Question:
Holidays

On Thanksgiving, I will be 3 days shy of being 6 months post op. I know I have to stick with this diet and I can, I have the will power, but mainly my question is We normally have turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, broccoli salad, cranberry sauce, asparagus, green bean casserole, broccoli with cheese(in a separate dish), yams, potatoes au gratin, and desserts. Is there any foods in particular I should stay away from other than yams(my dad makes them with marshmallows and brown sugar) and desserts? Please, any input is welcomed input. Thanks!    — Nina15137 (posted on November 13, 2009)

November 13, 2009
you will not be able to eat much anyway.just use the "in moderation rule" and you should be fine.you can enjoy enough of your list without maybe eating a lot of carbs.
   — carolyn1970

November 13, 2009
I would have to say that you want to stay away from the gravy if possible and all the potatos as they are so hi in carbs.. but you might need the grave to moinsten the turkey =)
   — callen3640

November 13, 2009
You did not say if you had the by-pass or Lap-Band surgery. If you've had a Lap-Band you'll need to watch out for high fiber foods because they are difficult to swallow. For example, when I eat asparagus, I only eat the tips. The rest is too "stringy". Take a small plate, fill half with turkey and the other half with your side dishes. Ideally, you would choose low starch vegetables (avoid potatoes, corn, and peas). But for a special occasion like this, don't worry about it. Cheese and gravy are fine since they help make swallowing your food easier (moisture, calcium, and flavor). Remember to eat one bite of protein for every bite of anything else. You might take only one bite of each of the things you mentioned. It seems weird, but that's really all you'll be able to eat. That's the best thing about WLS, it allows you to have control over your hunger and still leave the table satisfied. You could make your own dessert. Chef Dave Fouts (the only Bariatric Chef whose had by-pass surgery) has a recipe for both pumpkin pie and pumpkin cheese cake that are very good. My whole family enjoys them. I'd be glad to share the recipe if you can't locate it. Try going to Chef Dave's website at www.chefdave.com. You can substitute Splenda and low fat cheese whenever you get the chance in any of your recipes. But, since you'll eat such a small amount, just enjoy yourself and enjoy being with your family. Have a GREAT Thanksgiving! God Bless.
   — KimM

November 13, 2009
If I remember when I had my first Thanksgiving the support group that I go to had a pamphlet about turkey. I actually made a roasted chicken and a small turkey. Our surgeon recommended the dark meat of the turkey because it is easier to digest or stay away from turkey when your less than a year out from surgery. I would ask my surgeon if your unsure for yourself what to do. Happy Turkey UGH Thanksiving Day lol Rembmer to trust yourself and your new tool.
   — heartmjk

November 14, 2009
Like they said you won't be able to eat that much try to take little bites of one thing at a time, making sure it doesn't sit well. But dads yams OH BOY!!!!!haha I would'nt even look at them. Have fun this is your time.
   — kaybusk

November 14, 2009
Thank you everyone for your answers. I really appreciate them. Btw, I had RNY and from what I can remember, dad's yams are awesome! fresh sweet potatoes...yummy. lol
   — Nina15137

November 14, 2009
Thanksgiving comes but once a year. If you are just six months out I doubt you can eat that much, so enjoy some of whatever you want, consider protein first and just relax and enjoy your Thanksgiving. I know personally I can eat such a small amount that I would, at a holiday meal, eat what I want since it will only be a forkful or two. Happy Thanksgiving.
   — rkurquhart

November 15, 2009
Eat some turkey first- cut it up in tiny peices. Pick three or four other different things and just serve yourself a bite on your plate. Enjoy but eat slow. Eat the carb foods last- you may be too full to touch them- no big loss. You will be fine.
   — edgehanger