Spouted Bread and Other Food Questions

I am almost 4 weeks post-op (and have a ton of questions...so I apologize).  I am wanting to know if I can do sprouted bread, I know regular bread is a no-no, but sprouted bread is high in protein.  I was thinking 1/2 piece with eggs in the morning. 

Is peanut butter allowed at all?  If so what kinds are recommended?  I used to use Jiff or Skippy Naturals. 

What is the deal with popcorn?  I have heard a TON of differing opinions on it.

When I can I eat a salad....totally missing veggies right now.

Can you give me some suggestions of what you liked to eat and found to work for you at 4 weeks out?  I am pretty much going meat-free as I am not tolerating it at all. 

Finally....please give me tasty protein shake options. 

Alicia

Those are a lot of questions, there are tons of different opinions on this site. Take some of the recommendations, see what works for you and with your Doctor's plan.  Most people here count calories. My Doc's plan does not have us counting calories. I do look at the calories in items, but don't do a running daily total. I Count protein and fluids. Maybe I will at some point, but for now I am doing well without counting.

I am not in the camp of no carbs ever, but more in the - don't have it daily- especially early out. I keep a loaf of Ezekial bread(sprouted) in my freezer, so it is not in my face everyday, but if I feel occasionally like a piece of toast it is there. Some people keep SF ice cream and things in their freezer. I can't or I will eat it everyday until they are gone. Bread doesn't call to me, skinny cow SF ice cream sandwiches do. You have to know yourself.

Calorie wise Peanut butter is pretty much all the same, the reason to get natural is you look for ones without added sugar. Skippy and Jif, even natural may have added sugar. My opinion it is not high in protein for the number of calories, so again, a food I'll eat occasionally.

Love popcorn, eat it occasionally. make it myself, not microwaved. It does not bother my pouch...would wait 5 or 6 months

I was allowed to eat salad at 6-8 weeks but it didn't really agree with me until after 3 months.

As far as meat goes, it does take time to adjust, that is normal. Your sailing along your food stages and then boom- you hit meat and it is not as easy. Don't give up on it, just take it slow, tiny bites, eat slowly, chew, chew, chew and make sure it is moist -  add broth or sauce or cook it in the crockpot. Chicken thighs over chicken breasts too...moister.

Again back to the everyone is different - many people love tuna, I couldn't do it for 6 months -it would ball up and make me hack.... also can't do cold cuts while so many other people love them as roll-ups. I occasionally have them but for the most part they don't agree with me.... so trial and error...

Checkout the daily post "What's on your menu today RNYer's?" it will give you ideas. Also Google the blog - The world according to eggface. She has recipes for every stage.

Besides the Premier Chocolate ready-to-drink that everyone mentions... it really is a matter of personal taste. Ones I enjoy: Click or Fit Frappe (Coffee Flavored) Inspire Pumpkin Pie and Peanut Butter Cookie (Bariatriceating.com) Bodylogix Vanilla and Chocolate Natural Whey (grass-fed and uses stevia) buy it at Walgreens but GNC has it too.

Good Luck

Stop and read this again.  It's a great post.

Questions means you are striving for success.  They are especially good when directed at your medical team because they need to learn  what patient questions and concerns are.  Bread gives me a stuck feeling except when toasted and categorize it as an "avoid" or "limit" food.  Peanut butter is widely acceptable but I have taken advice to switch to a healthier option of nut butters like almond butter.  Popcorn, lettuce and raw vegetables were foods I didn't try until three to six months out.  At 4 weeks, my favorites were chili, Greek yogurt, cheese, and protein drinks.  You will find ample protein shake options at www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com.  Advice easy to remember is this:  

ASK YOURSELF THREE QUESTIONS WHEN CHOOSING FOOD:  1.  Is it a protein?  2. Is it a vegetable?  3.  Is it an occasional fruit?  IF THE ANSWER IS NO, RETHINK YOUR CHOICE.

I personally don't ask " can I have this" even if the answer is yes. I ask " what does eating this bring nutritionally to me ?" And " will it trigger bad, old habits" ? Popcorn, bread ( sprouted or not ) and corn in general are bring little to nothing to the nutritional table and can be triggers for some. Now I am NOT one of the "no carb" people you see around the boards. I just say make them count and keep your protein high. As far as peanut butter, what about Chike's peanut butter or PB2.. Both are higher in protein and less fat. Just my 2 cents ;)

Thank you everyone!!!  I know a lot of you say to ask your Dr or NUT, however I have no nutritionist and my Dr office really only gave me like a small book to read about the surgery and that was the extent of my education. So, I am grateful for all of the support here!!!