If you must snack, make good choices.

Keep reading the labels and make sure you understand the relationship and effect of what you are reading. Carbs are only one of components: protein, fat and sodium are just as important to regulate and monitor. String cheese is great to boost your protein but it is also pretty high in fat. A single slice of low sodium bacon can also give you a protein boost but like string cheese it is high in fat. I am still searching for a good tasting non-fat cheese. A hard boiled egg is another good choice.

My surgeon is big on protein, so he encourages us to have a protein shake between meals. Better to have too much protein and quell the hunger pangs than pushing a (fill in the blank with your most decadent snack food here) into your pie hole.

Charting what you are eating including snacks gives you a sense of control, especially if you are logging everything and I do mean everything. Establish some goals like no more than 20 grams of fat a day and see how you can achieve that goal. Find out what is a good calorie range for you and the same is true for protein, fat, sugar, sodium, and carbs.

If you have been banded for six months or more, celery and carrot sticks will provide fiber and give you a sense of chewing that also helps to curb your appetite.

There are some conflicting opinions but some (like the trainers on The Biggest Loser show) advocate chewing Extra sugarfree gum. A couple of sticks each day will do an amazing job of quelling the hunger monster.

More than anything else, eat your meals at the same time each day. Make that a priority and stick to it. The snacks become less important if you can really stick to a tight schedule.

Best of luck and if you get some "good" snack suggestions, let all of us know. We are all running down the same path.

WB

Don't deny yourself. But use moderation. If you want to have a taste of something you know is absolutely terrible for you to eat in quantities, don't deny yourself, just check yourself and savor the bite for all it is worth, and as you are doing that start thinking about a better choice.

Here's my confession: I love bread and I love peanut butter. If I am feeling like I haven't been topped off I will toast a slice and then spread a thin layer of pb and take my knife and scrape off almost all of the pb leaving enough so I still get my jones from the taste. I cut the slice in half and share the other half with my dog. I eat my half slowly and really savor it. By the time I finish it I am full. I haven't denied myself and I made a smart choice and a friend, too. And if you haven't a dog to share this with, a small child or spouse or significant other may enjoy the treat and worse case tossing it outside for the birds is a good choice, too.

do not deny yourself...cuz it could backfire.

When i snack i look more at the Calories and protein. I try to eat food with protein.

I am a "crunchy carb" junky!! and that has been the harderst part for me and unfortunally those food are slidders ;-(

I eat a lot of cottage cheese (high in protein) for snack. it fills me up.

I keep a clse watch on calories...they add up quick!

good luck

If you must snack' date=' make good choices.

Keep reading the labels and make sure you understand the relationship and effect of what you are reading. Carbs are only one of components: protein, fat and sodium are just as important to regulate and monitor. String cheese is great to boost your protein but it is also pretty high in fat. A single slice of low sodium bacon can also give you a protein boost but like string cheese it is high in fat. I am still searching for a good tasting non-fat cheese. A hard boiled egg is another good choice.

My surgeon is big on protein, so he encourages us to have a protein shake between meals. Better to have too much protein and quell the hunger pangs than pushing a (fill in the blank with your most decadent snack food here) into your pie hole.

Charting what you are eating including snacks gives you a sense of control, especially if you are logging everything and I do mean everything. Establish some goals like no more than 20 grams of fat a day and see how you can achieve that goal. Find out what is a good calorie range for you and the same is true for protein, fat, sugar, sodium, and carbs.

If you have been banded for six months or more, celery and carrot sticks will provide fiber and give you a sense of chewing that also helps to curb your appetite.

There are some conflicting opinions but some (like the trainers on The Biggest Loser show) advocate chewing Extra sugarfree gum. A couple of sticks each day will do an amazing job of quelling the hunger monster.

More than anything else, eat your meals at the same time each day. Make that a priority and stick to it. The snacks become less important if you can really stick to a tight schedule.

Best of luck and if you get some "good" snack suggestions, let all of us know. We are all running down the same path.

WB

Don't deny yourself. But use moderation. If you want to have a taste of something you know is absolutely terrible for you to eat in quantities, don't deny yourself, just check yourself and savor the bite for all it is worth, and as you are doing that start thinking about a better choice.

Here's my confession: I love bread and I love peanut butter. If I am feeling like I haven't been topped off I will toast a slice and then spread a thin layer of pb and take my knife and scrape off almost all of the pb leaving enough so I still get my jones from the taste. I cut the slice in half and share the other half with my dog. I eat my half slowly and really savor it. By the time I finish it I am full. I haven't denied myself and I made a smart choice and a friend, too. And if you haven't a dog to share this with, a small child or spouse or significant other may enjoy the treat and worse case tossing it outside for the birds is a good choice, too.[/quote']

Thank You I really appreciate all the helpful advise.

do not deny yourself...cuz it could backfire.

When i snack i look more at the Calories and protein. I try to eat food with protein.

I am a "crunchy carb" junky!! and that has been the harderst part for me and unfortunally those food are slidders ;-(

I eat a lot of cottage cheese (high in protein) for snack. it fills me up.

I keep a clse watch on calories...they add up quick!

good luck

Thank You and I do treat myself every now and again. I learned that the hard way. I appreciate your advise.