Portion Size???

How much are you all eating at a meal? I almost ate an entire Lean Cuisine Swedish meatball and pasta dinner last night! I only left 2 meatballs and a couple of spoons of pasta. I could have eaten it all! I feel so guilty when I think that I have overeaten, and I just pray that I have not damaged/streched my pouch! I have lost 101 lbs since Nov. 22, so I guess I am doing something right! Right? Please tell me what you think?? Sharon Lap RNY 11/22/04 336/235/183 goal

I find that in the am I cannot eat much, probably about 1-2 oz. of food. As the day wears on, I can eat up to as much as 4 oz. depending on what I have and sometimes just cause I'm hungry (or think I am). I do find that if I have protein, I fill up quickly, if I have carbs, it takes more food. I can eat more pasta, bread, crackers and sweets more than I can eat steak, eggs, chicken or a protein bar. Pam

I agree it depends on what I eat. Somethings I can eat a lot of (like carbs stuff) and others I can't. I think it depends on how dense the food is and if I have anything to drink with it, etc. Somedays I feel like I can eat like a normal person then others well I feel like a freak. LOL I think most people would consider a lean cuisine a tiny meal (I mean people who haven't had RNY). I wouldn't feel too bad. I think it will vary day by day, meal by meal. Erin 277/168/165

I can't eat much on the solid foods. Meat is really hard for me to eat unless it's shredded or ground fine and in some kind of sauce like chili or soup. Pasta, I can eat about 3 to 4 bites IF I chew really well. I'm actually getting a little frustrated with eating solids/meat. I find that I am eating alot of soft foods without really thinking much about it... but when I do realize what I eat, it's soft or liquids! I'm a little worried that I won't ever be able to eat "normal food". Donna

I have been eating about 8 oz per meal, and then 1 or 2 oz snacks in between. I can eat a lean cuisine meal but I get the ones lower in carbs - no pasta, rice, potatoes. I find for me that the carbs weigh very heavy in my pouch - uncomfortable almost - not worth it to me. I think if you are continuing to lose weight then continue doing what you are doing, as long as your doctor says its ok! I have lost 91 lbs since 11/11 and my weight loss has slowed dramatically in the past weeks, but it is still going. I only have 9 lbs to goal and I feel great! I am so thankfull that I had this surgery! God bless you and keep you, ~Andrea 223/132/123

I also find I eat very little in the a.m. I can usually eat a small salad or fruit and cottage cheese for lunch. Other days I can eat more. I still have a hard time with pasta, rice and bread. I just think they're are days that you can eat more than others. I think you are doing great!! Keep up the good work! Karry 311/181/167 goal

OH MY! You totally read my mind Sharon! The other day I finished an entire Lean Cuisine. It was the Beef and mushroom w/mash. Still, I ate the whole thing. I was horrified afterwards because I wasn't even stuffed. Anyway, I kinda freaked out and thouth about doing the cottage cheese test, but then I got a grip. That was the first time that has happened, and I've really noticed that my portions aren't that big. Usually, I can only eat about 3/4 cup of food at the very most. I think you and I need to calm down and not beat ourselves up! Our stomachs are going to get bigger over the next year, so we'll continually be able to increase our intake. And, like someone already said, a LC isn't really a big meal. I would have been STARVING after eating an entire LC before I had the surgery! Tish

What is the cottage cheese test...or shouldn't I ask?

The cottage cheese test is where you measure out a portion of CC, then eat what you can (at a steady pace****il you feel full or for 15 minutes, then remeasure the remaining CC and figure out the difference of the amounts. This difference will tell you the size of your pouch. EX: I measured out 8 oz of CC, I had a remainder of 3 oz, so my pouch intake is 5 oz. Hope this helps!

As long as you do not graze.............that is not alot of food 3 times a day....it's snack in between just because we can, they impedes loosing weight. Sandy in Tucson 112 lbs gone