Question:
I am 6 almost 7 weeks out. When can I start eating salads?

   — bigrigs01 (posted on July 22, 2009)

July 22, 2009
My nutritionist told me NO SALADS - EVER. Said they really had very little nutritional value (as far as protein), and could easily result in 1) filling up your pouch with sub-standard food (you need to fill it with dense protein first, carbs second), and 2) there is much more of a chance of an incompletely chewed leaf of lettuce or spinach covering the stoma (the hole to your intestines), and blocking the rest of your food from going down. When I have absolutely felt like I HAD to have something green - I chopped up cucumbers and zuchinni and ate small amounts of that. Low fat, not likely to block your stoma, and satisfys my craving for salad. AND off course, I dip just the corner of the piece in FAT FREE salad dressing.
   — Erica Alikchihoo

July 22, 2009
My surgeon gave me the go ahead after seven weeks being post op. He advised me like any other food to chew chew and chew. He also told me to limit the amount of salad dressing and to use shredded lettuce intead of iceberg whole lettuce. I had one the other day and it was delightfully delicious. Enjoy yours!
   — cocodrop7

July 22, 2009
Based on my nutric. recommendations, Salad and fresh /raw fruit and veggies are the very last thing to add. I waited until the 8th month. She said they are very rough on the whole digestive process. She said if you absolutly need one to remember to use SHREDS-to help avoid blockage and always to add cheese and bacon bits to up the nutricianal value. I have eaten them every now and then and they taste good. I think it might be a bit early for you but only you and your nutricianist can decide. Good luck.
   — ceecee127

July 22, 2009
I was told to wait until at least 6 months because the salads are hard to digest. I did try a couple of times before 6 months and had a terrible time. I waited until 7 months out and didn't have any problem. What I found though, was that they didn't fill me up. Basically, when you chew lettuce really well, it is just like chewing water. The lettuce is 80% water. I was told if I am going to eat a salad, use the greens that have more nutritional value. That being said, I do limit myself to salads because of the low nutritional value. One thing that I cannot do is cole slaw. It makes me sick every time.
   — Dawn A.

July 22, 2009
I am eleven months out from RNY and I eat a salad every day with fat free dressing. I chop all my veggies up into smaller pieces, shred my ROMAINE lettuce up and I have no problems at all. I eat this when I get the munchies and not at meal time. I try to add things like cucumber, green, red, and yellow peppers, red onion, celery and carrots so I get a variety of veggies in misc. colors. I use the Romaine lettuce as it is more nutritious than iceberg etc. I don't add croutons and other fattening stuff. Hope this helps. I have no problem with this.
   — katiecakes

July 23, 2009
My surgeon gave me the go-ahead to eat much "anything but birthday cake and gravy" at just over 3mths out. When I'm craving a salad I make it protein-heavy chef salad. I do a very thin layer of a healthy green like baby spinach, then cover it w/ layers of low-fat cheese and meat, occasionally some boiled egg. I top it off with fat-free Italian dressing and mix well. I always wind up with enough for about 3-4 meals and the protein meets my goals. The key is adding just enough green to satisfy my craving.
   — snickersblk

July 23, 2009
I am 3.5 months out and started eating salads a few weeks back. I sautee up onions and peppers- slice up tomatoes, carrots and use low fat cheese and I've found FAT FREE croutons!! Light italian dressing is my favorite. Light french is good too if you like that!
   — jtaormina