Question:
I'm throwing away obscene amounts of food because it goes bad before I can eat it.

I'm 7 weeks post-op, single, and live alone. I am getting very frustrated about having to buy a whole can of tuna, chilli, whatever knowing that I will only be able to eat about 1/4 of it before I have to throw it out. I even pushed the limits on how long I could keep something in the fridge and got very sick last week because of it. Anyone have any ideas about this? I know my grocery bill is still tiny compared to what it used to be, but all those starving kids in China must be flipping out about the amount of food that goes down my garbage disposal. It just seems so wasteful! Any other single post-ops have any ideas here? Thanks!    — ediecat (posted on November 14, 2002)

November 14, 2002
Aloha!!!! I feel your pain!! Here is what I did for portion control and for storage; Sam's Club and/or Costco sells the 2 oz and 4 oz Solo cups with lids in a qty of 1500 for about $8.99. They come in HANDY!!! I am able to refrigerate a lot of left overs and freeze some also. It also helped me with portion control. I would fill the cups and know exactly what I was eating. Otherwise I would have a tendency to overeat at times. Hang in there!! In another month or so, you will be able to eat a bit more so you won't have as much "waste".. BE THE BEST LOSER YOU CAN BE!!!! Hugs With Aloha, Kathie (in Hawaii)/Open RNY 08/07/02/Down 85 Pounds!!
   — KathieInHawaii

November 14, 2002
Hi, I am 3 months out and what I have learned is I buy some smaller sizes at the store, but mostly, I freeze everything- I am still used to cooking larger amounts, as I have a fmaily, but if I freeze the leftovers, I find it makes for a quick meal and a larger variety of choices for days I don't feel like cooking, or I need something quick to eat for lunch at work- Hope this helps Diane
   — Metsfan91

November 14, 2002
My old Weight Watchers instructor had a saying that I've never forgotten: "You can waste food by throwing it out, or you can waste it by putting it into your body. Which would you rather do?" I do know what you mean, though, about the starving kids in Africa or China or wherever. I hate to waste, which is why I now buy things in the smallest packages I can (trading off wasting food for excessive packaging, but I guess something's gotta give!), and freeze as much as I can of the leftovers. Keep in mind that you won't always be eating such teeny tiny portions -- as you get further from your surgery, your capacity will increase somewhat.
   — Karen I.

November 14, 2002
I freeze everything. I put bring home my groceries and split everything into tiny portions and freeze them in baggies. They I'll put all the baggies into a large freezer bag cause they baggies are not freezerburn proof. Or I'll use the tiny disposable plastic containers. My freezer is constantly stuffed. I even freeze milk & bread. Try it...Good Luck!
   — Karla K.

November 14, 2002
Get a dog? Good companionship and a disposal standing by. You can always freeze some stuff. In any case dont worry about it. Better in the garbage than putting weight on you.
   — bob-haller

November 14, 2002
Hey -- I feel your pain. I am 3 1/2 weeks out, single, living alone. I will say that the dog does help. He is a human garbage disposal. But....tonight I brought some food (most of it was leftover high sugar stuff I had in the house) to the local food depository. So that is an idea. But beyond that...I'm buying smaller amounts, great tupperware, and eating the same things a few meals in a row. Good luck....
   — Tamara K.

November 14, 2002
Susan- I think it is normal to have to do that in the beginning. I know even 6 mos out I have to throw alot of fresh food out - salads, veggies and fruits. So, I tend to buy more can foods or frozen foods. Whatever I can get in smaller packaging. I eat small cans of hormal chili, beef stew, cheese and olives, meatballs, you can buy frozen, yogart, etc. When I want a salad I but the already made bags and eat a salad a day until the bag goes bad. It's only about three bucks, so if I get four meals out of it that is a pretty good deal. One last suggestion, it has helped me to shop weekly. That way I purchase only what I can consume in that week. Blessings.
   — Cheryl S.

November 14, 2002
Hey Susan, try freezing your left-overs. It works for me, I am single, not WLS, though I hope to be soon. But, I save money on food, by freezing, then I already have meals ready to go when I come home and I am too tired to cook.
   — Joy L.

November 15, 2002
Here's an idea. Take the money that you are now saving because you are buying less food and actually send it to China or Africa or the local shelter. You'll still end up wasting some food, but I bet you'll feel a lot better about it.
   — Amber L.

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