What's new and what ch' eatin'

Ok, here we go with another stab at this. It was great to get as many responses as I did over the weekend, and so nice to hear from some who haven't been around for awhile.

As I read your posts, I realized just how many of us are battling some sort of issues, whether depression, economy, family, or any number of things. Before WLS most of us would turn to food for comfort. LET'S KEEP EACH OTHER FROM GOING THERE!!! Just because you can't eat a lot at a time, doesn't mean that grazing is an answer to outside influences in your life. I've caught myself doing it, so I'm sure I'm not alone.

So, folks, here's the deal. Let's all realize that in our strange little corner of the world WE are the only  ones who can understand these issues and help each other through the day to day struggles that come along with WLS and food issues.  This site is for support, so let's do it!

Alright then. Off my soapbox. Yesterday was a busy Saint Bella day and it usually means that I don't eat like I should. I'm out of protein drink mix, something that I'm fixing today, but when the vegetarian kids are here I don't get enough protein in. Anyway, yesterday I didn't even hit 1000 cals, which is a big no-no. I won't lose from it, but I know better.

Here is Sunday:

bkfst burrito w/ eggbeaters and turkey bkfst sausage on a w w tortilla

snack, pretzels

lunch;  two bites from a slice of pizza...tasted like so threw that away and had 1/2 PB&J

dinner:  1/2 grilled cheese sandwich with salad

And of course, 2 lattes made with 1% milk

cals 970  fat  27 gr  carb: 135 gr  pro: 52

Good to see you back Susan.  

I need to get back to posting daily, but kind of lost interest when everything got so quiet on here.  Hope we can get it going again cause it can be really helpful.  

Good point on the grazing issue.  I have to work hard to make sure I don't let that slip back in because it is so easy to do it just a little bit at a time.  I am through with the "easy part" (tongue in cheek) of the losing and am having to work very hard for every pound now.  I am thankful that so far i have been able to avoid using food for comfort when stress raises its ugly head, but I know it wouldn't be hard to let that happen if I don't keep focused on avoiding it.   Heaven knows there is enough stress to sink us all these days.

Took advantage of the warm weather to cook on the grill yesterday.  Slow cooked a rack of ribs over about five hours.   The smell was really good.  I just ate two bones worth and was very satisfied.  Ate some boiled shrimp with them to get the protein needed.   Could have eaten a whole rack a year ago, but find just a few bites very satisfying now.  Just needed a little treat away from the good healthy foods I now enjoy every day.  Five hours of cooking for a few bites of meat isn't something I would want to do very often, but it was a nice treat yesterday.

Here are my totals for yesterday.   Went over on fats because of my little treat, so back to basics today.

		Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein
Breakfast
	Eggs - Scrambled (whole egg), 2 large	203	3	15	14	remove
	English muffins - Wheat, 1 muffin	127	26	1	5	remove
	Add Food     Remember Meal	330	29	16	19
Lunch
	Cottage cheese - Lowfat, 1% milkfat, 1.5 cup (not packed)	244	9	3	42	remove
	Add Food     Remember Meal	244	9	3	42
Dinner
	Generic - Boiled Shrimp, 8 oz	240	2	4	46	remove
	Fresh - Corn on the Cob - Plain, 0.5 ear - medium	39	9	1	1	remove
	Pork Baby Back Ribs - Ribs Wo/Bbq Sauce, 4 oz (about 2 ribs)	234	0	18	18	remove
	Add Food     Remember Meal	513	11	23	65
Snacks
	Bananas - Raw, 1 medium (7" to 7-7/8" long)	105	27	0	1	remove
	Cheese - Colby, 1 oz	112	1	9	7	remove
	Add Food     Remember Meal	217	28	9	8
Total:		1,304	77	51	134
Your Daily Goal:		1,250	94	42	125

Good job on staying away from food when there is stress in your life. Not that anyone would flame you for it, you certainly have more than your share!  But, if you can get through this with out going to food for comfort, you've got it made.

Hey, if I had my choice of what to blame for going over on your fat intake, it would be the eggs....lol Those ribs and shrimp sound wonderful. If I'm low on my protein I warm up some frozen shrimp and have them with a bit of ****tail sauce. MMMMMM   very high in protein, no fat!

Are you coming Thursday?  Sure hope so...we've missed you!

Good idea to blame the eggs!  Not nearly as much fun as the ribs.  I just blamed the ribs since I ate them last.  They are about equally poor in nutritional quality .   I rarely have eggs for breakfast, but Miss Dian offered to fix some on Sunday so I took advantage.  Used to love eggs - now I don't really care for them much.
I am planning to be there on Thursday.  Looking forward to seeing everyone.
Steve

Susan -- what do your veg kids eat?  Megan has practically made herself a vegetarian in a quest to be healthier (I'm all in favor of anything healthy!).  She is so dang picky, though.  She has issues with dairy, does not like red meat, seafood, or pork, and is very particular about what kind of chicken she does like.  AND she doesn't care for tofu.  I've been getting her some protein bars for breakfast, at least, but beyond that it's a fight to get enough in her to keep her going.  She eats enough of what she does like that I don't suspect anorexia, but she's limited her choices so vastly.

Anyway, moving on.  I did a cross-train day yesterday and rode my stationary bike for 45 minutes.  I'm totally pooped today, though.  I don't know if it's because I need more carbs/protein/whatever or what...  It's a little daunting.  Today will definitely be a rest day.  Megan starts soccer practice tomorrow, so I hope to work in a run while she's doing that.  I have a sinking feeling that I shouldn't have stopped using my CPAP just yet.  Boy, do I wish I could get rid of that sucker.

I can't remember all I ate yesterday; not a good sign, huh?  I'll start anew today.  Maybe it will offer some clues as to my fatigue.

Wow....you finally have a face!  You look maaaaaaaavalous!  After 45 mins on the bike, who cares what you ate?  LOL  I'm sure you did just fine.

As far as the vegetarian thing goes...good luck!  I can't say that the kids eat this way to be healthier, they're not, it's for the ethical thing. They can go on an hour long rant about cruelty to livestock. I have to put my foot down and tell them to knock it off. We've come to an understanding of sorts. I'll cook vegetarian when they come here, if they don't bring up the animal issues. Works.
How?  Well, there are a number of really good substitutes for meat out there. Morningstar Farms makes a "Crumbles" product that I use in place of ground beef for tacos, chili, spaghetti sauce, etc. It has NO fat in it and lots of protein. Once it's in something you really can't tell the difference at all. The texture might be a little different, but not so much that you can't eat it. Then there is a chicken substitute made by Quorn (pronounced "corn"). It comes in "tenders" which is great for anything you'd use diced chicken for, even salads. It's the best of the substitutes as far as I'm concerned. You really can't tell the difference. Then, the same company has a chicken thing that looks like half of a small chicken breast. Good too. I buy all of this at Kroger, although Wally carries some of it at certain locations.
While you're at Kroger check out the "Organic" section. In the freezer there is where these types of products are found. They carry a line of burritos made by Cedarlane that are to die for!  I LOVE the pizza one, I think it's 260 cals and 17 grm of protein. They also have a bean, rice and cheese one that I had for breakfast today that was great.

Ok.....this ought to get you started. When we have some time for coffee I tell you all about how you can't "cross contaminate" when you're cooking for a vegetarian in the midst of a normal (ha) family.

Goofed on the Crumble thing. Morningstar Farms Meal Starters is what they're called. Nut info:  80 cals, 2.5 gr fat, 10 grms protein, 2 grm (if I remember correctly) fiber. Serving size is 2/3 of a cup.

Ground beef?  Same amount, cals: 224, fat 15 grams, 21 protien, 

I sure do know what you mean about stress grazing.  I have really been fighting with that demon.  I've about decided that I have seasonal affective disorder too.  I like the cold but I get very depressed every year from after Halloween until spring.  This year, I spoke to my fam. doctor and increased my Zoloft to help make it through the winter.  It has really helped but it has still been tough.  Sunday's intake wasn't the best with choices and today I ate a bag of sun baked chips with my baked  chicken breast for lunch knowing I was eating worthless calories, all because it was the Monday from hell at work.  After gritting my teeth and holding my tongue all day, I finally lost it when I tripped over the electrical cord to the portable vital sign machine which was set up right where I have ased the staff repeatedly not to place it because of the cramped situation at the nurses station.  See, I'm ranting again, lol.  Here's Sunday's intake:

		Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein
Breakfast
	Mcdonald's - Breakfast Burrito, 2.57 oz	198	17	11	8	remove
	Generic - Black Coffee, 12 fl oz	7	1	0	0	remove
	Add Food     Remember Meal	205	18	11	8
Lunch
	Great Value (Walmart) - Thinly Sliced Turkey Breast Oven Roasted, 6 slices	50	0	1	10	remove
	Walmart Great Value - Sliced Pepper Jack Cheese, 1 Slice	70	0	5	4	remove
	Add Food     Remember Meal	120	0	6	14
Dinner
	Tai Pei - General Tso's Chicken, 1 cup	70	10	2	6	remove
	Add Food     Remember Meal	70	10	2	6
Snacks
	Frigo - Natural String Cheese Light - Mozzarella & Cheddar Swirls, 1 serving	60	1	3	8	remove
	Great Value - 2% Reduced Fat Milk, 1 cup	130	12	5	8	remove
	Body Fortress - 100% Premium Whey Protein Powder Vanilla, 1 scoop	110	2	2	26	remove
	Body Fortress - 100% Premium Whey Protein Powder Vanilla, 1 scoop	110	2	2	26	remove
	Add Food     Remember Meal	410	17	12	68
Total:		805	45	31	96
Your Daily Goal:		800	30	18	130

Hey Sybul,

I think you might be onto something here with the seasonal disorder.  Have you noticed how many of us are depressed? Hmmmm  too bad I'm not a psychologist, might make for a good research study.

Anyway, I have a couple of questions about your food. (treading gently here)  Do you drink your coffee with your breakfast, or do you wait the 30 min before/after? And, did you forget to log those nasty sun chips?  For me, if It isn't logged, then I don't have to own up to it....LOL. But, you did tell us you had them, and even still, your caloric intake for the day was probably around 1100 with them.
You know, this whole process isn't about deprivation, its about moderation. I'd venture to say pre WLS you'd have one of the BIG bags of sun chips tossed back with a regular coke and some candy. It's also a very good thing that you recognize the reason you ate those chips. Here's an idea; the next time those folks at work act up make THEM eat the chips.....let them go straight to their hips, not yours!

Glad we're doing this again. See ya later!