x-post, family picnic and our food needs

I'm 31 months out, and about as free-range as you can get.  There are a few things the pouch absolutely won't do, and a whole lot more things that, to respect myself and my tool, I work hard at not doing.  But generally, I can find something that works for me almost anywhere.

So Saturday was a family picnic about 200 miles north of us for a graduation with my in-laws.  They are supportive of my surgery, but still don't actually get it (frequent comments - "I don't know why you had surgery,   You weren't as big as [insert family member name here]" and "I don't have time to plan meals.  That's why they make drive-throughs" - and they're not joking).  That's ok - they try.

Knowing the family and the eating patterns, I knew that there was pretty much no way they'd have anything I could eat.  When we RSVP'd, I asked if I could bring something, and was told no, they had it under control and would even have fruit and protein for me.  I was pleasantly surprised, but still a bit skeptical, so I packed shakes, greek yogurt, fruits and vegetables in measured amounts in a cooler.

We got to the picnic.  The protein was the greasiest brats and burgers I'd ever seen, literally flaming up through the grill lid and burned to a crisp.  They were taken off the grill and all mixed with sauerkraut (burgers too) for moisture.  The fruit was 2 vodka watermelons.  There were also doritos and cheetos.

I quietly ate what I'd brought, and had a good time chatting with lots of family members.

The moral of the story is - I took care of myself, and didn't make a stink.  The family was trying to do things a way I could use, but because they truly don't get it, didn't.  There was no reason to hassle them, get my feelings hurt, or make bad choices.  I just planned ahead.  It's something most of us need to learn to do, and once you do, it makes your life a whole lot easier!

Honestly, I don't think I would have been able to eat any of that pre-op. It sound thoroughly disgusting.

That's the in-laws for you.  Seriously, that was a relatively healthy meal compared to what usually gets served, so I know they were trying to be nice for me.

Luckily, DH prefers leaner proteins and more greens than his older sisters and their kids.

You did great but I think I would have tried the spiked watermelon. lol

--g

LOL!  Watermelon is one of the few things the pouch won't do.  Weird, because it loves canteloupe.

I have tried spiked blueberries - whooooo!

It is amazing what folks eat.  I try not to be obvious but sometimes I'm sure I gaulk at what I see.  You are right, take care of yourself.  Planning is everything, sometimes harder than others but something we just have to do.

That's why I put this out on the RNY and main forums.  So many people expect everyone else to do things their way.  Hey, we're the ones with the altered gut!  We need to be cognizant of what we need, and bring it ourselves if necessary!

Great job of looking out for yourself!!  It is funny what people think are healthy foods now.

I traded packing up my CPAP machine for a very large green bag full of protein, crystal lite, and other treats that I eat now!!  I think it was a great trade.

My mom always fixes sweets when she knows we are coming - she has done this my entire life and she is not going to change now.  She doesn't do it to be mean or anything because she tells me how proud she is of me, it is just her and she is not going to change.  It is up to me to not eat it which is hard sometimes.

Linda

You did great....

I had to be aware of our needs when visiting my daddy and stepmom...she THINKS she knows all about nutrition since she was a nurse at one time...and went vegan for the most part as a result about 3 years ago. She couldn't completely cause my daddy LOVES meat. But her eating schedule is wacky...coffee for breakfast, ignore lunch, and eat vegan for dinner...I take whatever we can manage. Now with my daddy in assisted living, we eat in their dining room and it's far easier to get what we need.

My mother in law is at least on board with us eating many times a day...as she had physical custody of dh's oldest growing up (LONG STORY). But since dh's oldest is a type 1 diabetic, and on an insulin pump...she understands that carbs are not friendly. She also understands the need to eat often to keep blood sugar level. But she prefers to eat chicken or veggies herself. With her, we typically just take protein powder to have on hand.

We don't make a big deal with either set but the last visit with daddy, we were at dinner and stepmom makes a comment that we basically turned the food pyramid on it's head and eat opposite of what we are "suppose" to eat...yeah, been doing that for almost a decade to control my blood sugars...but then she is stuck in the ADA's definition of a diabetic "diet".

Liz

For me, I don't like my meat burnt to a crisp and I don't like sauerkraut. Vodka is okay and watermellon is okay but put them together and it sounds gross.

Also, I'll eat chips but not Doritos or Cheetos.

So it's a big fail for me even if I don't care as much about eating a certain way for every meal.