Question:
Nine weeks post-op, need to know volume, calories of daily intake.

I am having trouble with learning how many calories to take in a day. That is what I've measured my meals by for so long, I can't seem to change. I need some guidelines of how much actual food you good losers eat a day. I have been plateauing for 3 1/2 weeks now and I'm getting antsy about it. Please help! Diana M.; [email protected]    — Diana M. (posted on March 11, 2002)

March 11, 2002
I wouldn't worry about the plateau, that is normal and just your body catching up with itself. If you measure yourself you are probably still losing inches. I plateaued early and still reached goal by 9 mos!<p>At 9 weeks post op your problem will not be how many calories to eat but getting your protein in. I would recommend www.fitday.com for the occasional check. It is free and helps you count your protein grams and calories. If your dr gave you a protein guideline, I would aim for that. Otherwise you should probably aim for 50 grams a day. You may not make that unless you find a good protein drink you can tolerate. Once you are further post op you may want to increase that. I try for 100 grams a day. Most days I make it at 10 mos post. Calorie-wise, I ate about 800 calories a day until 7 mos post then went up to 1500. 1500 is probably too much if you still have lots to lose--1200 would have been more like it but I was already close to goal at that point. Good luck and happy losing!
   — ctyst