Tracking what you eat...

Hello OH members. This is my first post as I'm preparing for my surgery 2/15/16. I want to prepare myself for what is to come and I read lots about  tracking the amount that you eat after the surgery. What is the best way to do that? What did you do that worked for you? I'm planning on getting a kitchen scale and some new measuring cups. I also downloaded the app myfitnesspal. What else do I need?

I'm a mom of 4, including 2 years old twins, so my life is pretty hectic, so being prepare and staying organize is a must for me. Any tips are greatly appreciated.

Thank you

I would do a good sized costco run or similar type store if you don't have costco in your area, I know I picked up about 12 cases of Premier Protein shakes (ready to drink) in chocolate, the other two flavors aren't anything to write home about. Personally I drink Sobe Zero Calorie Lifewater which I also buy by the case at costco. Also to stock up on your needed resources for your family too. Everyone is different after surgery, luckily, I had pretty much no down time afterwards, others have been floored for weeks. After you get home, just make sure to walk walk walk and sip sip sip. Initially it is more important to keep your fluid level up, the last thing you want to do is get dehydrated, I would recommend alternating between your water and your protein shakes, while I mentioned fluids initially are the more important, protein is what is going to help your body heal. Good luck to you!

What I like best about My Fitness Pal is that you can have the app on your phone and use its scanner to put food in.  Once you get the hang and habit of recording it will be very quick and easy.

I take a few minutes each night to review the day's protein, calories, fat, fiber, carbs, and water.

Myfitnesspal is probably one of the best apps available. You are able to friend other people have a little support group going. 

Just a few notes about tracking and planning. I have lots of experience with major weight loss, major regain and now more weight loss. I used to track as I go meaning I would eat and then track or track as I prepared my food. While it is helpful, I have found planning and commiting my food in the morning is the best way to go to avoid compulsive eating and reaching for little bites here and there. It takes the choice out of it which for me is a big deal. Every morning I write my plan for the day and follow it. Yes it involves 5-10 min in the morning to stop and think. It also involves making sure I have the appropriate food in my house and sometimes involves having my meals prepared ahead of time. It can be a lot of work but it helps maintain my sanity around food as well as my life in general. As I plan I am able to get an idea of overall calories as well as make sure I get my main macronutrients in as well(think major food groups). If I didn't plan ahead I might now always get the adequate amount of protein, veggies, dairy, etc. so just offering my $.02 as someone who has tried every imaginable road. 

get either a quality blender or a small magic bullet type of thing - it makes a world of difference for the shakes.  Also PB2 (powdered peanut butter) adds alot of flavor/protein without alot of calories.  Good luck :D

Welcome to the forum.  I hope you find it as informative and supportive as I have.

I wouldn't recommend buying too many protein shakes before surgery. Tastes can change with surgery and what you like now may not work after surgery.   I found I couldn't tolerate sweet drinks after surgery, so I had to drink chicken broth with unflavored protein powder, and ended up giving all my shakes away.  Buy enough for the first week, and then once you know what you like you can stock up then.

I used my fitness pal and a small kitchen scale to weight my protein.  Many of my meals are casseroles with dense protein and low carb veggies, so I used my fitness pal to enter the recipe and then figure the number of servings based on protein and calories, and then divided the recipes into the correct serving size so I knew what I was eating.

Best of luck with your surgery.

Carol

Thank you Carol. I already don't care for sweets now, so I'm concern about the shakes. With the broth, did your doctor had you monitor sodium intake? Maybe making homemaker vegetable broth I'll be able to control the sodium intake better. I'm just a little lost. 

Actually, I have low blood pressure, so my cardiologist said to eat more salt!  so I didn't concern myself about sodium.  I suspect you can find some low-sodium broths if you put a little effort into it.

best of luck,

Carol

Thank you for all the great tips. I do plan to prepare my meals ahead of time to avoid temptation. I do have a magic bullet thing, so that helps. 

I'm going to Costco this week to buy the protein shakes.

Another thing. I'm not much of a sweets kind of person, so I'm already dreading all the shakes. I was thinking about broth with unflavored protein powder to add variety. I know with broth, sodium may be a problem, so I'll limit myself to one a day, in place of a shake. Any other ideas of ways to get protein without something sweet? I do like coffee and a friend that had WLS a few years back suggest that I add a little decaf coffee powder to vanilla protein shake but I haven't found information if that is OK to do it. 

Thank you!!!

I put unflavored protein powder in anything I could stir -  sugar-free jello, sugar-free fat free puddings, soups, yogurt, cottage cheese.  I had no problem making my protein numbers without sweet shakes.

best wishes,

Carol