Question:
I need help making my diet more exciting.....
Today I am six weeks post op. My surgeon has it set up that from now until I weigh 150 (I'm 225). All I can eat three meals a day seven days a week are meat and fish. Absolutely nothing else. I am SO SICK of meat I can't stand it. I was not a big meat eater before, I liked my pastas and breads. The sight and smell of most meats now makes me vomit. I'm getting to the point I don't want to eat at all. I know this is working against me cause I haven't lost more than 5 lbs in almost three weeks. I desperately need help with ideas for my diet. I know his protocol is meat and fish only but I just don't know. Any suggestions would be so very appreciated! Hugs, Amy — purdue_1993 (posted on December 31, 2001)
December 31, 2001
Most people say to "follow your doctor's orders," but in this
case, your doc sounds like a quack! If all you eat is meat, you're going
to damage your kidneys and stall your weight loss. Your body needs some
carbohydrates in order to release fat! I eat a very balanced diet, i.e. 60
g. of protein per day (usually chicken, fish or lean beef), fruits &
vegees, and a small amount of complex carbs such as bread and pasta. I
have an interesting and satisfying diet. I have lost 155 lbs. eating this
way from week #2 after my surgery (open RNY). There are no "bad
foods" in my opinion. If your doctor says to cut out three of the
four food groups, he's crazy. Just an opinion, but I would suggest you do
what works for you.
— [Anonymous]
December 31, 2001
I have to agree with anonymous...that diet sounds ridiculous to me. I can
only say for my own self, my dr. told me to "eat whatever you
want...making sure you get your protein in first"...but to remember to
get a balanced diet. If you eat nothing but meat and fish, any
nutritionist will tell you that you are setting yourself up for a serious
case of malnutrition. Perhap not in the traditional sense, but your body
will begin to shut down in order to protect itself. If your body is still
getting "some carbs" than it will release the fat stores you
have...reason...eating just meat and fish makes your body think you are
starving it. Use common sense and talk to a dietician or a
nutriotionist...one who knows about WLS.
Good luck and happy losing.
— Mustang
December 31, 2001
I have to disagree with the other posters. You doc is trying to get you tro
stick with protein by doing meat. Despite what people say, protein diets
help you lose fast. If you dont want the meat and fish, look for other high
calorie foods but dont turn to carbs like the old days. Do what your doc
says. The rest of us have "opinions", your doc has a med. degree.
You did not ask us to assess your docs advice, you asked for help on making
it interesting. First, find every high quality protein food that you do
like and rotate that with the meat and fish. Fish is the widest
option--lookk for different things to try new recipes on--scallops,
crawfish, shrimp, crab, even lobster can be steamed and prepared in
different ways. If you have to get some carbs, used it on condiments and
sauces to up the taste of that protein. Try eggs, or egg whites(lower fat),
cheese or even alternate some protein shakes if you just cannot stomach
anymore meat. Sounds like your doc wants you on protein, so go to Borders
and read some of the protein diet books like Atkins, Sugar Busters and
others . they have great recipes in the back. Stick to the protein and
follow the docs rules, you can be at 150 in no time! People will probably
object, but i say stick to the plan and use cookbooks and recipes to add
pizazz! I stick to protein and have gone from 370 pounds to 259 pounds in
five months, you can do it Amy! Good luck!
— Courtney W.
December 31, 2001
Let me correct myself now-----i meant high protein foods, not "high
calorie" Oops!
— Courtney W.
December 31, 2001
Medical doctors do not have much training in nutrition. I'd say that there
are many people on this list who could run circles around most MD's with
their nutritional knowledge. Has your doctor expressed an opinion (ahh,
yes... and OPINION) on the use of nutritional supplements? Are you using
predigested protein and the correct vitamins in addition to this diet of
meat and fish? I see from your profile that you had a distal RNY... you
are malabsorbing a lot of nutritional elements... supplementation with your
surgery is NOT optional... in my opinion. :o) But then, I'm a tax
accountant.. so take it for what it's worth.
— BethVBG
December 31, 2001
BETH----i think thats a good idea, protein supps. I just dont want her to
lean on carbs. Also, my sis is a doc and they DO have training in
nutrition, quite extensive. After seven years of school and at minimal 3
courses on nutrition and in the field practice and some times more if they
choose more than one specialty counts to me. I would like to believe that
Amy selected a doc she trusts full heartedly. I would not have let my
surgeon cut me open and not take his advice to heart, but hey what sense
does that possibly make?
— Courtney W.
December 31, 2001
Personally, I'm with you. Fish is not food, and meats are not of sufficient
interest to be a mainstay for me. Good thing for me my protein is
chocolate. Meat & fish proteins are much harder on the organs than the
predigested proteins, so you may find you have liver enzyme abnormalities
early on with all this food protein and nothing that is readily absorbed by
your body. Again, personally, I'd have outeaten my surgery had I tried to
do 3 large meals/day. I did 6 teeny meals/day, roughly based on protein,
but I got my protein via supps, no guessing. I prefer fruits, veggies and
complex carbs, so my "meat" is chocolate, and my
"meals" are normal foods, minus milk & sugars. Today, at 7
yrs, I still do 4 small meals and am still holding around 110# (150 lost).
I DO eat meat, every now and then, but not daily.
— vitalady
December 31, 2001
My diet is much like Michelle's. I have never been a big fan of meat and
tried all the low carb- mostly meat diets BEFORE surgery and they did not
work for me. You need variety in your diet - veggies, fruits as well as
protein. I use low carb (6 grams)protein bars (Designer Protein)for my
protein and if I did not I wouldn't get any protein. Does this doc have a
nutritionist? If not, I would look for one who can help you get in your
needed nutrients without sacrificing the good carbs. I am one year post op
and have lost 100lbs - now weigh 156 - still losing and I eat carbs
everyday - I just make sure they are good carbs - fruit, veggies. Good
luck to you!
— Lisa B.
December 31, 2001
You most definately need variety. Despite what "some" believe..
you most "definately" need carbs. Its the "type" of
carbs that can make the you fat. No "physically" active person
can survive and remain healthy, develope muscles from eating ONLY protien.
Athlete" knows that carbs are "energy" plain and simple.
Though we arent athletes, if we are execerising regularlly, we need good
energy sources to substain us. This fear of carbs is silly and promoted by
Dr. Atkins. A healthy well rounded diet requires carbs and an extremely
limited carb diet though in the beginning will help you lose well in the
end with be counter productive. The key is good carbs from veggies, that
exist in cheese, that exist in fruits (watch the very sugar fruits like
pinapples, strawberries etc). Carb are the energy buildings and protien is
the muscles and tissue builders. What the body cant get from lack of energy
foods (carbs) it will take to take from vital muscle tissue. So your doctor
might want to rethink that diet. Doesnt sound grounded. A dentist has a
Medical Degree too but I dont think I'd want him to perform brain surgery.
Go to someone who "studies" nutrient such as an
"nutrientist" thats why we have people who specialize in certain
fields. Doctors might know medicines but not all are up on everything
nutrientally and this is no way down-playing their experience just a fact.
Any doctor who limitates fruits and veggie is a doctor I'd question.
— [Anonymous]
December 31, 2001
Okay, I am going to leave this alone---but a dentist does not have a
medical degree. Please get facts straight before leading people astray.
They do not go to medical school, they go to dental school for much less
time. It sicks me to here people making claims or discrediting others with
no info at all---anonymous.
Michelle has great advice for people who dont like meat. I have read alot
of her advice. She stays loaded on protein. I am sure that she doesnt
advice carb loading or ignoring protein. Protein helps your muscles and you
need that first and foremost, carbs and other things are SECONDARY. FRUIT
AND VEGGIES ARE SECONDARY TO PROTEIN WHETHER IT IS SUPPS OR FOOD. PROTEIN
IS MOST IMPORTANT AND YOU WANT TO GET IT IN!
— Courtney W.
January 1, 2002
I don't have a medical degree or a degree in nutrition, but I do have a
lifetime of dieting experience. It is my personal opinion that had I never
dieted, I would have still been obese, but I would never have yo-yo dieted
myself up to 357 pounds either. I am extremely skeptical of any diet
(doctor recommended or not) that eliminates or severely restricts entire
categories of foods. I have noticed that the people on this site who
restrict their diets to protein only do seem to lose their weight extremely
fast. My doctor's protocol is to eat normal food like whatever you are
feeding the rest of the family. He doesn't require protein
supplementation; nor does he prohibit it. He recommends supplementation
with a whole food supplement that is made from concentrated fruits and
vegetables. I personally eat protein first, but I also eat fruits,
vegetables, cheese, yoghurt, and yes, even carbs. I don't worry too much
about fat content, but I limit sugar content and don't use refined/added
sugar at all. I have 1-2 protein shakes per day and also have a protein
bar now and then. I supplement with the whole food supplement I mentioned
above, calcium citrate, sub lingual B-12, dry vitamin E, and a hair, skin
and nails vitamin daily. It is important to me to eat in a way that I can
live with over the long term ... and I wouldn't be able to live with the
diet protocol that your doctor recommends in the long term. I can live
with a well balanced healthy diet, supplementation and my "pouch
tool" helps me with portion control. I have lost 135 pounds in 13
months and feel fantastic ... I can live with this too. This is just my
personal opinion and what works for me, so please take it (or leave it) for
what it's worth. Good luck to you in your weight loss journey.
— Lynn T.
January 1, 2002
No one said "proteins" were first and it makes me sick when
people think they know everything Courtney. It doesnt matter if they went
to medical school or dental school what makes YOU think everyone that has a
medical degree is up on the fact. So you should learn a little more about
the nature of peoples "qualification" before you act like you
have a medical degree. That being said my statement stands. You can drag it
out all you want but dont try to make other peoples advise lesser than what
"YOU" think it right. Its a message board with different opinion
and yours isnt the only one that count. To the "original poster"
ENOUGH SAID. read all the advise that was giving to you and make a
"informed" decision.
— Gwen M.
January 1, 2002
I apologize to you Courtney but that peeved me. No disrespect to you at
all. I just think that people should knit pick others people's opinions
thats what we are here for. I hope you accept my apology and lets just
agree to disagree ;0)
— Gwen M.
January 1, 2002
Thank you to everyone who has answered my question so far! I really
appreciate your help! I'm sorry I seemed to hit on a very tough issue. I
hope nobody got mad at anybody for their responses. Just another little
added question, just exactly how much protein are we supposed to get each
day? Thanks again! Amy
— purdue_1993
January 1, 2002
What a topic this is. How to eat to lose weight. There's no agreement
anywhere that I've found. But as long as we're all expressing opinions,
let me just share my experience. Pre-op I was full of convictions about
getting in certain amounts of protein daily and getting all my water and in
general being perfect. Post-op, well, then I had to live with reality. My
surgeon discourages high calorie liquids which means that supplements have
to be chosen carefully. He also recommends (strongly) that we eat about
70% protein for our regular diet. Now, I respect my surgeon and I know
that he has taken a very personal interest in nutrition and weight loss.
However, that is not why I follow the diet. I eat protein first, all kinds
of protein, not just meat and fish. I have a great tofu recipe I can email
you. I also eat lowfat cheese, string cheese is my best friend. You can
also eat beans of all types. Whatever your tummy can tolerate. Now in my
case, once I've eaten my protein, I only have room for a few bites of
carbs, or about 30%. The reason this surgery has worked for me is that it
comes naturally when I listen to my body. The importance of eating solid
foods is to acheive a full feeling. Sometimes in the early days, you don't
need much help feeling full. that's when supplements are critical so you
get SOME protein in. Also in the early days I needed big TASTE. I ate
olives and pickles. Not a lot, but just to entertain my mouth a little.
My advice and my opinion which I love to give, is to listen to your body.
If it says to eat, find some protein. If it says get some variety, get a
little variety. And always focus on the success. Gosh I love a place I
can just give an opinion. :)
— kcanges
January 1, 2002
I have to agree with Kathryn. I think it is very important to form a good
relationship with food WHILE getting nutrition. We all know how important
protein is and since we have such small pouches, it is recommended by most
doctors that you prepare a well balanced meal, but start out eating your
protein and then if you are still hungry eat the rest. About 1 C of food
total. I am newly post op and cannot eat meat yet so I have to drink the
protein drinks. When I am on regular food I will try to EAT not drink my
protein. If you follow the "pouch rules" you need to have some
"bulk" so that you know what it feels to be full and STAY that
way. If you are consuming liquid protein drinks all day than you won't
know the feeling of satisfaction from one meal to the next...LATER on. If
you don't like meat, eat beans, eggs, peanut butter, cheese. Check out a
vegetarian cookbook for other good sources of meat-less protein which are
solid food. Please try to form a new relationship with food without stress
and worry over it. It's basically low-fat, no-added sugar, higher protein
and some carbs found in fruit and veggies. Breads, pastas etc
sometimes....just not everyday at every meal. Personally, I feel if you
severely LIMIT a food you are promoting an unhealthy eating behavior.
— Karen B.
January 1, 2002
Amy------Michelle told me in a post that we should aim for 60 grams bare
minimum, but that we need more. I take in around 100 a day. Sorry if I
upset people and sorry that I give docs to much credit in everyone elses
eyes. I have lost 112 pounds in five months through exercise and protein. I
think there are MANY approaches and wish everyone the best! I still stand
by the notion that you should follow your own doctors advice. I dont want
anyone to do what I SAY. I thought Amy said her doc wanted her to follow a
strict protein diet. We can all do what we want, so if you want to ditch
his plan, ditch it. Just dont do it because some anonymous poster said you
doc is a quack, stupid or doesnt know anything. Remember I can only speak
about me and my experiences. Your doc should have 100s of patients that he
bases his advice on. None of us have med degrees, neither do I. I just
followed your request in the post, sorry if thats not the popular response
or following. I do hope you follow your docs advice and supplement protein
as needed, but if you HONESTLY think that eating lots of fruit and carbs
will help go for it! You know what is best for you and the scale will let
you know if you make the wrong choice either way. Good luck to you AMY!!
— Courtney W.
January 1, 2002
My doctor did say protein first. He explained that you can get what you
need from carbs with vitamins, but what you need from the protein you can
only get from protein. My doctor wanted me to drink pro complex but after
a while I just couldn't. So instead I do try and eat as much protein in my
foods as possible. Sometimes I don't do as well as I should. We can only
try and do our best. I'm seven months post op RNY and about 15 pounds from
goal. Do whatever it is you have to do to feel good Amy. Try to make it
good for you too. But you're the one that has to live your life and live
with whatever the results are. Good luck, and email me if you want to talk
more. S
— sherry hedgecock
January 1, 2002
Karen Boorman - Oh my goodness, you agreed with me. Now that just blows my
whole theory that there's no agreement. :) Actually, looking back, we all
seem to agree that we need to get our protein in one way or another. And
that there are many, many ways to do that. Let's hear it for some
agreement and creativity on such a tough subject. And I still can't
believe someone agreed with me. LOL
— kcanges
January 1, 2002
I guess I am just in an agreeable mood today Kathryn. ;) LOL
Amy...I just re read your post and I wanted to say something else. I think
for your little pouch you should be eating MORE often than 3 times/day. 3
meals and 3 snacks will help keep your blood sugar level and control
cravings. Plateaus happen! Try and up your water intake and TRY to get in
at least 60gr of protein...in any form you can and that might kick start
your loss again. I am 5'8" and my nutritionist recommends 73 gr of
protein a day and 64 oz. of FLUID...doesn't all have to be water.
— Karen B.
January 2, 2002
It's usually best to follow your doctor's orders BUT . . . If it doesn't
work for YOU then you need to work with him to change it so that it does
work for you. One thing we should all know by now is that WLS is a little
different for everyone. If you can't tolerate all that meat, then you need
to find what you can tolerate. Protein is really important but if you crash
your metabolism by not eating (or throwing it back up), that would be
worse--you won't get your protein in AND you won't lose weight. My doctor
was not so strict--just recommending that I eat protein first and always
and that I eat what I can tolerate. He did recommend that I eat every 2
hours the last time I visited, but that made me feel bloated and sick. Now
I just follow his original advice which was to eat when I am hungry. This
is every 3-4 hours for me. I feel that I can maintain that. I know I
rambled a bit, but the whole point is this: diets don't work because you
are restricting yourself and you can't keep that up because it makes you
miserable. Make the pouch work WITH you: you will feel better and the
weight will come off a whole lot easier.
— ctyst
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