Question:
amount of food for 5 months
I'm 5 months out and for breakfast I usually have a protein drink, but for lunch I can eat a string cheese and one of those special K bars. Is this too much? I know I could probably eat more too. Also...why is it that I could eat probably a whole bag of popcorn or chips, etc, but only 2-3 bites of chicken? I'm worried i'm stretching my pouch out, but maybe bad foods just slide right on through without making me full? — sanibel_tonight84 (posted on May 31, 2007)
May 31, 2007
I have heard several times on this board that chips, cookies and the like
go down all too easily. I am only 5 weeks out and have been on liquids. I
have taken a bite here and there of different things and I, too, have
noticed that these particular items seem to not have the same effect as
other foods in making you feel full very quickly. They also don't seem to
cause the same issues with nausea and other various discomforts. I am very
interested in what others have to say about their experiences with these
carb-based foods and why (technically) they seem so 'dissolvable,' for lack
of a better word. I am curious ... do our stomach acids liquify chips so
fast we don't feel full as we should? I noticed while on liquids that I
could make a mashed potato soup and have less problems after eating than if
I ate a cream of chicken ... I think this is working under the same concept
as the question posed here. I have not indulged in a batch of cookies or
chips (and certainly don't plan on it), but I sure would like to know the
answer. Thanks!
— heloize
May 31, 2007
Well, I don't understand why you would be eating chips or popcorn or the
like after having gastric bypass surgery. The point is to teach ourselves
not to eat the things which made us need the surgery in the first place.
It's a lifestyle change. Shouldn't we be concentrating on protein first,
then veggies, then carbs if there's room?
— Carol_Cee
May 31, 2007
I agree wholeheartedly with the last post
— peacelovecat
May 31, 2007
Hi Everybody - I sure hope you have more answers than just "don't do
it" ------- some things go right through, some do not - and I'm
looking for if I'm the only one like that... and I'm only three weeks out.
PLEASE - SOMEBODY OUT THERE - please answer this serious question.
— LilaCheryl
May 31, 2007
Hey there! In answer to the first part of your question- I don't think that
a string cheese and a protein bar is too much at all, so no worries!! Have
you talked to your nutritionist about developing a new eating plan? I am 11
months out now, but I had some issues around 6 months, and had to go to my
nutritionist and got back on track! i also had problems with feeling hungry
all the time, and "feeling" that I could eat anything! (scary!!)
As far as being able to eat carbs, I think that is why the docs and the
nutritionists want us to eat protein first...it's a lot harder to digest,
therefore making you have that "full" feeling longer, carbs do go
right through you, so thats why we are supposed to eat our proteins
first...I hope that helps some!
— [Deactivated Member]
May 31, 2007
I am three months out.... I eat protein first, always...most times that is
filling to me, I am lucky...my appetite is still GONE and I don't feel
hungry....I eat and I get full. To answer your questions.... I think a
protein bar and string cheese is excellent and not too much at all.
Secondly, I have had 100 calorie popcorn and 100 calorie cheese nips and
100 calorie chips ahoy as a "snack" at times. When I feel
sluggish or when my blood sugar drops, cottage cheese/beef jerky/protein
bar, etc. works well for me. Also applesauce, fruit juice and a shot of
milk. YES...the good tasting, bad for you things go down better and easier,
that is why I try to subsitute the better choice bad things - 100 calorie
packs and whole grain popcorn, etc. I eat them once a week or two x's a
week. I try to always eat protein, protein, protein first (three bites of
protein to one bite of veggies/fruit/carbs. I don't think you are
stretching your pouch or doing anything bad to it. But I do agree we all
have to be careful and not slip back into those old eating habits. Making a
lifestyle change is a huge part of this process and a life long commitment.
Do I eat popcorn, sure do. Do I eat cheese nips, sure do. Do I do it every
day, no. Would I like to, sure. Do I know I shouldn't, yes. It's mind over
matter some days. Some days, everything is easy - protein, protein,
protein, it's all good. Other days - popcorn sounds good. I eat it. I am
not going to totally deprive myself of things I want or like when I can
choose them in their less offensive form and enjoy life, losing weight and
eating healthy. I hope this helps you. I read the other posts and agree -
the "don't do this" comments are not helpful. Please
people....suggest options, alternatives and ways to change life. Don't
judge. Be helpful. I hope I was. Good luck!
— jammerz
May 31, 2007
I have a protein drink or homemade smoothie for breakfast -- usually takes
me an hour to drink this. In between time -- it's water, decaf coffee
(usually only a half cup --I've had one complete cup of decaf coffee in 3
months and that's only because I hadn't ingested anything else); lunch -- I
walk or have another protein shake and drink mo water and try to get in one
of those isopure protein drinks because my 3 month post op showed my
protein was low. Therefore, I'd rather overdue the protein than eat carbs
(which is how I gained weight in the first place). Usually, when I get
home, I have dinner -- chili; a meat and veggie; a salad; or just some
vegetables --usually around 5:30 or 6 PM. If its really early, I wait
about 30-45 minutes after eating and then go work out and then its fluids
for the rest of the evening.
If one wants potatoes chips -- I suggeste Soy Crisps --these are good and
they give you the crunchiness of a potato chip. There are many flavors so
find one you like.
I don't think what you are eating is stretching your pounch. Probably the
one reason that potato chips go down so well and there is no revenge on you
-- 21 chips = 1 gram of sugar--depending on the chip. And that is why your
body can tolerate the potato chips -- 1 gram of sugar. If you're eating
those snack bag of chips, there are only about 21 chips in there so you are
not going over the sugar limilt. Even after 6 months we are allowed to eat
carbs; however, it is stressed that the protein and veggies are eaten
first. We must get in our protein.
You are 5 months out, its good to try different foods to see how if your
taste buds and your system will tolerate. Our taste buds will change from
week to week so be prepared for that.
Hope some of this has helped.
Peace,
— the7thdean
May 31, 2007
Jessica - I could lecture you as everyone else has, but you know when you
are doing good & bad. You don't need to be told. The reason that the
bad stuff goes through quickly is that it is easily digested. That is the
idea of eating dense protein. It stays with you longer as it is more
difficult to digest and it gives you the amino acids that gives you the
added energy that you want & need. You can't eat as much as it stays
with you longer. Back to the lecture - Stay away from anything white -
bread, rice, potatoes, & popcorn. They do not have the nutrition that
your new system needs to succeed. Good Luck - Judy Harris, Support Group
Leader
— jk_harris
May 31, 2007
I really get sick and tired of everyone saying that you shouldn't eat this
or that when someone asks a question--why can't you just answer with your
own experiences or keep your mouth shut if you haven't experienced it?
Don't you think the person feels bad enough because of a slip up?
So I will answer honestly--for the first year I didn't touch the bad stuff,
but yes now I do. And I have maintained my weight loss for 4 years. And I
was pregnant and ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted it and lost it
all right after giving birth--now I am pregnant again and plan on eating
whatever I need to to satisfy myself... And yes I will lose the baby
weight again! This surgery is not meant to keep us from eating bad things
forever--it is a tool to help us restrict what we eat. No one is perfect,
and it wouldn't be fair for us not to be able to indulge sometimes (but
instead of eating allot of cake we can have part of a piece of cake). And
some of you still don't understand that not all FAT people just sat around
eating all the time which "made them fat", I for one eat more now
than I did before WLS--I used to eat 1 meal a day and I stayed at 369
pounds? Now I eat meals & snacks all day and maintain my weight--can
you explain that one?
— GAYLE CARMACK-LYONS
May 31, 2007
I am almost 2 years post op and I don't think its realistic to say one
should not eat chips or popcorn. Reality is, you can eat those things,
just in moderation. In answering your question, a string cheese and a
special K bar is not too much. You still need to eat. If you don't eat
enough you will not lose. You have to eat to lose weight. Just be smart
with your eating. Stay low calorie, and eat your protein. I hope I
helped.
— Kdame
June 1, 2007
For the most part, foods that get labeled as bad have a high amount of
carbs. Sugar, flour, starch are often a main ingredient in these
"bad" foods.
When we eat carbohydrates, the breakdown/digestion starts while the food is
still in our mouth being chewed--saliva has an enzyme that starts to
breakdown the carbs as soon as it enters our mouth. Protein and fat, on
the other hand, are more difficult to digest and take a longer amount of
time in the stomach to be broken down and liquified (so that it can enter
the intestine and be absorbed).
Another way to look at it / think about it..... measure an ounce of potato
chips and an ounce of tuna fish and place each in a small bowl. Add a
small amount of water to each (the same amount)... now take a spoon or fork
and mix it around. This is essentially what happens in the stomach--the
carbs breakdown quickly leaving you with room for more food. But if you
eat the same amount of a food containing fat/protein, it will stay with you
longer, making you feel full and hopefully satisfied.
I hope this was helpful.
— mrsidknee
June 1, 2007
Well, so much has been said already! Give yourself a big pat on the back
for reaching out for help and suggestions. I am about the same amount of
time out as you. Everyday is different. I try to avoid chips, popcorn
ect, but sometime it happens. It goes right down. I guess this is why
they tell us protein first. I rely on cheese sticks in a pinch for easy
protein. I try to get my 80 grams a day, and all my water. I try is the
key word. Nobody is perfect. Do your best, see your nutritionist for help
if needed. I highly suggest a support group if there is one near you.
Good luck and take the neggative comments with a grain of salt!
— robinmarra
June 4, 2007
Jessica,
My doctor's office made it a point to tell repeatedly to eat my protien
first. Carbs ARE more easily broken down, and yes, they do just slide
down. I'm two years out next week and I still find that if I eat my protien
first I will eat less. Congratulations on your decision to heal yourself
from your obesity and good luck with your future weight loss. Remember,
protien first and chew chew chew.
Diana
— DianaE
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