Question:
Question about Rice and Noodles

I am 8 weeks post-op after an open RNY. A couple of days ago I was finally cleared by my surgeon to proceed to "real food." Yay! I am now allowed to eat eggs, cottage cheese, rice, noodles, mashed/baked potatoes, refried beans, cheese and some pureed meats. So far I've tried the potatoes, eggs, cottage cheese a little bit of Chef Boyardee low fat cheese ravioli, and some well-chewed chicken. All have gone down great. I would like to try some rice and noodles over the weekend and wondered if any of you have tried Rice-a-Roni or Pasta-Roni (or any of the prepackaged mixes). Did they sit well with you? Are they good nutritional choices? I wondered also if mixing them with skim milk and margarine was a good idea. I like the idea of having them because they taste good, are easy to prepare and easy to store for a couple of days but I also want to make good choices. I'd appreciate your suggestions!    — MomBear2Cubs (posted on July 18, 2003)

July 18, 2003
In answer to your question. NO!!!!! rice and noodles are not good nutritional choices. Too many carbs. Also be VERY careful with rice and noodles both. They can swell in your pouch and cause a blockage. I am surprised your doc told you to eat them. I am five months out and I do have a BITE of both occasionally. I am very careful with the rice and noodles both but especially the rice.
   — Delores S.

July 18, 2003
At six months I still could not handle a ravioli (too doughy). I couldn't do any kind of pasta or rice before 4 months and only now can I eat it with other foods (meats etc) and it has be less than 25% of what is on the fork at any one time. Steer clear of rice and pasta now. You can have baked potatoes but even they can feel bad. I couldn't eat eggs after surgery. Try to stay away from the processed foods but you're not going to like them if you don't. Either the taste is going to make you want to throw up or they're going to sit like a ton of bricks. Chopped very fine meats, cottage cheese, refried beans are all good choices.
   — susanje

July 18, 2003
Everyone tolerates and chooses different foods. I have been eating rice since I started soft foods around 5/6 weeks. I never had a problem and I just ate rice for lunch today. The noodles, I can handle some, like lipton noodles or noodle soups, but I dump on sphagetti and ramen noodles. I never have watched my carbs or fat, just the sugar, which I can eat more of that now. I still make sure I get the protien in though. You should still stick to your protien first this early and then take bites of the other stuff. I never had a problem losing weight the way I ate;o) Good luck to you! 10mo post-op lost 126# only 7# until goal.
   — Sandy M.

July 18, 2003
I was cleared to eat rice and noodles just like you at 8 weeks. My doctor's office, The Wish Center has a very extensive plan for eating pre and post op so, I trust them as to what they say to do with my diet etc. I have only had VERY VERY small amounts of rice at one sitting. By this I mean only about 1-2 tbls at a meal at the most. I have not had any noodles because I am gluten intolerant and I have not made myself any gluten free pasta yet. I have had some baked potato with no problem at all. I would steer clear of processed foods like Chef Boyardee or Rice/Pasta-a-Roni because they contain very high amounts of sodium. Your doctor or his/her dietician could go over with you what they think of your prepackaged food choices.
   — ChristineB

July 18, 2003
I am 3 1/2 months post op RNY. I was cleared to try pasta after 3 weeks and yes at first it did fill me up quickly. I just tried rice yesterday and was able to tolerate it. <p>Pre-op I always ate Pasta Roni and Lipton Rice, for most of them I just add water and milk...the box even says for low-fat to exclude the margerine. When I do use margerine it is light Parkay. I also cook a meal then take the leftovers and make little containers of future meals for the freezer.<p>I eat between 2-3 servings of starch a day that is 1/3 cup of potatoes or 1/2 pasta or crackers or bread. I like having variety and I'm still able to get in 75-90 grams of protein.
   — Sarahlicious

July 18, 2003
Choose brown rice and whole wheat noodles. White rice has little to no nutritional value. I would think it's better to make your own mock "Rice-a-Roni" in order to cut down on sodium and fat.
   — Starrlina