Isn't beef jerky hard to swallow without drinking?

I hear a lot of people talking about eating beef jerky. How can you manage to eat it without having to drink something right after? I know it is dry and tough and spicy so I would need to drink some water after eating it. I am trying to figure out how I am going to do after my surgery (August) since I always have to have something to drink when I am eating. I feel like I have a tendancy to choke sometimes on food if I don't flu**** down with a drink. Does anyone else have this problem and if so, how did you handle it after WLS? Thanks. Suzanne

Hi, I didn't eat any beef for about six months to a year. I just didn't want it. And when did, I found out you have to chew chew chew chew. I would never have tried to eat any beef products 3 weeks post op, but that was me Paula

Hi Suzanne, Congrats on your upcoming surgery. I eat beef jerky a lot and I always drink while I eat. Maybe you are having a different surgery than I had. I had duodenal switch and you can eat and drink normally afterward as you still have a normal working stomach. I hope everything goes perfect for you and you get the results you are looking for! Best wishes to you and yours Isha Duodenal Switch 366/273/220-170 sw cw gw's Only 7 more lbs to the century club!! www.duodenalswitch.com

Suzanne, I too had that problem. I had to drink so much when eating that I thought I would not be able to eat without drinking after surgery. I think part of my problem was the excess weight in my throat area. Right after surgery most of what you consume will be liquid or very soft so there will not be a problem.. Take this time to get used to not drinking with meals. As you get farther out and able to eat more you will be losing weight so if you have excess in your neck area that may help. As fas as jerky goes I dont eat the spicy ones.. and I chew chew chew.. when you are chewing you produce saliva, that helps it to go down... I do admit that there are times when I just have to take a sip when I eat.. I keep it at that .. sips... I am sure that someone will have something to say about that .. but you learn that each individual is different... you do what you have to do... As always .. follow what your surgeon recommends... Good luck ... Sondra 8/25/04 362/240

HI againb Suzanne, I always thought people were crazy when I'd see they were eating beef jerky... Boy was I surprized. Once on solids, I gave it a try. I guess becaue of all the enzymes from curing, etc, it chewed up & digested really well. Now, I was on full liquids for the first full month, then soft, then regular, so I was probably better than 2 months out before I gave it a try. As for drinking with meals.....It is essential that you try to get used to this. What you said " flu**** down with a drink" is exactly why. Your food needs to stay in your pouch as long as possible. First for absorption and second so that you stay full. If you "flu**** through", you will absorb even less of the nutrients and you will empty your pouch quicker and want to eat sooner. It is difficult at first, but it does get easier. I would try to start weening yourself of mealtime drinking now. For me, I drink right up to my meal and then, try to wait at least 1/2 hr after...but Drs can have different protocol & timeframes they recommend. Also....I do admit that occassionally I do have a sip or two......but at this point it doesn't bother me any more and I don't really like to drink during meal... who'd have ever thought! For anyone, drinking during meals is not good for us. I learned that from my mom, who had a hiatal hernia when I was young. The main thing after her surgery was that she was not to Drink with meals and she has followed that for the past 25/30 years. I notice it with my young grandson too. He gets his mouth full, then wants to drink to "flu**** down"..... I have really stressed to my daughter & son-in-law to try to reteach him NOT to drink while eating, because what happens is that he ends up throwing up because of trying to push the food through. This is a great time to learn better & healthier habits. We get this great tool and need to take full advantange of it. Wishing you the very best, Kind Regards Pam

I had the surgery in September and have been enjoying beef jerkey since about two months out. I find it to be a great snack or on the go meal..great protein. I have found that the "walmart" brand plain jerky isn't near spicey and not as salty as other varieties. Give it a whirl!! Just take little bitty bites adn chew very well!! Best of luck...you are gonna be amazed! Rita

I was never one to have to drink and eat at the same time. So thank goodness the not drinking thing is fairly easy for me. I would like to suggest a type of Jerky tho. thats Very easy to chew and not spicy or greasy. Jack Link's Extra Tender Kippered Beef Steak Nuggets. Teriyaki flavor is best. You can find it at any Walmart for about $2.50-$3.00 a bag 3.5 oz. ( 10 g f protien per serving ) The regular flavor has too much brown sugar in it and just flat out too sweet. Please dont try it until ur dr. clears ya to sample things on ur own. Rny 4/11/05 347/273/anything under 200

Not drinking during meals is important. When I eat jerky, I take about a nickel-sized piece and chew the daylights out of it. I always have a glass of water handy and take a sip if something gets caught in the throat.