Question:
Hi all. I'm 3 1/2 weeks post-op and I need ideas for eating

Hi all. I'm 3 1/2 weeks post-op and I need ideas for eating. I can eat anything. Meaning, I'm not resrticted in what I eat. I need ideas as far as what does everyone eat in a day? I have lost 37 pounds so far. I exercise a mile almost daily. The problem is this. I get SO-SO-SO weak during my workout like I have run out of steam. I'm drinking water but I'm only able to get about half of 36 OZ in. (I'm trying!!!) I'm sick of chicken, turkey, etc. ANY help would be apprecited!!!!! Thanks!!! Krisitn    — MissAuntieK (posted on July 1, 2000)

July 1, 2000
Really really try to get your water in. You are probably pretty dehydrated; not only are you not drinking as many fluids as you used to, but due to the decrease in your food volume, you're not getting much liquid from that either (most food has a high water content). If you're not getting all your water in make sure you at least have an ice cube in your mouth most of the time; every little bit helps (but don't chew the ice.. very bad for the teeth!!). As for food suggestions... I'm just over 4 weeks post op myself. I had a great dinner tonight, I grilled salmon and it was EXCELLENT. Try baked, broiled, or grilled fish..even if you never liked fish before, you may find that you enjoy it now. I love cottage cheese and have been eating a ton of that.. it's got loads of protein in it. Try cheese ravioli.. you will only be able to eat one or two depending on the size, but it's a nice change of pace. Have you done anything with fat free cream cheese? It's great on crackers (fat free saltines). Sprinkle some garlic salt on top.. yum. Experiment with seasonings.. it will make the food taste so much better and make it more interesting. How about beans? Have you tried fat free refried beans? Add a touch of hot sauce.. or a bit of cheese. Other beans are great too (I had some black-eyed peas for supper.. which my husbands says are peas, but I say are BEANS! LOL.. I'm a yankee). Beans are a great source of protein and fiber.. and you need the fiber. Cream soup is good.. I especially like potato soup. How about a bowl of chili made with chicken instead of beef? I LOVE that! Well.. I ramble.. I could go on and on I think. I love to cook, and am obsessed with food (that's why I started at 314 lbs) but I've really been enjoying experimenting. The only problem I've had so far is that since I can only eat such a small amount there are leftovers for too long and I don't get to make as many different things as I'd like. Take care and let yourself have fun with your food.
   — BethVBG

July 1, 2000
I am 12 weeks post-op and, after 3 wks of clear liqs, and 4 wks of soft foods, I was finally allowed to have solids. I always make enough meals to last me at least 3-4 days, and switch the lunch and dinner options. On Sundays, I either grill or broil chicken breasts or tenders using a variety of flavorings (some barbequed, some Jamaican jerk, some teriyaki, and always, some cajun spiced). I eat this during the week either as is with a veggie, cut up in a salad with lowfat dressing, or I make chicken salad and eat it plain or with fat free crackers. I never eat store bought ground beef, even if it is labeled 93% or whatever lean. I make my own by grinding round steak (trimmed of all visible fat) in my food processor. I then add garlic and other spices, and grill or broil these also. I LOVE chicken, turkey, tuna, and especially crab salad. Breakfast is usually eggbeaters with salsa, or an eggbeaters omelet with lowfat or fat free cheese or mushrooms. I also eat cottage cheese, chili, refried bean dip with baked tortilla chips, lowfat cheddar or fat free ricotta cheese, homemade chopped liver, crab or salmon cakes, water packed sardines, beef jerky, and the list goes on and on and on. I have never felt nauseated, vomited or dumped. I stay away from sweets except an occasional sugar free pudding made with skim milk. I'm so glad I never had a "sweet tooth". Or I'll eat some melon. And I keep a daily food diary for reference. I hope some of this helps you out of the food doldrums. Good luck to you! P.S. Thought I'd add that I'm down 73 lbs, Thank You Jesus!
   — Shelia J.

July 1, 2000
Kristin, Congrats on your loss! Have you tried a protein suppliment! I use Ultra Pure Protein from GNC and it not only helps protein, but adds another 12 oz. to your liquid total for the day. Also, if you are only 3 1/2 weeks out, you may be over doing it in the exercise department. Maybe you should build UP to a mile a day, especially if you didn't exercise prior to surgery. I went whole hog when I started, and wore myself out! I now am a little easier on myself, and have continued to lose regularly. Good Luck!
   — M B.

July 1, 2000
I was getting kind of tired of the same old lunches. I hadn't eaten much tuna, but got some cans of tunafish & some of chicken & ham. I mix these with a little light mayo & a little dill pickle relish & eat it piled on a thin, low fat cracker. It's really helped to add to my protein amounts & you can get in 20 to 30 grams of protein this way. I've always liked steak & now that I can only eat a small amount & have less trouble when the steak is very tender, I always buy myself tenderloin. The amounts are so much smaller than what I ate before that it's not more expensive, probably LESS & they always come out very tender & juicy. Another meal that tastes good to me is a small green salad with lots of salad shrimp on top. I had crab legs (with drawn butter!) recently & although I couln't eat more than one, it was very good. Crab also has high protein amounts & they are SO easy to cook in the microwave. Another favorite of mine is chicken caesar salad. That's a little different way to get your chicken in. For occasional snacks, I try to keep string cheese & Blue Bunny frozen yogurt bars on hand. The yogurt bars DO have some sugar (4 to 6 grams, I think), but they've never given me trouble & are so cool & sweet I FEEL like I'm cheating, but I'm not! I have found that fish does tend to set well in my stomach, too. I usually bake it in milk & it comes out tender & moist. Hope this helps. I do agree with the others who said it sure sounds like you need to increase your water intake. We all know it's a challenge. I try to freeze my water bottles for about an hour, then when I drink the water there are little chips of ice, which helps me get the water in. Hope this helps. BTW, I am just short of three months post op & have lost 71#.
   — Kathy W.

July 2, 2000
Have you tried seafood? I find it sits really well with me. I like shrimp cocktail or steamed shrimp. I have also had steamed crab legs and baked fish and find I really like it. I also snack on things like baked tortilla chips or triscuit thin crisps crackers. Soups work well for me too. I hope this helps you out some. About the fatigue during exercise. It is perfectly normal for you at this stage in the game and you will find that it will get much better in the next few weeks!
   — rinnchris