Just what SHOULD I eat?

All, So, I've been newly motivated to lose more ... and I find ... that I don't know WHAT I'm supposed to eat? How many Calories a day? How many carbs, fats, protiens, etc. Can anyone tell me or make a recommendation where I can find out? I'm female, 39, 183lbs, 5'6", work at a desk but VERY active on weekends and for about 30 minutes every week day. I had RNY 13 months ago and so far have just kept losing without really doing anything different other than eating small meals (ANYTHING I wanted) 3 times a day. Now, I'm trying to do a little better. Any ideas will help! Thanks all, Julie

have you seen a dietician? I was told 4- 6 oz meat fish chicken daily, divided between my 6 meals. 3-6 veggies serving size = 1/2 c raw leafy, 1/4 c fresh or frozen. , 4-6 fruits 1/4 c = 1 serving size, 4-6grains, Ie 1/4 bagel is a serving, 1/2 slice bread or 1/2 small tortilla, ,1/4 c cereal, rice or pasta, 4-6 milks. ie 1 oz cheese, 1/2 cup milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, 1/4 c sf pudding.

I saw a dietician right after surgery. I was told to watch the fat and sugar intake. But I didn't think to ask how much of what I was supposed to eat. I had issues eating AT ALL so I was told to just eat ;). Now, that I'm in the habit of eating at least three times a day, I want to 'watch'. Thank you for you input. It is VERY helpful! Julie

I hate to count calories, protein grams, etc. Finally I found an exchange plan to follow!!!!! Do you know about how many calories your plan is??? I have had no help with an eating plan and right now am not doing too well. I still need to take of pounds to reach my goal. I will try to follow your plan. Did a dietician give it to you? There is no dietician anywhere near me The last time I saw the dietician at my wls's office, all she told me was to join weigh****chers. I did and gained 7 pounds in a month. I was told to eat 6 small meals a day. Your plan sounds good to me. Thank you for any help, Betty

I do 6 small meals a day as well. I usually eat eggs with cheese or yogurt with Kashi hi protein cereal at breakfast. lunch is protein with salad or on 1 slice of bread with sliced tomatoes, cucmbers etc, dinner again protein with veggies and a few bites of potato, sweet potato etc. Snacks are varied, cottage cheese with fruit, a banana with peanut butter, one way bars, raw vewggies, . I use the south beah cookbook a lot. I am not perfect i have a serious weakness for cookiws. but try to buy only 1 at a time or give away the majority if I make them. I generally eat 1500 - 1700 cals a day as I am not in losing mode and am maintaining well. I exercise strenuously 5-6 times a week for at least 1 hour a day. same weight with in 5 pounds for well over a year. I went a little lower after my TT, as I had no appetite and got sick with an illeus. other wise I have stayed between 130 - 135 since jan 2004. highest weight ever 272 9/25/2002 260 currently (this am) 135 almost 5 feet tall so I am still over weight by my BMI but don't take it too seriously as I wear a size 6-8 depending on the brand.

Hi Julie! I think Willow is on the $$$ with seeing a nutritionist/dietician. My nut says I should be eating about 1400 calories to maintain, 1000-1200 to maintain. I'll almost guarantee that if you add up the calories from what Willow posted, it would be in that range. Good luck with your new undertaking! Judi

Thanks! This is helpful because, as you know, WE don't absorb as much as we eat. When I said I'll eat 1400 ... folks said 'that's too much'. Right now, I'm trying to do 800 min and 1200 max (my max being on the 2 days I allow myself to 'spluge'). Thanks! Julie

I'm over 4 years out and have been on 1000-1200 calories a day since I hit the one year out mark. I get in between 50-70 gms of protein daily, keep carbs under 45 and don't count fat grams. I get in my supplements and drink 100+ ounces of water a day. My surgeon had had me (and all his other patients) on 3 meals a day since we got home from the hospital and one snack if needed. It's worked for me for this long but check with your doctor as to what he/she wants you on - it may be different and your doctor may advocat protein supplements -mine doesn't. Everyone's different and every doctor has a different program - check with yours or a local support group to see what patients of your surgeon are eating.

This sounds most like my surgeon .... I was told 'try different foods and see what happens .... everyone is different'. I started the protein supplements myself, originally, because I couldn't make myself eat (stuck in the 'I want to lose so don't eat' syndrome) and didn't want to lose all my hair. Now, I'm going back to protien drinks in an effort to reduce my carb and fat intake to lose more. I'm SOOOOOO CLOSE!

Yes, you should see a Nut or RD that specializes in Bariatrics. My bariatric group has a RD that works with us as the levels we should be eating at depends on whether you still want to loose or maintain. I am out almost 14 months I have lost -225 lbs. My eating plan is to eat 3 x a day (avoid grazing- only protein drinks between meals if necessary), between 900 - 1200 cal a day, protein 60 -100 g, less than 40 grams of carbs a day, less than 30 grams of fat per day, 80 - 100 oz of water per day, Vits: Multi-vitamins, calcium, b-12 and iron each day. I excercise at least 90 minutes a day min. 7 days a week (on the avg. I excercise 2.5 hours a day 5 days a wk). Mary