Food Boredom

I am 9 months out and 5 lbs. below my goal weight.  I am very bored with my food.  Lunch/quick meals are especially boring.  I need more solid foods.  I always have yogurt and cottage cheese, but want to eat something more dense...any ideas?  I also need an idea for a crunchy snack other than nuts and carrots.  I know I'm supposed to limit snacks, but I really think I need one between lunch and dinner.  Perhaps I need to eat more fat at lunch to satisfy me until dinner.  Any suggestions?  I have an appointment with the nutritionist coming up, but would like some ideas before then!  Thanks!!

How about sunflower seeds raw or roasted? I love salty crunchy, so mine would be roasted. Almonds are another good snack between lunch and dinner...they fill me up. Almonds either raw or roasted.

--gina

Back when DH and I co-led our support group before we moved, I would share this handout I created with a list of cooking blogs. I'll past it below just like it shows when I print it. Many great ideas. Happy cooking.

Helpful Cooking Websites

This list is provided to give some helpful ideas for menu planning. Most of these cooking blogs are put together by people who have not had WLS, but follow eating plans that are very similar to ours. In most cases, the serving is going to be much larger than we can eat, but freezing leftovers for future meals is how we take care of that.

http://bariatricfoodie.blogspot.com/ This one is put together by a RNY patient.

http://www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ Also put together by a RNY patient.

http://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/ This one is maintained by a diabetic who is gluten intolerant, her recipes are amazing.

http://www.cutthewheat.com/ Lots of sugar free and wheat free yummies for you to try.

http://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/ More low carb and gluten free ideas.

http://www.lapsf.com/cafe-frisco/ This one is some ideas created by a VSG patient who is a regular on obesityhelp.com.

http://bariatrickitchen.com/ Created by a RNY patient with great ideas.

http://holisticallyengineered.com/ Primarily paleo recipes, but most work well for WLS patients. Her main dishes are great.

http://www.the*****ycoconut.com/ This lady is gluten and lactose intolerant, she offers great recipes and helpful cooking hints.

http://beautyandthefoodie.com/ Her recipes are mostly paleo, but with a few modification can work well for WLS patients.

http://www.satisfyingeats.com/ Wonderful ideas for those of us following a sugar free lifestyle.

http://fluffychixcook.com/recipes/ These recipes are Keto diet/diabetic friendly. This one has many sauce ideas.

http://healthyindulgences.net/ This one is written by someone who follows a sugar/gluten free lifestyle.

http://www.lowcarbsosimple.com/recipes/ The writer of this blog actually almost starved to death, she was severely underweight. However, she made some changes and now eats in a healthy manner.

http://stellastyle.com/ This is the official website of George Stella, famous for his Food Network show a few years ago.

http://www.sugarfreemom.com/ This blogger has family members with food allergies and they live sugar free. Recipes include dairy free, gluten free, and soy free options.

Hopefully these blogs can help you. Since we now think about quality verses quantity, making food that is high in flavor, low in carbs and sugar helps keep us doing the protocol and maintaining success.

If you could put your surgery date and type of surgery in your Signature or at the top of the screen that would be helpful.

How far out are you and are you in the normal BMI range?  If you aren't  at the bottom of your BMI then only add Protein!!!  If you add carbs your scale will go in the wrong direction.

We all eat differently and you need to find out what works for you.  I have always eaten numerous small meals during the day.  I basically "snack" every few hours.  BUT the majority of my "meals" are very low carb and concentrated around Protein.

Cheese is my go to snack.  I love the Babybel light cheese rounds or a cheese stick wrapped in thin turkey or ham slices.  Try some variety with your carrots like peanut butter or a Light Swiss Laughing Cow Wedge.

Do you drink Protein drinks.  Those are 2 of my "snacks" a day. I could not keep my weight off I didn't drink at least 2 double scoops a day.  Those fill me up for awhile.