Question:
What is the correct ammount of time?

I keep hearing "Take at least 30 minutes to eat each meal"...I am only able to eat 3 or 4 small bites at one meal,surely I am not expected to drag that out over 30 minutes. I normally need at least 15 minutes to finish a "meal". Does that sound right?    — [Anonymous] (posted on October 4, 2000)

October 5, 2000
I have always been bothered by this issue. I guess because it can lead to grazing. If you are constantly streatching out your meals, you are always eating. My doc has his patients eat 1 cup of food or eat for 15 minutes - which ever one comes first, three times a day - no snacking. Now for the first 6 weeks post-op, I was lucky to get a 1/4 cup down in anything less than 20 to 25 minutes. As I progress to other foods at 14 weeks post-op, I am very aware of not going over the 15 minute/1 cup rule. Only by doing this will I be able to succeed long term. Now....do I always make it? No. Sometimes when I am out to eat I have to go over the 15 minutes due to the pase of the kitchen. Do I snack in-between meals? Sometimes. Usually when I am PMS. I try to make it a healthy snack. 1oz of cheese, a small handful of soy nuts, 1/4 c. of mini pretzels, etc. Do I snack every day? No. I hope this helps you.
   — heidiinPA

October 5, 2000
We are limited to about 1 oz per meal until goal wt is reached. Yes, my meals were over within more like 10 minutes! Our doc prefers 5-6 tiny meals per day, but not anything in between those, either. Eat, stop, eat, stop. Not eaaattttttttt. Sounds like you're on the right track...
   — vitalady