Solid Food Stage... HELP??!?!!?

Hi Friends, OK so I talked to my NUT yesterday and she said because I was doing so well, I could start adding solid foods... One at a time. I am only 15 days out so that really surprised me. I talked to Sheryl and she gave me some great ideas, such as lunch meat, cheese etc... the problem with that is I can't seem to do lunch meat without bread. It grosses me out. Honestly this part(eating again) scares me more than the surgery itself did! I am afraid I will damage my pouch. I am clueless how or what to eat. For so many years Fast Food has been my choice that I am so unsure of how to even shop for healthy food at the store. I don't even know what is healthy. I was thinking I could do some taco meat with cheese and fat free sour cream, I think that would get some protein in. Can you guys tell me what you ate when you transitioned to the solid food stage. I am doing so well other than the food decision aspect. I have lost 15 pounds since surgery, (41 all together) getting in 70-80 grams of protein and about 500 calories. I haven't gotten sick on anything, and everything seems to settle really well with me. THANK GOD!!!! I wonder if I should up my calories a bit.... But how?? what can I add to get in more calories that will be healthy also. I feel like such an idiot... But I am clueless!! I would love some suggestions!!! Love, Kathy

When I progressed to solid foods I ate alot of my lunch meat with saltine crackers instead of bread or you can toast the bread and it is easier to chew. I ate my tuna with crackers and chicken to. Good luck with your progress I hope this helps. Tricia

Hi Tricia, Thanks for the great idea's!! I was looking for some low carb bread at meijer's but they didn't have any!! I was thinking of doing a grilled ham and cheese and that would help with protein, but I don't want all the carbs that are in bread, so maybe I will try crackers. I don't really care for tuna.. But I have been eating the tyson chicken that is in the can and I love it! That has helped me get in my protein. Anyways thanks for the help!! God Bless! Kathy

Kathy- Just goes to show how different each surgeon is. I wasn't on solid food until I was 6 weeks out. Taco meat with cheese sounds good. Just make sure it is moist meats-add some gravy or broth if needed. How about cottage cheese or ricotta cheese with a bit of sf sauce and cheese melted in the microwave. I would start out slow. Your still healing. I was drinking a protein shake every day (and still do) at your stage. If you are getting in 70-80 gms of protein in - your doing great. Eventually you will need to up your calories. 500 is not enough to survive on. I wasn't counting calories at 2 weeks out. I was still on liquids until 4 weeks out I think. Congrats on the weight loss so far. Keep up the great job. Teri

Hi Teri, Thanks for the great idea's!! I know I was a little concerned that it might be too soon to go to solids but I am taking it easy with them. I am still drinking about 2-3 protein shakes a day and then I add chicken or cheese. I am trying to keep my protein high everyday because I do not want my hair to fall out. Thanks again for your help!!! God Bless! Kathy

Kathy my dear... NO NO NO bread. No nutritional value when you can already only take in a little food. Later, ok. But right now bread needs to be on the OFF list. If you can manage to get MORE food in, it MUST be protein. Lecture over. Now a CLC lecture. YOU have nothing to fear. Go cautiously but really, SOMEONE in your head is trying to sabatage your success. You'll be ok. The taco meat (homemade to control to leaness) with cheese and sour cream is great. So are pinto beans. Other things I had was spinach souffle, ricotta cheese, yogurt with protein added, tofu, meat sticks (baby food), cottage cheese, lunch meats - not bologna, eggs, egg salad, cheese, protein drinks, fish, chicken, chili, shrimp, liver , meatballs (can buy them separately and nuke how many you can eat). Fast food got you here, it won't help you go where you want to be. You know, to get something different - you have to do something different. That means protein, protein, protein, protein. Leave the breads and pasta alone for now. Ya know I love you. But if you don't break the mindset you have with this, you'll lose the weight and several years later gain it back. I want more for you than that. Joyce will want you at 600 - 700 cal really soon. Are you using fitday yet? That REALLY helps. A hard boiled egg, salmon and chicken leg are all good to boost the calories and yet get in the protein. Now my dear friend, get your mind out of the FF gutter and enjoy this journey! It's really so much fun! I'll give you a hug later and apologize for being so harsh. Better me than Saber heh? Love Sheryl In the Zoo

Hi Sheryl, I just typed this long message back to ya and clicked submit and lost it somehow. Hopefully I can remember what I typed! I was gonna call you but I left my cell at my mom's house! DUH!!!! LOL Anyways... YES better you than Saber!! I do know about the whole carb thing... I tried lunch meat and it was gross to me, maybe I am not ready for that yet. As I was thinking about it, I thought bread of any kind would not be good for my pouch right now. Maybe I liked carbs a little more than I thought. I suppose I didn't think I would have problems giving that stuff up. I didn't realize how many carbs are in stuff. No wonder I got this size!!! And I will NEVER do Fast food, I was just saying that has been all I have known and I was clueless as to what to shop for. I have not come this far and gone through all that pain to eat a BIG MAC!!!! LOL I am learning day by day, but I will not have to learn that lesson. Now last night, I did have scrambled eggs with cheese and ham in them. And it was good, and had protein! I have been using Fitday. It has helped me a lot. That is how I have been keeping track of my calories & protein... And I will print them for Joyce and take them with me on the 11th. When you say lean meat, what should I look for when I go to the store. I have always bought ground beef... But I know that there is something leaner than that. When you talked about being sabotaged, I was thinking about the intensity I had Pre-Op... I was praying, trusting, walking by faith, in my word... etc... since then I suppose I have kinda let off of that level of intensity. I have done so well so far and I know that it has been the grace of God. And he still has Grace for me. So all I have to say is "All is well" No need to worry about being to harsh, I appreciate your willingness to help me and for always being there for me!! You help me more than you know!! Talk to ya soon!! Love, Kathy

Quick meals I have had sucess with so far.. Pintos and Cheese, Chicken meat out of a chicken Soft taco, Canned (98% fat free) beef stew about a half can per meal. Wendy's Chili small permeal, Poached eggs, egg beaters omelettes, canned turkey or chicken with fat free mayo or heat up and melt cheese over, oatmeal, soups now I'm not pureeing. some days are better than others for eating. take all of your supplements everyday. Its limited but I try new things when I feel like it. I'm trying to get over food in general and not always think about my next meal. It is starting to feel like I am breaking the ball and chain. Remember the reason you got into this in the first place -to lose it and keep it off. Go real easy on the carbs, that is what made us obese. (My humble opinion)

Kathy, Watch the labels on the fat free foods. I have seen several fat free foods are loaded (okay, many not loaded, but have alot) of sugar! Go figure. Go shopping for your food right after you have eaten (the head hungers won't start in on you) and can take the time to look at the nutritional labels as you shop. Eventually you won't have to look at labels, unless it's something new on the shelf. I have been getting myself into this habit the past few weeks. It's amazing, some things you think would be good to consume and discover they are high in carbs. Michelle

Hi Michelle, Thanks for the suggestions! I have actually been a label reading maniac. Ever since my friend Sheryl pointed some things out to me... I have been reading every single thing on the labels! LOL No wonder I gained weight.. I was eating a bunch of junk and thinking it was healthy!! The hardest part has been staying away from carbs but I will do it!!! Isn't your surgery coming up soon? Best of luck to ya!!! Thanks again! Kathy