TheBandedPeach

Thanks sweetpea I've tried my best not to think about it and just move forward, but I'm pretty sure that it's been my scared subconcious keeping my weight on all these years due to that fear. The frustrating part is my psychologist that was assigned to me pre-surgery wont call me back and I was really hoping to express this all to a professional. After talking to you all, I am thinking I need to find someone new. I didn't realize until this forum how important it is to get that support.

I'm surprised how much your exercising and still nothing.. Our bodies are so friggen weird! Yes, please let me know how that works. I have never looked into the South Beach Diet. I am happy to switch anything up just to jump start it all. I know we all can do this. The bad days suck, but the good days to come must be phenomenal! I'll be rooting for you, and checking back! Good luck to you too!

Thanks,,,patience is a virtue! Good luck to you! I hope you get past your stalling point as well.

These were my lifesaver after about 2-3 weeks post OP. I had a lot of fun getting creative and testing out different things. Be careful with some of them, as everyone is different with their band. I was able to tolerate a lot and most mushy food without any issues, but not everyone can right away, so go really REALLY slow with them. Especially with the Peanut Butter or egg ones that are VERY heavy sitting in the stomach.... ...And if you have any concerns with trying anything at all, talk to your doc or nutritionist first. I lost 9 lbs during my liquid faze, even using these recipes! That was 1.5 lbs per week! GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY! J’s High Protein Full Liquid Recipes PHASE 2: Full liquid diet This starts 1 day after surgery NOTE: On the Full Liquid Diet, up to 6-8oz per meal is OK for 3-6 meals a day with lots of Water and mini 2-4oz Snacks in between (snacks are optional, but can create slower weight loss). Make sure to drink LOTS of water. The bulk of your fullness should be water. Stop before feeling full. I am consistently losing weight with these measurements. Remember to drink or eat very slowly. You can train yourself by using tiny baby spoons. The point of this 6 week plan, I am told is partly to shrink your stomach and get you prepared for the first band tightening where you will be limited to very tiny amounts. The doc wants you to get bored of these foods, because after the 6 weeks, you go strictly to solids and water. No more mushy or liquids. All of my recipes include ingredients that can be found at most Whole Foods Markets, Trader Joes or Meijers Grocery. Organic products are all optional, but I (from recent experience) highly recommend for those wanting a more rapid weight loss or healthier system in general. Using skim milk over cream or any other dairy milk will speed it up as well. The nut milks are a great way to sneak in even more nutrients. Most grocery stores carry these organic products now, but you have to look for them. *All my high fat recipes include only healthy or beneficial fats that have not been processed and do not include any hydrogenated oils. Please check the nutrition labels before purchasing any ingredients.* My Personal Tips for More Rapid Weight Loss Using the Liquid Recipes: 1. Use my snack recipes only once a day 2. Choose only my low fat options from my recipe list 3. Stay under 1000 calories. 4. Minimize the amount of sweetener used 5. Choose a Superfoods recipe at least once per day 6. Take liquid multi Vitamins from Whole Foods Market once a day 7. DRINK MORE WATER J’s Favorite Sugar Substitutes Liquid Stevia (Whole Foods Market) Xylitol (Whole Foods Market) Looks like sugar & great for decaf coffee, baking (during Phase 3: Solids) etc… J’s Daily Food Goals 60g Protein per day (split up into six 2oz meals or three 4oz meals) 5g or less of sugar per meal 3-6oz per day of liquid multi vitamins from health food stores As many drinks of water between meals as possible 800 Calories a day Full Liquid Recipes (MY FAVE) Decaf Mocha Protein 4oz organic decaf coffee of choice 2 oz skim (lowfat option) or Real Organic Whipping Cream (high fat option) 1 serving organic whey Protein powder (any flavor) 1/2 tsp real organic vanilla extract 1 ½ tsp real organic chocolate extract 2 tsp Xylitol (or to taste) ~blend well~ Egg Nog 6g protein 6g sugar (from milk) (drink only half at one sitting) Blend All: 1 raw, organic and cage free egg 4 oz organic skim milk 8 drops liquid Stevia Extract Dash real sea salt 2 dash organic nutmeg 1/4 tsp real organic vanilla extract 1/4 tsp rum extract (optional) Healthy Cocoa Mint Protein shake 1 cup organic skim milk Real organic mint leaves or real organic mint extract 2 tsp real, raw & organic cocoa powder 2 tsp raw, organic Maca Powder (This is a Super Food from Whole Foods Market or online. This is used often with real cocoa because it tastes great together and the minerals in both works together to balance the Calcium and magnesium found in them.) 1 serving organic weigh protein powder 6 drops Liquid Stevia Option 1: Boil 1 cup skim on stove top with ¼ cup of real organic mint leaves. Strain, then add other ingredients to milk. Blend & let cool. Drink ONLY HALF and save other half for another meal~ Option 2: For COLD & FAST shake, take 1 cup skim, add 2-4 drops mint leaf extract, add the rest of ingredients and blend. Drink HALF right away and save rest for later~ Almond Coco Joy Protein Shake 6oz skim (or almond milk) 2 tsp coconut extract (or 2 oz real organic coconut milk to add creaminess) 1 tsp Almond extract 3 tsp Real Organic Cocoa Powder 1 tsp real organic chocolate extract 2 tsp Organic Maca Powder (Super Food from Whole Foods Grocery or online. This is used often with real cocoa because it tastes great together and the minerals in both work together when combined.) 1 serving Organic Vanilla Whey Protein Powder 6 drops Liquid Stevia (if using almond milk instead, use only 4 drops) ~ blend well. Drink HALF right away and save rest for later~ Rice pudding Shake 6oz organic skim milk (or organic vanilla rice milk) 1 serving Organic Vanilla Whey or Organic Rice Protein Powder 2 tsp Organic Cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla extract 6 drops liquid Stevia (unless using organic rice milk) ~Blend & enjoy!~ Vanilla or Maple Protein Greek Yogurt 4oz Plain, full fat Organic Greek Yogurt Plain or Vanilla Organic Whey Protein Powder 5 drops Liquid Stevia 1/8 tsp Vanilla or Maple Extract ~Mix all ingredients together with a spoon until thin with no lumps~ Peanut Protein Power (high fat recipe) (Drink only HALF at one sitting. This is an extremely filling shake and you may get uncomfortable if you drink too much) 1 tbs creamy, raw, organic with no salt added peanut butter 4oz Organic Skim Milk 1 tbs real organic & raw cocoa powder (optional) 1 serving organic whey protein powder ¼ tsp almond extract ¼ tsp real organic vanilla extract 10 drops liquid Stevia or 2 tsp Xylitol ~blend all ingredients together VERY WELL~ Vanilla Orange Dream 6oz organic skim milk 1 serving organic plain or vanilla whey powder 1/8 tsp orange extract 1/8 tsp vanilla extract 8 drops Liquid Stevia ~shake or blend all~ Coconut Milk Protein Shake (high fat) 1/3 cup pure organic coconut milk 2/3 cup organic skim milk or rice milk ½ tsp vanilla extract 5 drops of liquid Stevia (or to taste) 1 serving organic whey protein powder 1 tsp almond extract (optional) 1 tbs raw, organic cocoa powder (optional) ~Shake or blend all together~ DOUBLE CHO-COCOA COVERED banana 1 scoop vanilla or chocolate whey protein powder 2 1/2 tbs cocoa powder 3 tsp chocolate extract or 1 tbs organic chocolate syrup (contains pure cane sugar) 8 drops Stevia extract or Truvia replacement sweetener (same as stevia only in a crystallized form) 1 cup organic skim milk 1/4 very ripe banana 1/4 tsp almond extract (optional) 1 tbs creamy organic peanut butter (optional) ~blend well and enjoy!~ Simply Nanners! 1/2 very ripe banana 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 8 drops Stevia extract or Truvia replacement sweetener (same as Stevia only in a crystallized form) 1 cup organic skim milk ~blend well and enjoy!~ Banutty 1/2 very ripe banana 1 tbs organic creamy peanut butter 1 scoop organic vanilla or plain whey protein powder 1/4 tsp real organic vanilla extract 1/4 tsp almond extract 1/3 cup organic skim milk 1/3 cup organic almond milk (adds sweetness and nutrients) 1/3 cup organic hazelnut milk (adds sweetness and nutrients) 4-8 drops liquid Stevia ~ Mixing milks is optional, but will add a much richer and sweeter flavor. Blend well and enjoy!~ Full Liquid SNACKS Note: Have these ONLY after you have gotten your required amount of protein in for the day and are still hungry. These will fill you and add extra nutrients to your daily diet. These contain higher fat and may slow down weight loss. Mix cream Soups with water for better results. Cream Soups Meijers Grocery & Whole Foods Market carry an AMAZING Organic Cream Soups collection, Imagine & Pacific brand, where you can poor it right out of the carton! Most of the soups have no chunks in them (chunks have to be strained). You can also choose the LOW SODIUM flavors which are very good and (optional) add real sea salt from Whole Foods Market to them later if you want. Choose any flavor and enjoy! My Faves: Organic Creamy Tomato Organic Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Organic Creamy Sweet Potato Organic Creamy Acorn Squish with Mango ( I like it as is) Organic Creamy Cashew, Ginger & Carrot Organic Creamy Sweet Pea Organic Creamed Tomato Soup (Whole Foods & Meijers Grocery)<br style="mso-special-character: line-break"> <br style="mso-special-character:line-break"> Poor 4oz of soup in mug and heat for 1 min in microwave. For turning this into pizza SOUP add: 1 sprinkle oregano 2 tsp grated Parmesan cheese (stir in well after soup has cooled for 1 min. DO NOT MELT in soup) 1 sprinkle garlic powder 1 sprinkle onion powder 1 sprinkle real sea salt Organic Creamed Red Pepper Soup (Whole Foods & Meijers Grocery) Poor 4oz of soup in mug and heat for 1 min in microwave. 2 tsp grated Parmesan cheese (stir in well after soup has cooled for 1 min. DO NOT MELT in soup) (This is high in Vitamin C) Organic Creamed Sweet Potato Soup (Whole Foods & Meijers Grocery) Poor 4oz of soup in mug and heat for 1 min in microwave. Sprinkle real sea salt Add ½ tab REAL ORGANIC butter Egg or Avocado salad 1 Hard Boiled Egg Yolks (no white, since it is unable to blend smoothly) = 3-5grms protein (This recipe CAN BE SUBSTITUTED WITH AVACODO for other daily nutrients. Use the equivalent of one egg yolk. Just remember that it is higher fat and lower protein. BUT, not to fear!... it’s GOOD FAT. Avocado contains monounsaturated fats and oleic acid which helps lower cholesterol! ONLY eat this as a snack if you have gotten all your protein in for the day.) 1/2 TBS Kraft Olive Oil Mayo (or organic options from Whole Foods Market) 1 Tsp Mustard (look for brands with no added sugar) 1/2oz water Sprinkle of Paprika Sprinkle Garlic Powder (Optional) Sprinkle Opinion Powder (Optional) Sprinkle Dill (Optional) ½ Sprinkle Celery Salt (Optional) ~Blend EXTRA, EXTRA SMOOTH until the consistence of fat free yogurt to make a thin creamy paste, eat slowly with baby spoon and enjoy!~ Greek Yogurt Full fat or fat free PLAIN 2 oz = 2 gm protein ~Eat 2oz. plain, or add 2 drops almond extract & 4 drops of liquid Stevia to give it a “honey nut” flavor. Eat slowly with baby spoon~ V8 or Organic Tomato juice 2-4oz ~Add salt, pepper, onion powder & garlic powder to taste (optional). Eat slowly with baby spoon~ Organic Apple Sauce 2oz. plain or cinnamon (to help you “go” if you get constipated.) Chai Tea 2oz water 2oz Skim Milk 8 drops Liquid Stevia 3 shakes cinnamon 3 shakes cardamom 1 shake clove ½ shake cayenne 2 shakes ginger 1/2 shake black pepper ~Can sip this all day when you’re in desperate need of flavor!~ RECIPES #2 DOUBLE CHO-COCOA COVERED BANANA (High Fat & Calorie) 1 scoop vanilla or chocolate whey protein powder 2 ½ tbs cocoa powder 3 tsp chocolate extract or 1 tbs organic chocolate syrup (contains pure cane sugar) 8 drops Stevia extract 1 cup organic skim milk ¼ very ripe banana ¼ tsp almond extract (optional) 1 tbs creamy organic peanut butter (optional) ~blend well and enjoy!~ Simply Nanners! (High Calorie) ½ very ripe banana 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder ½ tsp vanilla extract 8 drops Stevia extract or Truvia replacement sweetener (same as Stevia only in a crystallized form) 1 cup organic skim milk ~blend well and enjoy!~ Banutty (High Fat & Calorie) ½ very ripe banana 1 tbs organic creamy peanut butter 1 scoop organic vanilla or plain whey protein powder ¼ tsp real organic vanilla extract ¼ tsp almond extract 1/3 cup organic skim milk 1/3 cup organic almond milk (adds sweetness and nutrients) 1/3 cup organic hazelnut milk (adds sweetness and nutrients) 4-8 drops liquid Stevia ~ Mixing milks is optional, but will add a much richer and sweeter flavor. Blend well and enjoy!~ BERY, BERY SUPER FRUITY (Low Fat) 1 tsp Raw, Organic Acai berry Powder (Superfood) 1 tsp Raw, Organic Lucama Powder (Superfood) 1 tsp Raw, Organic Pomegranate Powder 1 ½ TBS Strait Pure Organic Goji Berry Juice (Superfood) 1 ½ TBS Strait Pure Organic Cranberry Juice 10-12 drops Liquid Stevia 1 serving organic Vanilla Whey Powder 1 tsp Pure Raspberry extract 1 cup skim milk ~Blend well and enjoy!~ strawberry CREAM DESSERT #1 1 TBS strawberry extract (Bonus if you find a natural version of this) Or 2 ripe organic strawberries (must strain shake of chunks and seeds after blending well) ½ tsp real organic vanilla extract 8 drops Stevia extract or 1 tbs Xylitol 1/2 cup Organic Skim Milk 1/2 scoop organic vanilla whey powder 1 tsp Real Organic Whipping Cream (optional) ~blend well (Strain) and enjoy!~ Chocolate Cover Strawberry 2-4 ripe organic strawberries (must strain shake of chunks and seeds after blending well) 2 TBS real organic cocoa powder 1 tsp organic Maca powder 1 TBS organic chocolate extract 1 scoop organic whey vanilla whey powder 1 TBS Xylitol sweetener 5 oz organic skim milk ~blend well strain and enjoy!~ Cinnamon Covered Almond 4 oz Organic Almond Milk 2 oz Organic Skim Milk 2 TBS Real, Raw & Organic Honey 1 TBS Real, Organic Cinnamon 1 Scoop Organic Vanilla Whey Powder ~Shake very well and enjoy!~

I use normal silverware now, but LOVE using little saucer plates (the ones that go under tea cups) to serve myself food. That way I know that if it cant fit on the plate, it shouldn't fit in my stomach!

WOW! Thank you for this! Makes much more sense now! I'm exactly 3 months out....

You guys are all so amazing! What would I have done without you??? I actually cried when I read all the kind and supportive words of advice everyone has given, as this is so friggen emotional LOL . I never really thought it would hit me like people said. I was hoping I could just float along, but I'm beginning to learn a little more each day. "Bandster Hell"...Hmmm...Yep! That pretty much describes it to a "T"! @ Dave- It definitely helps me to see everyone's success.Thanks for being so super positive for me and I know it helps others as well! Your a superstar on here in my eyes and I will continue to read your posts, if not just for positive reminders. @ Rachel - Thanks so much for calming my worries. That is great info to know! I have this feeling that my 3rd fill may be the one.. I can tell I'm close, but not quite there yet. I have worked extra hard the last 2 days and although I feel a bit of hunger and some soreness on occasion, it's getting easier, I can tell. You as well have helped boost my confidence with this. @ Phranp - I really love your comforting energy. Mind if I add you as a friend, if I didn't already? I like how you used the words "sweet spot" to describe it, cause it makes so much more sense...I'll say the truth about the carbs...I have been eating more carbs since the surgery then I ever have before!... because I keep feeling like they are the only things bulky and heavy enough to make be feel full and like the band is doing it's "job". In the last 2 days I have tried to go back to eliminating them as much as possible, now that I understand better how this all works. I try to get in more complex carbs and ditch the simple carbs. ....Yeah, if I don't get my chocolate fix, my fiance' wimpers in "fear" (comically), does one of these ---> , then runs out to a store and buys me some right away! LOL. My sweet, sweet enabler, :lol:LOL Yes, he does love me very, very much and is 100% supportive in everything I do..so in that sense I feel VERY blessed.... I agree with the whole cookie cutter idea, and that we truly are all different and unique. I have never quite "fit" into peoples "molds" with anything in my life. We all have our blessings and our battles. Fran, you warmed my heart with your response <3 @ Phranp & Wheelchair - As far as my disability goes, it's severe enough that as a child the docs wanted me in a wheel chair, but flexible enough that I chose to keep around a pair of crutches instead for the bad days. I have to always have them on hand for days when my body gives up and says "sorry, your not gonna work today". I am unable to get out of bed without assistance and/or extreme pain in the mornings. I lock up once I have laid flat. What I have is a rare form of Level 5 Spondylolitheses...sounds like (SPOND-DE-LOW-LA-THEES-ES) and a metabolic bone disease which created arthritis throughout my body at an early age. I am 27 yrs old now and look perfectly "normal" on the outside, but a total mess on the inside (my bones). I am scared that losing the weight will show off the deformation in my spine and legs, that people don't seem to notice now as long as there is lots of weight on me. I have good days and bad days...the good days are becoming farther and farther apart as I started gaining more weight and getting older. I know that losing all the weight will relieve so much pressure, that I may be almost %100 mobile in the end. That's what the doc said anyways, and that's what got me determined enough to go through with this surgery. Now...I just gotta make it work somehow! @ Acadia - Hi again Yes, only 9 since surgery technically. I just count the 5 days before since it's when I felt I started my real journey. It was actually 7 lbs lost during my first 3 weeks of full liquids (was told to do 6 weeks of full liquids). Then when I started slipping up and going against my doc's orders and eating mushies during the last 3 weeks of full liquids, I stopped losing immediately and have been stuck ever since. I didn't lose another 2 pounds until I was in the ER stuck on Clear Liquids again. I have kept those off and lost another 1/2 pound this week. I am 3 months post op. My fave trick right now to feeling "satisfied" is drinking a 1/2 cup of Water or low cal liquid before any meal, and it has REALLY been helping. After reading your post I made sure to measure my inches right away and found a much easier website to help me do all my calculations with BMR, BMI, calories, exercise, etc.. It's myfitnesspal.com I wish I had found it a year ago before I did all the work, research and math myself to figure it all out! It is saying that if I do very moderate exercise 2 times a week, I can eat up to 1,700 calories a day and lose weight. So I am trying to do around 1,300-1,400 instead to see how that goes, especially since I cannot guarantee myself a workout. I'm 27yrs old, 317.5 lbs and 5' 4". My fiance' started teaching me boxing, but we had to sell our bag and equipment during hard times (all the twisting and force was a bit risky for me too), so now I think I will take everyone's advice and try to do a water aerobics class. @ Wheelchair - Thank you for sharing yourself with me. You did not bore me one bit. I was inspired and fascinated. It's also nice to know when another person understands what your going through. I realize our situations are not perfectly alike, but enough to relate to some extents. I most definitely need to know more about the exercise portion of weight loss. Your a beautiful person for your hard work and determination. I cant wait to hear more about your success! @ Andrea - That helps a lot, thank you! I promise I'll keep my head up and try not to compare so much. Your doing great! I'm so curious now to know how big my band is! Everyone else seems to know, and it seems important to know (especially the cc's amount), so I will ask asap to find out myself. @ Sweetpea - water aerobics it is!!! THANKS!!! And good luck with your own journey. <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"><img border="0" src="http://tickers.myfitnesspal.com/ticker/show/909/6236/9096236.png" /></a><p style="text-align:center;width:420px;"><small>Created by MyFitnessPal - <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com">Free Weight Loss</a> Tools</small></p>

I was told that hair loss was due to not enough Protein after surgery, so I have made sure to get in TONS of it. My nutritionist recommends 60 grams per day for me.... BUT.... recently I have been losing my hair too! I am blaming it on all the radiation since I have been in so much of it lately with Upper GI's, CAT scans, Ultrasounds, etc... for the last 3 months since surgery due to some complications and a few ER visits. I am curious about the biotin and prenatal gummies... if you don't mind letting me know how they work for you... Also i am about to re-order some pure liquid minerals called GENESIS which is AMAZINGGGGGG for hair and nails and hope that helps! It's Genesis by Conscious Planet if you ever want to check it out. You just poor a tiny cap full into your juice or Water and don't even taste it! Next thing you know, your nails will start growing beautifully and your hair thicker and shinier! I would use it constantly if I could afford it all the time, but I know right now is crucial and TOTALLY worth it. Hope that helps!

It's funny you should say that about "that's obsessive dieting behaviour that prevents a healthy relationship with food". It's one of the first things I ever thought when I was first told to start counting calories. I relate it to my parents who obsessed about health food when i was growing up and that's all that was ever talked about and thought about was researching on health food... The more obsessed we became, the more I wanted to binge on Burger King and Wendy's. I found myself becoming an over-eater who never stopped thinking about food, eating 1-2 gigantic, loaded up plate fulls of healthy food at home, and then doing the same thing with junk food when out with friends later. At home I obsessed about eating healthy, and outside I obsessed about trying to get food I wasn't "allowed" to have. I went on the whole calculating your calories and BMR, BMI trip, researching every detail, lost 30 lbs in 4 months, then gained twice as much back the second I got exhausted with counting and torturing myself over exercise. I truly appreciate your layed back attitudes, because I need to find that in myself again. So thanks to You, Jennypenny, Xavier and the others... <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"><img border="0" src="http://tickers.myfitnesspal.com/ticker/show/909/6236/9096236.png" /></a><p style="text-align:center;width:420px;"><small>Created by MyFitnessPal - Free <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com">Calorie Counter</a></small></p>

Oh, btw... I'm glad you told us about the air instead of saline thing... I had forgotten that I was allergic to saline, and I think my strange abdominal pain (as I've talked about in one of my earlier posts) may have to do with a band leakage? I plan to ask my Doc in the morning what she thinks...Maybe they can take out the saline and use air instead. They say that it's gas, but something feels so odd and that's the best I could come up with.

Part of me agrees that once in a while, in some situations it's good to go in blind (as my doc seemed to want me to do). Like, for example... I was afraid to learn TOO much pre band because I knew that it was possible to get psyched out of doing it and closed my ears to the negativeness of my friends and family. I just wanted to do my basic research on statistics, safety, general procedure, a couple seminars, etc..and that's it. Not USUALLY how I run, but in this particular case, I felt I needed it because once I set my mind to doing something, I HAVE to do it! ... but after it was done, I researched and researched like crazy and found forums to get as much info and questions answered as possible. Yes, I call it the "W" syndrome....When, Why, What and Where! Especially when it comes to our health and wellness. So, thank you again and I look forward to reading more of your responses in the future!

I, unfortunately was one of those people who went 2 weeks post op thinking there was fluid in my band, to finding out there was none! The surgeon apparently said something because my fiance' heard him say it, but I missed that bit of info LOL ...anywayssss... (<----blonde)

I, unfortunately was one of those people who went 2 weeks post op thinking there was fluid in my band, to finding out there was none! The surgeon apparently said something because my fiance' heard him say it, but I missed that bit of info LOL ...anywayssss... (<----blonde)

Thank you for the other 2 links as well.

Thanks dmg, as I have read more people's posts today, I have come to realize this. The info I posted above was just what I was told. They have been filling mine slowwwww as molasses.... hmmph... kinda wish it was tighter right now, too. Actually, I knew nothing about cc's or anything until just the other day. Just that it was empty for the first 6 weeks after surgery!

OMG I totally love you for sharing all that Xavier! I was really happy when I read the link that David posted until I realized after reading it a few more times how much it scared me. I felt so discouraged today after spending all day yesterday doing research and talking with people. If you ever come across one of the things I posted today, it says.... "Feeling discouraged...What's the point?" My only thought all day was... all this hell for nothing (had a bad surgery experience, as well as post op complications)? Whats the point?... I WANTED it to be tight and restrict my food intake....like you said "if I could ever follow a diet and/or exercise regimen long term why would I need a lap band!" I'm thinking now that I really need a more care free attitude about this and to stop all this worry...

Drinking a glass of Water has recently been my favorite and most successful "trick" to feeling "full" enough to only eat a cup or two of food instead of 3-4.