Hi Ladies,
I do not have diagnosed celiac, though my daughter does and in turn I eat a completely GF diet and was banded November 2010. I have found that eating GF with the band is the easiest and most successful way to eat while being banded since it is such a healthy lifestyle. We do not look for many GF alternatives in bread or breaded products unless she is really wanting chicken nuggets or fish and then I stick to the non-breaded sort; it is almost like eating a healthy version of Atkins everyday. Eat fresh and non processed foods, be careful with marinades and sauces and think simple. Bread is a no-no being banded anyhow, and you should be staying away from sweet treats like cake and Cookies and crackers….(If I want a treat, it's a no sugar added fudgsicle or a sugar free popsicle. If I really want something more than that while I am out, I get frozen yogurt) All Boars Head deli products are GF, and I eat everyday for lunch at work about 2oz of Salsalito Turkey and 1oz of cheese, with a very small portion of a fruit or vegetable. If I need a change, I vary in turkey or chicken flavors, and types of cheese…Think Simple!! I stay away from beef and pork since it is a higher calorie meat, and eggs are a great tool to use in GF cooking and a banded diet. Chicken Baron has a great frozen raw chicken burger patty, and I eat those regularly topped with sautéed mushrooms and, or avocado. While getting used to your band in the early stages, stay with laughing cow cheese wrapped in deli turkey or chicken sliced thin, so its easy to go down and is considered a soft food. Natures Own has a great Protein powder called Spiru-tein which has a lot of GF flavors, it says it on the label, just stay away from the obvious flavors like cookies and cream. Even has Chai-Latte flavor and Cappuccino, you can find them online at like Lucky Vitamin, which is one of the best prices I have found. You can check it out at spiru-tein.com, and all you need is milk and a shaker cup. Simple!! I was making egg muffins early on…mix eggs and any veggies cheese and turkey Breakfast sausage and bake in the oven in mini muffin tins…example egg, Monterey jack cheese, turkey breakfast sausage, tomatoes, sautéed onion and mushroom, (just think of your favorite omelet). Freeze each one wrapped in saran wrap and then foil, when you warm it up, tastes like new. Just thought I would share a bit of my tips, and feel free to contact me with any questions, I am still on my own journey to my goal weight…got 35 lbs more to go!! Good Luck on your success.