mari.beth

That is awesome! Congratulations on your hard work! Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I've never seen these at my regular supermarkets. Where did you buy these, on line? Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App I bought them at an Indian grocery store in Nashville (Patel Brothers). I found them on their website, but they are more expensive online: http://store.patelbros.com/swad-black-pepper-papad/

I hope this picture posts correctly.

I posted this in the wrong spot, but can't figure out how to delete it!!

I wonder if anyone else has tried these. They are light, crunchy, tasty, and I think an excellent alternative to high-carb crackers. Plus, they are cheap and take only one minute to cook in the microwave. I have eaten them with low-carb salmon spread or just plain when I really wanted something crunchy. I only eat 10 (well, I cook 10 and give my dogs 2), which is 17.5 calories, 3 carbs, 0 fat, 1.5 grams Protein.

You look great! Congrats on the accomplishment!!!

I am a pescatarian, but eat a lot of vegetarian meals. There is a Facebook page you can ask to join: WLS vegetarians. There are quite a few people on that page who eat completely plant-based diets after surgery. I have gotten a few ideas there (though I am still struggling with meal planning 6 months out). I haven't found anything that my sleeve does not tolerate in small portions. I definitely eat beans (and some rice) without any issues at all. I can only eat tiny bits of some raw veggies (cucumbers, carrots, and cauliflower) because they fill me up super quickly, but I can eat lettuce and arugula without any issues. I can eat about half a tangerine or apple before feeling full, but no problems at all with digesting/tolerating any of it. You also can add veggie meat substitutes back to your diet after surgery earlier than you can add meat (if you eat it). I have been eating veggie burgers (half of one fills me up), Boca crumbles, etc. for a couple of months now.

I don't eat meat because of cruelty in the meat industry. I might eat it if I could find a source where the animals were treated humanely, but probably not because I think cows are cute and pigs are smart. I tried to go vegan, but really could not do it (way before surgery), so I settled on pescatarian even though I know that the fishing industry is not humane either. If you figure out which books are especially good, please share!

There are a multitude of reasons people choose not to eat meat, or certain kinds of meat, and all are valid. She stated that she is a pescatarian, which means she eats fish. She may also be lacto-ovo which would mean she drinks milk and eats eggs. But even if she's not lacto-ovo, I don't think we should be trying to convince her to eat meat when she has religious/moral/health reasons for not. I am no longer vegetarian, but was raised that way for religious reasons (we were lacto/ovo/pescatarian in practice) and I can assure you that there are MANY ways to get plenty of protein without eating meat. There are a number of high protein foods that are not animal-based. http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4771/10-Vegan-Sources-of-Protein.html To the OP: I have been trying to find meal planning help with my own food issues, and have found that in general the options are not very good. There's tons of recipe ideas here in the recipe section and on Pinterest, but not a lot of information about how to plan meals especially if you're planning to do once-a-week or once-a-month cooking. There are resources for OAW/OAM cooking, but it's with their recipes and doesn't offer a lot of insight as to how to put your own recipes in place of theirs. If you search once-a-week or once-a-month cooking, and read enough of the books/resources, there are basic principles you can apply. Like which kinds of food freeze well, which are good for make-ahead, etc. I personally have found it very hard to implement from scratch. But if you dig enough you can find them. I will offer that if you're doing low-carb, you shouldn't worry overmuch about fat. The concept of low-carb requires a higher fat content than in a "normal" diet. I wouldn't go overboard, but since you don't eat red meat, your fat options are going to tend to be the "healthy" fats, so I really wouldn't worry much about that. Also, I advise getting some clarification around "only 3 meals" a day. Post-op, your intake at a sitting will be so little that I don't believe only allowing 3 meals a day is wise. My instructions are to eat every 3-4 hours. Many of the people here who have 3 meals only as instructions, were allowed 2-3 Protein Drinks outside of those 3 meals as "snacks". Others are told 3 meals with 2 or 3 low calorie high protein Snacks. Good luck! If I remember when I get home (feel free to PM me to remind me) I can post some of the OAW/OAM resources I've found. I would love some of those resources. I had not considered looking for once-per-week/month / foods that freeze well, etc. I definitely will look for that. I am supposed to have three meals with Protein shakes in between (I guess as "snacks" but they said, "No snacking" -- I guess just another way of saying the same thing!).

Congrats on being 100 pounds down from your highest weight. That is wonderful! My surgery was June 23. I've lost 60, but haven't lost anything for a few weeks. I definitely feel less restriction which worries me. I'm not too concerned about Thanksgiving other than pie! Honestly, I probably will have a bite. Do you have to cook? I think that would be harder. I'm going to my sister's house and will only be taking deviled eggs. I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving! Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

THank you! I did not know about the recipes / food sections. I will spend more time looking through those. I never have used Reddit. I need to check it out. Before surgery, I didn't eat enough protein for sure. My main sources (before and after) are fish, shrimp, and meat alternatives (tofu, tempeh). I definitely substitute those products for other meat, but the veggie noodles -- great idea! I have a spiralizer that is collecting dust in a drawer somewhere. I will track it down and try some zoodles again! Thanks!!! I did not know it existed. THANK YOU!!!

I bought a couple of books (used on Half.com) and have gotten a few good recipe ideas from them. If you figure out a good one, please let me know!

THank you to the three of you who replied. Those are great ideas. I did not know there was a recipes section here. Honestly, I find BP a bit frustrating. It seems like many newbies asking questions do not get many responses whereas a lot of people jump in to respond to posts by the "popular" (for lack of a better term) people. So, I feel pretty frustrated with the few posts I have made trying to get advice. I really do appreciate you taking your time to respond!!!

Wow. My doc said not to drink from a straw and I have not done so for fear that the extra air might stretch my sleeve. I used to drink A LOT of liquids through straws all day every day. Since surgery, I have been struggling to drink enough water because of not being able to use straws. I know that sounds silly, but I think I may try one to see if I experience discomfort.

Maybe I have just not figured out how to search the forums very well, but I am surprised that I have found so few posts about meal prepping / planning. I know this sounds pathetic, but I honestly thought the nutritionist fees that were part of my "package" would result in nutritional support that was more helpful. The post-surgery visits have basically involved the nutritionist/ nurse handing me papers with a list of what is okay to eat and what is not okay to eat. I envisioned that nutritional support would involve helping me plan meals tailored around my needs (I am pescatarian). I feel stupid because I cannot find any materials or supports for meal prepping/ planning (just general "do eat" / "don't eat" guidelines). I am almost 5 months out and have been at the same weight for about a month (60 pounds down, but holding still). I am supposed to only eat three meals and get 60+ grams of Protein, <30 grams of fat, and between 30-60 grams carbs. I have found myself wanting to snack but figuring out healthy, meatless options that are not high fat (e.g., cheese, peanuts) has been a struggle. I have read a couple of books that had a few ideas and I have joined the WLS Vegetarians Facebook page, but I feel like I am looking for help that does not exist. I feel like I am struggling to figure out a plan so that I don't yield to whatever is on hand when I am feeling hungry. I would like to meal prep for a week at a time, but a lot of the ideas I have found for that are high in carbs or contain meat. Is there a way to get help with meal prepping/ planning (real help - not just "here is your list of what to eat.")? Do you know of resources that have daily meal plans? Tips and tricks for retraining my brain away from head hunger also will be appreciated.