I need some help

Hey All,      I really feel like I need some help with what I should and shouldn't eat.I feel like I am having the same problems commiting to this diet as I did before on every other diet I have ever been on. And it doesn't help that my pouch is not picky at all.      I have no set schedule of when I eat, when I have shakes, when I take vitamins. It's just whenerver I think about it or get around to doing it.I find my self eating things that I know are not the best choices. I think well it's sugar free so I can have it, but that's not always the best thing to have. Just like a few minutes ago I had a helping of strawberry short cake, it was all sugar free, but I didn't need it but I ate it anyway.I don't know what to do to change my way of eating and thinking.       And I know some of it is because I don't like alot of the foods that I should eat. Like fish, shrimp,cottage cheese, yogart, many vegtables. So in turn I resort back to the stuff I know is bad for me.       I need a set schedule and diet plan. But I don't know how to get it set up.I really need some help. I know I need the vitamins and protien but there are some days that I just don't really care. Then its to late the day is over and I didn't get enough in and it's to late.       And I also need to know, Are mixed nuts ok for us to have? I have been craving them so much. I have been eating them but I didn't know if I was hurting myself by eating them or not.Also can we have cereal?I have been eating raisin bran and wheat chex with skim milk. Is that ok? And what about pasta?       Please I will accept any and all suggestions. Thank you so much. Take Care, Tammy V.    

kid I had this same issue and it worried me alot that I would be unsuccesful after going through WLS what has helped me the most was my J-O-B! I didnt want to get one but OMGOSH I am so much more on schedual! I work in a factory...not for everyone...but it does make me plan ahead...which has turned out to be a blessing if you have to work! LOL as for what you should and should not have....well sounds like you already know what that is... dunno about the nuts...it makes me curious....where is Tracy and Jan?? I dont feel bad if I choose to have something "bad"  I let myself eat a small amount and enjoy it and go on...with my tool in place dieting doesnt feel like dieting...it feels like eating less. if alot of good for you foods dont agree with you than stock up on what does and dont worry about anything else...  I eat South Beach diet in a box for lunch...the chicken  ones...cant eat lunchmeat yumm yumm perfect amount of food for me and my time for eating. I eat whole wheat pasta...not alot...at this point if it dont have protien it dont go in the pouch so not much of the pasta...wish I could be of more help. I hope you get the schedualing worked out! sometimes its really helpful to have some kind of routine! you are doing so well I am very happy for you! nutti

One of the things that is troubling me about your post is that you are listing alot of heavier CARB items.  You do have some milk listed which is good (if you can tolerate it which it sounds like you can!)....  but carbs beget you wanting MORE carbs.  The dreaded carb monster rears it's head and soon you find yourself wanting more and more.

You should be focusing your meals on protein first and foremost.  If you just can't bear to get your protein in with regular foods you are going to have to supplement with protein shakes.  There are bunches of them out there to sample and I am sure that you will find one that is palatable to you.

If you don't nip your food cravings and carb cravings early on I can tell you that they will rear their ugly heads further down the road and it will be very difficult for you...   I have heard from so many folks 1-2-3-4 yrs or more out and they got away from protein and started adding back in carbs...  and they gained weight ...    

If you can retrain your eating habits now it will be that much better for you in the long run....

BEST WISHES my dear... and hang in there.  I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!

~*

I know I run the risk of offending you here and that is not my goal, but I think this question has to be asked: Have you considered finding and speaking with a therapist?  We became "fat girls" for different reasons and a lot of us (most of us, if we're being honest) have some emotional ties to food.  75% of overeating is related to emotional eating!  Having surgery is the 'easy' part.  Dealing with our emotional eating and the underlying reasons is the hard part.  If you 'know' what you're supposed to be doing and you just don't or can't make yourself, it seems to me that it would be beneficial to get some help from a professional. 

I hope I didn't offend you and maybe opened your eyes to another possibility.  Will power only goes so far...  I wish you the very best!

Tammy if anything refer back to your WLS book you got at the seminar to see what is the best for you to eat right now and compare that to other foods out there...Also you need to get ahold of Dr H, or Marge...they can set you up with the nutritionist...confusion is a big thing right now...Iam sure they will set back on the right track....God Bless Craig Lee

Hey Tammy....the trouble is you have a very tolerant pouch.  I have gone through the same things as you except my pouch makes me sicker than a dog if I have those things.  That has forced me to retrain my eating habits.  I agree with Christine...food is our heroine...we are addicted.  If that were not the case none of us would be here.  WLS is supposed to give us the tool and the time to overcome that addiction.  It really sounds like you are a carb girl which doubles the trouble for you.  Once you put in carbs you will crave more carbs.  Go back to the beginning when doc told us to have our protein at meals first and stop when we are full.  Sit down and have at least 3 meals in a day like a normal person and don't GRAZE.  Grazing is for cows and we aren't cows anymore!!!  LOL.  Seriously...you could take in a lot of calories by grazing.  I personally see a head shrinker once a week and he happens to specialize in wt issues.  He's been helping me fight my addictions.  I haven't really had any issues of late because i am only 2 months out, but I'm sure they are coming and i want to be ready when they do.  This is the last straw for me and i have to beat it.  I wish you the best on your journey....go back to the white binder and do a refresher and know that if you need help we are all here to listen.....

Hey Tammy, I am about 6 wk.s out, And I have to say, I am almost in the same boat! my body -pouch loves carbs just fine, it's the "good stuff" protein, like chicken breast that will make me up chuck, even if I am very very careful chewing it up. I ,like you ,don't care for fish or shrimp..wish I did it's so good for you!! I at this point do get honestly hungry but I make SURE it is hunger and not "head hunger" The surgery does make it easier to try and forget it, and the amt. of food to fill me up is crazy! one peice of whole wheat toast with peanut butter will fill me up for hours. I wish I had a good list of things that are good to eat at the differen't stages, the white binder lists a few but not nearly enough.Did you really want the straw shortcake? I find I do not crave sweets anymore and this is coming from a 3 a day snickers or butterfinger girl!!! sometimes something bakery like will look good, but it just isn't a pull I really have to fight anymore. If I were you, I would cut off ALL sweets, it will probably take a week or so for the "head cravings" to go away, but once you've convinced your brain-body your not eating those it will be easy. I know that people say further down the road you can basically have a "taste" of anything you want, but for me I do NOT want to re-awaken the sweet tooth, it's just fine where it is. If I could find more compatable foods to eat, I would knock out carbs the same way, I do try to exercize them away now!! good luck I think you'll be fine if you just really stop and think about everything you eat before you eat it, decide if you are really hungry and not the dreaded "head hungry" p.s one more thing EAT SLOWWWWWWWWW it takes 7 seconds for food to reach your pouch from the time you swallow, and 20 min for your brain to register your tummy is full.

If you eat carbs you should eat some protein to level it out.  Eating just carbs bottoms you out fast. Remember to drink your water.  Thats what helps me when I start craving something and measure out your nuts, don't just start eating them from the can etc...  I really like the sugar free puddings and yogurt smoothies that are avaliable now when I have the craving for something sweet and I usually make my own smoothies.  I get the big container of reduced fat yogurt at Aldi's and fruit and make my own - Thank the LORD for splenda!  Take care - Shannon