Question:
Am I being bad? 2 months post-op - snacking and sugar...

I am 2 months post-op and down 43 pounds or so, most of which was lost during my first month, but i have some recent problems which is making it hard for me to exercise and get in all my protein (chronic daily headaches, horrible muscle spasms, etc.) I usually eat eggs, cheese, chicken, beefs, fish, soups, grilled cheese. But once in a while lately i have been snacking on cheese puffs, i know it is bad, but I will have half of the small bag and that's it. That would be the one snack I have for the day, its like 10g carbs, 5 fat grams and 70 calories for 1/2. (maybe twice a week) And i'll have 1 or 2 jolly ranchers every other day b/c they are at my chiropractors office. I also had real icecream twice since surgery- 1/3 cup vanilla, which is about 12 grams of sugar, maybe I don't dump? . . .Am i grazing? I don't want to fall into a routine of bad eating, but at the same time, its so hard with my illnesses to exercise and get the 80 grams of protein i need. (I usually get about 50grams a day lately) Any ideas or support or criticism is welcome! THANKYOU :-)    — Lezlie Y. (posted on July 23, 2002)

July 23, 2002
Lezlie, I don't know a lot, but that I'm familiar with I'd like to give you this word of advice, please be careful and not commit *nutritional suicide*~~Jolly Ranchers were good for me at one time, I haven't even had my surgery yet and it's totally dangerous for me!!I LOVED those candies~~but was bad for diabetes and my blood sugar. You don't want to sabotage your efforts and the reason for WLS in the first place. Have you thought about about perhaps getting a nutritionist and/or a professional therapist to help you with this? You can overcome it!!!~~~Hadiyah~~~
   — yourdivaness

July 23, 2002
Lezlie, you are doing fine. An occasional *treat* is fine. You can't deny yourself *treats* for the rest of your life. HOWEVER, be careful not to slowly fall into the bad habits that got us here in the first place. I started doing this also and found myself "treating" myself a little bit more with the melting weight. Then I realized that I was doing what I had done pre op. I'd be on a diet and as the weight came off, I'd celebrate by having something "good" to eat. Before I knew it, I was off the diet and on my way to gaining back all I had lost, plus some. So, what I am saying is don't fall into old habits. Right now you are very conscious of what you are eating, and that is good. Just continue being conscious of it. Even though the weight is coming off, always remember that this is a TOOL. Now is the time to develope NEW and HEALTHIER eating habits/choices. Good Luck!
   — Kim B.

July 23, 2002
Lezlie, I am one of those that believes that programming in your snacks and sweets is normal eating behavior. I did not have this surgery to spend the rest of my life "dieting" or denying myself my treats. Now, with that said, since we all got into trouble by overdoing the carbs and sugars (I know I did!), the name of the game is moderation, something I could not spell before WLS, and now is my friend. For me, the rule is, get in the protein and the water, vitamins, exercise and keep the carbs to a reasonable level. One of my favorite snacks is a couple of the mini chocolate chip cookies-they come in snack size packages (1.8 grams of sugar per, 3.6 carbs per) and I can limit myself to 2 or 3, whereas before surgery, I would have gone for the large cookies and eaten many of them.
   — Cindy R.

July 23, 2002
In 2 months We cannot eat much. Instead of the cheezy poofs why not try a low carb protein bar. Instead of ice cream how about sf\ff frozen yougurt. This is your time to loose alot of weight. The right choices now may mean 20-39 lbs in your final weight. We all eat a treat once in a while but you should try to get in your protein and water first. Good Luck
   — Robert L.

July 23, 2002
Lezlie, Please be careful. I really screwed up. I am 3 years post op and I started with the snacking thing too. And nowadays I don't even sugar dump too much. But it got to where I stopped off at Twinkietown a little bit too often. I ate back 35 pounds before I knew it. I wound up with a "mysterious pain" between my breastbone and was unable to eat and was hospitalized for 4 days a few weeks ago. They put me on morphine and a liquid diet and I don't know how but the 35 pounds kinda melted off me. I feel like I have been given a second chance and I am not screwing up again. BE CAREFUL. This is a tool, not a cure. Just chant that the next time you reach for those Cheetos.
   — Laura H.

July 23, 2002
It's fine to enjoy some treats once in awhile. But do be careful that it does'nt get away from you. It can happen so easily. Yet if you deny yourself treats, it can lead to craving and overdoing it. Perhaps eat your protein first. Then if you have alittle room afterward, then have the great tasting cheese puffs. (Oh I love those things). As far as the ice cream, I like HEALTHY CHOICE (NO SUGAR ADDED) ice creams. I love their Mint Chocolate Chip and the Vanilia. Sometimes I'll take a diet pop and add alittle of the HC Vanilia to it. I can almost forget that it's a diet drink. Then I don't feel deprived. There are creative games you can play with more healthy choices of foods.
   — Danmark