I Have Questions about eating

OK guys.... I am terrified to EAT!!! I think today is the first day that I am mourning the loss of food. I drove by a Pizza restaurant that I used to go to and I was sad when I saw it. I guess in some ways food was my friend, and getting pizza & Pop on Sunday after church was a tradition. I didn't realize that I would miss some of the habits that I had. I know that the reality of it is I want to and will be healthy. So my pizza days are over. And honestly there is a part of me that is sad. I started thinking about what I will eat after the soft mushy foods, and besides chicken I don't know. I have had people tell me different stuff but I am afraid of eating anything because I don't want to get sick. I think the whole reason I got heavy was because I was clueless of healthy things to eat. So maybe some of you experts can answer some questions for me... 1. How can I stay under 30 grams of carbs in one day and get my protein in? 2. Can I eat corn on the cob? I heard that it doesn't digest good. 3. Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad is my favorite food... Does anyone eat that, if not why? 4. Can I put sugar-free cool whip on my Jello (after I have all my protein in) 5. I drink sugar free Tropicana lemonade in addition to water. It has sodium in it though, and water doesn't. Is it OK to still drink that or should I just do water. I guess that's it for now. Thanks for your help as I learn how to eat... All over again!! Love, Kathy

By two months post op, I was able to eat regular food again, but of course in much smaller portions!! These are some things to remember: CHEW CHEW CHEW!! You no longer have the acid in your pouch, so chewing your food throughly will help it pass into your digestive system. There are many protein drinks that do not have many carbs, but help you get your protein in. I personally drink Syntrax Nectar - right now I'm drinking Tealicious. SF Tropicana Lemonaid is good, but also continue to drink your water! ANYTHING CARBINATED is a !!! SF Cool Whip is ok with SF Jello!! You may only be able to eat a few bites of corn on the cob before getting full! Just remember to CHEW CHEW CHEW! The same goes for the Chicken Caesar Salad. Don't feel that your pizza days are over. I just keep mine simple (cheese and pepperoni) and about 1 slice is about all I can handle, and it has to be a really SMALL piece!! (and I'm 9 months post op!) No one wants to get sick, but do experiment!

Hi Rhonda, thank you so much for the awesome advice. I am glad to know that I can at some point wayyyyyyy down the road have salad & corn. Its funny cause you would think I would miss pizza & fast food more. Thank God I don't!!! I feel much better after reading the posts here... So Thank You again!! God Bless Love, Kathy

The thing is, you are only 2 weeks out. It is next to impossible to get everything in yet. It takes taime and only you know what you can tolerate and when. but when you can tolerate foods other than mush..... 1. How can I stay under 30 grams of carbs in one day and get my protein in? Remember to always eat your protien first. the carbs will come from fruit and vegies not pastas and starch that are no good for you. 2. Can I eat corn on the cob? I heard that it doesn't digest good. I have been eating corn on the the cob. Last summer i could only eat about a half and ear this year a whole one, but again after my protien. There is no real nutrional value in corn. It just cleans the pipes and tastes good. 3. Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad is my favorite food... Does anyone eat that, if not why? Salad has always been my favorite meal, before and after WLS. I waited a long time to eat it because I was scared it would get stuck, so I was about 2 months out and man I live on salads, all kinds. I load them up with protien (cheese, meat, ect.) 4. Can I put sugar-free cool whip on my Jello (after I have all my protein in) Yep, sugar-free, light and the same with the whip cream in the can. Very little sugar and a great way to feel like you are getting a special treat. It's dairy though and some people can't tolerate it because they become lactose intolerant. 5. I drink sugar free Tropicana lemonade in addition to water. It has sodium in it though, and water doesn't. Is it OK to still drink that or should I just do water. I guess that's it for now. Thanks for your help as I learn how to eat... All over again!! I have never seen that kind of lemonade so I am not sure how much sodium is in i****ch that and try crystal light its delish. Peach Tea and Rasberry Lemonade are my favorite. Hope this helps.

Hi Michelle, Thank you so much for the great advice. I have to keep reminding myself that I am still in the early stages. I have been able to tolerate other stuff so well that in my mind I am thinking ahead. I am so glad to hear that you love salads. So do I!!! So that was a big relief to know that it didn't rank up there with the bad stuff. Man I am clueless!!! LOL And I will be so happy once I can have a salad with some romaine, chicken, asiago chesse, Oh My Goodness!!! Because I am T-I-R-E-D of scrambled eggs!!! Anyways, Thanks so much again!! God Bless! Love, Kathy By the way... Unjury has saved the day when it comes to getting my protein in!!!

HI Kathy, I had a similar experience this last few days. My husband and I went up to St. Ignace this past weekend for the classic car show. Mind you, I am still on my liquid supplements and will be until the 5th of July. This was the first time since surgery I began to miss my old faithful friend "FOOD". Even though I was not hungry, I thought of food often and was surrounded all weekend by all of the consession food and restaurants on the strip. I made it home in fine shape, but found the temptations disturbing. I had never realized before, how much a part of traveling and vacations, food was for me. This episode will certainly be something to explore for me and learn how I can enjoy traveling and vacations wtihout all of the food. Take Care, Hugs, Phyllis Gilbert

Kathy I am sooo glad you asked these questions and posted these things because I haven't had surgery yet and I am already feeling those things. This is my last week that I can eat real food. LOL Amazingly enough I don't want to "pig out" Just want to dive into the ice cream. LOL and watermelon. I am so afraid I will never be able to ea****ermelon again. LOL I know I will but it will be a long time ago. Oh and corn on the cob. I have my niece here for the summer and we went to the store today and the stinker said "we are having corn on the cob AGAIN" LOL I then had to explain to her I didn't know when I would be able to eat it again so I had to have it just ONE more time this summer. LOL Funny how food controls our life isn't it. You remind me so much of myself. I hope I do as well as you are doing! Keep up the good work! Diane