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I recently been drinking a lot more of a miracle weight loss and overall good health liquid. It helps me when I have the urge to eat something due to head hunger and is important not only to help me lose weight, but for proper health. It has no artificial preservatives, no additives (within reason), no artificial flavors, dairy-free, no artificial colors, is fat-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, zero calories, soy-free, the strictest vegetarian diet friendly, sugar-free and for the most part readily available for a very low cost.... It's called Water. It is available at a faucet or water fountain near you. The only problem I have is, do I have to wait 30 minutes before or after I normally drink my water throughout the day before having this liquid?

@niseys4 hey there. I apologize for not responding way sooner. I’ve been off the grid, so to speak, for a while. Hon, it was hard for me to make the transition, but I eventually did and I’m so happy I did too. What helped me immensely is using the vegan/vegetarian recipes on www.budgetbytes.com. Such a great site. I think I make about 85% of my meals from there. Check it out! I’ll do my best to check in more often as well https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/vegetarian/vegan/

I think the ricotta bake is vegetarian. If you do a google search you should find the recipe. Also the tofu Parmesan is vegitarian and soft. Welcome !!!

Yes, there are odd things that I have to manage with my sleeve but there were things I had to manage with what I ate before surgery. I had a dodgy digestive system with sensitivities & intolerances. Still dodgy with a couple of other considerations now. Some of the changes I made to what I eat can limit my options but generally I can find a few options I can eat or can eat around. I’m also much more aware of my body’s response & reactions to various foods & situations then ever before. I look at it as being a good thing & part of eating mindfully. I think much of the portion size issue is really about people’s inaccurate perception of what is an appropriate portion size. We are confronted with what are jumbo size portions that are 2, 3 or more what is a recommended size & we think they are normal. Take note of how much & what other slimmer people eat & you’ll realise you are much like them. The reality is the portion we eat is about what everyone should be eating. It only looks small because of the excessive portion sizes. Sure, I have days when my energy is lower. Some is because of my low blood pressure. But when I stop & reflect before surgery I had days when my energy was low too but then it was because of my weight. Generally though I’m certainly fitter & stronger than I was before & that outweighs (pun) the odd day I feel weak or need a nap. Most of my family & friends are aware of my food preferences & portion needs. They make allowances for them much the same way as they would with someone with a food allergy or who was vegetarian or vegan, etc. It just all takes time. From you understanding your body, needs & changes to others understanding the changes you’ve made. You don’t have to explain your surgery if you don’t want to. Sometimes just saying I’m not hungry or I’m seeing a dietician or I’m trying a new way of eating is more than enough if you feel you need to explain. Ultimately what you choose to put in your mouth is nobody’s business but yours.

From what I've read, soy and whey Proteins are equally viable. Soy is a source of complete protein, and since it is plant-based, it is a great alternative for vegans, vegetarians, and those with dairy allergies. Anecdotally, when I've had whey isolate protein-based drinks they have not agreed with me. I haven't had the same discomfort (and other more graphic issues) with soy protein. Soy may not be for everyone either, since some folks are allergic to it. But it is really an individual thing, and in light of the research it seems unfair to call whey 'the best' -- 'my whey or the highway' (I couldn't resist!) -- when soy is also nutritious and made from the same stuff: the amino acids that are the building blocks of all the cells in your body. As always, your physician may recommend one or the other -- or both -- depending on your specific needs.

Yes. I don't know how it works with insulin pumps but I am pretty sure he works with patients like that too. Not sure how vegetarian works. He totally takes you off carbs. So it might be diametrically opposed. I think he as a T1, only takes 5units of long acting insulin daily. That's all he needs to cover his food. It's pretty amazing. Seriously. 5units. No short acting stuff at all. He works on the premise that every 10g of whole non-netted carbs will raise bgs 5pts. And that the body has a 24hour food memory. If your beta cells are still producing, they know how much insulin to pump out based on the previous meal from the day before. So if one day you give it a binge full of carbs and the next you are "back on the wagon" and at that meal, you barely eat--you will get an ass load of insulin pumped into your system.

Try to eat some meat because it is high in protein, but there are other things. Fish is good, especially Gorton's frozen without breading and easy to fix. Beans are high in protein. I think there are vegetarian bandsters. Maybe you could put out a call to them and see what comes back at you.

I have been banded almost a year now and have been a vegetarian for about 7 years. Last month I decided to end being a vegetarian due to the band. I however did not have a moral reason for being vegetarian, I just don't have to have meat. I was having a difficult time getting all nutrients not just protein. I do not eat a lot of meat but I try to have something one time a day. Being a vegetarian I found that my options for quick food to eat was too limited with the band and my high paced job. It can be done with some planning but I was so tired of worrying about it. There are so many meat alternatives out there now days, I am just a very picky eater. I wish you the best of luck. Quinua was my best friend as a vegetarian. You can eat it hot or cold and spicy or sweet.

I understand. I'm a vegetarian and it's very easy to get sick of foods you eat day in and day out. I still crave meat and I haven't eaten it in 16 years. But I do eat fish a couple of times a year and never think twice about it. It's one of the healthiest animal products you can eat. I'm actually pretty bummed I may not be able to eat the amazing vegetarian sushi a local restaurant used to make just for me.

Hello R Many of the questions you are asking are what most of those considering having a band have posted on this thread and there are pages and pages of peoples experiences. I'll try to answer the ones you have. I was banded just oiver a year ago with Dr Chris and have lost my terget weight and more. So here goes 1. I've heard that meats, breads and pastas are very difficult to eat after banding...in which case, what on earth do people survive on? I can't eat fish, it makes me feel ill! Is it mainly vegetarian diets? meat would refer to steak as it is very fibrous and difficult to digest. Mince is fine but in small quantities. Bread some are able to eat this. Pesonally I can't so I replace with crackerbreads and titx biscuits. Pasta depends on the day and type ofpasta. Only recently (last few weeks) have I had a fe spiral twists or tubes finely chopped up. We are talking about 2 pieces of each (so not much). Again everyone is different. 2. I'm most definitely, absolutely, positively an emotional eater and I guess a food addict. I quit alcohol a year ago (not good for me at all), and smoking earlier this year. Seeing as I clearly have an addictive personality, I'm very worried that removing the food addiction by force may end up in a brand spanking new addiction rising....anyone found other compulsive areas arising post-band? I know that's very personal, so you obviously don't need to answer on the boards! Not sure whether I have another addiction but I still drink alcohol but not in the same amounts. I look at this as a treat as I have reached my target weight. 3. Is PBing really as terrible as it sounds? How can you avoid it? Do you have time to get out of company before everything comes back up? Sometimes this just can't be helped I find I get a lot of liquid build up where I have chewed and chewed and perhaps gone a little too quickly and next thing I need to get rid of a liquid build up. Yes you have time to go to the toilet. Those around you who know are very aware of what the pattern is and understanding. 4. I had heard of an increase in complications after 5 years -anyone know if this is true? Not sure about this as just into my 2nd year of having a band. 5. The port - can you feel it? As in, if you touch the skin over where it is, can you feel the port? Or can you feel it moving around in there? Do the fills hurt? Yes you can feel the port. It's stitched in place and no I can't feel it moving it around. No the fills don't hurt. Dr C is very quick at doing these. 6. Has anyone regretted getting the band fitted? If I go ahead, I'll be using money I was supposed to be saving for a housing deposit....I feel enormous guilt at the thought of that...and I'm scared to tell my family as I think they'll judge me as vain. No regrets at all. Good health and happiness is not vanity, it's an investment in staying alive and healthy so that you can enjoy your family. Talk to them you never really know how they will react. BUt again this is individual and yu know how you feel about this and how they may react. Good luck and take care. Messgae back if you want to know anymore. Take care Claire

Kids are teens and I was vegan then vegetarian then flexible, I think they welcomed the break lol, we should meet up !!! (For some reason I can't tag anyone )

Morningstar Farms is a line of vegetarian products in the freezer section. Their "griller" is a vegetarian burger, and they make veg sausage patties, "chick'n" patties and other stuff. Seems like they sit well with me, sometimes better than actual meat, and are really high in protein.

Hey, also try the Morningstar farms stuff! I had an "original griller" today - 15g Protein and perfect size! I even put a piece of cheese on it (I'm eating too much cheese), and a little mustard. I also had a vegetarian crispy chicken patty the other day, and that was yummy too - 22 grams for two! I'm not doing well with regular chicken, but the veggie chicken did quite well. Just a thought... Oh, and I tried salmon yesterday. Let's just say that did not go well. 'Nuff said.

My insurance required a 6 month medically supervised diet before they would approve me. After that I am now half way through my 2 week Pre-Op diet required by the surgeon. I am on a High Protein, 800-900 calorie diet using only the food from my Bariatric Center. There is basically all kinds of special high protein foods available to me, prepackaged dinners, chips, Cookies, Jello, puddings, Soups, shakes, teas, cocoas and protein bars! I never knew there were such protein food products out there! I cannot add any "normal" foods. strictly their products. When I saw the calorie amount I expected to be starving, but because of the high protein levels I am not really hungry. The first couple of days I was "mentally" hungry, but that has subsided! As a vegetarian who tries to stay away from processed foods this diet feels very odd. But its only 2 weeks and I have one down! Good luck on your journey! As BLERDgirl said, check out all your options, Ask lots of questions. I also ready a couple of books on the VGS procedure. The more you know the better it is for you!

I do believe @Newme17 has always identified all of her recipes as vegan or vegetarian depending on what it is so people will know, if it matters to them. I'm not sure why the warning is necessary?? Just really wondering.

Thank you so much for sharing! I have a feeling I may decide to be vegetarian if not pescatarian, when I am allowed to go to "soft diet" & regular. I did do veggie days some before surgery, and know that I'll be SO much healthier if I stick with it. Our church is very supportive in eating healthy/vegan. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you! It’s not very organized, but I’ve got all my Vegan/vegetarian recipes in it. 😁

may i share my thoughts here in a non-judgemental way, please? i feel a few factors need remembering - it can be quite shocking to see the portion sizes which make for a meal for a well-restricted bandster. it is not a side-plate, it is hardly even a saucer... and while a mostly liquid life sounds grim, when i have my correct restriction, that is how i live - a small coffee goes down in stages, no glugging a full big mug anymore - nothing really till evening - maybe a nibble of a lil something - my band always opens up early evening so i am able to eat but must chew well etc - 'slider' foods can be a temptation but i love cheese so this is a big feature of my diet - am trying to be vegetarian so it helps to struggle with hard meats. beans on a small piece of toast or a can of sardines on toast is a typical meal for me. But it is such a personal thing, weight and being banded - that lifestyle works for me and i live in terror of having to lose my band and regaining - i do try to keep a grip on the fear but its just how i am - and i will admit that 5 yrs banded, i still cannot believe when i look in the mirror and see the slim me - dont jump on me - but i am stopped by strangers and told i am stunning on a regular basis - it bemuses me when i think back to the taunts and looks of repulsion at my heavier times - for me, the trade off of a very restricted life is how i look and feel now - my nails, skin n hair are in great condition - when i have an unfill (xmas and summer holiday) i enjoy a good pig out but physically my body doesnt deal well and i feel lethargic n not as healthy. I think the poster was very brave to share her situation - she wasnt promoting it as the way to live - just sharing -and i ll bet there are many readers who are silently acknowledging that what she worries about as 'starving herself' is their reality n how they live. These forums are invaluable - rightly a place to support and celebrate but of equal importance is the safe, anonymous place to expose yr demons - even typing it out can help - and if we are honest, didn't a good number of us need banding due to emotional inbalances regarding food? There are bound to be some who after banding and weightloss, just swap demons - i have. Please dont let this forum be regulated into an overly 'happy-clappy' zone - the darker, less comfortable posts are of equal and possible greater help. 5yrs banded, i know how to control my weight - i'm stil working on the other stuff good luck to you all, whatever stage yr at :thumbup:

My surgiversary is tomorrow. Knowing me I'll forget to hop on lol. It's been a great year, but I'm definitely at a standstill. I am not sure what the next move is... I guess really really paying attention to my food and maybe now introducing some exercise. I'm leaning more towards being vegan from being vegetarian... I'm going to see how that goes dietwise. I feel that maybe going vegan will actually help me with my protein intake as it has to be more balanced in diet. Onwards and upwards! edit: It says my surgery date was 5th on the sidebar, but I'm pretty sure it was 4th. I need to double check now haha. edit again: nope - it WAS 5th Feb. ok, well I'm 2 days early.

I love Dr. Weiner and his philosophy. And I love your IF take. It gives me hope! Although I don't want to become a vegetarian, I do heart veggies (less so fruits), and I do try to get close to or a pound of them a day--especially leafy greens, cruciferous, or the brassicas! (When I'm not doing a 24 hour fast of course. LOL.)

I'm vegetarian, so unfortunately that's no good for me. I just had a bowl of salad to help fill me up before bed. From about 7-9pm I get so snacky!

Makes you wish you weren't vegetarian, huh?

:driving:On the road again! Can't wait to get on the road again... Willie Nelson won't be with us! BTW! I wanted to touch base with my Peeps! Weigh in everyone, please. We are missing some from last week and the week before. Brandy, where are you Baby? Anita, did you get rid of your guests yet? Bookholder, how are you doing? Where are you? :crying: Marcy, I couldn't figure out if you gave me a weight for last week or not. How are the chickens doing? I do miss chicken now that I've become a vegetarian! Lifesaver, how are you, My Dear! I loved your face in our RR picture, You are just adorable! Deb, I'm so glad Tucker-baby is home with you and DH! Munchkin, how was your night floating? I floated to an adult ICU once and I threw up! :wink2: Sorry, but I was doing trach care and it was more than I could handle! Give me Meconium anyday!! Denver, there is not one thing I do not like about my band. Honestly, I cannot think of one thing. I'll be 6 months out next Tuesday and I have NOT (knock on wood) vomited once, no sliming issues and I can eat anything if I chew it well and take small bites! I love my band! Dork, a blue icee! I love icee's! I stopped at the 7-11 yesterday to get a splenda slurpee, but they were out! We've had 13 days straight of 90 degree or greater weather! I know for a PHX girl like you, that's nothing, but it's hot for us Denver Babies! Sunshine, how are you feeling? I'm sorry if I was hard on you! It's not my place to admonish anyone. I just was worried about you doing too much too soon. Besides, how often do we have a legitimate excuse for taking care of ourselves!? BRB - I'm going to weigh now! Hugs to all my Banditos! All of the newbies! :thumbup: AND all of the more seasoned Losers! Love ya, dee~

Nope..I do take melatonin but this has been going on for yrs.. Also I just found a can of vegetarian vegetable soup in the bed I guess I couldn't open it when I was sleeping so I brought back with me..

Riley you coming to Reggies this weekend? You are the only other vegetarian that I know of!! Ok making lentils and cottage cheese. Going to SF tomorrow and need to take my own food this time..........tried the resterant thing today but I really do better at home........I PB'd a salad..........and garden burger........I would rather eat my own food for awhile I KNOW what works no guessing and having problems.....