HALF/HALF LIQUID CREAMER

Can anyone tell me how many calories the half/half liq creamer is that you get for your coffee at restaurants? Ive become hooked on decaf coffee and I use the creamer alot.

Don't know but sweetened condensed (close, isn't it?) is (oh my gosh) 130 calories for only 2 tablespoons ... So, being half & half, I'd assume it's about half of those calories??????????? I use them in my decaf as well but, I don't drink a tremendous amount of decaf. More iced tea with splenda & lemon.

I have always used half and half, and I've lost 115 lbs. now. I've tried all kinds of different things, trying to find a substitute, but I'd rather not have coffee at all without it. After all, there's only so much you can give up!! I love my coffee. It's one of my great pleasures and I feel like I've been really good about sticking with the plan with everything else. I don't think half and half has hurt me. I've recently started using the fat-free kind and I can't tell a difference in taste at all. I really don't feel guilty about using it. It has 15 calories in 2 T. The regular kind has twice as many calories.

Thank both of you. For some reason since surgery ive become hooked on decaf coffee. I guess it is sweet. I was hoping it was ok to drink it because ive really been sticking to my protein and not eating carbs and the coffee just hits the right spot.

I am drinking my 500th cup of the day right now!! I guess that means I'm hooked too. I like the warmth of it - would rather have that than food. Sometimes I shake a little cinnamon into it. Yum. I've also been drinking alot of hot tea, which has zero calories and would be better for me. I never cared that much for it before surgery. There are so many great flavors now. I love Lipton's Ginger Twist Herbal Tea (caffeine free). The warmth seems to settle my stomach and I want something warm to drink first thing in the morning. Coffee has always relaxed and comforted me. I've never thought of it as a pick-me-up, and I often have a cup before bed. I didn't realize until now that I had such an emotional connection. I think I've just had a breakthrough!! Anyway, I think you are really sticking to your plan and that you deserve to treat yourself. You are doing great!

I'm so glad Ms Barbara had the real figures, Ms Crystal, cuz my substitute figures (sweetened cream) were wayyyyyyy too high. I love decaf but don't drink it daily ... No reason, just personal taste. Try it with some flavored protein powder ... It is sooooooooooo good! My fav is chocolate mint with Hood chocolate Carb Countdown milk beverage (get it at WAL*MART) instead of half n half ... It has such a goooood minty chololate flavor with the coffee taste &&& & a sneaky way to get more protein.

I'M SO GLAD YOU HAD THE ACTUAL CALORIE COUNT, MS BARBARA ... MY CALORIE BOOK DIDN'T HAVE IT LISTED THAT I COULD FIND SO I SUBSTITUTED "SWEETENED CREAM" & THOSE NUMBERS WERE REALLY HIGH. I DRINK DECAFF W/ THOSE LITTLE CREAMER TUBS RESTUARANTS PUT OUT ... OR AT HOME, I USE HOOD CARB COUNTDOWN, WHICH IS GREAT & LOW IN CALORIES & CARBS AS WELL ... I'VE STARTED USING MY COFFEE AS A WAY TO GET MORE PROTEIN BY ADDING SOME CHOCOLATE MINT OR TOFFEE FLAVORED PROTEIN POWDER ... IT'S REALLY GOOD! (DON'T PUT THE POWDER IN BOILING WATER OR COFFEE.) I AGREE WITH YOU ON THE "GUILT" ISSUE ... THIS ISN'T TO BE A "GUILT TRIP" ... THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A TOOL WE LEARN TO USE TO HELP US MAKE HEALTHIER, WISER DECISIONS FOR A LIFETIME & IT WORKS! ONCE WE'RE ABOUT 6 MONTHS OUT, OUR POUCHES AREN'T AS CANTANCOROUS & ADDING DIFFERENT FOODS IS NATURAL, BUT IT'S A BALANCE ... A TRADE OFF ... NOT IMPRISIONMENT OR PUNISHMENT ... BUT, A HEALTHY, BALANCED WAY TO ENJOY FOOD IN MODERATION ... THE POUCH HELPS WITH THE MODERATION & WE MAKE THE WISER DECISIONS. I LOVE EATING THIS WAY BECAUSE I NOW HAVE CONTROL OVER FOOD INSTEAD OF FOOD CONTROLLING ME. GOD BLESS YOU DAWN & NICK PS: WE ALL MISSED YOU & MR CECIL LAST NIGHT. HOW'S DADDY DOING NOW THAT HE'S HOME?

Dad is doing great. I just pooped out from the relief of having him home. You are so right about our style of eating. Walker has recently started eating high protein-low carb of his own volition. There must be a young lady involved, but I'm not asking. Lol. I told him the same thing. If you make a "bad" choice or have a "bad" day, just make the next one better. And I don't even like the word "bad". Each time we eat, we're making a decision to be healthy and do something good for ourselves. I love it and I'm totally at peace with my WLS. It's just a great, positive part of my life and not the focus, like it has to be at first, when it's scary and so much pressure. Most people don't get it and feel sorry for us. That happened to me again this morning when we went out to breakfast with Cecil's sister and her daughter. Worst of all, this is the sister who had gastric bypass surgery herself Dianne, her daughter, and the waitress had a fit because I ordered one scrambled egg with cheese. Cecil had to reassure them that it was really all I wanted, because they wouldn't believe me. I was totally happy with what I had. And I now that I am good to myself so much of the time, that I feel no guilt about anything I eat. When I put it all in perspective, I realize how ridiculous it is to worry about tiny little things and beat myself up, when I've worked so hard and done so well. They really should make that a part of the program at MUSC and give a little more of a pep talk to go along with the tool theory. Just my opinion. I miss you and hope to see you soon. Give Nick a hug from me & Cecil. Love, B

I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN, MS BARBARA ... NICK & I ARE BIG ON EATING OUT & I ACTUALLY ENJOY GOING OUT MORE NOW BECAUSE I'M NO LONGER BUSY STUFFING MY FACE FOR AN HOUR ... INSTEAD, I REALLY ENJOY THE FLAVOR OF MY FOOD, BUT NOW I ENJOY CONVERSATION & TIME WITH NICK, FAMILY & FRIENDS AS WELL WHEN WE MEET OUT. ALSO, IT'S WONDERFUL TO HAVE RESTUARANT STAFF WHO HAVE SERVED US FOR YEARS BE SO BLOWN AWAY BY MY WEIGHT LOSS. SEVERAL TIMES I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TELL A COMPLETE STRANGER ABOUT WLS JUST BECAUSE A WAITER OR WAITRESS HAS TOLD ME HOW GREAT I LOOK. IT'S JUST A MUCH FULLER EXPERIENCE THAN JUST STUFFING MY FACE ... A MUCH FULLER LIFE! IT'S BEEN A HARDER JOURNEY THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE, BUT MOSTLY BECAUSE I'M SO HARD ON MYSELF ... NOW, I'M FINALLY BEGINNING TO RELAX & VIEW THIS AS A LIFE-LONG LIFESTYLE INSTEAD OF A 3 OR 6-MONTH GOAL ... & THAT IS MAKING THIS MORE & MORE FUN. OF COURSE, GOING SHOPPING FOR THE 1st TIME LAST WEEK DIDN'T HURT WHEN I GOT INTO SMALLER SIZED CLOTHES & THEY WEREN'T "GRANDMA" CLOTHES! THEY WERE ACTUALLY A BIT SEXY & BOH NICK & I LOVED THE CHANGE! IT TAKES A WHILE TO GO THROUGH THE DIFFERENT STAGES, BUT NOW I'M STARTING TO RELAX WITH THE PROCESS & AS MUCH AS I ENJOYED IT BEFORE, I'M REALLY GETTING TO LOVE LIVING WITH MY POUCH NOW! GOD BLESS YOU DAWN & NICK

I'm so relieved that this relaxing part has come. It was unexpected. I wish I had known it. Maybe I haven't been paying attention, but I really haven't heard too much talk about it, or I was too stressed to think it would happen to me. I've gone through such a rough time since Christmas because of my elevated liver enzymes and medication issues. This episode with my dad really helped me put my life in perspective. I am so pleased that you are feeling more relaxed too. You've had so many health issues yourself. I know what you mean about the clothes. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would ever wear a 12! I totally live in jeans and t-shirts from WalMart. I bought a few things along the way because I just couldn't stand it, but those clothes are long gone now. I can't afford a new wardrobe. I learned to sew when I was 11 and wanted to go to college for fashion design, so I need to break out the sewing machine if I want new clothes - in my spare time. You go, Girl!!