Question:
Help! My doc has me on a very conservative diet for the first six weeks; mainly soft

foods and liquids. I am having trouble being creative for lunch and dinner. I can handle breakfasts, as she allows baby food cereals, but for the main meals it is reduced fat creat soups (strained), scrambled and soft-cooked eggs; lowfat cottage cheese, instant mashed potatoes, applesauce and that's about it. I am having problems trying to think this is it for main meals for the next month or so. Any suggestions? Thanks    — Sandy C. (posted on March 30, 2000)

March 30, 2000
In my soft food phase I was allowed to have canned tuna and chicken salad. I made mine with reduced fat mayo and boiled eggs and could eat saltines with it too. Just chew very good and eat slow.
   — Gayle G.

March 30, 2000
Yogurt? Baby food fruits, veggies and meals? Vicky Bowen's fat free sugar free cheesecake? liver pate? deviled ham? peanut butter? fat free cream cheese? soft boiled eggs? farina? anything pureed to an applesauce consistency? Where do you get your protein from?
   — Toni B.

March 30, 2000
You can make it through the soft phase. You may be "mourning" a little over old food favorites and food addictions. I know I pouted a lot when the family was eating chinese take-out while I ate a tablespoon of scrambled eggs - but I GOT FULL for the first time in years. The weight loss you will experience will more than make up for 6 weeks of soft foods. Make your "babyfood" like our grandmothers did-puree real foods allowed by your nutritionist. Try homemade soups (watch the fat) and puree them until smooth, canned tuna (water packed), canned salmon, liverwurst thinned with diet mayo, tomato soup made with skim milk, pureed casseroles thinned with a little chicken or beef stock, cream of wheat, "eggnogs" made out of egg substitute+skim milk+sugar substitute and vanilla to sweeten, steamed/pureed yams and squash with a little brown-sugar twin. How about some non-fat, low-cal gravy substitute with those potatoes? How about yogurt, diet jello, or cream of wheat?
   — Jackie L.

March 30, 2000
Hi Sandy, If you can eat baby food cereals does this mean you can eat other baby food too? I was allowed baby food, diluted clear juices, vegetable and chicken broth,which mix good with mashed potatoes instead of milk or water, gives it a good flavor. How about diet jello? That was a safe 2 weeks post op. Tomatoe or v8 juice, tomatoe soup. Also how about sugar free popsicles for a little treat? Just remember that yu have anew tummy the has been terribly mistreated and needs time to heal. That is the reason for the soft foods. It is really not such a long time and you will be pleased with the outcome if you are careful this first few weeks. Good luck Cheri
   — Cheri H.