Question:
Do you use measuring cups or food scales?
Ok, I have yet another question. I appreciate all the help I've been give n so far. After surgery, I read that most can only have about 6 ounces of food. Before you eat, for example, chicken, would you put it in a measuring cup and get 6 ounces of chicken, or would you put it on a food scale? Thanks again, Vicki Loo — Vicki L. (posted on December 23, 2002)
December 22, 2002
6 oz of food is a bit excessive especially for a new post-op. Even at 5
months out, I only eat about 2-3 oz of food. But to get to the point of
your question...you would measure volume, not weight - so use the measuring
cup (but try to get used to visualizing what 2 oz of chicken looks
like)...JR (open RNY 07/17 -126 lbs)
— John Rushton
December 22, 2002
Hopefully you're referring to long-term post-op, being able to eat 6oz. of
food. Depending on the type of food, I still can't eat that much. Things
like chicken, steak, pork chops fill you up a lot faster than other things
(softer foods). I got a food scale for the first 2 or 3 months, until I got
an idea of how much a piece of meat weighs. You'll want to weigh and
measure your food for awhile to avoid overstuffing that new pouch! The
measuring cups are more for foods measured by volume -- liquids, cereals.
Meats and cheeses should be weighed. Good Luck! - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02
-98lbs.
— Anna L.
December 22, 2002
If you get into measuring it can backfire on you. It gives you
"clean-plate syndrome" and you learn not to listen to the signals
your body is giving you. I don't measure my food at all. I have tested my
pouch and know that it is just under 8 oz, so I eat until I feel satisfied.
Sometimes that is 3/4 oz of cheese, sometimes it is 1 1/2 cups of a
meat/veggie/carb dinner. Now that I am comfortable with my eating patterns,
I just listen to my tummy and stop when satisfied. Most of the time,
anyway. If you eat a bite too much, you'll know!
— ctyst
December 22, 2002
Anna - your pouch's capacity is measured in volume ounces, not weight
ounces. If you weigh two ounces of a less dense food, it's going to be a
lot more volume than something like beef, chicken or another type of meat.
<p>
Cheri - I listen to my stomach, but I also measure (visually at this stage)
what I am eating and never eat more than what I have measured out - even if
I am not quite satisfied...JR
— John Rushton
December 23, 2002
I NEVER measured anything. I ate VERY slow... waited several minutes
between bites. That way the full feeling would "catch up to me"
and I'd stop "before" I got full. In my case I stopped with
"satisfied" and NOT full. But whatever works for you. ;)
— Danmark
December 23, 2002
JOhn and Anna, first off there are different types of surgery I make me
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MAD when people assume there is only
the RNY. My stomach was 6 oz to start with and now I eat about 3/4 of what
you would get at a resturant. The DS allows you to eat more!! It was ment
to be like that and as far a the question of weither you shoulw weigh the
food or measure. I don't believe in doing that. You should eat till full,
no more. Some times this will be alot of food other times not much. It
all depends on the type of food eated.
When I was a new post op I put a question to everyone about the amount of
food I was eating and got such hatefull, nasty comments about how "I
was not using my tool" and I needed to grow up and have some self
control. They didn't even bother to look to see that my surgery was
diffrent, thay just blasted me. It took me some time to get over the
feeling that people who I thought would support me, were calling me name
and making comments that I would expect from someone who had not been MO.
The best of luck an don't let anyone tell you your eating too much, eat
whats right for you and your body and the weight will come off!!!
— Jody Diou
December 23, 2002
Jody - first off, Vicki still is a pre-op - so no one except her knows what
type of surgery she is planning to have. And, secondly, she says that
"most can have only about 6 ounces" of food. I think that even
you will agree that the vast majority of people on here have had - or are
planning to have - the RNY gastric bypass. So, if someone makes a
statement like that, I am assuming that she is talking about post-RNY diet.
If I am wrong, and Vicki is considering a DS, then I apologize. Perhaps
it would make things better when people ask a question that they identify
the type of surgery they have had or are considering...JR
— John Rushton
December 23, 2002
Yes, there are different types of surgery but I agree with John's
assumptions that she is researching RNY. I also put what type of surgery I
have had at the end of my post so the person reading it will know where I'm
coming from. You are right about listening to your tummy or pouch. HOWEVER,
in the very early stages I feel (my opinion, which we are all entitled to)
it was easier/safer for me to weigh and/or measure my foods, as per my
surgeon's instructions. - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -98lbs.
— Anna L.
December 23, 2002
I'm the one that asked the question, I'm sorry to make everyone argue, that
was not my intention. I never thought of putting which operation I was
looking into, it is the RNY. I know a couple of others that have had this
procedure and swear by it. When I first came to this site, I thought I was
smart enough to get it information on my own, I know that no one is a
mind-reader, but I should have put which I was looking into. Thanks again,
Vicki
— Vicki L.
December 23, 2002
I had the Rny, I used one ounce measuring cups provided by my doctor for
the first two months. This was very helpful to me. I ate the first ounce,
then went back and started another one ounce if I was not full. If I had
not used these teenie tiny cups and the baby spoon we were given I really
would have been concerned that I was not eating enough, instead of eating
the correct amount. It was such a ridiculously tiny amount in my mind. At
three months I pretty much go by a two to three tablespoon not exactly
measured as a good start. Honestly if I don't measure a little at least
visually and instead left food in the original container I would eat till I
was past full, but that is because I still stuggle with eating slowly
enough. To confirm what others said, I was told to go by volume not
weight. Best of luck. Carrie
— Carrie R.
December 23, 2002
In the beginning, I used the 1 oz cups given to me by my Dr...now, at 2
months out, I just listen to my body. Meat fills me up much quicker (and
lasts longer) than does a salad. Listen to your body.
10/21/02 -54.5lbs
— Jessica D
December 24, 2002
— Grady E.
December 24, 2002
hi there :) at first i used the 1 oz cups from the hospital like the ones
you would get on an elixer bottle, and half cup measurer, but as another
poster said, i now rely on what my pouch tells me. i eye my portions fron
memory so ive got it down and if i put a little more by accident it doesnt
matter because your pouch will tell you when enough is enough. best of luck
to you. :)
— carrie M.
December 30, 2002
I normally just put the container on the food weigh scales first, then I
add my food to get an accurate weight.
— yourdivaness
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