bxlisa

Aspartame has been know to produces headaches, body aches, bloating, and gas. CNN had a report about how artificial sweeteners may actually cause the body to not metabolize foods correctly. Crystal Light is synthetic - made in a chemistry lab. They are artificial. The body is not designed to process or digest synthetics. Its like eating plastic. Can we digest plastic? These ingredients are known to cause addictions, allergies, and some researchers have even claimed ... weight gain. Just because something is low in calories doesn't mean its necessarily good for you. If you don't know what an ingredient is, research it first before taking it in. ------- For the record, here are the ingredients in the ready-to-drink raspberry ice flavor of Crystal Light: Ingredients: Water, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID, MALIC ACID, SUCRALOSE AND ACESULFAME POTASSIUM (SWEETENERS), RED 40, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, AND Calcium DISODIUM EDTA (PRESERVATIVES). Now, here's that same flavor in the powder mix version: Ingredients: MALTODEXTRIN (FROM CORN), CITRIC AND MALIC ACIDS (PROVIDES TARTNESS), RASPBERRY juice SOLIDS, ASPARTAME (SWEETENER), RED 40, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CALCIUM PHOSPHATE (PREVENTS CAKING), ACESULFAME POTASSIUM (SWEETENER), BLUE 1. Drink safe!!

I loved Optifast! - The only side effect - I was completely full. I had to drink 6 per day which I alternated with Chocolate and Strawberry. Sometimes, I will drink only 5 and had chicken broth for dinner. I used to be a Pepsi drinker addict and I didn't have any withdrawals.

Spice Up Your Life! (Found on the web) For many of us, salt is our spice of choice for flavoring whatever we're cooking. But the truth is, high amounts of sodium in your diet can harm your heart. So the next time you reach for the salt shaker, try using some of these flavorful herbs and spices instead. They'll give your food a whole new kick, and they won't hurt your heart. To start, use small amounts of these herbs and spices to see if you like them. Basil: Use in Soups, salads, vegetables, fish, and meats. Cinnamon: Use in salads, vegetables, breads, and Snacks. Chile Powder: Use in soups, salads, vegetables, and fish. Cloves: Use in soups, salads, and vegetables. Dill Weed and Dill Seed: Use in fish, soups, salads, and vegetables. Ginger: Use in soups, salads, vegetables, and meats. Marjoram: Use in soups, salads, vegetables, beef, fish, and chicken. Nutmeg: Use in vegetables, meats, and snacks. Oregano: Use in soups, salads, vegetables, meats, and chicken. Parsley: Use in salads, vegetables, fish, and meats. Rosemary: Use in salads, vegetables, fish, and meats. Sage: Use in soups, salads, vegetables, meats, and chicken. Thyme: Use in salads, vegetables, fish, and chicken.

That is great! I only lost 22 pound my first month.

LEARN THE LABEL LINGO (found info online) One of the best ways to find heart-healthy foods is to pay attention to the labels. Here are some terms to look for when choosing low-sodium items: • Sodium-free or salt-free: Less than 5 milligrams per serving • Very low-sodium: 35 milligrams or less per serving • Low-sodium: 140 milligrams or less per serving • Low-sodium meal: 140 milligrams or less per 3 1/2 ounces (100 grams) • Reduced- or less sodium: At least 25 percent less sodium than the regular version • Light in sodium: Half the sodium of the regular version • Unsalted or no salt added: No salt added to the product during processing By choosing items with lower sodium levels, you'll reduce your chance of developing high blood pressure, one of many risk factors for heart disease. While it may be hard at first, you'll soon discover how great food can taste without the additional salt. Your heart will thank you! :tongue:

Today is my one month anniversary with my lap-band. Hooray! So far I lost 21 pounds since the surgery; I will be getting my first fill in two weeks. One of the reasons I became over weight is because I loved dining out and ordering take-out. So I decided I should really learn how to cook and prepare healthly meals. My new obsession now, I love watching cooking shows. I really like “The Dan Ho Show” from FitTv but I love watching also “Down Home with the Neelys” and “Paula Deen” from the food Network. . For some reason I feel really satisfied by watching other people eat stuff I really can’t now. I think really miss my social life before the lap-band because we literally celebrated everything with food. Did anyone have this problem in the beginning? I am setting myself up for failure by watching other people eat fatting foods. Any feedback with help!

Orange-Ginger Stir-Fry 3/4 lb. (12 oz.) beef steak or chicken breast, cut into strips 2 tsp. cornstarch 3 Tbsp. orange marmalade 3/4 tsp. ground ginger 1 Tbsp. canola oil 1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen broccoli florets , thawed 1 can (8 oz.) sliced Water chestnuts , drained 1/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce 2 cups hot cooked MINUTE Brown Rice 1/4 cup PLANTERS Dry Roasted Peanuts PLACE steak or chicken strips in medium bowl. Sprinkle with cornstarch; toss to coat. Add marmalade and ginger; stir until well blended. HEAT oil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add meat mixture; stir-fry 4 to 5 minutes or until meat is cooked through. Reduce heat to medium-low. ADD broccoli, water chestnuts and soy sauce; mix well. Cover; simmer 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring frequently. SERVE over rice; sprinkle with peanuts. Nutrition (per serving) Calories 430, Total fat 15g, Saturated fat 3.5g, Cholesterol 35mg, Sodium 600mg Fiber 5g, Sugars 9g, Protein 22g

Thanks for all the feedback! Below is one recipe I really like from "The Dan Ho Show" because it has tons of Protein in one plate. Salmon Templada Ingredients: Salmon with 5 Essentials fat (olive oil) salt pepper aromatic (fresh or dry herb) acid (lemon or lime) White Bean Mash can of white Beans (canelli) olive oil salt pepper Savoy Sauté cabbage olive oil onion Directions Slice salmon in its raw state (like you would with lox) and place on oven safe plate. Drizzle salmon with olive oil, sprinkle salt, pepper, and herb over salmon and squeeze a fresh lemon or lime. Put salmon in broiler and broil on high for 1 to 2 minutes, until just pink. Open up can of white beans and drain. Mash them in a bowl, then drizzle olive oil, add salt and pepper. Mix and microwave until warm. Serve. Chop up cabbage length-wise, drizzle with olive oil and combine with finely chopped onion. Sauté for 5-7 min. Serve.

My husband just brought the Acai Berry juice this week. I haven' tried it but I will tomorrow. Thanks for the info. :frown:

Good Luck!

I heard it depends if you have acute gastritis and chronic gastritis but she would need to talk to her doctors first.

I'm sorry to hear that Heather. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I would call the nutritionist again and explain your situation so if someone cancels an appointment, she can give you a call ASAP.

Wow, four weeks of liquids post-op. I only had to do two weeks post-op then mushy foods but I did had two weeks of liquids before my surgery. I was drinking Opti-Fast pre-mixed Protein drinks. I found that crystal light makes me hungry so I stop drinking it. My doctor allow us to have during the "High Protein liquid Diet" phrase: Water No fat added clear broth sugar free Jell-o Crystal Light Fruit2O Diet Snapple Propel Fitness Water Sugar Free Kool-Aid Decaf coffee Herbal Tea Skim or 1% milk Vegetable juice (i.e. V8) Tomato Soup (w/ skim milk) Low fat strained cream soup Light drinkable yogurt (i.e. Dannon light-n-fit smoothie) Limit fruit juice to 8 oz / day I started take B-complex Vitamins with my regular vitamins and meds after post-op to help me with energy. I hope this helps!

It is normal to eat one in a while some high-fat or high-sugar foods but you want to be able to have it when you really feel like it, rather than just because it's there. So keep a soft bag cooler with you or in the car - Freeze a pre-mix protein shake like from EAS Energy or protein bar Turkey sliced cold cuts Pre-sealed or canned tuna 1 small baked potato from Wendy's Half an apple with 2 teaspoons of peanut butter 10 cashew nuts 10 almonds 4 mini rice cakes with 2 tablespoons low-fat cottage cheese 3 ounces low-fat cottage cheese and 3 whole-wheat crackers 1/4 cup fat-free ranch dressing with mixed raw veggies 6 Wheat Thins crackers with two teaspoons of peanut butter (or any nut butter)

I would call the insurance company’s member services and have the rep send you the coding for bariatric surgery documentation. Sometimes member service doesn’t explain everything to you over the phone. There might be an alternative to get around stuff. For example, I had to choose between a six months diet with an A*** network dietitian or have a private bariatric dietitian for three months. I choose to see the private dietitian which I had to pay out of pocket first. I also had to get two years documentation of my BMI being over 50 but dietitian and staff worked really fast with pre-certification process. They clue me in with a lot of stuff. Did you go to the GYN; they probably have your weight information in their records? If you just type a really nice report with your weight gains with photos stamp dates and weight related illnesses including irregular periods. List Current Year: 2008 Weight: ______________ Year: 2007 Weight: ______________ Year: 2006 Weight: ______________ Year: 2005 Weight: ______________ Year: 2004 Weight: ______________ Year: 2003 Weight: ______________ Name every type(s) of diet(s), if any, have you followed in the past. Alternative Medicine, Fad Diets, Overeaters Anonymous, Jenny Craig, Over the Counter Diet pills Like you mention, froggi1975 the doctor couldn't weight you because the scale never went high enough to get your weight. He should have sent you to another doctor if he didn't have the tools to treat you properly. Never settle for bad health care service. Remember you pay them! Try sending the insurance company all this information – sometimes it helps. You can always appeal and appeal the decision. From the insurance perspective, weight loss surgery has always been considered “medically necessary.” This means that weight loss surgery is not considered cosmetic but rather is performed to decrease the health risks associated with severe obesity. Lastly you can always try to finance it at www.capitalonehealthcarefinance.com Hope this helps!

I'm good. I going to be taking a hiking trail walk this weekend. I hope it doesn't rain. *You don’t want to be dehydrated for the surgery so start drinking as must Water you can starting today.

Rapid weight loss often causes patients to lose some hair a few months after surgery. This is usually due to reduced intake of protein and the mineral zinc. Therefore, it's recommend that you consume adequate amounts of protein and take a daily zinc supplement after LAP-BAND® surgery.

chicken of the Sea Chunk Light Tuna in Water, 2-Count Cups Available in: Chunk Light Tuna or Skinless Boneless Pink Salmon - Protein 18g per cup and only 80 calories I really like this product because it already portion perfectly for us. --------------- Egg Beaters® With Yolk Southwestern - Calories 40 and Protein 5g per severing size 1/4 cup. I love the bold taste which has red and green peppers, onions, and a mix of spices to a nutritious Breakfast table. Light yogurt Low fat cottage cheese Refried Beans Creamy Soups Tofu Canned Chicken in water Canned Turkey in water eggs Canned tuna in water Cooked or canned fruit (lite or unsweetened) Thinly cooked hot Cereal, Unsweetened (cream of wheat, cream of rice, oatmeal, grits) Mashed potatoes *** Remeber to chew (15 times atleast) well and take small bites. *** Check out the food and Nutrition forum for more information.

Below is some sites that I heard of: Free food Diary www.sparkpeople.com www.thedailyplate.com ------------ Nutrition Info www.NutritionData.com www.eatwellguide.org www.womentowomen.com/nutritionandweightloss ------------ Graphical Tickers and Trackers: Weight Loss/Fitness www.TickerFactory.com ------------ Exercise Equipment for Fitness www.power-systems.com ------------ Fourms www.thinnertimes.com www.weightloss.about.com

Did you ever join a weight loss program like Weight Watchers? I turn in my membership cards as weight history documentation because they recorded my weight and stamp the dates.