Getting started with the food diary
Hello All,
I am pre-op, and going to hopefully have surgery in August/September. My dietician wants me to start a food diary, and I'd like to get some suggestions on where to start...it is all so overwhelming!!!!
What are some good suggestions for all 3 meals? I am trying baby steps here......switch to 1% milk, need to eat 90 minutes after getting up in the morning. I also want to start eating the "right" foods to prepare myself for the "pouch". It is so much information.....I think the reason I've started the process, and then given up is because it is sooooooooooooo much information and I feel very overwhelmed with all the changes!!
Julie
I am pre-op, and going to hopefully have surgery in August/September. My dietician wants me to start a food diary, and I'd like to get some suggestions on where to start...it is all so overwhelming!!!!
What are some good suggestions for all 3 meals? I am trying baby steps here......switch to 1% milk, need to eat 90 minutes after getting up in the morning. I also want to start eating the "right" foods to prepare myself for the "pouch". It is so much information.....I think the reason I've started the process, and then given up is because it is sooooooooooooo much information and I feel very overwhelmed with all the changes!!
Julie
Just Julie
I agree, it really is a lot of information.
I got some books from the local library, those really helped. There are a couple of good ones on preparing for surgery, what to expect, etc. One I've really liked is "The Patient's Guide to Weight Loss Surgery" by April Hochstrasser. See what your local library has.
These boards are also fantastic. So many supportive people with great information to share. Everyone's experiences are so different, tho.
Are you using the food diary here on OH? It's pretty good, but I have liked the one on Livestrong.com a bit better. Both are free.
I'm about at the same stage as you are. Waiting for insurance approval so I can get my date.
I found out today that I have a pretty serious Vitamin D deficiency, so they put me on prescription Vitamin D. I guess I also have gallstones--who knew? So they will be taking my gallbladder out.
I got some books from the local library, those really helped. There are a couple of good ones on preparing for surgery, what to expect, etc. One I've really liked is "The Patient's Guide to Weight Loss Surgery" by April Hochstrasser. See what your local library has.
These boards are also fantastic. So many supportive people with great information to share. Everyone's experiences are so different, tho.
Are you using the food diary here on OH? It's pretty good, but I have liked the one on Livestrong.com a bit better. Both are free.
I'm about at the same stage as you are. Waiting for insurance approval so I can get my date.
I found out today that I have a pretty serious Vitamin D deficiency, so they put me on prescription Vitamin D. I guess I also have gallstones--who knew? So they will be taking my gallbladder out.
I do mine online at Livestrong.com/sdailyplate. I have done it online since late November. It not only helps inform me about my food choices, but it keeps me honest, as I can see the affects of my choices.
There are other free ones too such as sparkspeople or fitday.com I like tlivestrong as it has a large directory of food items, so I don't have to look them up in a book and do all of the math. The downside is the need for computer access and sometimes slow loading etc.
I keep track of calories in and calories burned, along with a weight chart. The basic thing is free, but there is a premium version with more graphing and no advertising.
Do a Google search and you will find some good ideas.
There are other free ones too such as sparkspeople or fitday.com I like tlivestrong as it has a large directory of food items, so I don't have to look them up in a book and do all of the math. The downside is the need for computer access and sometimes slow loading etc.
I keep track of calories in and calories burned, along with a weight chart. The basic thing is free, but there is a premium version with more graphing and no advertising.
Do a Google search and you will find some good ideas.
I think it's entirely possible to get TOO detailed, TOO much information, and therefore OVERWHELMED by the whole thing! Some people thrive on that - planning and journaling what to eat, how much of it to eat, when to eat it, and where to insert all the supplements for the greatest benefit. If that was necessary, I'd have never laid down on the operating table.
Make one or two small changes at a time. The 1% is a good one, maybe cut out carbonated beverages, too. Focus on protein first. If you try to micro-manage or over-formulate your "diet", you can easily get discouraged.
I think logging on Livstrong/dailyplate is a good tool - IF YOU ARE HONEST WITH IT. You'll get a snapshot of the calories, protein, carbs, fat, etc. you're taking in - and with that information in your face, it's much easier to reason where you need to make some changes to get things more in balance.
Baby steps. Having WLS shouldn't mean you have to become some sort of nutrition expert, just to realize a more "normal" relationship with food!
Make one or two small changes at a time. The 1% is a good one, maybe cut out carbonated beverages, too. Focus on protein first. If you try to micro-manage or over-formulate your "diet", you can easily get discouraged.
I think logging on Livstrong/dailyplate is a good tool - IF YOU ARE HONEST WITH IT. You'll get a snapshot of the calories, protein, carbs, fat, etc. you're taking in - and with that information in your face, it's much easier to reason where you need to make some changes to get things more in balance.
Baby steps. Having WLS shouldn't mean you have to become some sort of nutrition expert, just to realize a more "normal" relationship with food!
Imperfect does not = unsuccessful
Hi,
I have to start food journaling also (and just haven't made the steps to start yet) but an easy way to do it, is just carry a little notebook with you and write down everything you eat and drink during the day. And according to a dietician I talked to, she said to make a note on how it made you feel when you ate whatever you ate.
If you need to be more organized than that, you can buy little food journal books at most bookstores, or even check your hospital gift shop...that is where I found the one I am going to start with.
Good luck!
I have to start food journaling also (and just haven't made the steps to start yet) but an easy way to do it, is just carry a little notebook with you and write down everything you eat and drink during the day. And according to a dietician I talked to, she said to make a note on how it made you feel when you ate whatever you ate.
If you need to be more organized than that, you can buy little food journal books at most bookstores, or even check your hospital gift shop...that is where I found the one I am going to start with.
Good luck!
Carolyn "Vii"
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