Question:
Is it wrong to eat all day if I'm eating protein based items??

I'm almost 9 months out from surgery and the last couple of days have been awful. I have the munchies constantly and I'm not being successful at curbing them. I get my protein and water in and I'm doing three meals a day with a snack in the afternoon. Help!!    — Sara N. (posted on October 16, 2003)

October 16, 2003
Hi. I am almost 9 mo out also. Anytime you consume more calories than you expend, you will gain weight, even if it is protein. Be careful not to graze.. it is the SURE way to outdo the surgery. Try to distract yourself when you feel the urge. I fight this a lot too. I have a hard time not eating late at night, since I get off of work at 11pm. I usually just have some salad or some turkey or ham lunchmeat. Good luck!
   — SarahC

October 16, 2003
This is called "grazing" and is a sure way to out eat your surgery. be very careful. I am quilty of doing this sometimes and it is so hard not too. I have always been a nightime snacker so I am sure not bashing you. If you fall off the wagon, just pick yourself up and start over. I have found that drinking more than the required amt of water helps me keep full. Good luck.
   — Delores S.

October 16, 2003
I know you're not suppose to graze, but on those super challenging days I've found that protein shakes made with water are almost like "free" food for me. I never seem to gain on them no matter how many I consume. IMO, as long as you're eating lower fat protein sources, I think you'd be OK. It's hard to imagine being able to munch on enough chicken breast to get fat :)
   — mom2jtx3

October 16, 2003
Now are you eating all day long or are your eating 3 meals a day with a snack in the afternoon? If you take in more protein - or any other form of calories - than you burn in a day, the excess is stored <b>as fat</b>...JR
   — John Rushton

October 16, 2003
3 meals a day? I'm supposed to be eating 5-6 meals a day and I get about 4. If that's how you're eating, it's not even close to "grazing", and if it's mostly protein, then I think you're doing everything right. Feeling guilty about what we eat is just another one of those old food issues from the past. Food does not = guilt! See if you can either gather all the food you eat in one day, or at least picture all the food you eat in one day and put it on a plate. Does it even equal a portion of how you used to eat? I'd guess not. Unless you're eating like you used to (which would mean a medical problem with your pouch), then I think you're doing well! Good luck!
   — toolio

October 17, 2003
If you are eating three meals and one snack and you are eating high protein foods and not junk you should be ok. I ususally have two or three snacks a day and my surgeon approved that but for some of his patients he insists on only three meals because they tend to snack on junk and to eat way too much.
   — Patty_Butler

October 17, 2003
from a personal perspective, I guess my issue with this would be my worry that it would migrate into grazing on things other than protein. So many things create bad habits, I tend to TRY and avoid them as much as possible. Why get in a habit that sets you up for possible failure further down the road. Just how I would look at it for me, but you could be a total protein junky with no concerns about carbs later on :>)
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 17, 2003
Sarah, it is NOT grazing if you are eating 3 meals with a snack. Grazing is the constant all day long snacking and nibbling of small amounts that add up. Your question, is it wrong to eat all day long, is confusing when you say that you eat 3 meals with a snack-which is it? You may not be eating enough. If you are hungry, EAT!. Add more food to your diet, as long as the food is good quality protein, deli meats, cheese and crackers, protein shakes or bars, yogurt,nuts etc. Many of us eat 5-6 small meals a day, or 3 main meals and several snacks. I try to eat every 3 hours or so or try not to go more than 4 hours without something.
   — Cindy R.