Question:
What have post ops eaten fast food-wise?
Hi everyone, I was just wondering what you post ops have had in the fast food arena since surgery (at any time post op). I would like to know what you ate and what quantity. I will be returning to work in the fast-paced world and please don't think I am trying to compromise weight loss, I am just trying to see what other people out there eat so I can get some ideas. This won't be right away since I am not 4 weeks post op even, but I hope to get some helpful responses and store it in my memory bank (even though there's limited space)! : ) Thanks! Laura — Laura P. (posted on May 18, 2001)
May 17, 2001
I've had a hamburger from McDonalds twice and a taco from Taco Bell once,
they went down ok, and only the hamburger made me feel a litte
"icky" afterwards. To me, it just doesn't taste the same, and
therefore isn't an appealing option. It may be "fast" but if it
doesn't taste good, why bother! My schedule during the day is often
hectic, I always pack food to take with me, half a bologna sandwich,
saltines, string cheese, so if I'm on the run when I'm suppose to be
eating, I have something to "nosh" on. The best advice I guess I
can give you is to experiment for yourself, this site has tons of great
advice, but you have to see what works for you. If you can go to McDonalds
everyday and tolerate a grilled chicken sandwich and you don't see it
affecting your weight loss, then great! You can go to McDonalds.com,
TacoBell.com, etc and most have the nutritional values of their foods
listed so you can see which high fat items you can stay away from. Good
Luck!!
— DolcezzaVT
May 17, 2001
I knew without even looking that Donna B must have had hers through BTC or
knows their recommendations!! Laura, I stick with the Wendy's Chili and
the Grilled Chicken breast sandwiches too. At BTC, they give you a sample
of the menu with a detailed list of proteins, sugars, and fats. I made
this into a bigger copy and could probably scan it for you if you would
like! Actually, the only thing recommended at Taco Bell is the bean burrito
but that has 14 fats which is more than you should have at one meal. Please
feel free to email me if you would like and I will try my hand at that
scanner ! Good luck !
— Diane C.
May 17, 2001
I had open RNY 1/2001 and have lost 80 lbs. I eat fast food occasionally.
My nutritionist and Dr both tell me that fat is not a consideration since I
do not absorb it. I do not dump w/ high fat foods, so as long as I stay
away from the carbs, why not?
I do like Wend's chili, but also KFC chicken,it is low in carbs, as well as
McDonald's breakfast. If I am eating a hamburger I throw away the top of
the bun, and pinch away any extra from the botton. I try to keep the bread
to a minimum.
— [Anonymous]
May 17, 2001
BTC has a fast food guide that lists the restaurants and all the selections
and whether to choose them 'often' or 'sparingly'. The vast majority of
the items fall in the latter category. It really suprised me to find that
the bean burrito at Taco Bell was considered a better choice than the
Pintos and Cheese, so I generally choose that and usually don't finish it.
I like Veggie Pitas, a single regular-sized hamburger or cheeseburger - no
fries (although hamburger is making me a bit queasy lately and I absolutely
cannot stand the smell of hot dogs!), salads with meat in them, or
deli-type turkey sandwiches (1/2 or less). KFC can be eaten once in awhile
if you order the breast, eat from the center and don't eat the skin or the
biscuit! I've been known to keep cottage cheese in the fridge at work, and
usually carry a protien bar with me. For carry out, I do indulge in Thai
Chicken Curry once in a while and try to fill up on the chicken before
eating the rice. Usually, I can get 3-4 meals out of one order of Thai -
not bad for $7. Middle Eastern/Arab food has some good selections
(hummous, grilled meats, pea and lentil soup is very filling) and also
provides several meals for the money. At convenience stores, I usually
choose nuts, cheese (sparingly) or beef jerky - the real stuff, not the
Slim Jim-type. Fortunately, since my WLS 9 months ago, I don't eat fast
food 4 times a week anymore. I probably eat it once every couple of weeks
and try to make good choices.
— Allie B.
May 18, 2001
I like the chicken pita at Jack-in-the-Box (not so much bread to deal
with!). - Kate -
— kateseidel
May 18, 2001
I had surgery 1/8/01 -90. I still need my food to be moist and have never
tried to have a sandwich. The bread is just not appealing to me. And dry
chicken from KFC...YUCK! It would get stuck, I have no doubt. There are a
few selections that I have had...about 1/2 of a hard taco from Taco Bell.
Soft burrito things I am afraid would be too "doughy" and get
stuck. Also, they have a nachos choice called Big beef nachos (I think)
those are good also. Salads are also a good option when having fast food. I
have also found myself looking for restaurants that serve soup. I have had
a few bites of the meat from a McD's burger but had to have lots of
ketchup. Some restaurants offer baked potatoes. I usually have cheese added
to give it protein and moisture. In Cincinnati, there is a chili restaurant
called Skyline and they offer a "black beans and rice" dish. This
is really good and moist and goes down well. I do not eat out often. When I
do, I really don't worry too much about the fat. I am eating so little that
it can't possibly be a problem. My weight loss has been rapid and I don't
ever want to say that I am dieting. About a month ago, I went through a
phase where the only thing that sounded good was a hard taco from Taco
Bell. They are really reasonably priced and was actually easier and cheaper
to get one of those for dinner or lunch than to fix me something separate
from the family. We went on a short trip and everyone in the family was on
the lookout for Taco Bells so that mom could get her taco!! It was actually
kind of fun and gave everyone a sense that they were helping me. Oh, yeah
something else that I have had is the meatballs from a Meatball sub from
Subway. I ask for extra sauce and use a fork and eat them without the
bread. In a pinch, you can get creative.
— Shelley.
May 18, 2001
One thing I really love that I haven't seen mentioned is a roast beef
sandwich from Arby's. I throw away the top portion of the bun, drizzle on
some Arby's sauce and eat 1/2 to 1/3 of the sandwich (Jr size). It is
loads of protein and the meat is moist and tender. Good luck!
— nealp
May 18, 2001
Hi Laura,
I'm 5 wks post op with an open BPD/DS. I have had a wendy's Baked
Potato(glad to read about the CHili,was hesitant not knowing fat info. I
love it ontop of baked potato with cheese),I digress. I have had the
grilled chicken from Wendy's and McDonalds but I don't eat the bun. Usually
the chicken fills me up. I have also had the Chicken Fajita at McDonalds(1
fills me up)and I like McDonalds because they sell bottled water. On
Occasion I have had the Rasberry Iced Tea(I don't dump)Also the yogurt
parfait at McDonalds is good.The fruit is frozen tho. Best wishes
— Linda M.
May 18, 2001
Hi Laura... with 2 little boys, we do fast food a couple times a week... I
like Jackin the box Fajita Pita or Teryaki Bowl. I can eat 3/4 of the Pita
or all the chicken & 1/3c of the rice in the Teryaki bowl. I like the
steak taco at taco bell or the steak burrito (I eat 1/2). I like the Carls
or BK burger or grilled chicken sand. Taco Bell pintos & cheese are
great for the first few months postop. I dont eat all the buns. A slice
of pepperoni pizza. That's about it.. No fries.. they upset my tummy.
Good luck to you.. Open DS 10/99 [http://www.mywls.com/discus]
— [Deactivated Member]
May 18, 2001
I have to agree they do not taste the same as before surgery- and I am 10
months out. I tried happy meals, but usually only ate 1-5 fries and a few
bites of burger- or two nuggets- and with the burger it's always too much
bun- I only hit McDonalds at a last resort. I have tried taco bell- tacos
are easiest, chicken quesadillas- sometimes I squeeze out the insides and
skip the tortilla- same with burritos. Chicken sands etc., Subway,
Quiznos-I usually eat just the insides! Even when I am "bad" I
try and be good, hot dogs at Costco- no bun. I have found it is really not
as "fun" as it used to be! Which is really OK! But there is
always something on the menu that should work....
PS- At pizza, I usually order a side salad, then eat the toppings off of
one piece of pizza. At Mexican food, I usually order an ala cart chicken
or cheese enchilada... hold the rice & beans... no room for those!
— Karen R.
May 18, 2001
On my thirty day check up (I'm now 10 months post-op) I was craving
cucumbers. With my doctor's okay, I stopped at the Wendys a half block from
the office. What I got was the Greek Feta Pita and just ate its innards. I
have since enjoyed the insides of their chicken pita, as well and I am a
big fan of Taco Bell crispy tacos (one is more than enough). The insides
of a soft chicken taco are good too. I find the smell of all the food
frying in McDonalds turns my appetite right off. I had a major dumping
episode from a supposedly plain baked potato at Carl's Jr. Thought that
was the safest thing on the menu, but boy was I wrong. I also work at a
pretty fast paced job and when I went back to work I lived on string cheese
and yogurt. I bought a weeks worth and kept it in the fridge at work. I
also kept peanut butter and non-fat salines in my filing cabinet for
emergencies. Sugar free applesauce and Jell-o are easy to do at work too,
as they come in little individual packages. Also cottage cheese comes
packaged in single servings. Hope this helps. Sharyle
— Sharyle L.
May 18, 2001
Hi there...I'm 6 mos fron an open vbg and when we have to be out I like to
have the soy burger in a BK veggie or a salad. The soups at subway are ok
too. I've eaten a nugget from McDonalds, but I felt sick, so have never
eaten there again. The pinto's and cheese from taco bell are the best of
anything and I've tasted the chicken out of my dh's chicken soft taco. I
guess my favorite things are soups or salads when I'm out as they sit the
best on me. I don't eat buns, bread, fries, or potatoes (potatoes
incidently are high on the glycemic list and turn to sugar).
— Jo C.
May 18, 2001
I am not a big Mc'D fan but I do like their breakfast barrito. I also grab
a salad here and there. I will do a Wendys grilled chicken but not quite
spicy enough for me. I don't like to cook at home because it turns my
appitate off. But I do pick up a WW or lean cuisine several times per week.
I aim for the high protein dishes. I also carry fruit everyday to work.
Kraft has cubed cheese and I will carry several of the cubes in a baggie
and they have them prepacked in 1.5 ounce bags also(5 of the 1.5 ounce bag
to a package).
— Jan M.
May 19, 2001
I am 5 wks post-op and I can tell you some things I've tried.
Long John Silver - ate maybe 2/3 chicken plank, it's very moist chicken
Wendys - tried junior hamburger, got thru one bite. Chili, same thing.
Can't stand the texture and having to chew that ground beef. Baked potato
w/cheese goes down very good, once I ate too much of one and felt a little
sick though.
Arbys - roast beef worked pretty good, put sauce on it got rid of top of
bun. Ate maybe 1/2.
KFC - can eat most of one crispy strip. Green beans were good. Have had
one or two potato wedges.
McDonalds - never a big fan on McD's pre-op. I did like their yogurt
parfait pre-op (as someone else mentioned). Haven't tried it, probably
alot of sugar in the yogurt. Don't really know if I dump as I haven't
tested the waters yet!! May go to their web site and check out the
nutritional info on the yogurt.
I've nibbled on a few fries but don't have a taste for them anymore. I
have not tried Taco Bell yet but plan to.
I have 3 young children and we were big fast-food eaters prior to surgery.
We have since cut down quite a bit but still do drive-thru's when we are in
a pinch for time.
— Karen F.
May 22, 2001
I eat out quite a bit. Boston Market has GREAT, MOIST chicken! I have never
gotten sick on any of their food. I can eat Subway (seafood and
"crab" salad) and TGI Fridays has great chicken quesadias and
chicken wrappers! Bon-Appetite!
— Karen N.
September 10, 2001
hey, i've eaten out at Subways and i had a meatball sandwich at 4 weeks
post-op. i ate about 4-5oz including the bread and was very happy, hehe.
i don't make a habit of eating out but just wanted to have something that i
had normally ate before surgery.
— Tara W.
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