Question:
Help with my long term post op diet?

I need some help from all the long term post ops out there. I am 11 months post RNY,and doing okay. I have lost 83 pounds, but feel it could be a lot more if I watched my diet better. I have slipped back to old ways of candies, cookies, and chips. I have come to my senses and desperately want to get back on the wagon. I need some help as to what are appropriate snacks at this stage of the game. I can pretty much tolerate anything that I want to eat (This is a big problem too). I also need ideas on healthy lunches that I can pack and take with me to work. I don't do bread well, and for some reason everytime I try to eat boneless/skinless chicken breast I puke (okay a little too graphic). I really want to get back to my healthy eating regime, I just need some advice about what is working for other. This group has been wonderfully supportive in the past and I appreciate your input. Thanks, Kristin.    — KLandrum (posted on April 10, 2002)

April 9, 2002
Hi Kristin, first of all, congrats on your succes so far, and also on wanting to take charge and get back to basics! First, you need to change the way you look at food. You must start to look at it as nourishment and listen to what your body is telling you. Second, you need to prioritize and figure out how you will arrange your eating for the day. This will put you in control from the moment you wake up.I eat 6-7 mini meals per day, totalling about 1500-1700 calories, but I am maintaining and exercising every day, so if I were still losing I might shoot to keep that # at about 1200-1400. Now, like everyone says, you must first focus on the protein to maximize the weight loss.Then of course, water, water, water ( I know, but you must!) If you need to crunch, try things like GennySoy Crisps, they can be found at Health food stores and come in great flavors like Creamy Ranch, Barbecue nd Apple Cinnamon.Also, good high protein crunchers are either KashiGoLean cereal, or Protein Plus cereal, great snacks!(just watch the portions, they can get addictive) They all have lots of protein, lowfat and are better than chips if you ask me! For meals, try things like peanut butter on whole wheat crackers, cottage cheese mixed with cinnamon and splenda on apple slices (yummy!), egg beater omelettes with fresh veggies and lowfat cheese ( Borden individual 2% slices, either swiss or american, melt great and are yummy!), deli turkey and ham slices rolled up,with celery and carrots on the side, and salads with any kind of protein on them you have in the house, such as tuna, salmon, shrimp, etc. For sweet attacks I always keep Cool Whip FREE in the freezer, it is so low in everything, yet frozen it is like eating ice cream. Try putting some in a bowl with two tablespoons Sweet N Low brand chocolate syrup on top, put the bowl back in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes, the syrup hardens like a shell topping and it is sooooo good! I have this almost every night. Also, I always keep the sugar free jello cups handy, for that sweet attack anytime, counts as liquid and has 10 calories. You need to get creative and maximize this tool, it is amazing when we find out that it is not a magic pill, isn't it? YOU CAN DO THIS!!! Just focus on the goal and try new things, think of high fat and sugar foods as the enemy for a while, once you rid them from your body and try better substitutions, you probably won't crave them anymore. Feel free to email me for more suggestions cause this is so long already, and if you need any encouragement, I am happy to help. I am not as long term post op as some others, but I am almost 11 months post op and am 5 pounds below my goal and feel I am changed for life! Best of luck and much love,
   — Vicki K.