Question:
Anyone else had Nutrition

I went to see the Nutritionist this past weekend. She said for me to not eat the Lean Cusine type meals or Slimfast type diet bars or meals. She said that all the chemicals they put in these are not good for us. She said that the Slimfast bars are glorious snack bars,. She said that I should cook my food and only eat fruit. She also mentioned for me to "not" heat the steamed vegetables in the bag they come (I now live on Green Giant steamed veggies in the bag). She said the plastic is not safe and to remove and heat in glassware. I depend alot on the Lean Cusinies and Slimfast type diet products. They are calorie controlled and say they have no preservatives. What have anyone else out there heard or been tld? Thank you    — Healthy10 (posted on March 22, 2010)

March 22, 2010
My nutritionist gave me a list of foods that were appropriate for a 6 week postop diet and Lean Cuisine and Smart Ones were on the list. She told me to just keep the fat grams under 8. Maybe you should ask her again about it? Good luck!
   — SarahMascara

March 22, 2010
I have worked with many dietitians in my proffesional life. Each has there own ideas about certain things. This does not mean they are right or wrong things. However, most would agree that homecooked is better if u do it correctly. I am a little over 4 wks post and am not eating meals yet but the low cal prepared meals seem like a good option if they meet the protein and other requirements. I don't know about the bars. I definitely want to eat the bag steam veggies in the future and it wouldn't be too hard to take them out.
   — tandalyncarter

March 23, 2010
My nutritionist says Lean Cuisine is OK... but you probably won't be able to eat a whole one for about a year out. I'm not going to try them for a while, but when I do, I'll be eating the protein parts first, and probably not eating the veggie and certainly not any dessert. I agree that different nutritionists have different soapboxes... there are many people who agree that anything processed is just bad, bad, bad. But... we're making MAJOR life changes in our eating and other habits... and I agree that portion control is an important part of learning to eat properly. I lost 56 pounds over the year before surgery, and I credit my Lean Cuisine lunches with much of my success. I find them satisfying, and the controlled portion is very good for me. If you're concerned about the plastic in the veggies bag, do a little research about what kind of plastic. I think it's unfair for your NUT to condemn all plastic as unsafe, but there are some that are safer to heat in than others. Personally, I'd trust Green Giant to have done that research and selected heat-safe plastics, but to be wholly satisfied, do your own research. In the end, we must follow as many rules as we can, but the ultimate rule is what is the most healthy thing you can regularly do in your life? What works for you? you should re-evaluate this regularly to be as healthy as you possibly can. For me, right now, I'm doing protein, vitamins and fluids by the book (working on increasing exercise) but some of my foods are more processed than the "always cook" crowd would say is healthy. I don't believe I can suddenly begin to spend that much time preparing meals and keep it up... I've made my choice and for now, it's the most healthy thing I can consistently do. Just be well-informed as to why your Nut suggests the things she does... ask questions... understand her position. You may need to do something slightly different that works for you in the end.
   — Greg K.

March 23, 2010
i have talkto several RN's nutritionists physical trainors,and others. beaware of gender bias nutritional ad vice.getting good advice on nutritionis alot like paning for gold.you have to sift thru alot of crap at the bottom of the river, to find the nugget of gold. women tend to tell you to eat only veggies , men are biased to meat , and fried foods.this includessupposed bariatric nutritionists. you are so limited in what you eat ,so choices are very few.rny pts shoudn't be eating citrus because of the acidity i'v never heard of anyone dieing of plastic contamination. or of lean cusine or i'd died along time ago.
   — hanksguns

March 23, 2010
Most nuts think that fresh is best, and it is, but that is often hard to do. Lean Cusine is just fine as long as you choose ones that are high in protein. Watch the sodium too. As others have said, meat and veggies first and if there are potatoes or pasta in the dish, eat that last. Best of luck to you!
   — Bonnie H.

March 23, 2010
Pam you may want to get the book "Weightloss Surgery for Dummies" as well there are other books too. This one has everything in it you'll need for suggestion. The key point is you want to go with foods that are very low to zero Carb. As carbs make you crave more carbs within two hours of eating them. Good Luck.
   — Michael Eak

March 26, 2010
I am two years out and have lost 230 pounds and I eat Lean Cuisine and Weight Watchers meals everyday for lunch. It is so easy because I know what I am eating and I know that its good for me...I can barely get one down though so I am satisfied with my lunch...I haven't had a problem with gaining weight since my surgery either. So I think they work just fine...I also eat as a snack, fruit,,not alot but I eat banannas, cantaloupe, watermelon..I just think you need to get in the grove of what is good for you and to eat the healthiest things you can...Good luck
   — okbuffy