Question:
Do you eat only 3 meals a day, or do you eat more often?
My surgeon recommends strictly eating 3 meals a day, absolutely no snacking. So many others I have talked to eat every few hours instead, to keep up their metabolism and to stave off cravings. What has your surgeon recommended and which do you do? — Heidi H. (posted on July 25, 2003)
July 25, 2003
Mine says 3 meals a day and no snacking. If I absolutely need a snack I get
out a Sugar Free Jello Pop or Sugar Free Pudding.
— M B.
July 25, 2003
Both my surgeon and dietitian recommend that I eat between 4 and 6 times a
day. I generally plan out three small meals, plus a late afternoon snack.
I know that I don't feel well when I get overly-hungry, which I do if I go
more than 3 - 4 hours without food. When I'm overly-hungry I also tend to
make poor food choices, and to overeat, so I know I would not do well with
just three meals a day. The three-meals-a-day-no-snacks mentality is what
helped get me MO in the first place. I would not eat a snack when I was
hungry late in the afternoon, and then be ravenously hungry by the time I
got home for dinner, that I would just eat my way through the evening to
satsify that hunger. The daily snack is planned in, so I do not eat more
food in a day than I would if I ate only three times a day--my meals are a
little smaller so I can "budget" for the snack. My snacks are
protein-based (cheese, nuts, some deli meat, or the like), and so help keep
me satisfied until mealtime. I don't generally advocate going against your
surgeon's instructions, but I could not do this (at least not without a lot
of hunger, anguish and throwing up from overeating dinner) without an
afternoon snack. Being able to fend off that late day hunger has helped
change my life. There is also no way I could manage a semblance of a
social life without the ability to build snacks into my food plan. For
example, this evening I'm meeting a group of friends for dinner. I usually
eat dinner around 6:30. I know we won't eat until at least 8:00. So today
I had a smaller lunch, will have a small snack around 3:30, and then
another small snack this evening before I leave to meet my friends. I
won't eat much at dinner, but that's better than than overly-hungry
feeling, or stuffing myself with tortilla chips while I wait for my meal.
For me, it is much better to plan a snack or snacks into my daily totals
than to stick to only three meals a day.
— Vespa R.
July 25, 2003
My surgeon is also a strict "non snacker" doctor but all surgeons
are different in their approach. Bad behaviors start with snacking then
turns to grazing, then non-stop eating like we did as pre-ops. I've been
able to stave off the snack demon with 2 protien shakes a day (yes in place
of meals because I'm just not hungry at 10.5 weeks out). Sometimes our
blood sugar screams for nourishment and some doctors are of the opinion
that eating something small every three hours will keep that from being a
problem. Go with your surgeon's recomendations and if you're noticing that
you feel weak, bad or lethargic, bring this to your surgeon's attention.
You may need B-12 or iron, and your blood sugar may need nourishment more
often than every 6 hours.
— Happy I.
July 25, 2003
My doctor recommends 3 meals and 3 snacks a day. He told me that the snacks
will assist in keeping my insulin levels constant. Before surgery I was
always tired mid morning and mid-afternoon. Now I realized it was my body
trying to tell me something. The minute I yawn, it is my body's way of
telling me I need more energy. I too keep the snacks to something with
protein, nuts, cheese, etc. Now post-op I find that by eating these snacks
I no longer am tired during the day and my energy level remains constant. -
Janine
— jmusser
July 25, 2003
I could never survive on three meals a day with the little bit I can eat at
one sitting. I go for closer to six.
— Danmark
July 25, 2003
I eat 3 meals a day and several snacks, basically eating something every
few hours or whenever I am hungry. The amounts are not huge, and I usually
eat until comfortable, as opposed to stuffed. I could definitely not get
in enough nutrition/protein with just 3 meals a day, and once the hunger
returns (which is usually by the 6 month post-op mark for most), 3 meals
and nothing else would NOT satisfy.
— Cindy R.
July 25, 2003
The minimeals work wonders to keep you eating healthy and to keep your
metabolism constant throughout the day. I don't think I would be nearly as
happy OR healthy if I just ate 3 times a day. For one thing, my dr says
that if you wait that long between meals you end up eating too much at one
time and risk stretching your pouch. I have found that to be true: In that
situation I either eat way too much and am miserable or I eat two bites and
my pouch kind of "collapses" around the food and I am miserable.
<p>The key to the minimeal way of life is to make sure each minimeal
contains mostly protein with other stuff on the side. That way you can be
sure you are eating right and not just filling up on junk.
— ctyst
July 25, 2003
You should tell any surgeon that says to eat only 3 meals a day and no
snacking in between to eat that way himself. It's not only impossible to
do longterm, but it's extrememly unhealthy. That's a huge part of the
reason why Americans are so overweight. I don't care what your doctor
says, 5-6 small meals and a couple of healthy snacks will keep your blood
sugar stable and keep you from getting too hungry so you won't binge or
overeat...the only way to go. It's not just my opinion, it's proven fact,
it's a realistic way to live, and it's common sense.
— Leslie F.
July 25, 2003
I was told to eat 3 meals and 3 snacks a day and plenty of water. When my
pouch gets too empty I get sick and my Surgeon said not to let that happen,
keep up on the liquids between meals and snacks. Good luck!
— Sandy M.
July 25, 2003
My surgeon started recommending three meals a day for me but changed it to
3 meals and 3 snacks when he realized I wasn't eating enough. I always try
to make at least two of my snacks protein - sometimes the third is a piece
of fruit.
— Patty_Butler
July 25, 2003
I can't hack the three meals only. It leads to binge eating for me, even
though that's what my surgeon recommends. I do the 3 snacks too.
— mom2jtx3
July 25, 2003
Someone on another post mentioned how s/he was observing how thin people
eat (especially thin women). They would eat several small meal through out
a day e.g., handfull of nuts midmorning, half sandwich for lunch, the other
half mid-afternoon etc... My take on this is this. You know when your
stomache growls it is because it is expanding! When your body is
physically hungry your stomache expands increasing its compacity in
anticipation of food (this is why some meals we are shocked that we can eat
more while other meals - especially when we are not that hungry - we
can't). For post-ops this probably isn't a good idea and could lead to
staple line disruptions etc. By eating smaller amounts, you are preventing
this effect. I'm not a doctor and not sure how correct my opinion is,
however, I do remember hearing from somewhere credible that the stomache
does expand when we are hungary. In other words don't fully rely on my
words here but do your own research!
<p> Take Care, Be Well, Be Happy!
— John T.
July 25, 2003
Since I have a problem with low blood sugar I eat something about every two
hours. I keep with protein and fruit for the most part....open RNY,
-173lbs, starting weight 317, currently 144, My goal was 150 but I am still
losing a bit at a time. I have never had an extemely long plateau and I
think it is because I do eat often and eat well.
— Oldsoul
July 26, 2003
My surgon tried to chew me a new one the last time I was in for a check up.
He kept telling me that he didn't want me to eat more than 3 meals a day.
I'm hypoglycemic, and the bllod sugar dropps very quickly. at 7:30 or 8 in
the morning, I have breakfast, something quick that can be eaten in the
car. At at 1145, I have a snack. I found this realy great trail mix that in
1 oz, has 11 g protein, 15 g carbs, 3 g sugar (from the raisins, which I
pick out as they make me dump) and 15 g sodium. Has no salt added, and all
the nuts are dry roasted. Lunch at 1:30 w/ 2 oz meat, and usualy 1Tbsp
veggies or fruit. Mid afternoon snack is at 4:45, and what ever is left
over from morning snack. Dinner at 7, and is usualy 2 oz meat, and fruit or
veggies. Also, before I go to bed, I drink about 6 oz of 1% sweet
acedolpholous milk. Evidently I'm doing something right, as I'm 13.5 weeks
out, and down 61 lbs.
— mellyhudel
July 26, 2003
The nutritionist who works with my surgeon recommended 3 meals a day and
2-3 snacks. She prefers 2 so that you don't tend to become a
"grazer". I know I can't make it on 3 meals a day. My blood
sugar drops off after 3-4 hours and, if I don't eat, I get very dizzy and
weak.
— kararuck
July 28, 2003
My surgeon recommends 3 meals a day with no snacking. Somedays I can follow
his suggestion and some days I can't. I find that on days when I have a
protein shake for breakfast I don't need to snack in the morning. Other
days, I have a light breakfast at 7:00am and by 10:30am I will eat a few
bites of protein (shredded chicken or ground beef). This will hold me until
I'm ready for lunch. I've never been able to snack in the afternoons so I
just wait to get home and have dinner before doing my cardio routine. On
the days I do weights I loose my appetite while working out and eat a light
meal for dinner eventhough it's usually after 8pm. I rarely snack in the
evenings but when I do it's usually grapes, yogurt or soy milk. I try to
make sure I snack on protein or good carbs. I've also noticed that on
nights when I'm online until late, I tend to get hungry. BUT, that's when I
get the water bottle. I don't think there's anything wrong with snacking if
it stops you from getting sick. Also, if you are loosing the weight and
have no side effects then do what your body asks.
— Oneida H.
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