General questions @ 8 months post-op

Hi There, I am sure I am going to be asking a bunch of the same questions everyone else is. I see that some of my December '07 Forum buddies have already posted here. We are all very excited that we have this resource! Anyway, please feel free to refer me to other postings or sites for info if I am repeating a question... I don't know how to pose a lot of my questions - I wish I could send you a snapshot of my eating habits for a week. I really don't know how many calories I take in daily - I basically have a cupboard of stuff I think is OK, as well as items at restaurants I have found to be 'OK' for me to eat. I read labels religiously, and try to get things with the least amount of carbs, fat and sugar possible - but that's about it for keeping track of what goes in my mouth. I eat until I feel a little uncomfortable, no portioning or counting calories. I guess I need to know what I am supposed to be taking in everyday. Calories, Carbs, Fat, Sugar, Salt, Fiber, etc. Also need to know if I can have caffeine. And what vitamins should I take and how much of each.  Here is some general info to help you out: Height:                     5' 7" Weight pre WLS:    277 Current weight:       169 Activity level:             low to moderate (not what it should be - I know) I walk about 1/2 mile 3 times a week. No cardio, and no strength training. Surgery date:           Dec. 28, 2007 What I usually eat: Breakfast - 8 oz protein shake (contains 1 scoop (25 g) protein powder - 0 sugar/)                      OR                      2 oz high protein cereal (the Zone, or Kashi GoLean high Protein) with either Micellar milk, or Fat Free half & half ( I know it sounds like it would be bad for me, but it's low sugar/carb/fat)                        OR                       Atkins Advantage protein bar   Lunch - Taco Bell nachos supreme (usually chicken) with guacamole - I don't eat all of the chips                OR  Soup and crackers                OR  Oscar Meyer stackers (turkey/cheddar or ham/swiss)                OR  shrimp ****tail at local restaurant, or maybe a chicken breast or hamburger patty Snack -  SF Pudding cu***** sugar added Blue Bunny yogurt, OR dannon Carb/Sugar control yogurt OR peanut butter&crackers (only 2-3 crackers) OR pork rinds (I know, they are air - but I crave crunch) OR a Ka****LC granola bar (usually pumpkin spice) Dinner - varies a lot - My life is insane and I don't cook at home much. Usually I will share with my husband, and I usually only eat whatever protein he has ordered. He is very good about complying with my dietary needs. My favorite thing to order is shrimp ****tail !! I know I have bad eating habits - and honestly I am at a place where I just don't know how to curb them. When I go through PMS each month my cravings are so overwhelming. Last month I actually ate handfuls of peanut m&ms with spoons of peanut butter, and cookies - it was horrifying. I never got sick either which scares the hell out of me. Actually, I get sickish - I get a kind of woosie, dizzy feeling - sort of nauseous, and my heart will flutter in my chest. But it goes away after a bit. Lately, I feel like all I do is try to find food to eat. If I don't have something to do that takes my mind off of it, all I want to do is eat until I don't feel like eating anymore. Usually I can eat something, and the feeling will go away, but about an hour later I feel the same way again. And I don't want protein, I want bread or cookies or sweets. I am so scared. Do I need nutritional advice or therapy??? Honestly, I feel so lost sometimes. Hope this wasn't too long - sorry if it is too much information.

Hi Kerdeeya,  Great to hear from you on the message board. It sounds like your method is working in terms of your successful weight loss. It also sounds like you do keep track of your portions which is wonderful.  My first recommendation is for you to start writing down what you're eating DAILY. It might seem tedious at first, however it does not need to be anything formal. Just quickly write down amounts of what you're eating and your mood when eating (it can be on scrap pieces of paper). Like you mentioned towards the end of your post, writing your mood/feelings might really help you to make healthier choices. I'm not a therapist, however I'm a woman with strong cravings myself and sometimes I find myself eating beacause of stress. Kerdeeya, if you can identify why you're eating, often times you can break the stress/emotional cycle.  Have you seen a therapist in the past? Was it helpful? Maybe it is time to see that person again? So, you're almost a year post-op. I recommend that you really be careful w/ the sweets and high fat foods (like Taco Bell). Instead of Taco Bell's high fat options you can modify at home and make your nachos w/ baked chips, low fat cheese and low fat meat, etc. Also watch the fat content in the meat and cheese in the Oscar Meyer stackers. Rather than pork grinds (high fat) try baked chips or crackers. They can still give you that satisfying crunch!  Caffeine is NOT recommened. How is your fluid intake? 64oz. is the recommendation of non-caffeine, sugar-free, and non carbonated beverages.  Protein requirements = 77gm/day Vitamins B12 3mcg/day Iron 15mg/day (take in the form of iron citrate) Calcium 1500-2000mg/day (don't take all at once, spread out during the day) Multivitamin 1 pill/day I hope you will find some of the above recommendations helpful/useful.  Best of luck and let me know if you have any other questions! Take care and best wishes,  Jeanne Barnett, RD enutritioncare.com