It's been a VERY long time since I've visited here.... Need help with food choices

Hello All,

I joined this group when it first started.  At that time, I was doing "okay".  My weight fluctuated by about 20 lbs from my goal weight.  That all came to a change starting in May of 2011 when my daughter was in a tragic fire accident, burned 60% of her body and was in the hospital for 3 months.  I know that the guilt and depression play a huge role in my 40-50 lb weight gain (from my target weight). 

I have also battled daily headaches, back and hip pain that has required steroid injections and overall a sluggish, tired feeling.  Of course, winter doesn't help due to the fact I get S.A.D.D. each year. 

I have resolved to take back my life and instead of going in head over heels (like I ALWAYS do and fail miserably) I have set tiny, very tiny goals for myself.  In December I got sick and drank water for weeks.  It was upper respiratory related.  At that time, I gave up caffeine which was a daily, several times a day (almost every drink), must.  It was a staple.  I had a love for Diet Pepsi.  I switched to Diet lemon-lime sodas and water. 

Last week, I resolved to give up soda all together.  I don't drink juice.  I don't drink milk.  So water is my only option.  I use Almond Milk when I need it for cereal, ect.  But, even that gives me tummy issues. 

Yesterday, I started my full blown change in eating.  I'm actually pretty proud of myself.  I am a non-stop grazer.  I didn't graze at all yesterday.  I had my 3 meals, 1 snack between lunch and dinner and a snack before bed time (greek yogurt).  I know it's naughty, but remember I'm making my changes slowly.  I figured I'd change my foods and work on all the other details once I'm "free" of my habitual foods (salty foods are my weakness). 

I haven't followed up with my Dr since 2011.  I had an appointment scheduled, but it just so happened to be while my daughter was recovering from her burn injuries and I refused to leave her side, even for my own health.  I guess that's just what you do when your daughter is fighting for their life.  You don't leave them. 

I finally made an appointment and have it scheduled for March 6th.  I will see a dietitian after.  Oh boy, I haven't met with a dietitian since I had my surgery, so 8 years ago.  Wow!

Right now, I'm looking for support.  I could really use help with my food selection.  I suppose part of BOTT is helping one another out when we fail ourselves.  Well, I failed myself miserably.  I am looking for easily digestable protein options.  I prefer not to use soy protein isolate.  In fact, are there any non-soy protein supplements that I can use?  My most recent allergy test said I'm allergic to soy (gasp).  I was pretty surprised.  But, that won't stop me entirely, since I've never had any real side effects (that I know of) from eating soy products.  I just prefer to, hopefully, steer away from it if at all possible.  I'd also love to hear of what easily navigated websites are out there for WLS recipeis. 

I've started taking my Celebrate multi-vitamin again and can't remember what all else I'm supposed to take.  I do get (at home) B12 injections monthly (though I even failed on that too).  I take B1, D3, Biotin and I think that's it. 

Any and all info on getting back on track is welcome.

I also just found a local support group meeting time and place online that I hope to be able to attend.  Did I mention I have 3 kids, all of whom have VERY busy extra curricular activity schedules.  Makes hardly any time for myself, but I enjoy watching them achieve their goals and have fun with it.  My daughter, 9 (who was severely burned), is back into tumbling and cheer 3x a week, girl scouts every other week, actively involved in fundraisers for Hoosier Burn Camp and is a 2013 Riley Champion (ambassador for Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, IN).  My oldest son (14) is very active in band (jazz band, marching band, hoops band) and my youngest (4) starts his first year of sports this year (t-ball).  So finding the time to fit this into my schedule, with my husband working a rotating shift schedule (nights to days, days to nights), will be tricky. 

Wow, so that is my life story since I've been back here.  Of course lots of other things to fill in the blanks in between.  Haha!

Colleen

Hi Colleen. Welcome to the group.  Just a short message to say hi.  Wow - glad your daughter is fine and I am so glad you starting the journey.

One step at a time... Small goals.  I do believe best for us may be whey isolate, or concentrate. I try to maximize proteins, and my goal is app 1200 cal, with 120-150 gr of protein a day, 60 gr of carbs, and 40-50 gr fats - good - natural fats (including coconut oil, butter, flax meal, olive oil,  and natural fat in food and nuts).

I try - as I can afford as natural or organic food and drinks.  I try to avoid artificial sweeteners and flavors. Though it is not always possible. I use stevia as a sweetener, and even bake with it. I still can't drink plain water- so warm green or herbal tea, plus some natural drinking water like Sobe or Vitamin Zero are my main water choices. I do drink coffee and I try to use stevia and Coconut or Almond unsweet milk. I also use small amount of those milks to mix with my protein powders.  I bake with flax meal and protein powder.  I gave up food with gluten. I think it was affecting me... so I eliminated that from my diet.  Once in a while (once a month?)  I may have a few crackers with cheese, but I do not really crave that.

Some good sites for recipes are here- some of us are great cooks... and my favorite: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/

Also you can google "low carb recipes" and many sites will pop up. Paleo diet sounds very interesting, but I am not ready to give up dairy nor I can really eat some grains they recommend.

My fav protein powder is About Time Whey, but I also use Egg white proteins (with stevia - no splenda) like Healthy and fit Brand. Egg white protein is somehow weird taste and there are days that I can't drink that... But i think I am developing allergy (most likely already have that ) to whey and dairy.. so I do try to limit the exposure.  But for now I am not sure I could manage with no proteins shakes or my powder. Any vegetarian shakes (soy free) that I tried - did not taste right and I know I would not drink them full time.   

Beside that - Greek yogurt (plain but at least 2% fat) and cottage cheese, eats and fish, veggies.... are a great choices.

Welcome back to the BOTT Group Colleen:

Like Hala, I am sorry about your daughter accident but so glad that she is taking life back by the horns.  We have all had regain and we are all here to lose it.  I regained 70 lbs. but was able to lose it all in 8 months.  I use Unjury Whey Isolate Protein Powder, for Shakes mixed with water.  I use the chocolate and it taste like a Yoohoo drink.  I use the Vanilla for protein vanilla pudding mixed with SF FF Vanilla Pudding, and I use the unflavored to add to soups and stews.  I am a huge fan of the Quest Brownie bars.  They keep me full and going strong.  When I was losing my regain, I would walk daily, starting at a 20 minute walk and eventually walking 1 hour a day, every day.  I kept my calories in the beginning around 700-800 a day and worked my way up to 1000-1200 a day.  My protein count was around 100 and my net carbs were below 50.  I continue to journal my food daily here and on fitpal.com.  Another good source for low carb meals is the bariatricfoodie.com.  Nik and eggface are too great sources for all kinds of great meals that will work for the whole family.  About vitamins, I take twice daily 600 mg. multi vitamin, 3 times daily 600 mg, calicum,, I take a vitamin D 50,000 iU once a week, B12, 2500 mg. three times a week, Carbonyl Iron 60 mg daily, mag ox 400 iu daily, miralax daily, occasional vit K, vit C and Zinc.  Good luck to you on your journey and look forward to seeing you here.  All it takes is the first step to start.