Lean Cuisine for Christmas??

Well yesterday my mom ran down the Christmas Day menu. She's making ham, cheesy potatoes and pasta; along with your normal veggie trays, chips and dip type of things. What in the world am I going to have? The pouch does not like ham. The cheesy potatoes have enough cheese and butter to kill a person and pasta is completely off limits. I guess I'll be having a Lean Cuisine! Stacey B

Hi Stacey lean has a lot of good ones I eat alot of them becouse I,m a by myself Its funny I thout the same thing thats good I,m proud of you for thinking ahead keep going I reach my goel of 150 so I,m not going to gain any weigh back Chrismas is a hard one to get through I use to eat like a pig this time of the year didn,t care but now I do You have a very happy Merry Chriamas and a Happy new Year!!!!! FROM YOUR FRIND MARY JO

Same here. We are having birthdays and Christmas get togethers/dinners. So...my family's plan is to add a few things to the menu for me. I asked for baked sweet potatoe, some spinich and fruit that way I get the salt and sweetness I like....because diving into the buffet line is death. But my family is soooo supportive so I'm quite sure there will be some type of fish that I can eat. Stacy, you have come too far to let the holidays set you back. So just let your family know what you need.

Stacey, We (my mom & I) are going down to my sisters house in Kalamazoo for Christmas. Every time I have eaten at her home, I get sick. Either food poisoning or grease or sugar. It's always something. So this year, I took on having a conversation around what I am going to need for food, and made my request small and simple. She is having ham, scalloped potates and green salads, all of which I do not eat. I simply said, how about going to Meijer, grabbing a rotisseried chicken (plain, not herbed or lemon) and I'll have a baked potato. I'll bring my own dessert sugar free and make a fresh bread. She was happy to oblige. All it took was making a request. My family knows I cannot eat like they do, and I simply speak up and ask what is possible. If they can't assist me with my dietary needs, I will take my own food, or simply not attend. And I'm like that now. We have all come to far to let food and family get in the way of our journey and successes, and I would simply ask a request as to "is it possible we could also have this?". If you can eat chicken, take a rotisseried chicken and your own side dish. If they say anything, tell them you do not eat ham. And smile and enjoy your food. Stand up and let them know this is how you live and eat now, and don't be afraid to just do what it takes for YOU to be successful. Many hugs Stacey W 310/144

Whenever I go to a potluck or dinner, I bring a dish or two that I know I can eat. For example, this past weekend I brought an asian slaw sweetened with Splenda. I knew there would be ham there as a protein, or I would have brought shredded chicken breast to add to the salad. But, when it comes to a holiday dinner with family, I do not deprive myself. For me, this is only three times a year, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I am a lot further out than you, 19 months, but even last year, I did not want to feel sorry for myself. One exception, I never eat sugar, so I will plan on making my own dessert with a sugar substitute. If there are cheesy potatoes, I would take one very small scoop and enjoy them. Unless pasta hurts your pouch, I would take a very small spoonful, and enjoy it. For me, this is truly a mental thing. Maybe by Christmas, your pouch can tolerate a little ham, when was the last time you tried it? I still start my day, holiday or not, with a protein drink. That way, if there isn't a food protein, ie. ham, that you can eat, you are still getting protein into your daily diet. If you need another protein drink later in the day, bring it along, too, to supplement your daily total. The key here: Christmas dinner is one day. Period. The next day you resume your healthy low fat low carb eating. There aren't any other "eat anything you want free" days. I'm sure there are people who will disagree with me on this, but it works for me. I know I would feel sad and deprived if everyone else was enjoying their holiday meal and I was eating a Lean Cuisine. Once again: very small portions and no sugar. Oh-and exercise the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that, and on and on. Whatever you decide to eat, I hope you have a great holiday and success with your weight loss. Debra M. 351/144 sw/cw

It's not a matter of depriving myself. I do not want to throw up. I have been very good about not throwing up. I think I have found what works for me and it's not anything mom is cooking. I may bring a lean cuisine or a small something. Mom always cooks like she is expecting the US Army over so I don't want to bring too much. Stacey

I understand completely! We had Christmas early this last weekend, because I have to work all this coming weekend and the holiday. So I went to my mom's and we had all the turkey and taters, and green bean casserole, and yep, I had to have it all! (well a bite or two anyway) and i couldn't eat it, got sick. You are smart to bring something that you know you can eat, however I wouldn't take a prepackaged meal. Christmas is a special occasion. Maybe you could prepare something special for you and a little extra for everyone else. I am sure not everyone wants to eat super heavy and might appreciate a lighter selection! Maybe a nice ceaser salad with small bites of chicken? And a sugar free pumpkin pie! Don't deprive yourself of the fun and special prep of the holidays. Just be smart and think ahead! I wish I had and will be prepared next time! Wendy

Stacey, My family is having the same thing for Christmas lunch! Only I have to make the cheesy potatoes! I do like Debra, and have a small bite of what I like. Can you do veggies? Maybe just munch on those and bring a little low fat ranch. Can you bring a fruit salad? One more suggestion: if you like ceaser salad, go to www.foodtv.com and look for guiltless ceaser dressing. It's made from tofu, but I promise you it tastes just like regular dressing. It's really good with a little chicken and some lettuce. A hard lesson to learn after surgery is how much importance we put on food as part of celebrations. It wasn't Christmas to me until I ate platefulls of cookies. This year, thankfully, I am cookie free! Good Luck to you! Brenda

I can't do raw veggies or fruit yet. I'll work it out. Thanks for all your help. Stacey B