Question:
Is sugar free pudding alright for a snack?
I am 3 months post op and down 62 pounds. I make sure I get my protein in and my water everyday. At night I love SF pudding for a snack and eat a cup of it. Is this O.K. Sometimes It is so good and I eat so much I feel like I am cheating. Anyone else like that. Thanks for your info. — cindylou56 (posted on October 21, 2003)
October 21, 2003
At three months out, I'd say, yes, and no. Obviously, it's not a lot of
calories and it's smooth and it goes down, and there shouldn't be anything
wrong with a manageable snack every now and then even at three months out.
That's the "yes" part.<P>The "no" part is that,
at just three months out, I wouldn't get into a nightly habit of eating a
sugary-tasting treat already (even if it's sugar free). For many of us,
sugar-free products don't quelch the desire for sugar (often, they feed
it). That desire isn't very strong at three months post-op, but it grows
to be pretty strong later on for most of us. Before that happens, you want
a foundation of good eating habits that allows you to make those cravings
more manageable. You want to make the most of your "window of
opportunity" for weight loss in the months following the surgery; you
can loosen up on eating habits later. It may sound silly and alarmist when
we're talking about a little sugar-fre pudding, but I know that once I
allowed sugary treats in my house for more than occasional consumption (or
sugar-free ... makes no difference when it comes to triggering my
cravings), it became something I have had to watch like a hawk. And I
didn't do that until I was almost at goal; I don't know if I ever would've
made it if I allowed them much earlier, and I'm definitely concerned that
they'll lead me back to regain if I let them. JMHO. Good luck and
congrats on your wonderful progress so far.
— Suzy C.
October 21, 2003
I guess I disagree with the "no" part of the previous poster. I
think it is important for us to find at an early stage some alternatives to
the high sugar/high calorie snacks that we had previously. I also feel
that finding these alternatives actually helps us keep on track because we
aren't feeling like we're totally missing out. Good eating habits are
important and I think finding these alternatives is setting good habits. I
am 8-1/2 months out and have surpassed my goal weight loss. I have
enjoyed, nearly once daily, sugar-free 35 calorie Blue Bunny fudgcicles
since I was about 1 month out. While others around me might be enjoying
higher calorie desserts, I have been quite content with my fudgcicle and
don't feel that it has increased my desire for other sweet things, with the
exception of fruit which I also enjoy daily. I guess I feel that having
this surgery shouldn't mean giving up everything - going from one extreme
(over-eating, bad food choices) to another extreme(overly restrictive) but
rather making good choices with the eventual outcome a moderate eating
lifestyle. Good luck!
— Judy R.
October 21, 2003
Obviousy early on you want to minimize your unneeded calorie intake and
create good habits for the future. Its probably OK but do ralize that in a
small way its slowing your loss. At least its providing some protein.
— bob-haller
October 22, 2003
Cynthia- you eat your pudding and enjoy it. It's not 'cheating' As a
previous poster said- it's time for us to form healthy relationships with
food and not go to the opposite extreme of restriction. SF Pudding has
protein from the milk, which makes it a good choice as a snack. If you
want to kick it up a notch try adding a protein powder to it, something
like unjury which is flavorless would work great and really kick that snack
into overdrive! Congrats on your healthy choices and I wish you good luck
for your continuing success.
— LMCLILLY
October 22, 2003
Without knowing what else you are eating during the day, I don't know if it
is or not. However, I don't think you should deny yourself a lot and SF
pudding is certainly a better choice than many other things.
<br><br>I make SF pudding a little differently than most. 1
cup cottage cheese and 1 cup skim milk, 1 scoop plain protein and then a
package of SF pudding. You have to really blend it up good, but it makes a
nice change and gives you more protein per serving. I also add some
splenda, because for some reason I like this really sweet. White chocolate
is my favorite.
— Lisa C.
October 22, 2003
I make it with whole cream (whipping cream) so there are way less carbs in
it and it's sinfully rich so I never eat much (1/4 to a 1/2 cup max).
Wonderful! Just not at every snack :>)
— [Deactivated Member]
October 22, 2003
I'm also a believer in finding snacks that work for you that you can enjoy
and feel "normal". Just ensure that you are including the
calories into your daily total if you track calories. Altho they have
sugar in them (I'm not a dumper), lately I have discovered Jello smoothies.
A dollop of cool whip and I am in 7th heaven. Good on calories, not so
great on the sugar part....I wish they had Blue Bunny in my area. Keep
hearing such good things about the SF blue bunny products.
— Cindy R.
October 22, 2003
I know this sunds goofy but its tasty. Mix a COOK TYPE sugar free chocolate
pudding with water, add a dash of vanilla, and just a tiny bit of fat free
milk, stir well. Dont cook just drink. Add ice cubes and blend if you
want:)<P> Its a great chocolate shake substitute, very low calorie
and helps chocolate cravings:)I stumbled onto this by accident one day when
I had a brain cramp and mixed it with water rather than milk. I tasted it
and decided its yummy. I am going to pick up some tasteless protein powder
and see how that is. I dont mix with more milk to minimize the calories
plus I am still a bit lactose intolerant.
— bob-haller
October 22, 2003
I ocasionally have sf pudding and one day decided to add a little protein.
I mixed a tbls of Peanut Butter(may have been a little less) into a small
serving of instant chocolate. It blends in surprisingly easily and gives
the pudding new life. It is fabulous!!
— WendieS
October 22, 2003
SF Pudding was on my surgeons diet plan a week after surgery. I like Jello
Sugar Free White Chocolate Mousse the best. I would add my vanilla protein
powder to it and reduce the milk from 2 cups to 1.5 cups. What you get is a
protein encriched very very creamy pudding. It's like ice cream but better.
— M B.
October 22, 2003
SF Pudding was also on my food plan for the full-liquid stage. I mixed it
with skim milk and vanilla protein powder to up the protein, then I
measured it according to my doctor's instructions. I'm not a sweet eater
and have never really preferred sweets so I wasn't worried about it
triggering food cravings but since I don't particularly care for sweets, I
probably won't choose it often. I'd say follow your gut.............if you
think it will cause you problems, it probably will. If you're eating more
of it than recommended by your doctor, it could be a problem. If not,
develop a healthy relationship with SF stuff and enjoy.
— SCbabe B.
October 22, 2003
I really think that we need to make good sane choices. We have to eliminate
feeling guilty about eating things such as sugar free pudding. Even if you
don't add protein to it, it can be OK. This is about life changes, not
about restrictions. We should not concentrate every moment on what we can't
have and what we shouldn't eat. I focus on what I can eat. I have my
personal rules, they are unbendable. As long as I stay within them, I have
a lot of freedom of choice. For me-thats no sugar--ever. Protein always
first, low fat, low carb. And know no dairy or Whey. Sounds
restrictive??---you'd be surprized. It's really not. I always had sugar
free pudding, maybe not every day, but often, until I could not tolerate
dairy (Lactose Intolerant). But I have sugar free jello w/fruit every
lunch. I love ending my meal with a sweet. Any protein, no--but I've
already had that at that beginning. Not everythng we eat has to be loaded
with good stuff, just has to have zero bad. Experiment, find what works for
you--enjoy and have fun!
— bek4901
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