Looking for someone that doesn't eat during the day

I have an issue with not eating during the day. Usually I eat one meal a day. I am not a person for junk food. I am looking for ways and easy meals to get eating more regularly. I am always on the go and just don't think of eating. I seen a doctor at my clinic and he recommends shakes twice a day. I am a very healthy person other wise. He was very shocked. He told me that he figures it will be hard for me to lose any weight for my 10% for the surgery. 

Adding shakes twice a day is one way.  Start having small meals/snacks with you.  They don't have to be full 3 course dinners. Having things like ham roll ups, lettuce wraps.  Any kind of meal that you can eat in your hand. Tuna salad kits, hummus, etc are good too. There are some really healthy mini-muffins that you could have around for breakfast and snacks.  Have almonds, or jerky in your purse for a quick snack.  Also, take a look at the Ontario Recipes forum for meal ideas. 

Plan and pack your food the night before, then you can grab and go in the morning.

After surgery, you won't be able to go on just one meal a day.  You'll need to be eating up to 6 small meals/snacks a day.

Cathy

I am 7 months post op now -- but did a lot of the same as yourself. Try to get something in at breakfast -- oatmeal, or have some hard boiled eggs at the ready --good anytime of the day and easily transportable.

If you have oatmeal, you can stir in some non-flavoured protein powder (avail. at Bulk Barn). I use 1/3 c oatmeal to 2/3 c water and put it in the microwave. This makes 2 servings for me now. Don't buy the individual packs  - very pricey in comparison and this is a no-brainer. Use 1% milk. I add Splenda fake brown sugar that's not bad.

In general - prefer to use Stevia as a sweetener. There are fake maple syrups as well -- another poster (who ironically comes from a family that makes the real thing) recommended E.D. Smith brand. I add it to sweet potato or squash that I throw in the nuker.

Some things which I never would have purchased before that I now find helpful were turkey pepperettes (Schneider / Pilliers), Baby Bell & Laughing Cow low sodium cheeses. No prep involved whatsoever. I have the Laughing Cow spreadable cheese on Finn Crisp crackers. I still buy good cheeses now (I live 2 buildings away from the St. Lawrence Market) - but fit it into my daily diet plan.

I do have a clementine or Mandarin orange -- small and easy to peel. Also go for 1/2 an apple as a mid afternoon snack w/ low sodium cheddar.

I watch the pre-cut packaged squash at Loblaws and grab it when it's marked down 50% - easy to make soup w/ low sodium chicken broth which I stock up on when it's on sale. You can make individual servings and store in freezer bags that lay flat (take up less room than little round containers). I use an immersion blender to puree stuff.  Add a little no fat sour cream if you like. Prepping food in advance - like other soups or chili and having them in your freezer is helpful to me. This way you know exactly what goes into the meals vs buying store bought stuff.

If you aren't journaling your daily food intake already -- I highly recommend using the system on http://www.myfitnesspal.com I think you will find a lot of people on the forum use it.

Good luck with this!

I never ate til dinner pre-op and even now 10 years later I still struggling with eating much before the afternoon.  A shake is a good way to get used to having something other than coffee/tea/water during the day.  You may tire of those but there are plenty of other portable things as suggested.  I literally had to force myself for months to eat before dinner.  I'd definitely try to eat 3 meals per day even if they are small just to keep something in you.  Apparently it helps to have it over a full day than to have it all at once.  I never lost weight eating one meal per day that is for sure so there must be some truth to it.  I believe you are still pre-op so even having a yogurt or a piece of cheese or almonds or beef jerky or an apple, would still tell your body you are awake.  It doesn't take much to let it know to work for you.

One more thing to add, when you first start eating more than one meal a day, you may gain a bit of weight.  Don't get discouraged, keep eating multiple meals.  Right now your body is in "starvation mode" where it stores everything that you give it until it needs it.  When you first start eating more often, your body won't know that you are changing habits right away.  It will still think it's in "starvation mode" and store everything (whether you are taking in more calories or not) .  Once your body gets used to eating more often, it will come out of starvation mode and you will start to lose the weight.  It will take a bit (each person will be different for how long) but it will work.

Cathy

I would suggest you look at your eating style very seriously. After surgery you will have to make a permanent lifestyle and eating change. Are you ready for this? Is this something you are really ready to change?

Do a food diary for a few days. Write down everything you eat and drink and try to make some changes now. Everyone can lose weight in the first year and even possible keep it off for another year. However the people who are successful at this are the ones that can make permanent lifestyle and eating changes

Thank you everyone.  Just to let you all know that I do journal everything I do from food, liquids and exercise.  My struggle is the actual eating part. As I don't get hungry.  Trying to find new ways of reminding me to eat. 

I am also looking for someone that has struggled with this. 

How many calories a day do you consume now?? Are you saying you only eat at night?

My goal is 1200 calories a day. Not always reached.  I use to only eat at supper. Trying to change habits. Looking for ways to help change them. 

If that is truly the case, and your metabolism is that much in the crapper BEFORE surgery, I hope you are going to have the duodenal switch. It will be only surgery that gives you a fighting chance.