Question:
Eyes bigger than stomach?
Does anyone else feel compelled to eat ALL of what's on their plate? There are times when I know that I'm full but the amount of food I've eaten just looks so small that I feel like I should finish it. And sometimes I do. Is this a leftover from being a former member of the "Clean Plate Club"? I'm 7 months post lap RNY 313/207/150-160. — lizinPA (posted on September 2, 2003)
September 2, 2003
Try eating on a smaller plat, like a saucer. It helped me. I am 13 mos.
post op. I used to feel very guilty about leaving food on my plate. It
took a while but I've decided it's okay to leave stuff on my plate.
— Lora T.
September 2, 2003
it seems that my body has its own way of telling me its full. I start to
burp. when that happens I quit. It is hellping me to realize that I do not
need to eat everything on my plate. I did have to adjust portion size. used
to steam shoveling and can't do that anymore. I think it is a leftover from
the 'Clean Plate' Club. The poor starving children in Africa and Asia will
be glad to get something besides lima beans now. LOLOLOLOL
— snicklefritz
September 2, 2003
I use saucers to eat from or small bowls and it helps me out. Also it
helps that I get the hiccups or burp if I'm full or close to being full.
— Cathy S.
September 2, 2003
I come from a "clean your plate" family so I know exactly how you
feel. I am almost 5 mos out and I have to remember to order just an
appetizer size when I go to restaurants. At home I use a 6" dessert
plate to dish out my food. If you are like me you feel guilty when food is
left on the plate - at home save it in the fridge for later, at
restauarants bring it home for other meals.
— M B.
September 2, 2003
Beth, I know exactly what you mean. I too have struggled with this. When I
am at home I eat on a smaller plate. I have these plates that came with my
dishes that are much smaller than a dinner plate. I think they may be bread
plates (or very small salad plates). I measure out my portion on the plate
and usually this keeps me from having more food on the plate than I can
comfortably eat. When I go out it is a little more difficult. One thing
that works for me is to ask for a to-go container as soon as I receive my
food. I only leave the amount that I intend to eat on my plate and put the
rest in the container. Regardless of whether I actually take the food home
or not, I have gotten it off my plate and I am not tempted to eat it
eventhough I am already full.
— Jenny S.
September 2, 2003
Yes, I do, thats why I also use the small plates or in restaurants, I ask
the waiter to cut the meal in 1/2 and box the rest BEFORE I see it or I
will keep picking at it long after I am full. I have discovered that if I
don't move away from the table or have the plate removed as soon as I feel
full, within 10 minutes or so, I can resume eating (made some room in the
pouch). Not a good thing. Have you also noticed that portion sizes in
restaurants or what people put on their plates at buffets seem huge now?
Its hard to believe (I'm 18 mo post-op now) that I ever ate that much at
one sitting..no wonder I weighed so much.
— Cindy R.
September 2, 2003
Smaller plates do help. Our two dogs sit next to me all the time when I'm
eating, they know now they will get what I can't finish. They seem to
putting on a few pounds now. So I have to walk them more often. How ironic
life has become.
— Jim J.
September 2, 2003
I understand where you are coming from, but none of us can afford to feel
that way anymore. Eat until SATISFIED NOT FULL. Wrap up what is left for
next time. That way you really are cleaning your plate, but several hours
later. lol
— Danmark
September 2, 2003
I do the small plates thing, also. I am only 5 weeks and not eating a lot
yet but I went to Cost Plus where they have a lot of small dishes and bowls
(1 oz - 4 oz) mainly designed for serving sushi. These are great. I have
water-tested each one so I know how much they hold and control my portions
that way. I also learned a great tip on this site: Listen when you are
eating for a sigh. When you have a deep sigh, stop eating. This works for
me very well. I think sigh=satisfied and I didn't kow that word before.
— Donya P.
September 2, 2003
Me! I did things like cutting a tuna sandwich into quarters & putting
each one in a baggie. That woudkl I could "eat the whole thing"
and still meet my portion control. I measured things and put only my
portion on my plate so I could "eat the whole thing". I only had
surgery on my gut, not my need to be tidy & complete in things. So, I
just worked with it so I could have it both ways.
— vitalady
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