1 cup portions - Back to Basics

Hey friends!!!

Im so used to answering questions for other posts, but this time I'm the one asking the questions.

I've decided to go back to basics, and being 2+ years post op, I need a refresher.  

I eat salad almost daily....   I usually eat about 2 cups of romaine lettuce.   It's loosely packed in the 1 cup measuring cup, but what are your thoughts??  Since its lettuce, is 2 cups okay???  OR should I stick to 1 cup?

In addition to this salad, I usually have 3-4oz of protein with it.


Protein for dinner...   what exactly do you think a 1 cup serving is??  4 oz of chicken or fish??   Obviously I'm not goin to ma**** up and put it in a measuring cup, so what would be the correct conversion from1 cup to oz??

I should know this crap by now... LOL

Thanks in advance!!  

Sounds like you are doing just fine. 4oz protien and a veggie-salad or whatever- is right on target I think. Keep up the good work!

I think it's a good idea to keep track our portion sizes.  I think we all tend to eat more than a serving size.  So I always use my measuring cup.  Using a measuring cup keeps me honest.  

As far as the protein...I weigh my protein.  I always eat 6 oz.  I would say with the lettuce it's fine to eat more because it so low in calories...if you eat a little more you won't gain weight.    

I always weigh out my protein too...

I feared maybe eating 4oz and 1/2 cup veggies was too much for a meal??   or eating 6 oz with a small salad was too much??

I need to stop the damn grazing/snacking.  That is the main issue for me.

But thanks CMA!!  As usual, I tend to agree with your replies...   

I've always done 3 to 4oz of protein and 1/2 cup of veggies.. as that is what my doc said to eat 2 years ago when I was banded.   Now he's changed to 1 cup of food.   WTH??   I'm so confused.

Anyhow.. I'm staying with my 3oz & 1/2 cup because that has worked for me.  The other day I took the brisket I was going to have.. since brisket can be chewy, I was going to cut it up fine anyhow.. so as long as I was doing that, I measured it.  Came out to a slightly rounded 1/2 cup.  If I had pushed it down to get all the air out, it would've been a perfect 1/2 cup or maybe less.   So, my one time experiment is 3oz = 1/2 cup.  1 oz isn't going to be that big a difference if you want to have 4oz of protein. 

When I'm working out hard, I often go to 4oz.  If I'm sedentary that particular day.. I don't get rewarded with extra protein.. boo.  :)

With the romaine, I think you're golden on the 2 cups.. lettuce is mainly water anyhow.

help any or more confused?

Heres the issue...

my Dr never told me how much or how little to eat.  After being banded, I got a "cheat sheet" of rules for the liquid/mushy/soft food phases.  When I was in the clear for all other food, his band rules were....

protein first
no liquid calories
avoid bread/pasta/rice

Thats it. 

yes. I promise that was it.   So when I see people saying "1 cup of food total" etc... it got me thinking.  I can eat far more than 1 cup of food, so maybe thats why I'm not losing as quickly as I should be...??

None the less, I'm going to stick to my 4-5 oz of protein, and my 1/2 cup veggies, or 1/2 cup mashed potatoes, etc.   Yes, occasionally I enjoy the mashed potatoes. LOL

I already measure/weigh everything anyway, and always have so it's not like this will be an adjustment for me, or a transition.  I just wanted others' input.

Thanks so much!!!   

My doc says 3 oz of protein or 1/2 cup, depending on the best way to measure your protein.  Then 1/4 and 1/4 cups of veggies and complex carbs.  Protein 1st, then veggies and what room's left is for the carb.  When I quit measuring, I quit losing, and though I swear I won't "not measure".  I do fall into that trap at times.  I'm a slow loser, anyway, so it's in my best interest not to stray from the rules,

I was told 4 ounces total.

So if I was going to eat a veggies then 3 ounces of protein and 1 ounce of veggie and or fruit or carb

I was told no snacks but I do have 1 usually and it's fruit or popsicles after dinner.. sugar free of course LOL

I was never told 1 cup but by the responses it seems like 1 cup is close to 4 ounces so either way that works.