HELP! I need ideas for dealing with hunger and cravings!
My DS is scheduled for 11/20/13. That's three weeks away. Though the doctor only requires me to go on a yogurt and water only diet for three days before surgery and fast the night before, he also gives an optional low fat/low carb diet for two weeks before surgery. This doesn't seem like it will be enough to shrink my liver, so I have decided that for that two week optional period I'm going to have a protein shake for breakfast and lunch and dinner is half a chicken breast and a non-starchy vegetable. My problem is when 8:00-9:00 hits I feel like I am starving to death! I do really well all day long, but the cravings at the end of the day are INTENSE! Now, I've started my shake/chicken diet a week early so that I can work the hunger kinks out, so the past couple days have been failures because I ended up eating grilled cheese at 8:00 at night, but it doesn't wreck anything because I don't really have to start this until next week.
We make a point of eating dinner together as a family at 5:00 PM. I could wait to eat later, but to me it is important to be with my family through dinner and that's when they have to eat or it throws their schedule off. Watching them eat while I'm not eating makes everyone uncomfortable and makes me hungry. Going to the gym or leaving the house as a distraction at 8:00 isn't an option because that's bedtime for the kids and my husband and I have to get to bed for work the next day. Also, working out that late makes it hard for me to sleep, making the next day tough.
Does anyone have any suggestions to help me deal with these evening hunger pangs?
Try taking a short walk around the block. Your husband is home with kids, so they wouldn't be alone. Start on a book read couple chapters before bedtime. Crafts of some sort. Or just do some house work. If you feel you must have something to eat, drink another protein drink, or eat a protein bar. Good luck. 11/20 will be here before you know it!
Brenda
The reason you are having hunger pangs is that you are starving yourself. You have gone far beyond what your surgeon requires (not that I've ever heard of yogurt and water for 3 days before!). Do you really think it would harm you to have the whole chicken breast instead of half? Or an additional protein drink after dinner?
Going into surgery nutritionally depleted is not a good thing. Protein is required for both wound healing and internal healing. It will also help you to feel better. So if you really feel compelled to starve for 3 weeks, at least take in more protein.
Larra
PS my surgeon required only clear liquids for one day before surgery, and of course nothing after midnight the night before.
Though I am not getting the quantity that I was getting before, I am taking the same vitamins that I will be taking after surgery, though at a non-surgery dosage and I'm getting over 100 grams of protein a day, which should be plenty for someone who isn't malabsorptive yet. Many doctors require two full weeks of clear fluids only. That's why I thought I'd be okay for three weeks of what I'm doing because if people can do two weeks of clear fluid alone, surely I can do three weeks of protein shakes, vegetables and chicken! I think you're right though. Maybe when those craving**** is a good time to have that other half of chicken breast or another protein shake.
This doesn't seem like enough food. You don't want to have your body go into shock this close to surgery. BUT if this is what your doctor suggested then go with what he says. My go-to food is Egg Whites. They are a LIFE saver. Different spices make them taste like anything... also, with one splenda and a sugar free crystal light they are a really good sweet treat for late night sweet tooth cravings.
OR drinking natural green tea and a ton of water will give you water belly and keep you full for a while.
Eating would be ideal though
Good luck!!!
