Search the Community

Hello All, I am having my vsg on April 7th and am looking for a mentor who is a vegetarian and/or interested in organic foods. I myself am a pescatarian (my main source of Protein is fish) who also eats eggs/dairy as long as they are humane-certified. Anyone who can share their tips/knowledge will be very much appreciated! Blessings, Denise

Hello! I've just joined this group today... I'm not sure where to start so I guess I'll start from the beginning. I'm 31 years old, 5'2, I weigh about 300 lbs. I haven't weighed myself for about a year now... Anytime I've gone to the Dr. Im in "good health"... I HAVE been warned that I am Pre-diabetic...so that is a MAJOR issues that I must address. I started gaining weight when I was 11 years old as I was going through puberty. Before that, I was a small skinny little girl. But, I've been over weight my entire adult life. When I was 19 years old I was told by a Dr that I had PCOS. I do have some of the symptums of PCOS such as facial hair, darker areas on my body and I also have irregular periods. I've never been an over eater nor have I been an emotional eater. Most people I know eat more than I do but it doesn't matter I stay fat. I've worked out every day for 6 months straight and didn't lose a pound. I've gone vegetarian for a year and lost a total of 25 lbs. I've had a personal trainer put me on diets and the results were minimal. I am about to get married...I want to have children and I feel that I cannot have children being this size. There's to many risks for me and mostly for the baby. I want to be able to have children, healthy children and I want to be able to play with them and live a long, healthy, life with my family. I'm seriously considering the Lap-band Surgery. I am terrified of what would happen if I actually did lose weight and be the size I should be... as I have no idea what it's like to actually be small. I've NEVER shopped at a "normal size" clothing store, I'm in absolute pain when I wear high heels and that is IF i can actually find a pair that fit my chubby feet. I've never been able to cross my legs like a lady and I've never been able to wear a lot of jewelry as my hands are so chubby, my wrists are thick and my neck is kinda fat too. I've been doing my own research for a few months now about Gastric bypass vs Lap-Banding. For me it seems that I'm rather do the banding. I guess I'm just wondering if this would work for me being someone who's very over weight but I've never had much success with anything that I've tried. Thanks so much! ~Kia

So i collected TONS of recipes in my anticipation of starting the mushies or puree stage!! Here they are! Please post more if you have anything else you enjoyed during this phase! Potato Soup: 1 32oz bag Frozen Southern Style Hash browns (be sure it has 0 fat) - thawed (or potatoes o’brien) 42 oz fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth or 3 14oz cans Salt to taste 1 cup fat-free skim milk 1 cup Water 1 pkg McCormick original country gravy mix 6 Tbsp Hormel Bits, real crumbled bacon 30% less fat Spray your soup pot with some non-stick cooking spray. Heat your pot and put in your hash browns. Brown them slightly; be sure not to burn the potatoes. If some of the potatoes get stuck to the bottom, that's ok. Pour in 1 can of the chicken broth and scrape up all the brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Then pour in the other two cans. Add salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer. In the meantime, in a separate bowl, whisk together the water & milk with the package of country gravy mix. Once potatoes are soft and starting to break down, pour in gravy mixture. Mix in bacon bits and let cook until thick and creamy. Add Salt to taste (be careful with adding pepper as the gravy is very peppery) If you don't like chunks in your soup, blend the soup in small batches Butternut Squash Soup: 3 pound(s) butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced into 1-inch cubes 2 medium onion(s), peeled and quartered Handful of Peeled Garlic Cloves 29 oz canned chicken broth 1 1/2 tsp curry powder 1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste 1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste 1/4 cup(s) fat-free sour cream 1 medium scallion(s), thinly sliced, for garnish Preheat oven to 425ºF. Place squash, garlic and onion in a large baking dish. Pour in chicken broth and bake, uncovered, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. (Don't worry if some of the pieces get a bit browned — this will add to the roasted flavor of the soup.) Remove from oven and let vegetables cool for about 15 minutes; puree in batches in a blender or food processor. In a small skillet, toast curry powder over low heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes (be careful not to burn it); stir into pureed soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper; garnish with sour cream and scallions. Yields about 3/4 cup of soup and 2 teaspoons of sour cream per serving. Shelly's Baked Ricotta 8 oz of Ricotta cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan 1 large Egg, beaten 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning salt & pepper to taste 1/2 cup Marinara Sauce 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese Mix ricotta cheese, parmesan, beaten egg, seasonings together and place in a oven proof dish. Pour marinara on top and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake it in the oven @ 450 for about 20-25 minutes (best) or nuke it till hot and bubbly. I usually made it first in the oven and heated the leftovers in the microwave. Hot chocolate Mousse 6 ounces light vanilla yogurt 6 ounces silken tofu 1 small (1 ounce) package sugar-free instant chocolate pudding mix ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 pinch cayenne pepper 2 cups sugar-free whipped topping, thawed Directions 1. In a medium bowl, beat together tofu and yogurt for 2 minutes. 2. Add pudding mix, beating for another 2 minutes. Mixture will be super-thick. 3. Add cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and 1 cup of the whipped topping; beat until combined. Fold in final cup of whipped topping. 4. Scoop into serving dishes and sprinkle with extra cinnamon. Refrigerate leftovers. Vegetarian Chili Ingredients 1 (12 ounce) bag frozen Morning Star Farms Ground Sausage 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes 1 (15 ounce) can kidney Beans 1 (15 ounce) can black beans 1 package chili seasoning Directions 1.) Spray a medium to large pot with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over low. 2.) Add bag of groung sausage, chili seasoning and 1/2 cup water. Mix well on medium heat for 5 minutes. 3.) Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans and black beans, stirring together. 4.) Cover and let simmer on medium to low heat for 10 minutes. Enjoy! Creamy Mexican Dip 1 cup plain fat-free yogurt, Greek-variety recommended 1/2 cups salsa, hot chipotle variety suggested 3/4 cup avocado, diced 1/3 cup cilantro, fresh, chopped 1/4 cup red onion, chopped 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp table salt, or more to taste Garnish 1/4 cup avocado, diced 1 tbsp cilantro, fresh, chopped 1 tbsp red onions, chopped instructions: In a medium bowl, stir together yogurt and salsa until blended; stir in remaining ingredients except garnishes. Cover and refrigerate up to 1 day. When ready to serve, transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with garnishes. Yields about 1/4 cup per serving.NOTE: This dip combines all those favorite Mexican flavors like salsa, avocado and cilantro using fat-free Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. It also makes a wonderful topping for tacos or other Mexican foods—and then you don’t have to set out separate bowls of salsa, sour cream, avocado, cilantro and onion Chicken and veggies in crock pot with cream of mushroom soup "LASAGNA" In a Cereal bowl put a layer of low fat ricotta cheese at the bottom of the bowl Add a layer of spagetti sauce (I use Barilla as it's a lower sugar one) Sprinkle garlic power and grated parmesean cheese on top of sauce Add a layer of shredded low fat mozzarella cheese Microwave on a low setting just to heat through and melt the cheeses Cheesy bean dip: Refried beans, salsa con queso, sour cream, taco seasoning or sauce turkey bacon guacamole: cook and crumble 1-2 slices turkey bacon...1/2 avacado...maybe 2 or 3 grape tomatoes..tiny bit of purple onion...cut up very fine. I add 1 tsp of miracle whip and salt to taste. tuna casserole: 2 cans of tuna, cream of mushroom, and diced potato. baked it in the oven and put some swiss cheese on top. SUSAN MARIA'S VANILLA EGG CUSTARD WLS 1/2 cup portion: Calories 110, fat 4.5 gr, carbs 7.5 gr, Protein 9gr. Makes six 1/2 cup servings This custard is smooth, cold, and very soothing, I made a batch at least twice a week, as my family loved this as well. Purchase 6 or 8 four-ounce cups 4 eggs 1 cup skim milk 1 can evaporated low-fat milk 1/2 cup Splenda Granular 2 teaspoons vanilla Pinch of salt Freshly grated nutmeg Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place 6 custard cups or ramekins in a large roasting pan and set aside. Whisk together the eggs, milk, evaporated milk, Splenda, vanilla, and salt. Pour through a fine mesh sieve into a large measuring cup. Divide evenly among the custard cups and grate a generous amount of nutmeg over each one. Pour enough hot water in the roasting pan to come about halfway up the sides of the custard cups. Bake 25 to 35 minutes, until the custard are just set in the center. Carefully remove the custards from the water bath, and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve chilled. CREAMY BLACK BEAN SOUP (pureed, soft-regular stages) 1 TB olive oil 1 small onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, chopped One 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained 3 cups Chicken Stock or low-sodium chicken broth 1/2 cup mild roasted tomato salsa Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream Shredded Chedar, chopped cilantro, and sliced green onions (scallions) Heat the oil in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Saute the onion and garlic until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add the beans, stock, and salsa, and season with salt and pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors blend and the soup thickens slightly. Puree the soup with an immersion blender or in a blender until smooth and creamy. Be careful when pureeing hot liquids in a blender as the steam expands; always cover the lid with a kitchen towel, pulse the switch, then rel4ease the steam before proceeding. Reheat the soup just before serving and whisk in the sour cream. Check the seasonings. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with the Cheddar, cilantro, and green oinions. Have a bottle of hot sauce on the table and use to taste. Note: Newman's Own and Goya salsas are excellent, as is the Frontera brand of salsa (from Rick Bayles, chef/owner of Chicago's Topolobampo and Frontera Grill). Watch for added sugar in other brands. Cauliflower Cheese soup (blenderize for puree, soft-regular stages) 14 oz. fat free chicken broth 1 head of cauliflower, split into rough pieces 1/4 cup of minced onion or shallots 2 or 3 wedges of Laughing Cow cheese or 2 or 3 TBSP of low fat cream cheese 1 or 2 cups of fat free milk (organic tastes better) salt and pepper to taste Saute onion in a Pam sprayed pan. When soft, add cauliflower chunks and broth. Simmer until cauliflower is soft. Stir in cheese. Remove from heat and in batches, blend in food processor with fat free milk. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Also, have you considered trying the brown rice protein? It's not made of milk products and is totally vegetarian, but still has 25 grams of protein per serving? I'm going to try it!

Ohm, another thing: Eating Well and Clean Eating are magazines that have at least some of their recipes available online. Neither focuses solely on vegetarian/vegan choices, but a lot of their recipes are very, very adaptable. I don't know if you specified, but do you tolerate rice/brown rice?

Hi everybody - just checkin in - been a long weekend! cmelosew8 - Love the name! took me a minute but I got it - don't know of any sites but you are more than welcome here! Pammie - how are you - I haven't seen you in so long.... :thumbup: Coco - how does it feel to say "hubby" - and NO, you are NOT moving - you are bound to us. Need more "honeymoon" details - will email you the pics when I get home. Analynn - are you at goal yet girl? what's up, what's up?? Laurel - I lived of ricotta cheese - still do! My fav is my faux tiramisu! a little splenda, a little expresso powder with cocoa dusted on top - Yummmmmyyyyyyy. You at goal yet?? I know you're close!! John - so sorry bout all the puree's, Pb's & cold - You are in Hell on earth so bitch on - it's cool! I will send you a friend request too - I wanna be your friend. Ali - Love the Avatar sister! Mo - Miss ya girlfriend - long time no see, hear or read??? Hether - miss photogenic - you should really look into some type of modeling - guys I have the best pic of Heather. Yeah, it was christine that had the ricotta bake! Christine - how's that bun cookin? Ahs - go girl, GO!!! Hi Karen - how's it goin? Reggie - it was so so so great haning out with you Friday night - wish you lived closer! I talked to my child and she said she'd love to come to your house for a baking party - as long as she doesn't hafta bake LOL. Rambo is wishy washy - hope Rocky is better to you! Could you please remind me what a protein is? All weekend I had cake & rice for Bfst, Lunch & Dindin - that rice is off the chain - need that recipe - what is that spice you put in it??? Ya'll need to hire Reggie to cater your parties - she is the bimb diggidy cook - Of course JES will need to be there too with her shrimp! JES - Yes, you know those shrimp you make are my favorites! really need to know how to make that sauce. I also need you to kick me in my A** to get me back on track - Reggie ruined me :smile2: April - why do I never see you on here anymore - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your daughter! She's a kick! You should bring her next time! How's the vegetarian thing workin out for her?? Donna - my love - I am so very happy we got to hang out on Friday. We need to get together more often. We make a good team :thumbup: Love ya! Riley Jane - how's it hangin? Hope to see you on the 20th - hell, bring that man of yours if you so feel like it. Pat - can't wait till this weekend - Probably won't be able to stay long - got some bridezilla crap to do - food tasting for the reception dinner. Just what I need to do, right?

CoCo - the pictures are wonderful. You looked so pretty and so happy! So glad Tahoe was fun. I never heard why your sweetie is going to WA for 3 months? Will you get to see each other at all during that time? Reggie - you are amazing. What a beautiful party for CoCo. You are a real sweetheart. What a hostess! Donna, Jess, Candra, Heather and April - you all look wonderful. I'm so glad you could go - I wish I could have too. Tam - hang in. You need to get off the carbs, like I need to cut my portion sizes down! Go back to protein and drink alot of water. Pam - I weigh and measure. I tend to eat the same things over and over, and I keep a food scale on my counter. I know that 2.5 oz of grilled chicken breast is 1/3 c. because I measured it once, so now it is easier for me to just cut off my chicken and throw it on the scale. Unfortunately I am having very little restriction so I can eat more than the 1/2 cup now. I also am not having trouble with much of anything - on Sat. we were doing a lot of errands and it got to be 4pm and we were at Costco so we got a turkey wrap - which of all their things seemed like the healthiest. I was able to eat more than 1/4 of it (and it was big) complete with the lettuce, tomatoe and whole wheat torilla - even though I'm not suppose to have raw veggies or untoasted bread. Even if I eat more than I should, I am trying to make it good food - trying to stay away from the junk (other than the 2 cupcakes last weekend and a few licks of the brownie and cupcake batter and frosting this weekend when I was baking for the concession stand.) Anyway - hope we are still on for Sat. 3/20 for the walk at the Wetlands. I suggest we meet there at 11 am and then we will be back at my house around 12:15 to 12:30 for lunch. Ok so a while back I think I heard that Jes, Candra, Heather, CoCo, Tamra, Riley and maybe Lee were coming. Anyone else? I'll post directions later in the week to the park. Ok so Tam, CoCo and I are on Stage IV and Riley is a vegetarian - any other food restrictions?

Im sorry, I dont understand this blogging and I cannot figure out how to write to you personally so my posts dont take up space on here. Yes, the one ounce cups have us a little worried - also - the non-reversible nature also has us worried. One of the reasons I chose the lapband is because it is reversible. This particular surgeon (the closest to me about two and a half hours away) is one of the first to perform this procedure and he pulls the stomach up around the band and stitches the stomach to itself. This also makes, I would guess, a tighter pocket. How in the heck, and please forgive me here, how in the heck can you fit one or one and a half cups of food into a one ounce pocket. I, myself am a vegetarian so I am going to have to eat processed protein and that makes me nervous. I will quote the doctor on this and I would like to see what you think. I would love to have your contact or a way to contact you as I said, I dont want to take up space on here for just me.....anyway the doctor said. "you will do a protein shake in the morning - 8 ounces of liquid over and hour time. You will also need once at lunch. these protein shakes cannot have milk in them. No fruit either. If you feel you are in a social setting and have to eat, you will live out of a shot glass. you fill your shot glass with protein. chicken (dark meat), beef, pork and take eraser size bites. it should take about 20 minutes to eat a one ounce cup of food" All of that made me nervous especially in social settings - I am not going to tell anyone about my surgery. I posted before asking about the one ounce portion but didnt remember it was on here. Then my dietician found this forum and thought it was a wealth of informatin from 'real' people. I just want to thank you for responding.

Do you make chili in your neck of the woods? If you do a search for vegetarian chili, or meatless chili you will get some good suggestions. I wish you luck, oh excuse me, I must go reheat my filet mignon leftover from yesterday, LOL!!!! Mimi

Hello everyone. I really would be grateful if a few of you could make some suggestions food-wise. I was banded in December 2007 and I am now in the maintenance phase, having decided that I don't want or need to lose any more weight. The problem is that I am so bored bored bored with all the foods that I can eat and I can't eat the foods that I can't eat. Like many people I can't manage bread, rice, Pasta or potatoes in any form. I can only manage carrots in very small portions and very well cooked (or, alternatively raw and in minute quantities). I don't tolerate quorn and I am vegetarian so I don't eat meat. I get most of my Protein from Beans,lentils and pulses, which I have to chew really well. I eat things like ratatouille, vegetarian mousaka (made with soya mince and vegan cheese), chick pea curry, veggie korma (without rice and made with soya yoghurt). I can manage small amounts of couscous. I try not to snack - with "try" being the operative word. But, guys, I am soooooooooooooooo bored. It's getting really tedious. My band doesn't restrict my ability to eat biscuits and chocolates. Cakes and pastries are a bit hit and miss - some I can eat, some I can't but all fall into the "I shouldn't" category. I don't want to gan weight, but this boredom is driving me to eat things that I know I shouldn't. Please, does anybody have any good suggestions? I'm not a bad cook (according to my friends and family).

I was banded Nov 4th.... to date for my weight loss see my ticker at the bottom. That weight is since about Aug when I got real about this journey. I don't remember surgery day weight i would guess I have lost 30 since surgery. I try to do only 800-1200 cal a day. Trying to yo yo on the number so my body doesn't get used to one number...I do a lot of walking, not an insane amout but a bunch. I like to sprint and chase my kids too but nothing big... I just started taking a Massage Tech class which includes doing an amount of stretching and tai chi in class I find it challenging enough but not discouraging ;o) I feel the change in myself as a result... I am going to join the gym soon to help strengthen my arms and help get rid of this tire around my middle. Posture is a big challenge for me. I am comfortably in a size 10 jean, and new bras today! Now to tackle the tire so my body is more even. I feel really good. I am working to a vegan or vegetarian life. I have over the last year gently switched my family over to whole grains taking them off most everything that is white. training my kids to read packages and noting serving sizes. They have always been healthy and perfect weight for their heights. I am still so happy I have taken this step for myself... although challenging it has been very rewarding!

First, my apologies to everyone in being late in my reply I was so busy at work. Thanks everyone for your supporting talk you know it made me cry, I felt that I am not alone in this matter. Also you made me realize that the fix is within me myself. I live in the Kingdom of Jordan it’s in the Middle East. Here we have excellent medical doctors and nutritionists too, the last 2 years I was seeing a dietician she is the best one here in our country even she is an active member in The American Dietetic Association, she tried all her best with me I was following a great life style of eating but my only problem was the chocolates, she tried to help me in all manners, at the end she said you can see a psychiatrist, but I was too afraid to go and see one, in our country we still are not used to those visits (although I have a Bachelor degree in Psychology) but this didn’t help me since I never worked in my field. Now we are fasting (Lent fasting) for Easter only Vegetarian food is allowed till April 3rd, I started since Feb 15 so I haven’t had the chocolates since Feb 15th. But I had other very few sweets which are not like chocolates and lower in calories. I don’t even binge for chocolates!! Imagine this usually every year when I fast I don’t have any problem with chocolates if I don’t eat them, I even bought dark chocolate no sugar, but I don’t like eating it so much. I am thinking to change again my eating habits; I know that breakfast is the most important meal for us, if we have good breakfast meal and early dinner fruits in the middle maybe this will help not to binge or seek chocolates. Sometimes I leave work hungry while I am on my way to home I stop and buy chocolates, my dietician told me to be careful of this too and I should take some small meal to office instead of going home hungry and end up buying lots of chocolates to eat at night. Also sleeping early, I have this problem I don’t sleep early. I noticed when I decide to sleep earlier I don’t eat. Your messages made me realize that the solution is within me, I have to pull myself together again and do the healthy life I was taught. I know it’s not easy for me to get back on the track again but I will try my best starting tomorrow (coz today I already messed up at work by eating what is called Manakeesh (Yummy) it’s a pastry with olive oil and thyme above cooked in oven and also I had bag of chips ) You are all angels here really you touched me a lot and I am glad to have buddies here to support each other, I thank you again and I will surely be posting my progress in this. ps. Imagine that I am a good advicer to others in healthy food and nutritions but not to myslef :thumbup:

Just because nobody else has mentioned it,I thought I would mention that as a vegetarian I don't eat any meat and also I can't manage quorn (for the uninitiated it has a very similar texture to chicken). I can manage soya mince, though. I also found, post banding, that I can't manage chunks of cheese, even well chewed, nor boiled or scrambled eggs so I just gave up and became vegan - which is a lot easier.

What is it about a builder that they cannot manage to buy trousers that cover the crack in their a*se? Builders bum (definition: the top pf the buttocks showing when a pair of trousers is worn too low or when the wearer is bending over). Can't their wives buy a bigger pair of trousers? Have they all gained vast amount of weight since their trousers were purchased? Why can't they wear clothes which protect their dignity (and my sensibilities)??? Anyway, the sheds have been demolished and the game is on. The canine culprits (culprits for what? just everything) have enjoyed extra walkies and no doubt I am burning a few extra calories by taking them out for all those "comfort breaks". The back garden no longer has a lawn (oh well) a shed (errr) or a garden door so it is well and truly open to all comers. Never mind! Within 8 weeks we shall have a functional ground floor bedroom and bathroom for my boy - and life will be a lot easier. Does anyone else have junk food Thursday? We try to eat healthy, but on the grounds that if you are good most of the time you can be less sensible occasionally, we have junk food Thursday. On Thursday, when I am ebbing from the stresses and strains of maintaining my busy, noisy, psychotic (did I really say that, that can't be right) family through the week, but haven't quite reached the haven of the weekend, we relieve the tension by lessening the stress of preparing the evening meal. We have junk food. Well, lets be a bit more honest: they have junk food. I can't eat enough of anything to make it worth the extra calories and I don't like the salt resultant Fluid based weight gain inthe morning weigh in so I abstain. Arern't I a good girl? But basically anything froma packet counts. Favourites are noodles, chips (translation from Uk to US: french fries), supermarket pies, crispy pancakes, veggie burgers, veggie hotdogs (for the uninitiated: we are vegetarians - you'd never have guessed would you?) and occasionallly a take away (translation; take out) in the form of pizza, a curry or even a Chinese! I would strongly reccommend this practice. It results in kids who don't feel deprived but don't expect it all the time, which results in healthier bodies - and wife and Mum who is marginally less frazzled. Happy kids, happy Mum - husband eats everything - rather too much of everything but what are you gonna do? Somehow, knowing that Thursday is coming makes eating healthier through the rest of the week (including the weekends) less of a chore. Useful tip?

I was on a vegan diet for a few months last year and really liked it. I know most of you sleevers are low-carbing it, but I wonder whether anybody has tried vegetarian/vegan eating with the sleeve? Have any of you discussed it with your doctor? I plan to talk to my surgeon about it but would love to hear from you about it, too. Thanks!

Yesterday was the closest thing to a pre-op day I've had since surgery. My son and I decided to spend the day together running around, and we left the house with me not even realizing that I hadn't had anything to drink other than two cups of coffee, and nothing at all to eat. Stopped by the health-food store and among the neat little things we picked up were a small container of their Kashi -- not the brand, but the salad-type thing with parsley, seeds, quinoa, soybeans... good stuff, but all vegetarian, so all carbs. Ate probably half a cup of that. Then made chili for dinner, ate a whole scoop so there were a lot of Beans, then later I had a date-roll coated in coconut... I think it was all fruit, there were no ingredients listed on the package, but THAT was all carbs! There was plenty of snacking on 'legal' stuff in between too. Just a munch, grazy, snacky day with too many carbs. And I JUST realized it was all a head hunger/bad habit thing. Didn't really realize that as it hasn't been an issue for me up til now. Damn.

I haven't had beef or pork in over 20 years, but I am not a vegetarian. I eat very little chicken or turkey and eat tons of fish. That said, I eat like a vegetarian 90% of the time. Make tofu, seitan and Morningstar Farms/Boca products your friends. It is worth the investment to buy a bunch of varieties and figure out which ones you like. They sell them at all major grocery stores including Trader Joe's. It is tough to move away from a mostly carb-based diet, but the suggestions offered here are good ones. There are tons of great vegetarian recipes on allrecipes.com and vegetariantimes.com. Good luck! kagead

you need to experiment with different kinds of beans; black Beans, pinto beans, navy beans, garbanzo beans(what they make hummus with), etc, beans are going to stick with you and when combined with a rice like brown rice, it is a complete Protein. All the carbs you are eating are causing you to crash, blood sugar wise which are naturally going to make your insulin spike and cause hunger. If you were linking your carbs with protein (a 30:15 ratio is usually recommended), your insulin would spike less and you would stay full often. Beans should also not be getting stuck to bad. What about tofu? I like it and I am not even a vegetarian. You need to check out your whole foods market. Are you one of those vegetarians that eat a little bit of chicken or fish? Dairy also has protein in it and Greek yogurt is the highest, or some cheese and nuts are also good protein Snacks.

pizza, Low Calorie, Vegetarian, Bariatic Foods Found this reviewed on OH, and thought I would share here. Apparently, the pizzas tasted really great, and the nutritional stats are pretty good. Lower sodium than you find in WW or Lean Cuisine meals. Here's the testimonials from the site. lunch meals on the go.

Stevie...I hope that your husband will surpise you then by having the house cleaned? lol Glad you had a great day regardless. Yes...March here we are....good luck on Tuesday all you March 2nd Bandsters!! FindingMe....thats great that your daughter made the team and good luck on the preop diet! Welcome "IwillSucceed" keep us posted and good luck!! Okay.....so the weekend is over....for me anyways...tomorrow there is a carnival all day at school but I dont have to be there yea!! Today..was actually alot of fun. We ran around giving and receiving but I have to say....the choc covered friut...the bestest idea...lol. Everyone loved it. Im glad... The partys and dinner was really nice....and it just so happened that at dinner.....at our table...which was a family and Dassi and myself.....sat down this man.....who was single and good looking and well...I guess my age range...and he was very nice!!! Unfortunately he left before the end of the dinner....but it was nice to meet someone new for a change...Im just wondering why that happened is this a sign...to say...you know...your on your way to a new you....maybe its time to start socializing and meeting some new people. Who knows. In any case..I have a new question. Shooting it out hoping someone can tell me the diff and if there is any or not!!! lol Ive been researching the protein shakes, drinks, shots and powders oh and isolates. Stevie...Ive checked out the site that you suggested and there were several others that sounded really good. There are several different types of protein...however on most of the sites that Ive veiwed they offer "WHEY" protein. I remembered that when my daughter was a baby..the sensory O.T recommended that we give her "RICE" protein. so....when looking at the differences...I find that there are several different sources. "WHEY" from Dairy...."SOY" vegetarian, "EGG", and "RICE". "Whey being the most popular and should not be in concentrate. SO... Question one....is the recommended popular...being "WHEY" because its the most easily digested? Question two....does it matter whether its "WHEY" or "RICE" as "RICE" seems to me the best second choice as to quality and nutritionally and most available....Ive never seen "egg" and "SOY" seems problamatic these days as far as genetically engeneered seeds and the Increase on hormones causing poss cancer in woman. So was wondering what the difference is and does it make a difference and why?? Do I really need this....does everyone supplement with all the above...and what about the Vitamins?? Ive been looking at the differences between the vitamins that I have...which are high quality so I think...and the vitamins from all these sites...do they really make a difference and if I dont use the brands for bariatric patients...will I really loose my hair?? etc etc? oy......Im stuck on the "Stuff" I see....but want to be as prepared as possible for after surgery. I dont want to go out and start looking and researching after the fact...not a good thing...Also as I wont be able to send someone out to go and do this for me...except me...so might as well do it this week. Its funny....my freinds..are concerned with my preperation of me....before surgery as I might never again be able to go out.;....lol like making sure to get a hair cut, manicure/pedicure, haircut, waxing done....highlights//etc etc and im like whattt?????? do you think I care about all the above?? who is going to see me???? I cant just shave??? whats wrong with my hair? I cant have nail polish. I have enough PJs and they will be clean. Im thinking...of foods for me....and food prep for Dassi and setting up the cleaning girl, the dog walker, who is going to take Dassi to the bus off the bus and to all her activities and help her do homework? all the above?? Did I ever have time for those luxuries ever???? lol Im allready thinking I best start going shopping for passover. I dont even have time to shower for more then 10 min. at a time...I think..maybe Ill allow myself a few more min for a quick shave....the night before and Ill be READY! well....okay enough....its late and tomorrow is another day for preperation. Thanks so much for all of your input and responses....I truly believe its because of you all....that I will be prepared...and not worried and...in the end successful. Of course you all might need prozac at the end of the next two weeks but....I thank you in advance...(silly me) Have a great night all.. and a wonderful week!!! Jodi

Even though I am not allergic to dairy, I was playing around with being vegan for a little while. Some staple foods I ate during the time I gave up dairy.... Almond Breeze Soy Yogurt tons of Soups and broths fresh fruit smoothies (made with fruit juice and ice) mashed potatoes, thinned with broth and/or soy yogurt bananas mashed with some almond butter or Peanut Butter Go to a Whole Foods or health food store and check out dairy alternatives. Some are gross, but some are quite good. Also, check out vegan cookbooks (not vegetarian...vegan), since vegans don't use any dairy.

I stopped eating meat after my lap band surgery because meat would always get stuck and make me feel sick. Every morning I have a Fiber one english muffin with Peanut Butter. I find the peanut butter really "sticks to your ribs" and keeps me full all morning. For lunch I might have so Kashi Cereal mixed with a non-fat yogurt (there's Protein in both the Kashi cereal and the yogurt). And for dinner I will make a salad with some vinegar/low-cal dressing with some cottage cheese on top. Other vegetarian things that keep me full: A toasted pita with hummus Bananas, apples, pears and other high-fiber fruits Granola bars oatmeal Popcorn (I've never had a stuck issue with popcorn, although I know a lot of bandsters have) Whole grain Pasta with marinara sauce Steamed veggies Brown Rice I would say if you are a big bread person, definitely convert to whole grains. If the first ingredient on the label reads "whole" - like "whole wheat flour" - then its a whole grain. It makes a world of difference in keeping you fuller for longer.

Hi, I am trying to find any vegetarian support group on this website? Can't find one. If you are vegetarian please let me know what you eat in a day? I am not losing weight and part of the problem is being vegetarian because I can't find foods which are not slider and keep me full. I eat rice, lentils and bread mainly. I do protein shakes daily. Please, share your ideas, menus, successes, failures and recipes here to help me with my plateu.

what kinds of things are you eating? ARe you drinking water? I am going to be 4 weeks post op this Thursday and I have lost total 26 lbs. 7 of that was pre op though. Today I had greek yogurt and a half of a banana for bfast cottage cheese and a little bit of Trader Joes brand Vegetarian Chili for lunch Dinner was about a 1/4 baked potato with butter and cheddar cheese I had a yogurt for a snack right now.

For me, this has been a long journey. Not sure what I would be doing without the info on this website! I find it profound how this type of surgery can have so many variables depending on your surgeon or insurance. You would think there would be more standard protocol, but really- we are all over the map- as far as how much information we get, what our requirements are-like for insurance- and what the diet structure is pre op and it vaires crazily post op! I can totally understand pre-op diets varying depending on the person and trying to get ready- medical conditions-and healthy livers and all, but Post op? I am amazed how different our processes are. Seems to me that if there were some more structure- folks would have some better outcomes than I'm reading on this site. But, we all need to read and hear the good the bad and the ugly. Thats how we are going to make better choices and decsions for ourselves. To qualify; My insurance had me go 6 months supervised diet with a nutritionist. I've lost a litlle more than 20lbs slow and steady. Since I've had to see the nurses and nutritionist every month- and they run a STRICT program-- there was no way I was going to gain in between and pay the consequences. I'm still amazed I did qualify- but I'm in a good program and we put enough pieces together to make it get approved. It was total teamwork. I don't regret the process because I feel informed; but I am so impatient. March 15th can not come quick enough. :laugh: I could have had March 1, but I have a huge fundraiser for the non profit organization I run on the 13th and just couldn't do it before. I will be very tired- but at least extremely preoccupied in the days before. I'm going to talk to my Doc about the fundraiser, because usually afterward my immune system crashes. I'll need to focus on extremely making sure I'm protein-ed up, maybe it will help. However, I, too want to eat every thing that might be "not tolerated" after surgery. My weakness is really good crusty bread. I am from a family of foodies. Picky, all good healthy food eaters. I'm a vegetarian, so it complicates things. I've been one forever. Greek Yogurt has become by new Best Friend. Also, I have been replacing some meals with GNC's lean shakes with xtra added Protein. My pre op diet is 10 days full liquid. I have my final consultation this Thursday am- and then I will probably treat myself to a nice lunch. There is pretty much one week inbetween my final consult and when my liquid pre op begins. I'll need a little willpower then! They warn us up and down about the "Last Supper Syndrome". Well Duh! We don't know how we are going to feel after- and certainly for the guidelines I'm given- I don't get soft food for a month! Thats a lot of hard work! I'm not telling many people- a few- but no family for now. I'm trying to figure out how to include my 5 year old daughter in the process, but the little parrot will tell everyone far and wide. :cool2: My hubby has been great. I haven't always been overweight. I was actually a professional athlete- which ashames me to menition at this weight. But lifestyle changes and health crisises change everything. I'm taking back what I can. So far, so good. I'm ready. I can't wait. I know that the surgery is just "one part" of the process- and I'm just looking forward to getting that behind me. Ya know, It's not the surgery I want to get behind me it's the 10 day pre op liquid diet, the 4 days Clear liquids and 14 days liquids and the next 10 blenderized. It's sometimes overwhelming, but usually I can bring myself back to center by keeping my daughter and my family and my health in focus. I'm lucky to have them. I'm glad to be in a conservative program- better to err on the side of caution and heal. Fellow March Bandsters- I'm psyched for all of us! Thank you for sharing your info with me, because it is a huge help. March 1 is just a few short days away and some of us will be finally banded! Keep us in the loop and Good Luck! :tongue_smilie: