Question:
6 weeks post-op- grilled cheese and pretzels?
I am 6 weeks post-op from LAP RNY. I have lost 40 pounds so far. I have just started walking a week ago, but am a waitress, and get a great deal of exercise from that 3 times a week. My question is, is eating one piece of white bread with american cheese to make grilled cheese bad? I know bread isn't really good for us. I don't want to stretch my pouch!! ANd occassionally I will snack on a few things, but it would only be like 2 thin pretzels or 2 fritos, is that bad as well? If you check my profile, you can see why its so hard for me to exercise and get in all my protein lately (i have horrible migraines) Thanks for the help ahead of time! :) — Lezlie Y. (posted on July 14, 2002)
July 13, 2002
Hi Lezlie: I have always had a hard time with the conventional breakfast
foods, so I eat ALOT of grilled cheese sandwiches for breakfast. I always
try and stick a piece of ham or bologna in there for just a little extra
protein. According to the labels on the pkgs, I am getting about 12 gms of
protein with the bread, cheese and meat. I try and get a big glass of milk
in just before or after to boost me up to a little over 20 gms of
protein...
— Joi G.
July 13, 2002
My nutritionist suggested grilled cheese as a way to get protein in. My
only suggestion might be to use a bread other than white bread which
doesn't have much nutritional value. And I would add a piece of meat like
the other poster suggested. When I make "grilled" cheese, I just
toast my bread and then microwave it with the cheese and meat for a few
seconds to melt it. This cuts back on the fat for me rather than
traditional "grilling"! You are doing fantastic! I am 10 weeks
post op and have only lost 53 pounds!!! Keep up the great work!
— Brenda A.
July 13, 2002
Me again! I forgot to say something about your concern over eating a few
pretzels or fritos. My nutritionist also advised her patients to always
have something in their pouches every 2 1/2 hours. Not a meal, but to have
"something". She suggested 2 small pretzels as being just
enough! I carry pretzels with me often if I am out to nibble on. At home,
my "treat" is salza with 3 or 4 tostada chips!
— Brenda A.
July 14, 2002
I'm 3 1/2 months post-op and I live on crackers. You won't strecth your
pouch because you eat bread. Just eat slow and stop when you feel
satisfied. I don't think grill cheese is bad, at least it has some protein
and calcium. My only suggestion is that because of the limited amount of
space you have, you should try to eat nutrient rich foods as often as
possible. I know, easier said than done. There are many foods that I
can't tolerate right now, so I eat mainly fresh fruit and some veggies and
of course crackers. In the early stages, we are still learning about which
foods agree with us and which ones don't. Just make sure you don't
overeat, and then you won't harm your pouch. Good luck on your journey!
— Christine L.
July 14, 2002
Hi ... Congrats on your weight loss! Just wanted to add that if you are
able to find Martins Potato bread, it has 4 grams of protein per slice,
which helps boost that protein intake!
— Dawn M.
July 14, 2002
I have "cheese toast" a few times a week for breakfast. I use
diet wheat bread (35 calories per slice) and just toast the bread, slap on
a piece of cheese, and off to work. It isn't much but at least it allows
me to get my vitamins down in the morning. If I take my vits on an empty
tummy, it makes me nauseous. After I have coffee (at my desk) and wait a
while, I drink an Adkins ready-to-drink protein shake while it is chilled.
I am good to go until lunch or at least until I need a small snack
midmorning. I have to be at work at 7 am. Good luck and you are doing
great!
— Marilyn C.
July 14, 2002
I'm 10 weeks post-op and I still can't eat bread. I'm now able to take
bites of rice and pasta without it feeling like a boulder going down (and
of course, I don't want the carbs). Cheese toast sounds delicious!
— Jennifer A.
July 14, 2002
I am seven months post-op and still do not eat bread of any kind. If you
do have to eat bread, make it whole wheat, not white. White bread is very
bad - it will ball up and possibly stop up your stoma. And if you eat it,
make sure it is toasted very crisp. Better yet, don't eat it. There are a
lot of carbs in bread and they will get you craving more carbs.
At 6 weeks out, you could probably start eating jerky. That is a wonderful
snack as it is low fat, low carb and HIGH protein. I eat it virtually
every day as well as peanut butter or peanuts. I try to say away from
rice, potatoes and pasta (pasta makes me sick).
I hope this helps. I wouldn't snack on anything that is pure carbs.
— Patty_Butler
July 14, 2002
Hey Lezlie. Great job and congrats on the weight loss. I am 10 weeks out
from my LAP RNY and I eat grilled cheese sandwiches whenever I eat out. I
agree with the other posters that you should probably have it on wheat or
rye, but I usually just eat them on white. Let's face it, you aren't
really eating very much and if you find that you are able to tolerate it,
why punish yourself by cutting out something that you like and are getting
protein from. I can tell you that it hasn't hurt me and I've lost over 80
pounds in 10 weeks. Good luck to you!
— Michael N.
July 15, 2002
Hi! I had open RNY on 3/7/02. I have found that high quality white bread
doesn't give me a problem, but cheap white bread does. Must be the sugar
content or something. I do try to instead eat whole wheat bread as much as
possible just to increase my nutrients. If bread isn't giving you trouble,
don't worry about it. It doesn't cause problems for everyone. Be careful
about how often you eat this, though, more because of the high calorie
content of cheese than any other reason. Also, I wouldn't worry about
occasionally snacking on a pretzel or two. Having a little tiny treat now
and again keeps us sane, right?
— photographer45
July 15, 2002
I've done the same thing Brenda Adams does...it's good and not nearly as
messy either. (Of course, I'm not post op, but I'm glad I'm seeing this as
an option when I am!!) Congrats on the weight loss! :)
— Lynda L.
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