Question:
how can I stop the munchies

I love to eat. Thats why I weigh about 400lbs! My problem is I nibble all the time whether Im hungry or not. Im not a big sweet eater, but gotta have those carbs...bread, burgers,fries,pizza... How can I stop myself from the non hungry munchies? If I cant do it now, how will it be any differant after surgery?    — justaboutkrazy (posted on August 20, 2003)


August 19, 2003
Every time I get the munchies, I know I'm not getting in enough protein. The rules are protein, fruits and veggies and then ONLY IF YOU HAVE ROOM, carbs. Clean out your cupboards and get rid of those things you shouldn't be eating.
   — Cathy S.

August 19, 2003
p.s. Try it pre-op. It'll be a good test for yourself if you can follow the rules post-op.
   — Cathy S.

August 19, 2003
I've found that suffering 3 days off total carbs, rids me of the "hungrys." After those 3 days, I introduce them back in small amounts and I'm able to do much better. My Dr. is making me lose 30 lbs in 2 months, before he will do the surgery. I started this "zero carb thing" again last friday, I'm no longer hungry and have already lost 7 lbs! Hey, it's worth a try. Tom
   — Tom Barton

August 19, 2003
I would have to agree with Tom that going cold turkey is the thing to do with the carbs but I would not try to reintroduce them in any amount. If you are like me carbs just beget more carbs. They are dangerous for me even post op and staying away is my only defense. PLUS post op it is much easier at least for the first few months but if you do not get control of it in that time it is very hard to do later on. They go down too easy and don't really fill you up. Good Luck!
   — Carol S.

August 19, 2003
I COULD NOT do it pre-op. I CAN do it post-op. It makes a difference. If I COULD have done it pre-op, I wouldn't NEED to be a post-op :0)
   — mom2jtx3

August 19, 2003
Though I love carbs, I actually cannot eat the bread, hamburgers, or pizza. It doesn't sit well on my stomach, and often comes back up. So, my situation isn't one necessarily of self-control, but a surgically imposed modification which is actually healthier for me! Lap RNY Jan. 24, 2003, 325/205/150
   — raye

August 20, 2003
I'm the same way.........have ALWAYS loved any kind of bread but have developed a huge intolerance to refined carbs and have had to stop them entirely during the last six months because of some rather nasty reactions. Amazingly, after about three days without bread or sugar, I didn't crave them anymore at all! It was really tough at first but now don't miss having them.
   —  SCbabe B.

August 20, 2003
You may find that post-op some of those no longer taste as good. Pizza used to be a favorite, now all I taste is grease so I try it every 6 months or so to see if tastes have changed but not yet. Your pouch is also only so big, so if you follow the protein first rule, often times you do not have any room left. For instance I will on occasion have a fast food burger or grilled chicken sandwich. 1/2 a burger later I'm full-no room for fries. Now if I had eaten the fries first, I would have had room but I make it a rule to eat the protein first and then if any room, OK. One thing you may want to check into is seeing a therapist while pre-op to find out why you eat when not hungry. Believe me, many of us got fat that way, and having this surgery will not necessarily stop you from grazing-that is what you are describing-mindless eating. You will be stronger after surgery, and the pouch is a great tool, but honestly I would find out why you do it now as it will help you deal with it post-op.
   — Cindy R.

August 21, 2003
I still craving for those "carb" munchies. Pre-op, I could be a chow hound but post-op, I get very nauseated if I eat high carb foods. I started seeing a therapist to help me deal with the mental hunger. You might want to look into that. It's amazing how many things give you mental hunger and how ingrained your eating habits are. I know my eyes are much bigger than my stomach now.
   — kararuck




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