My name is Tracy...and I'm a snackaholic!

So on Monday it will be 9-1/2 months since my surgery.  Honestly, in the last couple months snacking has become a major problem for me.  In the beginning, I had to have snacks in order to meet all my protein and nutrition goals.  I just couldn't eat enough at meals.  My food plan was 3 meals, 1 protein shake and 2 snacks per day.  "Snacks" were 1 piece of string cheese, a handful of almonds, a serving of jerky, 6 oz. of greek yogurt, or something along those lines.  Later on snacking helped me to deal with the extreme acid issues I have even while on a strong PPI; a little bit of something in the tummy settles it right down.  

I should tell you that prior to surgery, I was NOT a snacker.  I didn't have to snack because my meals were feasts - lol!  And I was very disciplined about not eating late at night.  Who would need to snack late at night after the dinner and dessert I just ate?  And if I had an acid issue back then I never recognized it  But all that changed after surgery.  So I've done some thinking about my food and have come to the realization that snacking, while necessary immediately post-op, has now become a very, very bad habit.  One that has the potential to seriously derail all my WL efforts.  

First and foremost, I no longer need snacks to meet my protein or nutritional goals.  I can easily do that with 3 meals + 1 protein shake per day.  Second, snacking absolutely reinforces my compulsion to overeat...and that's as much of a mental obsession for me as a physical one.   With 2 planned snacks a day, I am constantly thinking about food, waiting for the next opportunity to pop something into my mouth. And along the way those 2 planned snacks turned into 2 + 1 unplanned snack after dinner.  Ugh!  Third, I am able to keep my acid issue under decent control with a PPI and occasional antacids.  

I've also noticed that the more OFTEN I eat, the MORE I can eat.  Frankly, that amount I've been able to eat lately has me worried!  But when I go longer periods of time without food, my restriction is sooo much better.  It feels different than when I'm eating 6 times a day.  Has anyone else ever noticed that???

Starting TODAY, I am committing to 3 meals per day + 1 protein shake.  I continue with the protein shake as it is a high quality source of protein and I enjoy it as my "coffee" drink on the commute to work each day.  It's also my post-workout nutrition.  I'm certain I'll have to white-knuckle it a bit...not so much because of true hunger but because of the "habit" of eating at certain times and because of the acid breakthrough that I've already experienced this morning.  But this too shall pass...

Thanks for letting me process and get this all out.  And I will starting posting to the "What Are You Eating Today" routinely so you guys can hold me accountable!  

Hey Tracy,

I'm not sure if you were the same as me before surgery but I remember dieting and limtiing my food intake and after several days I felt like my "Stomach shrinked" a bit.  I think we get used to eating a little for a while.  This has also applied to me after surgery.  When I need to buckle down and I do, I get full a lot quicker.  Part of my problem is, when I eat just a little I want to eat more.  It's not always because I want to keep eating & eating, but sometimes if I know I won't be able to snack or eat again within 3-4 hours, I feel (in my head) that I won't sustain for several more hours so it's almost like I force myself to get more in.  I'm not sure that is the best behavior for me. 

So yes, when I am able to eat more frequently, I am able to have very low calorie meals and that does help me, it's not always convenient for me though.  I know my Kaiser nut told me to stop snacks, only 3 meals and that was during WL too.  I notice I do better when I can eat the smaller meals.  I am still learning big time.

I do have several moments where I just wanna eat too.  Not sure it's because I want to chew or taste or what.  Head hunger is a ****** for me too.  I have been doing my best lately to recognize it.  My weight fluctuates a lot and several pounds at a time, sometimes it goes up 7 pounds in a week and then it goes down 8 in 5 days.  That is beyond crazy & frustrating to me.  Oh well.

I would love to see you post on the "whatcha eating" posts daily.  I'll be right there with you!!!

Hugs!!!!

Thanks for the response, Jenn!  I think the more frequent eating for me keeps my stomach a bit expanded, which then allows me to eat more the next time without feeling as much restriction.  We'll see how it goes! 

My body is doing the same thing with the fluctuations....frustrating!  

Stephanie - my first day of 3 meals with nothing in between went really well...and I had GREAT restriction!  And I was at my protein, carb and calorie goals.  I'm definitely going to continue with this food plan.  

This is exactly where I am at no wt loss I am sure because I am snacking! I need to find a balance and shrink my stomache i think as well, I am not sure  eat 3 meals and water thru out the rest of the day? I see my NUT in April will have to maybe call before and ask?

I hear you Tracy!  I'm finding I'm just wanting to eat - not eating slowly enough - sometimes I'm eating more just cause I like something - need to stop myself sooner.  That head hunger is a killer for me with night snacking - I want to eat after dinner.  I'm fine in the morning - okay in the early afternoon - then from 4 pm and on - the snacking urge hits!!  I'm going to not snack today and see how the restriction is and I'm going to eat slower!!

Thanks for posting this!

Yeah, that after-dinner-snacking is just a killer.  And I'm not doing it because I'm hungry so it's absolutely habit.   Good luck today :-) 

I'm over a year out and I've been dealing with this issue for a while now.  It has completely stopped my weight loss and I'm not happy about it.  I, too, need to buckle down because I've noticed the same behaviors.  When I snack, I want to eat more but when I go a few hours my restriction is so much better and I don't need to eat as much.  It sucks and it's hard but I'm in this with you!  We can do it together :)

Thanks, Dani - it's nice to know that I'm not the lone ranger or the weirdo on this one :-)