Continued Meal Problems

Well, I'll ask more here. I posted to the main board but all they did was gripe about the rules at my school!  Rules are no food or drinks of any kind in the class room. And we can't leave class to eat either.  So, my schedule is changing starting tomorrow. It's kind of nuts and I really dont know how I'll eat and drink now!!  6:30 am oatmeal 7:30 protein drink 7:45 leave for school  9:20 - 9:30 - break, 10 minutes for me to walk to the other side of campus, go to the bathroom and be in my seat 10:20 - 10:30 break again noon - 12:45 lunch break  No more breaks until 3:30pm when school is done for the day!!!  So I have 2 - 10 minute breaks and one 45 minute break.... and in that I have to get in enough calories, protein, and water!!!! UGH!!!! I never thought working out the schedule would be this hard.  UGH, I guess I will have to go in and ask for an exception on the water issue. If I could drink during classes then I would be able to eat enough on break and lunch (I think) but if I have to eat and drink during those time slots, I know I can't!!! I just hate to go against the flow, and I don't want to start something and have others start bringing in things to class, etc.... I just want to be "normal"!!!

I work retail and we are not to have ANY food ot drinks at the check outs, but I told them that I had WLS and that I have to drink and that I would bring in a note form my docs if they would like. There are 4 asst mananagers and one head store mananager and as long as I don't drink right in front of coustomers everyone is fine. As far as the other employees go when they ask why do I get to keep my drinks I just tell them I have to/need to and that all the mananagers know why and are fine with it.  Some times rules have to be broken.  Good Luck,  Robin

I would try to bring some protein balls and bars. their are little containers that can keep them cool for you in your bag and you you eat them on your break. I love the pure protein pure chocolate bar. it is 170 is calories and 20 grams of protein and 2 protein balls would be 220 cals with 22 protein depending on the protein you use. that would cover your snacks. With the bar you may even be able to get a fruit in as the bar is less than 2 oz in size as I am sure the protein balls are not more than that either.. If you eat your lunch that would cover all your needs.

Because i travel for my work and go to places I would never want to stop I carry a small bag with blue ice in it with these items in it. I also carry a simple can of chicken or tuna with a thing of mayo and relish. I can eat all my meals out of this bag all day long get my calories and protein in with very little time, work or effort on my part. Most of the time I am still driving from location to location so I dont have time to sit and eat like a normal person. I just adjust my snacks and one meal to the time I can actually sit and eat the chicken. Just something to think about.

I would definitely ask for a consideration on the fluid and it should be granted. As far as the food.. you can get those items down in the 10 minute frame without to much trouble.. and the lunch you have time scheduled for. I would also save or eat a snack at 330 when I got out..

Here is my meal plan on busy days.

500am protein drink
630 oatmeal if i have time
900 snack protein bar
1200 lunch
300 protein balls.
530 dinner...


I think if you did a snack at one of your small breaks.. lunch and than on the way home you would be fine.. or do one protein snack at one break... a piece of fruit of snack on the second break.. just so you dont have to rush the food going in.. than lunch and after classes I think you would be ok.

Well enough of my rambling.. hope this helps.

Carla

I'd try getting a doctor note for the drinking, that was a great suggestion.....As far as the food, hon, that can be a bit more tedious.....I agree with Carla, perhaps the little tuna/chicken salad mixes that are out...or if you like just plain tuna, try the foil packs of those(some of the flavors are yummy!).  With those no need for a can opener, just rip and dig in....Could you make your hot cocoa and put it in a thermos? (I know, more expense LOL) you could sip and go with that....Hmmm..I'm out of ideas but will stew on it a bit to see if I can think of anything else....Dede

This may sound lame, but could you maybe after this semester you could take fewer courses?  You absolutely have a lot going on and I have no clue how to ge****er/protein/ calories in and it not come back to haunt you in reflux....but you know,,just do the best  you can in the moment,,,if your not having any problems right now with it,,your apparently doing something right.

Wow, tough one. Your far enough out that if you could just get your water in during the class you should be fine. Actually it would keep you from grazing that gets so many of us. If you do get to drink I would then try and slip in some protein drink during the day if you are running low. I know if a diabetic was trying to live by those rules they would have problems. Let us know how you make out. donna

Hi Laurie, First, congrats on going back to school. It takes a lot of courage. It's tough, but stick with it. Once you're done, you'll have something that nobody can take away from you.  I graduated from SOSU in Durant, OK in December 2006. Like your school, SOSU doesn't allow food and drinks in any classrooms.  I started my final semester of college only 2 weeks after surgery. Can you imagine? Before surgery, I was used to running down to the fast food restaurant****ting the snack machine, etc. At two weeks out I was just moving to pureed food. Most days I was only able to get in a few bites of refried beans at lunch and a little water during breaks. I would have to make up the difference before and after school. Once I was able to eat regular foods, protein bars really helped me. You may end up having to eat more of your protein, and drink more water before school and after. I would try to do the best you can during school, then make up the difference before school and  when you get home. It's only an obstacle, one that you can easily overcome.  I was allowed to keep a bottled water in class. I simply went to the instructors office and explained things to them. I never got a NO from anyone about it. Good Luck in school!  Ronnie (Former Oklahoman)