Question:
I'm 1 year post-op. Need help with volume of food vs oz/ weight.

I'll be a year post-op officially in 2 weeks- yay! I'm at my goal weight of being 130lbs. (pre-op was 250) and am actually still slowly losing. This whole time I have been weighing my food, thinking I'm eating like 2oz at a time. But then realized that many of you use measuring cups, and go by volume, I'm assuming this is correct. So by these standards, how much should I be eating? I have a sample menu at the bottom of my profile if you want to take a look at it. In all honesty, i think I'm doing fine, I mean I exercise 3-4 times a week, get in about 75 grams protein and usually 1300 calories. I just don't want to gain weight further down the road b/c I've been stupid and measuring my food the wrong way! lol Thanks :-)    — Lezlie Y. (posted on May 6, 2003)

May 6, 2003
It always boils down to calories in, calories out. You can go to www.wvda.org and find out how many calories you should eat for your weight.
   — joeandteri

May 6, 2003
I, too am confused about volume v. weight. I am a new post op, and my plan calls for ounces of liquid and later food, then says 1/2 to 3/4 cup. I bought a bunch of frozen 4oz chicken breasts, and will try half of one when I am on soft foods. I bet the 2oz weight of chicken will fill more than 1/4 measuring cup. So which is it? Do we use measuring cups just for liquid and weigh solid foods? I'm glad you asked this question.
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 6, 2003
I use aliquid measure for liquid and a food scale for meat and other protein. I really doubt that 2 ounces of chicken is more than a 1/4 cup. You would be surprised that volume-wise most protein stuff measures out to the same size or very very close. I measure any veges in a cup, 4 ounces of lettuce weighed would be crazy and I doubt I could eat it but I can eat a measured cup. I just really don't want to stretch my pouch too much. As far as what you are doing it sound awesome. You have had great loss and that is a testament to your adherance to your post op diet. If you have questions about how to maintain your weight why not see a nutritionist who can help you make a healthy plan. Good Luck and Congratulations!
   — Carol S.

May 7, 2003
My surgeon told me to measure by volume not weight, because our pouch doesn't "weigh" the food as it comes in, but fills with the volume of it.
   — [Deactivated Member]