Question:
How many post-op find it hard to stop grazing?

There are times when I am cooking for my family, I tend to graze a bit. Usually after I finish, I can't eat anything else. I would cook them what I eat but they won't eat my food. When I cook for them I try and use most low fat things so that they won't notice the difference in taste. What can be done to stop yourself from grazing?    — Sharon T. (posted on July 9, 2000)

July 9, 2000
I sure wish I had an answer to your question but I have the same problem. I work at home so I'm constantly around food. It's easy to have a few potato chips here, a cookie there. I guess being aware of it is the first step. Some times if I feel myself wanting to munch I'll drink some water instead because I know I won't have any room for food then! As far as munching while cooking for your family, are you waiting until you're too hungry before you start cooking? I find that if I wait too long to eat I munch a lot more. What are you cooking for yourself that is different than what they eat? Is there any way the meals can meet in the middle (somewhere between "diet food" and "normal food") so everyone can eat the same thing? If all of you ate the same thing you'd get in and out of the kitchen faster and hopefully would be less tempted to graze. I basically eat the same things I did preop I just tweak them a little to make them healthier. Replacing low fat stuff for regular stuff is a good idea and it's great that they don't notice.
   — Kellie L.

July 9, 2000
Sharon, I still graze occasionally, but have massively reduced what I consider to be 'thoughtless eating'. that means, I have three meals, designated snacks, and when I just can't take it any more, a bite or two of something healthy to take the edge off. But I am working on recognizing and reducing 'head hunger'. My Overeaters Anonymous days provided me with the warning to thoughtless or harmful eating: H.A.L.T! Don't get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. These are the primary psychological triggers for grazing or other forms of overeating. Hope this helps. I am challenged, but find the frequency, severity and duration of grazing are massively reduced. Good Luck to you! Fondly,
   — merri B.

July 9, 2000
Sharon, if grazing while cooking for your family is making you too full to eat your own dinner, why not reverse the process? Unless you cook your dinner simultaneously with theirs, you're sitting down to eat when they're half done, so why not cook and eat *your* dinner first? That way you'll be too full to graze on their food. And you can still sit down at the table with them for conversation and good family time. Good luck with this one!
   — Duffy H.

July 9, 2000
One trick you can use, is to give yourself permission to graze every now and then. There is nothing more tempting than a forbidden act. On the road to "normal," let's not forget that normal people graze every now and then. Diets didn't work for us, because they were restrictive. Let's keep focused on the goal and enjoy the occasional grazing we succumb to along the way.
   — Louise H.

July 10, 2000
Hi Sharon: I wonder if you notice the irony in what you said. It sounds like you said you are grazing on what you are cooking for your family. Is that correct? If so, they why are you even considering preparing yourself a different meal? And, since you are changing many of their ingredients to low-fat, etc. why not just eat a small amount of that food yourself? Now, it will just take some self-control to stop the grazing. I know it is hard, I have trouble with grazing in the evenings when I'm at home, just watching tv. I've found that when I'm busy, I don't even think about food though. But, if I were busy cooking, of course I'd think about food - so I see your dilemna.
   — Cindy H.

July 10, 2000
Hi Sharon, I eat what I fix my family for dinner, only my portions are way smaller than they were before surgery. I even eat less than my 2 year old! But don't deprive yourself, I feel that depriving yourself will set you up to "cheat" and this is not a matter of "dieting" anymore, it's a lifestyle change. It's so hard to break those old habits that we form in our "old bodies" and I can truely sympathize with you. Plus if you wait till you are completely famished to fix dinner for yourself or your family you will tend to overeat. Try to allow yourself an afternoon snack before preparing dinner for the family and yourself, you might find that the little bit of a snack will take that edge off your craving to eat right NOW. Good Luck...
   — Marni