Question:
Anyone with a STUCTURED DIET PLAN OUT THERE?

Hi! I am 7 1/2 months out and struggling with my diet. My surgeon says only 2 oz protein three meals a day and that is it. He had a dietician hand me a paper that essentially said the same thing. I was to call her if I had questions. I called her and she basically read the paper to me. I am really sick of meat only. I need variety but have no idea how to go about doing it. I am very structured and would like to have meal plans planned out so I know EXACTLY what I need to eat every day. I can't seem to find a dietician who knows exactly how to help me. Does anybody have pre-planned meal plans? Or do you have a dietician I could contact to help me? I am plateauing because I can't stand the thought of meat only! I want my veggies and fruit too! PLEASE HELP! :)    — purdue_1993 (posted on July 13, 2002)

July 13, 2002
Well my surgeon plan is protein FIRST, lots of water and sugar free liuids, Whats left is my choice. I ate vegies and fruit from the begining, once I was off liquids. It should be low carb but NOT no carb. Fruits like bananas and oranges are a reat source for potassium, a must have. I dont want to disagree with yur surgeon but that sure wasnt my diet plan and I lost to goal 130 pounds. So my surgeons plan is sound.
   — bob-haller

July 13, 2002
Hi. It IS confusing, isn't it? I don't know whether to eat no-carb, low-carb, low-fat, low-cal, small amounts of anything, etc.... I guess that you just have to decide for yourself. I found what I consider reasonable information and specific foods/menus at www.micropouch.com/dietary. It has specific food listings for each stage of eating following WLS. Just don't forget your supllements! Good luck!
   — Rebecca T.

July 13, 2002
You definitely don't want a 'no-carb' diet. Our nutritionist went over the carbs/protein/fat stuff today at our support group meeting. On the long-term maintenance diets (not for the new post-ops), about 30% of your calories should come from fat, 50% from carbs and 20% from protein. The carbs are needed to supply energy - if you don't have enough carbs in your diet, then the body is forced to use protein for energy, which means that not enough protein is there for things like cell repair, etc.
   — John Rushton

July 13, 2002
Hi Amy: I believe in BALANCE BALANCE BALANCE....My dr said that with my surgery that we no longer absorb hardly any of the fat or sugar that we ingest. I don't go overboard, but what ever sounds good when the tummy starts growling is what I eat. Yesterday for instance breakfast was 1/2 grilled ham and cheese with a glass of milk, lunch was 2 oz of roast beef with melted cheese and dinner was a small salad with bacon, tomatoes and cheese..I had a couple of snacks in between, pudding, etc and then another big glass of milk before bed. I usually get close to or more of my 60 grams of protein....but I eat what my body and mind sounds good at that particular time...Works for me...
   — Joi G.

July 14, 2002
Everyone has different opinions and beliefs but that dosen't always mean they are more right or wrong than some other way. I would recommend going to the Bariatric Treatment Centers Website and gaing some of there meal plans that are very balanced that include meat, veggies, and fruit throught the day of 6 meals. If you use your search option it should come up easy.
   — Rebecca B.

July 14, 2002
Don't make this so difficult on yourself, with the exception of foods loaded with sugar there is "no limit" to the different kinds of meals you can have. Thats not to say that of course there are foods out there better for you than others. However this isn't a test that you pass or fail if you eat fruit today or a slice of pizza tommrow. If you look at this as a "diet" you will fail just like the rest of us have a one point or another. Try to look at this from a life-style change point of view and try something new to eat everyday. The weight will come off again when you start to feel good again about food.
   — Cliff M.