Question:
Any Advice on Snacking?
Does anyone else have trouble with snacking? I am now 4 months post op & have lost 79 pounds but feel like it will stop if I can't control my snacking. My weight loss has already slowed down. I stuck completely to the plan in the beginning so I'm not sure if I'm just rebelling.I lost 11 pounds last month compared to 16 the month before. I am snacking on healthy foods but I know the extra calories can't be helping. I usually have apples, raisins, cheese, SF pudding, jerky, pretzels,...the list goes on. I try to keep drinking to help but it doesn't seem to work. Sometimes I try to separate my meals but I think I actually take in more this way than I would have the proper way. How can I kick this habit before it gets out of control? Or is it just normal to start this at 4 months out? — Kathy K. (posted on October 30, 2003)
October 30, 2003
I am sorry that I can not help you with your questions because I am only 5
days out, but maybe you could help me with mine...what are some of the
snacks you had during the first couple of weeks? I hope someone more
advanced along than me will have the answer to your question.
Thanks!
— Jennifer N.
October 30, 2003
The cheese and jerky sound okay... but you might want to cut out the ones
that are higher in carbs... if you need a salty/crunchy, go for pork
rinds... you will have to watch your intake of these farther out, but as
early as you are, you need the fat they have, instead of the carbs that are
in that sf pudding, pretzels, rasins, etc.! :~) There are soy protein
snacks out there, too... check some of those out! :~) It is just a matter
of self control, really. YOU have to control it. Good Luck!
— Sharon m. B.
October 30, 2003
I'm still pre-op, but snacking is not good for 'we of the diabetic fold',
so I have made sure that my snacking consisted of a really good Nectar
protein drink with loads of crushed ice, you get in a good shot of protein,
the flavors are wonderful and the ice tends to the 'gotta chew' feelings
that preclude digging into a box of cheez-its! If protein isn't a favorite,
try iced decaf and crushed ice, given the time you can chew on a glass of
ice, the urge to snack passes by.
— track
October 30, 2003
I am four months post op and experiencing the same thing. Sometimes I snack
on things like cheese and try to stay away from the carbs, I defintely have
a protein shake once a day. However, why I am writing is that when I
calculated my weight loss using this sites' weight loss planner, it showed
a slow down for me starting in month 4. I have been on the mark with this
calculator since day one. And although it is just an estimate and some
people lose faster and slower, maybe it would help you to do your own
chart. And by the way 10 lbs in a month is still GREAT! How many diets have
you been on that at month 4 you were still losing like that? Good luck!
— Janet F.
October 30, 2003
I had the same problem. I am 4 months out, I have lost 50 lbs. I am a big
snacker, I always feel like I am hungry. But yesterday, I tried something
new... I cut up some sharp cheddar cheese and some pepperoni (no crackers)
and had that as my breakfast. Guess what? I wasn't hungry for another 4
hours!! 1st time that's happened! Lunch was some lettuce, cukes, ham
& cheese with vinegar & oil, and again, no snacks were needed for
3-4 hours. I did have a snack when I got home, before dinner. A graham
cracker with lots of peanut butter. I wasn't hungry for dinner until
almost 8pm!! Seems to me the more protein, the less hungry you are... good
luck, you're doing great!
— ttilles
October 30, 2003
Sharon hit that one on the head, many of your snacks are carbs which are
notoriously high in calories and low in protein and they WILL sabotage your
weight loss. I have found something that works for me. I keep a big mug of
decaf coffee or tea going all day long and instead of snacking I drink the
hot beverage. I put a bit of Splenda and milk in it and it is yummy and
tastes like a treat because it is a little sweet. I am 9+ months postop and
do have a tendency to snack now unless I really am watching myself (like a
hawk) and those calories add up FAST!!! The other thing about the tea is
that I have increased my fluids and have started losing faster than I had
been for the last month or two. You can do it!! It is totally up to you how
you use your tool. Make the most of it! Your window is open for a long time
so take full advantage of it!
— Carol S.
October 31, 2003
Next week will be 6 months for me and I find myself snacking (especially
when at home). I try to keep things like sunflower seeds, cheese, summer
sausage and baby kosher pickles for snacking and I usually get full rather
quickly. The pickles fill my craving for salty foods and have no carbs!
Your weight loss is great so far as you have lost more than me, although I
started as a lightweight. Good luck! Lap RNY 5/6/03 237/160/130
— Dawn P.
October 31, 2003
I have problems with snacking. Have a protein only breakfast and you will
be surprised at how much less you will snack during the day. I don't think
your snacking has to do with a slower weight loss. Unless you are really
eating too much. I think it starts slowing a bit, that's all.
— mrsmyranow
October 31, 2003
Kathy, how many times a day are you eating? If only 3 meals a day, its
understandable why you are snacking. Your hungry! For some, when the hunger
increases (and it will at around 6 months for most -4 months for you...),
eating frequently - small, mostly protein based meals, will work to keep
you filled and keep the hunger away. I'm talking 6 times a day, every few
hours...And as for drinking, if you are drinking with or too soon after a
snack/meal, you are just washing the food out of the pouch, and of course,
you will get hungry quicker. Your snack choices are fine- certainly better
than snacking on candy and cookies. So, try planning 6 small meals a
day-the apple would count as a meal, so would cheese and crackers, for
example. Also, starting the day with an all protein breakfast really does
cut down on the hunger..good luck.
— Cindy R.
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