Salads

Hello everybody,
 
Before my RNY I use to love a good salad, but since then I have been afraid to eat one. The funny thing is that I never saw it written from my nut that I couldn't have one but for some reason got that stuck in my head so I thought I would ask the masses. Do you eat salads and if you do what do you have on it.

By the way I plan on posting some before and after this week. So for those that might be interested I will let everyone know when they are there.
Marc

I had my surgery almost six months ago now.  I can eat them, but I tend to eat other things to get more protein instead.  I can't fit that much into my pouch and don't want to waste the space on lettuce.  That being said, I do make myself a salad using the following:

Cindy's Let Us Free Salad:

1 T corn (drained)
1 T peas (drained)
1 T black olives (drained & chopped)
2 T Garbanzo beans (drained)
3 T shredded cheese (approx)
Top with your favorite dressing - I use fat free ranch
salt & pepper to taste - it's fine without it though

I add one or two of the following (depending on my mood):
1 T Chopped boiled egg
1 T small canned shrimp
1 T canned chicken or tuna

I am taking this to work in a small container and eating it for lunch.  It's pretty good and I don't feel sick if I eat it slowly.  Which I am working so hard at learning. :)  Enjoy

DO YOU HAVE TO COOK THESE VEGETABLES FIRST OR JUST DRAIN AND MIX IN BOWL?  ALSO, I WAS TOLD NOT TO EAT CORN OR PEAS BECAUSE OF THE "SKIN" CAN CAUSE TROUBLE, IS THAT TRUE?

THANKS,
JOY

Hi Marc,

We had our surgeries right around the same time....I started eating raw veggies and fruit at about 2 1/2 months out.  I started with softish raw veggies without the skins (like peeled cucumbers, mushrooms, cauliflower, squash, zucchini) then slowly tried them with the skins still on.  Once I knew I could tolerate those, I moved up to baby carrots (easiest to tolerate with dip), bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes and tried tiny bits of lettuce.  

I just really went very slow and made sure that everything was cut up and that I chewed it really well.  When I started salads I would get gas but that has since resolved itself.

A salad for me typically consists of leafy greens (I try to stay away from iceburg lettuce...i've always had a hard time digesting it), cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, mushrooms, and red onion.  Sometimes I'll add some raw broccoli (just a little since its supposedly gassy) and cauliflower. 

I hope you get to enjoy a good salad soon!

I used the canned veggies so you don't need to do anything but mix it up.  I've even mixed it with miracle whip and it's good  that way too.  I haven't had any trouble with the skins.

I am nearly nine months out and I love a salad.  I mix leafy green lettuce with cucumber, tomatoes, cauliflower and broccoli.  I add roasted sunflower seeds, LF cheese, and grilled chicken to the mix for protein.  I get compliments on my salads from many of my coworkers.  They are satisfying and I don't feel like I am eating "diet".

I was told not to have any corn, I was not told about Peas, but that makes sense. I usually use the organic salad mixes that come in the "box", the clear boxes in the produce area. Anyhow, I use fat free dressing and have nothing other than the salad. Nothing on there but good ol lettuce (or greens) because I dont want to mix too much stuff. I was also told to stay away from raw veggies as they can cause gas.. but remember, each nutritionist and surgeon have different views and opinions on what they want each of us to do. With that in mind... I am 14 months out and am just 30 lbs to my goal... Good luck and happy salad eating...

P.S. my dr did say salad was good... and I just went for check up a week ago...

305/295/188/155
pre op/surgery/current/goal

What kind of salad dressings are used most?  I like the South Beach Ranch, but my favorite is ceasar dressing and I cannot find it.  I do not like the fat free because they have more sugar and I do not like sweet  dressings.  Any ideas?

Ken's Steak House light Creamy Caesar is good. 90 cal for 2 tbls.

I'm 18 months out and eat salad several times a week now - but it was close to a year before I really tested the waters.  You have to be careful to chew well and anything with tough skin has the possibility to give you problems as it won't digest well...

As for what I eat, my favorite is to brown hamburger or turkey, add taco seasoning and eat a homemade taco salad.  I add some lowfat cheese, a few tortilla chips crumbled up, avocado, diced cucumber and bell peppers.    Just depends on what I'm in the mood for.

Sometimes, I pressure cook chicken breast and add that over salad with balsamic vinegar and a little oil over lettuce.

Either way, just be sure to get some protein in with the salad and remember, you won't eat more than a very small salad :)  It's filling, but good fiber for the body!