Question:
How Do You handle Grazing

I am being cleared for by-pass surgery. One question I have is how do you handle grazing. I stopped smoking in 1991, cold turkey. It was so very hard. I find I put a lot of litle bits and pieces of food in my mouth. I need to find something to help me stop this. Help Please!!!!    — ilscherer (posted on December 19, 2008)

December 19, 2008
I'm only one month out from my RNY but so far I'm finding that I have to work all day long to get my fluids in. I don't have time to graze...or it's been replaced by sipping fluids. Perhaps down the road I might find myself having trouble with it, but I hope that by the time I can again eat the types of 'grazing' foods I used to like, my habits will have really been changed. Good luck, best wishs
   — angelvh2

December 19, 2008
Irene, Perhaps you might try finding other things to occupy the time when you find yourself grazing. A dedicated hobby that keeps you away from the kitchen or snack area for example. If it's more about feeling that you need to be chewing (as opposed to a true need for eating) I think keeping a good supply of chewing gum in your pocket might help. As long as it's not swallowed, this can be a great thing to make you feel like your eating without taking in the calories, etc.
   — Elizabeth J.

December 19, 2008
first of all this is stomach surgery not brain surgery BUT the good news is you will not be hungry so u will have to work on becoming more aware of exactly what u do.one time as i was clearing the table i popped a bite of garlic toast into my mouth.This was 5 days post op and i was still on liguids whoops,i did realize what i had done before i swallowed it and spit it out but it was a mind slip and it tasted so good.oh well ,seriously i believe if u will concentrate on getting in your water and liguid protein your time will be full.a suggestion that works for me was to cook a pot of stew with veg in the crock pot put some in blender ,puree then freeze in a ice tray ,pop out and put in ziplock bag. when needed take out one or two and microwave .This satisfied my taster and this what what i stuggled with not real hunger I still am never hungry even 5 yrs post op, but sometimes even now my head hunger want something that tastes really good.I wish u well focus on changing your thought patterns and life style and the weight will come off.My BMI was 73 and now is 27 if i can help let me know,Bette
   — Bette Drecktrah

December 20, 2008
Irene, Incorporate all the other answers with my addition of exercising. If you work that will consume much of your time. You are not a cow. Those animals graze. Humans snack. Find a snack substitute. Something that is quite good if you have a sweet tooth are the ice cream bites made from yogurt. Frozen yogurt is good too. Start using Splenda as a sweetner. Sensa is another good product. I am 10 years post op and considering revision. I have put some weight back on but will lose it. At 54, I'm doing well. I weighed over 400 pounds, almost 5, and now weigh 197. You can do it. It also requires that you exercise some. If you have the surgery but don't change your life style or eating habits there really isn't much to gain. Consider that. You will be a "hottie", it just takes time and adjustment. Good Luck and God Bless, vinnigirl
   — vinnigirl