Food diary question

Hello everyone---it's been a while since I posted but I've been doing a lot of lurking and learning all I can from all of you. It's been a long time coming, but I've finally gotten approval from BCBS that they will pay for my surgery---HOORAY!!! Now I wait for the call from Barix in Langhorne, PA to set the date! I'm hoping the surgery will happen before the end of October. At the PMRI meeting the other night, mention was made of the importance of keeping a food diary. I'm curious as to what sorts of things to include above and beyond a simple listing of the foods themselves. Does anyone have any suggestions--e.g. protein grams, fat grams, blood sugars, etc. that I would need to record? I was thinking about setting up a sort of spreadsheet format on the computer where I could just fill in the blanks. but I want to be sure I include headings for everything I might need. Maybe someone already has done this and I don't need to re-invent the wheel! Will appreciate any input from you more experienced postops. Thanks!!! Martha

Hi Martha. Congrats on the approval! I just kept track of portion size, protein grams and oz of water. But calories and sugars would be good, too. Sounds ambitious to me, but I'm probably lazy. Good luck with you surgical date. Hope it is not too far off. Dianne

My suggestion is to keep track of the time, portion, what and if you had any reaction to that specific kind of food. I would also, do a mental check before you eat....ask yourself how you feel? am I eating b/c I am hungry?sad? bord? afraid? glad? lonely? that way you really know why you are eating. This will help you when you are 15 months plus post-op. Best Wishes. Nicki

Besides keeping track of protein and liquids you should also keep track of activity level every day. Most surgeons suggest your goal should be 10,000 steps per day. Ambitious at first, but if you get a pedometer you can keep track how your doing. Rob

My pedometer lasted only 1 day. Remember that they don't like swimming pools. Good information, and to add to what Rob and everyone else said. When you do start to exercise more, up the protein so that you burn fat instead of muscle. You are on track. Keep up the good work. Elissa

Martha, Along with everyone's elses wonderful suggestions to you I would include your pill intake....Making sure you have taken all your vitamins and meds are really important. List the vitamins you will be taking and just do a check box so you know you took them. Sometimes we get too busy and can't remember did I take the calcuim yet or was it the multi-vitamin? I have a spreadsheet that I started to tweak....I can send it to you. One of the members shared it with me. Debbie

Thank you all for your great suggestions!! Martha