Question:
Eating habits

Hi. I wanted to know if anyone before the surgery ate a lot of fast food and sweets, and if this has changed after WLS. Do "cravings" go away for fast food and sweets? Thank you!    — [Anonymous] (posted on April 20, 2000)

April 20, 2000
I wasn't heavily into sweets pre-op (I was diabetic), but really loved fast food, especially burgers, fries, diet sodas and all things Taco Bell. Now that I can have sweets, they still don't provide a major temptation, although I don't deny myself when I want some. Fast food, that's a different story. I really crave protein, and bread isn't attractive to me anymore. Nor are fries. And the patties in fast food burgers don't appeal, either. Chicken tenders are good, but I'd rather have the chicken breast, preferably not fried, but marinated and grilled. I really crave protein, can't get enough of it. My idea of a great snack is honey ham and baby swiss, no bun, please. I get full on one taco, instead of the six I'd have pre-op. I can finally drink carbonated things again, but don't really like them. I prefer water or weak juice. I'm 4 months post-op with a DS.
   — Duffy H.

April 20, 2000
I was always a fast food junkie and still am. I get my nutritional needs fully met supplmentally, so I can eat what I want, avoiding only milk & sugar. I don't like pizsa any more. But as it was so well said, "all things Taco Bell", that's me. And I actually like some burgers and such. But remember, I am fully nourished via supplements, so I don't have to chase nutrition with food, if that makes sense.
   — vitalady

April 21, 2000
Hi! I craved fast food pre-op, and liked sweets (LOVED chocolate). Now, I can take fast food or leave it, but still love ALL things Taco Bell! Of course, not in the quantity before. Pre-op I'd have a taco supreme, a Mexican pizza, pintos and cheese, and a large sode, and still have room to chase it with some McDonald's fries. Now, it's one taco and maybe a few bites of beans, and I'm stuffed for hours! As for the sweets, I don't deprive myself. If I really, really want it, I wait (sometimes even overnight!) and if I still want it, I eat it. I can eat chocolate, but I save it as a rare treat, and again of course, not in the quantity I used eat. Last night my big treat was 2 oreos. Sometimes sweets will give me a stomach ache, so I tend to stay away from them. I save it for special occasions, and NEVER substitute sweets for real food. My tastes have definitely changed post-op. Food is NOT the driving force in my life that it used to be. It's so incidental now, that sometimes I don't even think about it, and only remember to eat when I start to get a headache. Don't get me wrong, some days are 'eating days' where I feel like I eat all day. But what I consume in the entire day would have been one meal before! I make sure to get my protein supplement every day, as well as taking my vitamins. It's essential to do both after WLS. I know, I'm rambling now...I hope this answers your question. Jaye Carl, RN, open proximal RNY (divided) 7-29-99, 102 pounds gone forever!
   — Jaye C.

April 21, 2000
This is a great question! I love reading what others are doing/eating. I used to be the "Queen of fast food". I'm pretty busy so fast food still appeals to me on occasion (maybe once or twice a week). I enjoy a taco from Del Taco (the small one) or Taco Bell (seems all their food has shrunk). But what I find absolutely delicious is the Chicken Fajita Pita from Jack In The Box. I try to eat the chicken/cheese and grilled onions and leave most of the pita bread, but this thing is relatively nutritious (9 fat grams and 26 grams of protein). I've had a few bites of fast food burgers, but they just don't hold the same appeal. I've also tried a Diet Coke (I was a six pack a day junkie before) it just tastes gross now (I like iced tea). I do suffer some "carb" problems, love Cheese-Its and Barnum's Animal Crakers, but I only eat a normal serving not half the box. For sweets I really like the Eskimo Pie (L/F NSA) ice cream sandwiches. Half of one will satisfy my strongest sweet craving. BTW, I'm 4.5 months out and thirty five pounds from goal.
   — Morgan B.