Question:
Does anyone have any really good hints on how NOT to drink while you are eating?
I still have great difficulty eating without drinking to 'wash' it down. For years when I was a child my Mom begged me to drink my milk with my meal. Now I have to rethink this very difficult habit over again. Some of the foods are just so dry. So, people, any hints besides putting sauces or ketchup on everything? Many thanks, Marylou — looneywmn (posted on June 28, 2009)
June 27, 2009
this is the hardest part for me at 5 yrs out,i seemed to have no problem
while i was loosing the weight but now i do.I work on a reward system,if i
drink with meal then i do not allow myself a reward at the end of the
week.i keep a running list on the fridge.If i have drink with or within 30
min after meal i date and list when ,at end of week if i have 3 or more
checks then no reward.1 yr ago i made a contract with someone else and
myself to do this and everyso often i show my list to this person.(holds me
accountable but mostly i will not lie to myself)at the same time as my
contract i made a list of rewards that work for me.(
massage,facial,pedicure,trip tosomewhere closeby,sometimes extra money
,glass of wine,etc)this is what works for me.most importantly is i have to
be on top of this ,before i set this system up for me i was drinking my
meal straight thro my pouch and it caused me to be hungry before the next
meal,not a good thing.causes weight gain and i will do most anything to not
regain the 265 ls i have lost.Good luck ,sometimes when we face a problem
the solution takes a thoughtful look in the mirror and an honest answer to
the ?what do i want the end result to be of my actions>
— Bette Drecktrah
June 27, 2009
I simply do not pour anything in my glass when we sit down to eat. When
the table is set, there simply is not a glass for "MOM". When we
go out to eat and I am brought a glass of water, I tell the server to take
it away and simply tell them why. If I am asked what I want to drink, I
simply tell them "nothing". This ususally gets a certain look
from the server and then I tell them why, as well. If there is no beverage
at meal time, then there isn't the moment given to cheat and take a drink.
Now, I am not saying that I have never drank anything with my meals,
because I have especially when I forgot all about it when we went out to
eat and had hot wings. I actually took just a couple sips of water from my
husband's glass. And I do mean a couple of sips. May God be with you and
you figure this out.
— Teresa J.
June 28, 2009
Both of these answers are great. I will use the rewards system myself. I
am 20 months out (75 pounds down and about 10 to go) and now find myself
drinking some liquid at the wrong times. It is funny the looks you get
when out eating from the wait staff when you say you don't want a drink.
Good luck to you and keep up your great work. God bless
— saints1
June 28, 2009
I am in the beginning phases of this and am starting to prepare myself for
the time I can't drink with dinner. I take medications with my meals, and
so I take them about 15 minutes before I eat. Then, I pour my water and put
it in the refrigerator. When I sit down to eat I don't have anything on the
table. When I'm done, I set a time for 30 minutes and when it goes off, I
get something. Sometimes I have to have a sip if the food is dry, but I
thought it best to start now.
Thank you for the ideas! I've printed them and will keep them!
Lin
— LinnieJean
June 28, 2009
At home, I just don't put a glass at my place. In restaurants, I've found
it easier to avoid the waitor/waitress distress (some have their managers
check up to see that everybody has a drink)by simply ordering water, then
putting it on the other side of table by my husband's water or behind the
centerpiece or whatever puts it out of easy reach. He then finishes his
water and drinks mine. Everybody's happy!
— jtoothman
June 29, 2009
this is stupid but i use the "avoidance" approach. i tell
myself, "if you drink, you will be hungry again. but if you do NOT
eat you will be full longer!" i then leave the kitchen immediately
after i have finished eating and do not return for an hour when i retrieve
my water bottle. at work, i do not bring the water bottle out of the
fridge unless i am not eating. if i go out to eat, i do not order a
beverage. i will say "maybe later" and then i never order one.
— greenpunchbuggie
June 29, 2009
I have also had a lot of issues with this. I have combined a few things.
I don't every have a glass near me when I eat. I also have purchased some
suguar free hard candy and use that to keep my mouth moist after eating. I
also chew sugar gree gum etc anything to avoid drinking.
— phyllismmay
June 29, 2009
Hi Marylou... the NOT drinking isn't hard at all for me... it's the
DRINKING that I have problems with. I can rarely get in my full 64 ounces
a day minimum. Now, if I were allowed to drink coffee, that would be
different. But my surgeon says no coffee or caffeinated teas (I don't
really know why). Anyways I go out at least once a week, and I always have
a bottle of either Crystal Light, or Aqua Fina Flavor Splash, or Benefiber
Kiwi Strawberry with me. I drink up until we actually give the server our
order (then put the bottle out of reach), then it takes at least 15 minutes
for the order to come, so I've passed the not drinking BEFORE the meal
hurdle... and I look at my watch when I'm finished eating, and add 45
minutes to it (that's MY surgeon's rule), and just plain don't drink again
until that time. Then, I'm constantly sipping.
— Erica Alikchihoo
June 29, 2009
Is it that you are never supposed to drink with a meal ever again? I was
not able to drink with my meals for the first 6 months, now I have been
allowed to drink with my meals. Actually since I have been able to drink
with my meals now, and I am now 9 months out, my eating has gotten a little
better. It hasn't affected my weightloss at all as far as I can tell. So
far in 9 months I am down 150 lbs. As always though, all the surgeons have
different recommendations and as well this surgery seems to affect everyone
different, so you gotta do what you gotta do to acheive the results that
you want. I am just so surprised to hear that so many of you do not drink
with your meals. Good luck to everyone here and best wishes to you all!!
:)
— bicngillette
June 29, 2009
I guess that I must be the odd one out then. I drink a bottle of water in
the half hour to hour preceding dinner and so am not thirsty while I am
eating dinner, nor in the half hour after dinner. Since I usually don't
eat out much, I haven't tackled the problem with waiters.
Marti in San Jose
— Marti P.
June 29, 2009
I don't mean to sound flip...but don't pour a drink for yourself... if the
food is too dry, get something else. I put gravy or sauce on some things,
but usually don't attempt more than 1 bite if something is too dry. I hope
you can master this one, cuz this is the biggest one...drinking and eating
lead to regaining of weight for most people. Best of luck! hugs,Kim
— gpcmist
June 30, 2009
I am only 5 weeks out of surgery but I have to drink with meals. I take a
very small sip only enough to wet my mouth but not a real drink and this
helps me. I have made the mistake of drinking too much and getting sick. So
the key is a super small drink and for me it works.
— MadeOfPlatinum
July 4, 2009
First I want to thank you for this question. I am 5 1/2 years post from RNY
and freaking out!! I woke up one morning and "BAM" I was smacked
with a reflection in the mirror that was horrifing! My clothes didn't fit!!
I was in tears, I know I have been slack in my routine, I started working a
job (3 Years ago)that requires very long odd hours, alot of driving and
stress beyond belief by the time I get home I just take my shower and got
to bed. Anyway I realized what I was doing so I started working out again
and getting back on track, but nothing is helping..then I read this post..
I did not even realize what I have been doing, I always have water or
unsweet tea with me< even during meals sometimes I even get a second
glass!! causing me to fill up on the liquid, which explains the night
eating!! (even waking up hungry in middle of night). it is a big challenge
for the majority of us..when i was first out i simply made sure I didnt
have a glass at the table. Im conviced this is the problem.. wattch this 30
LBS are going to melt away now..
— bighair
July 20, 2009
Hi Marylou, for me it is an easy fix. I definately CAN NOT drink while I am
eating. My stomach gets bloated and the food feels so heavy, and I actually
get a tired, dragged down feeling. I have had this problem so I don't drink
for 30minutes before a meal, even my small tiny meals, and I don't drink
for an hour after the meal. Well I am only 2 months out, so I plan to
continue this practice.
— sallie H.
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