DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EAT

Hi. I'm kathy and I'm 13 days post op RNY. Seems I'm forgeting the rules. I'm in the pureed food stage. What can I eat? Am I suppossed to eat a balanced meal w/ veggies or should I just eat protein? Can I eat any kind of carbs at all? Am I supposed to eat a "meal" over an hour and half time period? My stomach is constantly upset and I feel on the verge of heaving and have twice. Thanks for assistance!

Obesity help has a wonderful place to go to get the list of criteria you need for post op eating from diets to menus to anything you might need. here is one link: http://obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/information/lookup.php It's the "LIBRARY" page. Now here is post op foods list: At lease 6-8 cups of low calorie liquids should be consumed gradually throughout the day to prevent dehydration. Examples: * Water or flavored water * Crystal Light * Diet sodas (flat) * Diet Snapple * Decaf tea and decaf coffee * Diluted juices (1/2 water, 1/2 juice- limit) * Skim milk * Sugar-free Kool-Aid * Sugar- Free Tang A multivitamin with minerals, whi*****ludes iron and zinc, should be taken daily for the rest of your life to prevent hair loss and to improve overall nutrition. During the first few weeks after surgery use a children's chewable vitamin/mineral supplement and then advance to pill form of a multivitamin with minerals if you desire. Medications may be taken in liquid or chewable form, but most pills are easily swallowed. Reduce Dumping Syndrome and Digestive Upset Concentrated sugars and alcohol can cause vomiting and/or diarrhea (dumping syndrome) so avoid: * Candy-including chocolate * Sweets * Regular sodas * Honey * Kool-Aid * Molasses * Cakes * Preserves * Sherbet * Ice cream * Alcohol (including beer) * Doughnuts Different people have different foods they can and cannot tolerate. Do not be disturbed if you find some foods do not agree with you at first. You may be able to tolerate those foods later. Sample Menu of Semi-Liquid Diet (Consistency of thinned mashed potatoes) Breakfast 1 cup "No Sugar-Added" Carnation Instant Breakfast mixed with skim milk Snack #1 1/2 cup cottage cheese Lunch Blenderize 1/2 cup fat-free refried AND 1 ounce of melted fat-free/reduced fat cheese Snack #2 Blended sugar-free yogurt Supper Blenderize 1/4 cup meat AND 1/2 cup cream soup AND 1/4 nonfat skim milk powder Note: You may have to eat more frequent meals and consume smaller amounts at each meal at first. But try to take in at least 24 ounces (3 cups) of nutritious liquids every day. Between Meals Have at least 4 cups low calorie liquids, sipped slowly during the day. _________________________________________________ Diet Plan After Gastric Bypass Stage 3 - Semi-Solid Diet (To begin the 3rd-4th week after surgery) Note: Add one new food at a time and observe your reaction to it. Examples * Cooked eggs any type except fried * Casseroles - such as macaroni & cheese or tuna w/ light mayo (limited) * Chopped lean meat (except red meat) * Low-fat cottage cheese * Cooked vegetables (peeled) * Canned fruits (in their own juices or water) * Crackers, rolls, bread * Skim milk, unsweetened instant breakfast, sugar-free lowfat yogurt * Canned chicken Diet Guidelines * The diet consists of 4-6 small meals per day. * Each meal should not exceed the volume of a measuring cup (6 oz.) * Eat and drink slowly. Take at least 1/2 hour to eat a meal. * Take small bites and chew very well. Sip on liquids during meals if needed, but don't drink large amounts during meals. (limit to 1 oz fluid/ meal) * Avoid red meats. * Continue to take the vitamin/mineral supplement everyday. * Continue to drink low calorie liquids between meals - at least 6-8 cups per day. * Avoid raw vegetables and raw fruits with skins at this stage in your diet progression. * Keep in mind that you are "re-educating" your stomach. When you eat too fast, too much, or don't chew enough, you will feel discomfort. Sample Menu of Semi-Solid Diet Breakfast 1 egg, 1/4 cup skim milk Lunch 3 oz of lean meat (such as turkey, low fat ham) 1 slice of reduced-fat/fat-free cheese 1/4 cup skim milk Optional: non-fat skim milk powder can be mixed in skim milk to increase protein. Supper 1/2 cup tuna 1/4 cup cooked vegetables Snacks sugar-free lowfat yogurt (between meals or after supper) lowfat cottage cheese, sugar-free Jello or popsicles Between Meals Drink at least 1 quart (4 cups) of liquids slowly during the day ________________________________________ Diet Plan After Gastric Bypass Stage 4 - Low-Fat Solid Diet Note: (1) Add one new food at a time and observe your reaction to it. Add breads last because they tend to form a ball, which will not go through the pouch easily. (2) You can add red meat, raw vegetables, and raw fruits with skins back into your diet as well. (3) Remember to chew all food very well and sip only limited amounts of liquids with meals, if necessary. (4) Take a vitamin/mineral supplement with iron and zinc daily! Protein Protein is important, especially to heal after surgery and to help prevent hair loss. Many patients experience some hair loss two to four months after surgery. Hair loss is related to poor protein, iron, and zinc intake as well as some medications, rapid weight loss within the first few months, experiencing shock, and having a long surgery. To avoid hair loss and to improve nutrition eat more protein foods including: * Skim or 1% milk * Lowfat cottage cheese * Lowfat or nonfat yogurt with artificial sweeteners * Egg whites * Low-fat cheese * Oatmeal and cream of wheat made with skim milk * Fish * Chicken and turkey (poultry) * Other lean meats (pork tenderloin, extra lean ground beef) * Legumes (dried beans) * Nonfat dry milk powder (added to casseroles, soups, hot cereals, etc.) Note: You may not be able to tolerate meat or poultry after your surgery. Until you are able to eat meat and poultry, you must get protein from the other protein sources listed above. Fat To help with weight loss and then to maintain your weight loss, remember to limit your fat and calorie intake. Avoid these high fat foods and beverages except in small amounts: Olives, nuts, avocados, regular mayonnaise, sour cream, cream cheese, pie crust, whole milk, butter, margarine, peanut butter, granola, muffins, cole slaw, potato salad, whole milk cheese, snack crackers, ice cream, shortening, lard, regular salad dressings, sauces, fried foods, bacon, sausage, bologna, potato chips, doughnuts, all oils, gravy, regular sodas, Kool-Aid, etc. Learn to read labels on food for fat content. Aim for no more than 35 grams of fat/day. HOPE THIS HELPS.............. Stacey W