Food I keep in my car...

Thought I would share what I carry.  Maybe give some of the new guys ideas they may want to use.  I try to be cautious in case I am stuck in the middle of nowhere and don't have access to food or water...I keep a regular bottle of water and a back up one just in case.  I also keep a jar of dry roasted peanuts in the car.  Plus I will have a plastic bag filled with almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, whole grain crackers, and beef jerkey.  I will also keep a can of vegetable beef soup or can of tuna (pop top) in the car.  Also I may have a protein bar there too.  When I first had my RNY I would keep a pre made (store bought) protein shake just in case also.  By the way, when it gets warmer I will have less food in the car because the food may go bad easier.  About 6 months post op I went into the hospital for a minor issue.  They had no idea how to meet my diet needs.  I brought in some of my own food from the car!!  So do any of you carry something special for your needs??   PS I also carry vitimins in the car too.  Brian

Hadn't thought about it. I guess I ought to. I know it's hard as hell to find anything worth eating in a convenience store if you don't care for beef jerkey, which I don't.

I am pre-op but always have a case of water in the car with me. I am in the car all day everyday, this keeps me from stopping at McD or some other fastfood place for a soda and a burger or two.

Great post, excellent topic. I keep a case of water and two bottles in the front seat for ez access.  I keep a box (6) pure protein chocolate deluxe bars (I may be an addict) dureing the cooler months. In the summer, I have like a 6 pack size cooler to keep water and bars in with some of those re-useable freezer bag things. Convienence stores; I can do water, sobe lean, vitamin waterand ambeing tempted and have had Gatorade H2 recommended to me but haven't tried it yet.  Snacks I avoid but beef jerkyis excellent, I also do a banana, Lance wheat & cheese cracker or the Nekot PB cookies (also good alternating a cookie and bite of banana), and many now sell protein bars of variuos value (just be sure not to get one with as many calories and fat as a snickers).  It is also a good habit to learn you can actually get gas without buying a snack.  That was tuffy for me but I can now pay at the pump and drive away.  A pre-op impossibility.

Brian, Thanks for the post.  I'm pre-op but I wonder about this a lot since I travel continuelly for my job.  I'm either on  the road driving or flying and also take clients out to eat regularly.  I figured I would carry plently of water in the car and some protien mix.  I do worry about it a lot and know that I have to change my habits. Again thanks for posting and if anyone has things that are good to order both at fast food restrurants and nice resturants that would be helpful.  I know fish is good but most times they seem to have a cream sauce on them and I know thats not good. Help.

This is a great post.  I wish all of my patients with think this way.

I tell all of my patients to figure out tricks to keep them healthy, keep them in their protein and keep them in their fluids.  Many of my patients report going to the hospital for things different than W. LS, and having the same problem he mentioned.  I tell my patients they are the boss, they are in charge & my patients need to make sure they get what they need. I tell my patients to squaw****il the hospital staff brings them what they need.  I also recommend that they had their family bring their stuff from home and they need to stay nourished and healthy.  Speak to the doctor who has you in the hospital and make sure they order all the things you need.  It's very likely your doctor will tell you to "write it down, and I will order it".

Remember you are the W. LS patient.  You know best what it is you need to stay healthy.  Unfortunately alot of hospital staff and even doctors do not know what a W. LS patient needs.  It up to you in your family to bring them up to date.

 Good luck to you and good health.

Dr. Dirk Rodriguez

Deaconess Hospital

Cincinnati, OH

Any information given in this message is general and not intended to address specific medical concerns. Always seek advice from your bariatric surgeon or personal doctor.

 

Thanks Doc.  Two things for new WLS patients.  One tip is to keep 2-3 oz of cottage cheese on their nightstand.  When they pee in the middle of the night, eat some of the cc to get their protein in (or 3 oz of protein shake for water content and protein).  My other thought would be (is may sound crazy) at the one or two week post op appointment, why not have all RNY patients (who are borderline dehydrated) stay in the doctor's office for a few hours and get one or two bags of IV of potassium.  Could it possibly save future trips to the hospital.  We know that dehydration is the # 1 reason RNY patients return to the hospital.  Just thinking out loud...Brian