Hi, I'm new

Hi, my name is Barbara and I am 5'4 and 275 lbs. I am on my way to insurance approval and have already had my sleep apnea test and my psych eval. Also had to have an upper GI. My question is this... don't most salad dressings have sugar in them? And if they do what do you 'all' do when out to eat (post op and on regular foods) and having salad? Do you take your own or are 'diet' salad dressings ok? I have enjoyed reading posts here [sorta-kinda- lurking ;) ] and you all seem such a supportive and kind group of people. Thanks for 'baring' yourselves in your profiles. I have gleaned so much from your open-ness, it has taken alot of the scariness and the feeling of 'alone-ness' out of my journey. Bless you all, Barbara G.

Welcome Aboard! I use what they have at the places I go to eat. I just have them set it off to the side so I can dip my salad or use how much I need instead of it being drenched. But I do not eat out that much. If I get a salad, I normally get it with chicken, and I eat all the chicken first. After I do that, there is not much room left for the lettuce. Good Luck and Best Wishes on your journey! Hugs Julie

Thanks for the input. After reading about the 'horrors' of dumping I just want to be really sure that I don't do the wrong thing especially in public. cringe. But that sounds like a winner- one bite at a time. Next question.... does 'no sugar added' mean the same as no real sugar? I was looking at carnation breakfast drink and also hot chocolate mix... Thanks again - hugs, Barbara

Welcome! Like Julie I have mine on the side also. I get the lite dressing lower in fat and on the side that way I control the amount. Also, like Julie by the time I eat my protein 1 or 2 pieces of lettace may find their way into me. Denise

Hi Julie! I just can't fathom one or two pieces of lettuce and with the protein being full...... [shaking my head] This just really sounds too good to be true. But after listening to all of you... I am gaining hope thanks! Barbara

HI Barbara and welcome to the boards! I usually just get what they have at the restaurant--but then I like LF ranch which doesn't have alot of sugar compared to say French, and ask for it on the side so I can just use a little. But I like salad with fresh lemon juice too- so sometimes I just ask for some lemon wedges and squeeze it on my salad with some pepper, YUM Welcome again--hope we can help and answer some of your questions Wanda

Hi Wanda! I have never heard of lemon on salad ...hhhhmmmm ..... I just might try that soon. Thanks a bunch any other helpful food tips would be gratefully appreciated! hugs, Barbara

Welcome to the group Barbara. I have trouble eating salad with my diverticulitis, but when I did I just read the labels carefully and stuck to about 5 grams of sugar or less. I have been known to carry in my own dressing and always have it on the side.. Dip the lettuce into the dressing and you use a lot less and still get the flavor.. The best of luck to you and welcome again to this great group of ladies and gentlemen. Big Hugs, Laura from Southeast Ohio

Laura, hello .... Thanks for the info on keeping the sugar to 5grams or less. That helps a lot! And thanks for the warm welcome By the way... I use to have a girlfriend from Byesville, Ohio... her name was Becky Rice... of course that was years ago, her dad was Rev. Raymond Rice... ever heard of them? Thanks again! Barbara

Hi again Barb... No added sugar means that there is no sugars ADDED during processing. A milk product (say, chocolate milk) can be processed with no sugar added BUT will have naturally occuring sugar from the lactose in the milk. One of my current issues is with sugar alcohols. I cannot tolerate them well at all. I'm wondering what it will be like after surgery (most SF ice cream has sugar alcohols in them so I continue to eat regular ice cream, just much less of it). Melissa