Question:
Any advice for those who eat on the run?

I consider myself a "convenience" eater, and was wondering what fast foods work well for the RNY eater? How about any packaged foods? Looking to save my wallet, sanity, and time. Thanks!    — Pamela G. (posted on May 1, 2000)

May 1, 2000
Hi Pamela! I only cook a meal about once each week - and freeze individual portions. I have things like low fat string cheese (great snack), fat free yogurts, and cottage cheese, lowfat shredded cheese, 2 oz packs of lean (like Buddig) lunchmeat (I never ate this stuff pre-op, but it goes down well - watch your salt intake if its a problem for you), fat free cream cheese with nova lox and bagel chips, refried beans, pre-cooked tyson southwestern chicken strips, salsa, corn tortillas or baked tostitos (I make little tostadas!), I buy frozen cooked shrimp and thaw out a few in minutes (chopped with lowfat cheese on a tortilla with salsa - they are a great quesidilla), I buy pre-cooked crab legs at the fish market - these are really yummy and go down easy. Before I graduated to 'fresh fruit & fresh veggies' I kept Dole Tropical Fruit cups on hand - there's no added sugar, etc. There are also 2 oz tuna salad packs available (its actual canned salad - not just plain tuna - theres a little celery, onion & mayo). I keep one in my purse. I keep a bunch of sliced strawberries in the fridge. In the morning when I'm running out, I toss some with yogurt. When I get to work I add granola or Fiber One cereal and its a great mid-morning snack with lots of protein and fiber. (I need the fiber!!!). These are my main staples. I'll always have fish (salmon, sea bass, catfish) fresh or in the freezer - takes just 3-4 minutes to grill or microwave and is a quick dinner with a little steamed broccolli. When I do cook, I make things like liver and onions, turkey cabbage rolls, etc. and freeze individual portions. Then they sit in the freezer and I forget all about them! Hope this helps.
   — Toni B.

May 1, 2000
Pamela it is a little difficult to answer your question because until you're post-op and start trying different foods you will not know what you can and can not eat. Also, each clinic/doctor has their own food plans (when you can start solid foods etc.). My clinic allowed solid food one week after surgery and didn't want me on protein supplements, so I never did the protein bars. I am six months post Lap proximal RNY. The quick foods I now grap are beans & salsa, taco from Taco Bell, turkey jerky, sunflower seeds with chopped dried fruit, pull chicken out of a grilled chicken sandwich, pull hamburger patty out of sandwich, grocery deli section has grilled chicken breasts/bean salads/sliced meats/pickles etc. and chinese take out (meat and veggie) is great in a pinch.
   — Jilda H.

May 1, 2000
Hi Pamela, I keep a variety of frozen entrees on hand in my freezer that I can grab on my way out the door to work and prepare for my lunch in the microwave there. I take an empty food container with me and after preparing the entree, I divide it in half and put one half in the container to save until later and eat out of the main container I heated it in. I like the frozen entrees because counting the calories and protein grams is so easy by simply reading the nutritional label on the box. I do cook occasionally (tickles my kids to death!) I also keep "my food" seperate from the rest of the family's food on my own shelf in the cupboard so I have them to prepare when I need them. The key to "fast food" is planning your meals ahead of time and getting things as prepared as you can before you're heading out the door. I don't like to rely on fast foods anymore than possible because of all the variables in the calories and protein. I brown bag it now (I even have my very own "lunchbox" and an impressive array of small plastic food containers to put in it) and often I'll just set aside a portion of whatever I had for dinner the previous night for lunch. Throw in a 4oz container of lowfat/light yogurt and a string cheese strip and you're off. Hope this helps give you some ideas. Good luck and God Bless, cj
   — cj T.

May 1, 2000
I find Oscar Myer lunchables work good for me (the ones with the meat, cheese, and crackers). THey are easy to pack and eat on the go, and have 21 grams of proteein in them. And they are relatively cheap at the supermarket!
   — Krista C.

May 2, 2000
I get the Louis Rich chicken breast strips (southwest flavor)and just eat it right out of the pouch like a snack. 3 or 4 of the strips is yummy, and filling. I also like a Taco Bell taco (not often though) and Jack In The Box Chicken Fajita Pita (This is WONDERFUL). When I want a sweet snack I like 5 or 6 peanut butter Ritz Bits, but they're pretty high in carbs so just a few. I too, have always been a convenience eater and I'm finding that there actually are some decent choices for lazy people like myself.
   — Morgan B.

May 2, 2000
Pamela, I am a frequent traveller (kids play soccer all over Northern Illinois!) and I have tried a variety of restaurants. One of the easier to eat at is Subway. They have a nutritional guide, so you can see what you are getting before you order. I have gotten the chicken breast sandwich and simply don't eat the bread. Also, the tuna salad is good-again, I don't eat the bread. Any restaurant that serves a grilled chicken breast sandwich is a good place- even the fast food places! A warning, though, I am almost 4 months out and at first, I couldn't handle too much restaurant food. It takes time to acclaimate your new tummy to food, so don't push too hard! A cooler with yogurt, cheese and crackers, Pure Protein (from GNC), and cottage cheese singles can always provide me with a snack! Good Luck!
   — M B.

May 2, 2000
I find thos3 little servings of soup for one. They are in the packaged meat sections. As far as fast food. Kids meals, at taco bell a brekfast burrito at mcdonalds or maybe half a biscuit sausage egg chees from burger king or mcdonalds. small portions of chili from chili parlors. i try to order the kids meals from drive thru. you can do it and its cheaper. the toys suck though.
   — snicklefritz