Fruits and Vegetables

I am curious where those of you in maintenance stand on fruits and veggies in your daily diet. Even though I have a few regain pounds still to lose, I must admit that I am loathe to give up my lower carb fruits, so I haven't. I make sure to get at least two servings of veggies in each day, but usually 3,  and have maintained one serving of fruit for the time being (mostly berries or some kiwi - though when the peaches and nectarines were ripe.....)

I ask really because since hitting my goal last summer, I tend to crave vegetables and fruits and often find myself wanting to eat my vegetables before I eat my protein. Anyone else?

As you know, I'm not technically in maintenance yet,\ so take my opinion for what its worth.

I think the key to introducing veggies and fruits into your diet is to try them one at a time. My reasoning for this is because some fruits and veggies can be trigger foods. Example: I can eat cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, cabbage and other veggies all day long and be fine. But, if I eat one stinkin' carrot, I start jonesing for carby-bad for you-foods. I start eating crap that I have no business eating. So far, the only fruits I can handle without triggering other bad food choices are berries.

I would just be very mindful and careful, but go ahead the try all your favorite fruits and veggies. IMO, that is what maintenance is about - constantly striving to find a balance. JMO, of course.

I try to get 2-3 servings of veggies a day but I don't try to get 1 of fruit. I just do fruit as I happen upon it. Some days nothing. Some days more than 1 serving. It probably works out to a .5 a serving a day on average.

I'm with MacMadame.  I've been following (in general) paleo/primal and it's worked well for me, and they aren't big on fruit other than seasonal berries.  I get leafy greens pretty much every day, as well as some other non-starchy veg.  Berries - every day when I buy them, sometimes I run out and don't get any for a few days.  A bit of apple if my wife is having one is the main exception.  

I really strive to get the protein in first, but end up mixing more often than not.

I just started maintenance, but I have 2-4 servings of veggies a day (spinach, kale, cucumbers, zucchini, and tomatoes are my favorites).  On workout days I have a small banana and on non-workout days I have 1/2 a banana.  Not something that will work for everyone, but I find if I don't have 1/2 a banana I get really dizzy during workouts (I've tried many other things and banana are what work for me).  The other 1/2 goes in my protein shake, along with spinach, pb2, chia seeds, and hemp hearts.  

Can you add a snack that is just veggies?

I eat minimal fruit.  When I have fruit it's berries.

I don't seem to want it or miss it.

I am doing well on protein and try to get high value veggies like leafy green or brown/green lettuce, or high in the anti oxidant list.

Not sure how much help this is but my weight is good and maintenance is going well.  

I still struggle with my multi vitamin. It makes me gag.  This is new since vsg.  Never before did I struggle with pills.  When I buy chewables, I struggle to get them down.  This encourages me to eat my veggies and have a balanced diet.

I get in 1-2 fruit servings per ay and 2-3 vegetables. I've been eating a little of both since the beginning almost. I used to eat just a single bite or two of veggies and have a couple of strawberries on my morning smoothie. 

I do sometimes eat veggies first, but I make sure to get my daily protein in. Basically, I'm following our Kaiser Fremont pre-op diet with a few treats thrown in. Ive been at goal for 18 months so its working for me.

lynds

I just gave up fruit again this week.  I didn't touch fruit my first year out and limited it to a few berries thereafter until this past June when cherries came in season.  I gave myself permission to eat and eat them as I figure they are only around for 6 weeks.  BIG MISTAKE. All or nothing thinking was back. I ended up bingeing on cherries many times and that led to other fruit and carb cravings and binges.  I gained over 20 pounds in three months and am really disappointed with myself.  Yes other stuff was going on at the time too but I love fruit and told myself it's only fruit. So nectarines, a few plums, some oranges, bananas and pineapple got into my diet and the gained weight is just sitting there regardless of whether I am eating on plan and or exercising. I was stunned how fast it went on and the fact that it is not coming off.  So I have to get rid of all fruit for now to see if that helps with weight loss. 

I know being diabetic pre surgery I am very insulin resistant so fruit sugars don't agree with me and weight loss.  They are gone until this regain is lost and it is very hard to give up - more so for me than anything carby.

I've added a veggie snack in the evenings to replace what was a fruit snack and am going cold turkey with no fruit.  

I am going to have to rethink maintenance altogether once I get these extra pounds off as I have not done well with it.  And yes I am getting a therapist to help me with my eating disorder.  I have tried a few out since I last posted but haven't found the right person yet.