Question:
How do you deal with bread when eating out?

I've noticed since my surgery (RNY 1/11/02, down 120 lbs--thank you, Dr. Weber) that EVERYTHING in America that's not in a sit-down restaurant is served on bread of some sort. I'm not as carb-conscious as some people here, but bread just doesn't sit right in my pouch; it always causes discomfort, so I don't eat it. How do y'all deal with this? Sometimes I just want to grab something to eat, but the choices are so limited. Thanks for your suggestions.    — Roxanne M. (posted on September 29, 2002)

September 29, 2002
If you are eating, say at a fast food drive-thru, have a foam or paper plate so that you can take you grilled chicken out of a grilled chicken sandwich and eat it. You can carry along some plastic forks, knives and spoons in the car to have handy too...JR (open RNY 07/17 -84 lbs)
   — John Rushton

September 29, 2002
you can ask for it without bread. My husband does this all the time.
   — Darlene P.

September 29, 2002
In this area, we are lucky to have Taco TIME. Their crisp burritio is perfect. Can be eaten in one hand, bean, beef or chicken. It's just meat and cheese, rolled up tight & freid. Makes the tortilla crisp & light. I'm not anti-fat or carb, so I consider this a nice light little lunch if I must be in my car all day. Although I can eat bread now, I lean toward Taco Bell or Jack in the Box tacos because they're crisp and light.
   — vitalady

September 29, 2002
During the early months post op, bread was totally intolerable to me...I always had my husband stop at Wendy's when we needed fast food. I'd get the chili, even though I could only eat about 1/2 of it, I never had problems eating it. You can also order a small hamburger and take the bun off. I also would go to the sub shop and ask for everything rolled up in the meat and just asked them to skip the bread. Most places laugh, but are happy to accomodate. If things that are fried don't bother you, Chick Filet nuggets are good choices. I allow myself something fried once a week, but I couldn't do that until about a year after my surgery. Fatty foods still have a tendency to make me dump if I eat something really greasy. Just go easy and try somethings.
   — Teri D.

September 30, 2002
I relate completely. I choose not to eat simple carbs, but on a few occassions early on I tried bread and found that it doesn't sit well with me. This includes wraps, tortillas, etc. So, I ask for everything with out bread. I've gone to Cili's and even got a burger, no bun. I went to a bar and grill near me the other nights and had a Calfornia Chicken wrap without the wrap. Sometimes I just take the bread off myself. My co-workers are very used to seeing me take the italian bread off the sandwiches that are inevitably served at every lunch meeting here. Don't let the bread limit you! Just remove it!
   — PaulaM

September 30, 2002
I usually take a piece of bread, but then only take like 2 or 3 very small bites and chew the heck out of them. Tortillas, quesadillas, etc. don't seem to bother me, but I limit those too. I usually find that everyone else if wolfing bread before the meal, so I just sort of sit back and think to myself how lucky I am to have had this surgery! I just have a few small bites and I'm happy.
   — emilyfink

September 30, 2002
Hmmm.. I just don't eat it... if you mean 'not sit down' .. fast food? I just avoid the whole fast food thing... there are better choices out there. Otherwise, I'd use the bun as a napkin and grease soaker upper... even the grilled chicken in places is greasy...and everything is served that way to you can eat in your car... one of our bad habits here in America.
   — Lisa C.

September 30, 2002
Wendy's chili or chicken nuggets work for me, as do crispy shell tacos. Lots of fast food places have salads now. You can get them with grilled chicken. (I would do that more often but I don't care for salad dressing anymore.) It's kinda greasy, but I know for a fact that with the hi-protein craze being so popular you can order a hamburger or cheeseburger without the bun. They probably wouldn't even blink. Oddly this is not a problem, but just TRY to get Wendy's to add two scoops of cheese to your chili--even if you pay for it!!! I ALWAYS have to watch them like a hawk! I, too, have become totally disillusioned with the "quick bite to eat." Sometimes I think I want fast food and can't think of anything that sounds good. I usually just end up at home with a bowl of cereal or a peanut butter sandwich!
   — ctyst