Thanksgiving foods

what can I eat??? At this point my Dr. has added in all forms of protein so I know turkey is OK. I'm wondering about mashed potatoes, stuffing, veggies. I'm supposed to have 90% protein in every meal. I would like to have a taste of stuffing, but I also don't want to suffer for those choices. I think a spoonful of mashed potatoes should be okay. and veggies? I haven't had any veggies yet...my Dr. sees them as a waste of the limited space in my pouch right now...i get that, but perhaps just a taste on the holiday???

I'm almost 7 weeks postop and have tolerated all foods so far and had no vomiting. A little pain when i eat too fast (lesson learned).

christy

Hey Christy,

This is a hard one to answer since your doctor has very different eating guidelines for you then mine.  I have been eating veggies since I was put on pureed foods.  My nut is of the mindframe of get in your protein first, fruits and veggies second and don't bother with the carbs.  I will admit, I will probably have a taste of everything that looks appealing, at least until I know I don't need or want anymore, but I am making dinner this year, so it will all be pretty good for me.  I will have the turkey first though.  It helps that my sister is a vegetarian and is coming over to help make lots of healthy veggie side dishes, so hopefully I won't want the carbs as much.  I have learned to pass on the bread, it is too filling and not worth the space.  Stuffing is my favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner, so I will let myself have a taste.  But on the flip side, I can stop myself at just a taste. 

Would your doctor rather you have potatoes and stuffing over the veggies? 

Amanda

I am going to try a bite or two of most of the stuff served on Thursday.  I haven't had any bad reactions to anything so far, so I think I'll be good.  Dr Barker's diet is tough, have you seen any of the NUT's since the surgery?  Even they will tell you his diet is crazy.  I'm going more with the other surgeon's diet plan more than Barker's. 

This will be my first thanksgiving post WLS.  Last year I was on my pre-op liquid diet at this time.  So I missed out on the Thanksgiving and Christmas feast.  Bummer.  It is definately a challenge making good choices.

So it sounds like turkey is a go for you.  Try and pick moist pieces.  I know that gravy is not the best, but know I will have to have a bit of gravy with my turkey as white meat I don't do well.  I may make an even better choice and pick off of my dad or hubby's dark meat leg instead.  Mashed potatoes I think are fine, this is usually one of the foods you are allowed to have in the mushy stage anyway.  The dressing/stuffing - hmmmm, that's a tough one.  I think for you being still early out, the bread might be too expansive in your tummy.  What does your surgeon's plan say about breads in general?  We had to slowly progress to include bread in our diet and I find that although I enjoy it, I limit my intake to one slice of bread (half sandwich) or 1/2 tortilla for a rollup or 1/2 biscuit just for a little taste.  I agree with your doctor on the veggies.  I used to be a huge green beans fan, but there is no protein value, so I will forgo the greenbeans this week for a little extra turkey.

Good luck!

Christy,

I had my WLS 2 days after you. I was on mashed potatoes and gravy(98%FF) at week 2 post-op. I think you will be fine with eating Thanksgiving dinner. Just eat turkey,mashed potatoes,gravy and veggies. Stuffing might be too much and definitely don't wanna eat an casseroles or sweets(unless you cook them SF).  Good Luck  I'm actually excited to eat with my family I'm cooking the pies and the kids ave no idea it's sugar free!!  LOL

I really don't have a desire to eat any stuffing or mashed potatoes.  It is a mental thing for me, I really don't eat that much to begin with, so what I do eat I want to maximize nutrtuinal value in what I eat.  I will probably have some turkey and green beans and a little bit of the ethinic food that will be there.

You may want to look up recipes for meat stuffing... Old family recipe is a hamburger, walnuts, grated cheese, mushrooms, and italian spices. Add an egg to congele.      Stuff in the turkey.    Yummy

Like Amanda I eat protien 1st then (2) veggies or a substiute a fruit instead of one of the veggies.   NUT wants us to stay under 30 grams of carbs.  I will try to stay away from bread stuffing.     We will use corn starch for gravy.   What I miss most is italian bread.  I will take a small piece the seizure of a  quarter just for taste.

I just had my 4 week check up today. First 2 weeks I went from liquid to veggies (mushy foods) to today, getting tuna fish, chicken salad, fish, egg salad, etc. i was told if I wanted to have turkey it was ok, as long and I ate dark moist meat WITH gravy. Oh, I can have cold cuts shaved turkey and lean ham.

I was about 6 weeks out when Thanksgiving roled around (WOW!  That was THREE years ago).

Anyways...it's great that you are coming up with a game plan......

I recall my plate consisting of turkey (white meat) with a little bit of gravy to ensure that it was moist.  I had about 1 tsp of potatoes, 1 tsp of green bean casserole (made with FF soup, and skim milk to reduce the fat content), 1 tsp butternut squa****sp of sweet potatoes (not casserole and with no butter) and 1 tsp splenda made cranberry sauce.

I used a baby spoon when I first started out and brought my spoon with me.  I started with the turkey and then went to the green beans, squash, sweet potato, cranberry and potato.  I used my spoon to have a small bite of each and then I was done.

For dessert, I made a pumpkin protein shake and was quite satisfied.

Just remember, the day is about family and friends....food is the after thought.

Enjoy the day!!!!

You will do fine!  You have received some great advice.  Make sure you get the protein in first.  I took a mini chopper and added dark meat and gravy and chopped it up to make it easier.  I also make SF things and take with me...just for me.  No one else eats that way and that is fine.  There are two other WLS patients there and they eat full fats!  Honestly...Now that I am well over 3 years out I eat whatever I want on Thanksviging.  I can not (and don't even want to) eat tons of food...so a bite or two of whatever is ok.  I do go out and walk (used to run but can't now) and work off the extra calories.  You are still very new to this so I do not recommend you doing that.  One day you can make that choice...but give it time.  You can also have turkey baby food if it makes you feel better.  I have done that before, too!  Absolutely have the veggies and potatos...just make sure the protein comes first!  Remember...even though the protein is so important you still need a balanced diet!