Eating Question

I'm new to this forum (being a little over a year), but my question is valid (but probably repeated). How am I able to eat so much more? I know its NOTHING the way I use to eat. But to eat the small meals throughout the day, drinking my liquids & still be able to be hungry, how does that work? How do other people avoid the "getting back into old habits" routine? Amy

Tell me about it! It sucks! I just posted on the main board how I'm hungry again. Really, and I just ate a Lean Cuisine meal for lunch barely an hour ago. It was meatloaf so it had lots of protien. I'm trying some tea right now to see if that'll help curb the hunger. I have gotten back into to some late night snacking lately. Not good. Like even 2 or 3 of things again, not just one. They say this is where the real journey begins. Good luck to you Amy! Your not alone. amber 296/155/140 -141 (15 more to my goal)

The late night snacking is a killer. Although I still eat very healthy foods (assuming that helps). That was always my problem before, I ate a little at a time, but this time, no more crap.

Your pouch gradually relaxes over time...usually at about six months, 12 months and 18 months post-op is when you will notice being able to eat larger portions. From what I have been told, it usually tapers off at around 18 months. It only makes sense really...we're not meant to live off of 1-2 oz. of food three times daily for the rest of our lives. Once the first 12-18 months go by, the REAL work begins. I'm right there with you (along with a LOT of others)...don't feel alone. ~~Sherry

Hi Amy! I've been feeling this way too lately. Our surgery dates are close so maybe its just "our time". Its hard to deal with, but like you, I just try to make healthy choices and hope that will help. I certainly don't eat anything like I used too, but it is scary~I feel like I'm venturing into the unknown, LOL! Good Luck! Tracy B 328/159 5'9"

Hi, Amy! It is indeed hard to stay away from old habits. I always say that my doc didn't "operate on my head." That part is up to me. I look at it as having a chance - a chance to live the rest of my life at a normal weight. I could have never gotten the weight off without WLS, and I wish I didn't have to return to "normal" but it is what it is. We will all have to deal with these issues for the rest of our lives, and sometimes the struggle can wear you down. Sometimes I just have to learn to ignore my hunger, and that is very difficult! Being hungry always scared me, and it still does. But I'm trying to work on it. Just recently, I have been experimenting with adding more protein into my diet (I don't think I was getting enough). So now I'm doing 2 protein shakes a day, one in the AM, and one in the evening, in addition to my other meals. I do believe my hunger has lessened somewhat because of this, and more importantly, I'm feeling better and less tired. So the protein is really important. As for the foods that are not the best for me, I try to limit them. I have always loved chocolate candy, and still do now. I "allow" myself to have 2 small pieces of candy a day, and I look forward to it, but don't allow myself to get carried away with it. I do look forward to eating it, but know that I can't have more than those 2 pieces. Now, if I could just apply that level of discipline to exercising!

Recognition is key IMHO (that and exhausting yourself so you cannot stay awake at night!) good luck.

Amy, We're surgery sisters and I feel the same way! I'm still tracking my food on FitDay.com but it worries me that I'm eating 1,100-1,300 calories a day! I know it is nothing compared to my pre-op eating, but I'm very sedentary b/c of back problems. I'm so afraid of gaining my lost weight back! Good luck to both of us, Sister! Vickie J.

For me, I am more hungry when I've been eating simple carbs - bread, crackers, pasta, potatoes. If I stick to protein and complex carbs, I am less hungry. I also try to eat protein about every 2-3 hours. If I go longer than that, I get too hungry and my blood sugar takes a nose dive. I also find that Nutrasweet does evil things to me. Gives me leg cramps and makes me hungry. This last week I've been working out (finally). When I've worked out, I'm not as hungry.