Holiday Parties

How are you managing with the holiday parties?

I had on today and was asked to make baked beans.  It was really tough to smell them baking knowing that I can't eat them.  At this point I believe that I dump - I've had heart palpitations from really sweet fruit - so I'm not eating sugar.  It was really tough at the party since there was sooooo much food and a lot of it that I couldn't eat.  My hubbie was home sick and my teenage boys were bugging me to go home, so I left early.  There was plenty there that I could eat - turkey, ham, veggies and dip, deviled eggs, etc. and I'm sure I ate too much, because I had a pain in my lower side after I ate, had to get up and walk around.  I still felt pretty weird about wanting to eat other things. I haven't had this problem with othe gatherings with food and I don't know if it is the holidays with all the traditions, or because I'm getting farther out and things are different.  I want to bake Christmas cookies this year and don't plan to eat them.  I still want to do that for my family and friends.  I will probably find a recipe for some that I can eat and make those too. 

What are your strategies for the holidays and the mental part of being at all the parties?

I just made christmas cookies yesterday, and peanut butter fudge.  Luckily I don't like either, so its easy to pass it up.  I had the sleeve though, and don't have any issues with dumping, so if I want a bite of this or that..it is doable for me..so that part is nice.  But..I am refraining from sweets because I'm trying to really change how i view food..it is hard though..especially at this time of year.

My strategy is to eat anything I want, in moderation!  I didn't do this surgery to stay on a 'diet' my whole life.  I dump if I overdo sweets, so I can have a few bites, but I know my limit.  I LOVE the fact that I dump, it keeps me in line :).

Edie

I'm on the pre-surgery diet...which my doctor wanted me to do before we get to the actual surgery.  So far in the last two weeks we've had our company Christmas party, lunch brought in by a venor; next week is an office party and another vendor lunch.  Oh, and a customer overnighted an entire box of gourmet chocolates to my desk.  It's like there's a non  stop smorgasborge (sp?) of food parading around since Thanksgiving.

I can't imagine going through the holiday's post-surgery...yet.  But pre-surgery...it's stinking hard!

My suggestion is to make your cookies and sweets.
but first got to
www.splenda.com or www.truvia.com and look for the conversions guide . Convert the quantity of sugar to the sweetener substitute your prefer. Go to http://www.recipes.sparkpeople.com  and use the recipe calculator to figure out the nutritional values for your recipes. Then enjoy in moderation. KNOW YOUR LIMITS. but don't deprive your self.

You can also add protein powder to your recipes to increase their nutritional value for our needs.

No one will ever notice.
Also Pillsbury now makes sugar free cake mix (omit the oil and replace it with the same quantity of applesauce) and Sugar free Icing that you can not even tell the difference. got to www.philsbury.com.  Happy Holidays. Be safe and eat well!