What's on your (PHOTO) Friday Menu?

I can relate in the opposite. I reached a point when at my lowest weight that I no longer had enough OMPHFF to push the office door open to leave. I had to get a running start and use my entire body for few weeks. Which my staff found hilarious.

Thank you!

Congratulations on reaching 75% of your goal!

Thank you for sharing the photo from your bariatric program. I have been through my binder forwards and back, but I don't think I have a page like that. I wish programs were more standardized in that way sometimes. My partner is type 2 diabetic and I think that maybe thinking about meals and snacks in terms like I see there could help with things alone the line of seeing weight management in terms of a moving target depending on where we might find ourselves in life, (especially after bariatric surgery long term).

Do you purchase your protein oatmeal, or do you mix it up yourself?

Oh hey, glad it might help someone! Anything that can be used as a tool and reference is helpful, and that flexibility can be important.

And thank you. You're probably right. This page is not in my initial 91 page manual or the follow up 56 page DS manual they gave me. Even though the language here includes pre-surgery, I don't think they provide this list until they feel like you're at the point of adding back carbs. You'd think it would be better to educate people! Based on conversations we've had here, our clinics can have super different plans! I do occasionally wonder about some of the advice from the RD/NUT...but am also working to find my own compromises.

Protein oatmeal - so far I'm making my own! I love oatmeal but had never done protein before. The first was Tuesday and I did a quarter cup of Bob's Red Mill Scottish oatmeal, 3/4 cup of Fairlife fat-free milk for added protein, and 3/4 scoop of Isopure. Cooked on the stovetop for 10 minutes and added the protein after it was done to avoid chunks. Topped with a little cinnamon. Low fats because I'm trying to be kind to my gallbladder. Since it's the first oatmeal I've had in over 9 months, it tasted great scarfed over two servings in parking lots after hasty microwaving. I should mention that it was two servings. :)

Here is a copy of the nutrition-guidelines that were given to me if you are interested.

I wasn't able to load the link the other day, but it worked today. Thank you! I skimmed it, (baby wriggling in my arms most of the time these days/nights), and there was some information that would have been/is useful to add. I appreciate it.

I did end up calling the dietician from the program just to see if she had anything to add for my situation and lactation and she told me that she had attended a conference a little over a year ago and there was some consensus that breastfeeding, (and pregnant) moms needed more carbs and higher calories, perhaps needing to loosen their restriction or finding a way, (like grazing or small, frequent meals). The estimates discussed were 120-140 grams of carbs a day, (!!!) and at least 1800 calories. Many breastfeeding groups claim that moms need at least 2500 calories. I appreciate the information, but I just don't know. It isn't standardized and I feel that it is choppy waters for anyone who has struggled with weight issues and disordered eating. I need to play around with my food plan/plug in and swap things out and around and see how I feel and how the baby is doing. I just want to be healthy, and I don't want to do anything that would hurt his nutrition. I wish that things weren't so hard to figure out what is "right". This isn't about vanity. I have to show up for myself to show up for the people I care about most. Ugh. Sorry for the mom rant.

You're doing amazing.

Thank you! Doing the best I can to make the most of this honeymoon phase!

I never count coffee as hydration. I also only ate fruit, beans, and carrots as my carb till year 4. Someone scolded me on here and said if I wanted to be successful stay away from grains completely and I did.