How much do you eat on the average?

I will be 2 years out on Sept 15th, I started at 265 and now I weigh 150 give or take a few on different days, but I was wondering how much on the average are you able to eat at a meal, it seems like somedays I eat more than others, and I get concerned I may be eating too much. For example I can eat about 1 1/2 cups of food at a meal, is this normal? I know everyone is different but would like to have some idea of how everyone else does. Thanks

I wish I had an AVERAGE! Every day is a new discovery - some days (like yesterday) I could eat everything that wasn't nailed down and I went in search for a hammer to get the rest loose. Today? Two protein shakes, salad for lunch - nothing yet for dinner and I don't have the desire (yet). What does the cup and a half entail? If it's a salad, that's nothing - mushes up to half a cup of watered down mush. If it's pure protien, chicken, beef, turkey - etc, I honestly don't think I could get that much in in one sitting. The denser the foods the less the portions. Of course, if it's full of CARBS like chips or gold fishes - lol, that crumbles up to prolly a 1/4 cup of DUST by the time Im done with 'em. - Lei

Throughout this journey I've been surprised at how much or how little I can eat at any particular time. My surgeon said at about 1 year out I should be able to eat 1-1/2 cups CHEWED consistency food! I was shocked. For me it has been more comfortable to think about what I'm eating, it's nutritional value and calories rather than "how much" by volume. I found that in maintenance I need just 1300-1500 calories a day. I thought that with my active lifestyle I would need more, but my PCP, nutritionist, surgeon and physiologist all agree that this is the right amount for me, and it is enough to be satisfied. if you are maintain a good weight for you and are generally healthy, then I wouldn't worry about someone's definition of "normal." Just my thoughts Ann

I would say 1 1/2 cups of a balanced meal doesn't sound like "alot" to me, it's probably a normal serving. I try judging less by the size and more by the calories. i can eat salad all day long and never fill up but put a checken breast and I'm probably only going to eat half. Some says I can eat it all! I never can tell. I rarely get full so I am generally stopping myself first before I get the "full" sensation. I get paranoid myself about how much I am eating, but the best judge is you and your scale. Michelle 294/148

I agree with everything Lei just posted--each day is different. For me the major issue is the density of the food.

I am 4 years out and eat much like you do. A cup to a cup and a quarter per meal. Soup is more, steak less. Depends on the density of the food and some days I can eat a lot and some days I'm full after 3 bites. It all works out in the end - I try to stay around 1000-1200 calories a day. 1200 is when I've been exercising a lot.

Forgive the copy and paste: ok...3 years postop - if I choose 2 eggs, fried over medium (solid white, runny yolk) and 3 potatoes (medium, red) shredded into hash browns and fried - and then chop the soft egg up into the potatoes after they are cooked. Packed down - that's about 2 and 1/2 cups of solid food. Now here's the ticket - I can eat it ALL - it chews down to nothing and the potato helps slide the dense eggs on through. Now if I take 3 eggs and add a 1/3 cup of cheese (make an omelet) - I usually can't fini**** all - most, but not the last couple bites. If it is steak or chicken and steamed veggies I can eat about 3 or 4 ounces of meat and about 3/4 cup veggies. If I eat just cheese? 4 ounces usually leaves me comfortable - not stuffed, but comfy. And if I eat 3 times a day - I make worse choices AND eat more over-all than if I eat 6 smaller meals. Also the faster I eat, the faster I get comfortably full. I don't dally over my meals. I chew well, but I finish - I don't have dinner 'conversation' or put my fork down and wait 5 minutes between bites. I don't shovel the food in, but I eat until I'm done. The ticket for ME is: (1) density of the food (2) how it's prepared (3) how often I eat (4) how slowly/fast I eat. Have no idea if this is helpful......hugs, Toots