As always, thanks for listening and God Bless... Susan

Great topic - I am heading back to work on Monday as well - ( so ready, I am beyond bored! ) I was thinking of getting some of those "Soup at Hand" things, but I haven't read the ingredients yet so am not sure. Looking forward to hearing what other's are doing....

be careful w/ soup at hand. Potato especially lists high fructose corn syrup at the top of the list (and it was my favorite pre-op). The tomato has been great.

I bought some little ziplock containers to take small portions with me. I hear the soup at hand is good, but we were told to avoid all tomato soups because they are high sugar. As far as eating out, just take your leftovers home, or order ala carte and just eat a side dish....or steal from your coworkers' plates!

I went back to work a few weeks ago. I bought smaller storage containers because its depressing seeing a huge container with a small amount in it! Anyways I bring yogurt, soup, whatever I had for dinner the night before, SF jello, tuna, chicken salad, egg salad. Its amazing how the smaller containers make me think I am eating more. Just dont try a new food at work in case it doe not agree with you. If possible bring a box of SF popsicles to keep in a freezer there. As for grazing make sure you have water, crystal light, herbal teas, ect. In regards to the luncheon I had a meeting at a rest for work, I ordered French Onion soup and ate it real slow and chewed the cheese up very well. Good luck, you will be fine. As for the coworkers, not sure what to tell you. I work in a small place and everyone knows. Janet

I have been just using single services of pudding or yogurt. I don't fix anything special at all. I went back to work 10 days after surgery and was so glad to be back, you can only sit at home so long. Laurie

I went back to work on Friday. Just order something that you can eat and only eat what you are supposed to. Don't take food to work with you. I have found that I am grazing more being at home than at work. Best of luck to you Susan. Deanne 11/9/04 Dr. Blackstone

Hi Susan. This is my third week back at work. One of the disposable container companies makes a 4 oz container and they come 8 to a pack. I have found these to be perfect. I make either tuna or chicken salad and bring 3-4 oz along with a couple of crackers. Sliced lunch meat (turkey, ham, or chicken) along with a slice of cheese is good, too. Another option is 3 oz of cottage cheese w/chopped peaches(packed in water) on top. Some snack options I enjoy are no sugar added applesauce, sliced cheese, string cheese, yogurt, a cracker w/ smooth peanut butter. I also make sure to drink at least 4 glasses of water and 2 cups of skim milk each day. Take it easy when you first get back to work. I got extremely tired during my second week and had to take a day off just to sleep. Good Luck and God Bless!!! Gina

I came back to work 3 days ago. The hard part is that I am getting tired during the day. This will improve with time I'm sure. I make sure I have enough water, protein shakes, and fruit cups with me. I also keep chewable vitamins, extra Prevacid, and some powdered protein( to sprinkle on cottage cheese, fruit etc.) here. If your work has a refrigerator, bring in a half- gallon of skim milk. You can also bring a meal in a tupperware and store it. Be sure you don't try any new foods in work - just in case. My coworkers are very encouraging. We had a holiday luncheon yesterday. I ordered raviolis. I ate one and brought the rest home. My kids ate them for dinner. Good Luck!!!!