Salads or no salads?

On my last visit to the dietician, I inquired about eating salads. I was told I would never eat salad. I was quite crushed, because I have been craving salads and tomatoes. My dietician explained that it was roughage and would not digest. It could cause blockage. I understand that, but so many programs I have seen the WLS people are eating salad. After several minutes, she finally gave in and said I could have a small bunch of lettuce and 2 grape tomatoes. Why bother? My question to all of you...Do you eat salad? Confused and missing my rabbit food, Kristin

Hi Kristin, My biggest craving was for salads! I didn't miss sweets or carbs or fats, but I really missed salads! My nutritionist said that when I was able to tolerat them, I could have them. I was able to finally tolerate them at 3 months and now I eat them almost everyday or at least a few times a week. I was told in support group as well, that if you chew really slow and well, you will be able to eat them. So, I now eat them with chicken or tuna, chick peas, hard boiled eggs, cheese and all the other veggies like shredded carrots, etc. I use balsamic vinegar or lemon juice since I cannot tolerate high fat foods or things that are too sweet. I put a lot of fresh ground pepper too. I even add some almonds or walnuts and a few craisins. I found that softer lettuce goes down better, such as spinach, "bread and butter" lettuce, etc. The darker lettuce has more iron too! So, check with your doctor and your support group. I think you will be getting a lot of responses here as well! Good luck to you! Fran

Hi Kristin, I eat salad all the time now.. I LOVE salad. I just make sure that it is topped with lots of protein! Some kind of meat, cheese, egg etc.. I eat mostly the toppings with some lettuce included. Kathy

When I go back for my 4month check-up, they will clear me for salad & red meat. I am DYING!!!!!! My husband can eat a snickers bar in front of me and it does not phase me but a salad!!! I want to kill him with my fork.

I am able to eat and enjoy salads....when you eat a salad you will find you will be able to consume a good amt of it. because it chews down to almost nothing. have salad and enjoy. dee

KRISTIN... I EAT SALAD ABOUT THREE TIMES A WEEK FOR MY LUNCH IT IS THE BASIC LETTUS AND OR SPINICH, (I DON'T DO TOMATO TO OFTEN BECAUSE OF SEEDS AND ULCER) BUT I PUT MUSHROOMS, AND SOME GRATED CARROT, AND I ADD PROTEIN... EITHER CHICKEN PEICES, OR TUNNA, I ADD LOTS OF FAT FREE CHEESE AND THEN I USE LOW FAT BLUE CHEESE DRESSIN..... JUST CAUSE I LOVE THE STUFF. YOU ASKED ABOUT NUTS IN AN EARLY POST... I EAT NUTS EVERYDAY AND HAVE BEEN FOR AT LEAST TWO MONTHS... I HAVE 1/4 CUP AS A SERVING... IT IS HIGH IN CALORIES AND FAT... BUT IT IS A SPECIAL TREAT.... AND I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEM.... I HAVE HAD DAYS WHEN I HAVE HAD THEM TWICE... YUMMMMY... BUT TO MUCH FAT.. SO DON'T DO THAT VERY OFTEN. BONBON

My first time exprience with salad made me sick so I'm kind of scared to touch them but I'm getting brave in wanting to try again as I love Salads. I think I did not chew good enough the first time around. Donna 338/237 -101

Kristin, I eat salads all the time - love them. If I'm out I usually order a cobb salad because it has a lot of egg, cheese, bacon, chicken, etc (high protein.) I've never heard about it causing blockage and us not being able to disgest it. I'll have to ask my doctor about it. Hugs, Candy

Since having the WLS, I can finally enjoy a salad.... prior to this surgery, anything green and leafy did not agree with me... now it does. I don't eat it very often, but I can eat it without any problems. And in reading labels, I have found that regular dressings have less sugar grams than low fat dressings. So, beacuse of this, I stick to the regular dressings. And I can't eat so much that it bothers me. Plus, it makes my taste buds happy. I have found for me, fat bothers me more than sugar does... unless it is alot of sugar... but I try to avoid that anyway. Try the salad, if it goes down and stays down, you should be ok....... Susan Lap RNY 12-1-04 285-210-155 (-75)

I am so surprised by what your dietician said. In all that I have read, nobody has EVER said that we can't 'digest' anything, really, other than tough, stringy foods like celery. My understanding is that veggies are discouraged for the first few months, mainly because you might not eat all your protein if you fill up on them. But once you've learned to eat right, you can add them in. I was told that after 3 months, anything was fine, so long as I had eaten enough protein. On days where I want a salad most, I make sure to have my protein drink and tuna, so I've had a good foundation of protein for the day. Any what is that about not digesting 'rouphage'? Of course we can! We just have to chew, chew, chew! Is there another dietician you can go to!? ~~ Leslie