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To measure food, start with reading labels. If you are eating anything packaged the serving size/amount is on the label. You can use measuring cups, spoons, and a food scale to measure everything else. Ex. One single-serve container of yogurt just read the label. One serving out of a tub of yogurt you can use a measuring cup or measuring spoons. An app like MyFitnessPal is great because you can look up all kinds of foods (restaurant meals, name breads, and even homemade foods). You can also add your own if you have your own recipes, etc. Protein is so critical. Even if you don't focus on other things, at least making sure you count your protein so you get enough will be a big help for you. My protein goal is 100 grams a day. If I didn't track it in MyFitnessPal, I would never be able to keep up with how much I had and how much I still needed. My memory isn't that good.

I express my opinions but usually in a "this works for me" way, not a "this is what you should do" way. I also listen to what works for others, take some and leave the rest. I think the question "how invested are you in heathy weight loss" doesn't quite represent the discussion happening here, but that's OK. I consider myself quite invested in health--healthy weight loss, physical fitness (I run 20+ miles a week and do yoga 3-4 times a week), nutritious unprocessed foods. But I am also about balance, moderation and not setting myself up for failure. I eat "clean" for the most part 80% of the time or better, but this morning after my half marathon I had a donut! I also ate (and still eat) Wendy's chili early out--I couldn't eat lettuce early out so that wasn't an option. I have a few things I do regularly that don't count as "clean" and I don't avoid GMO food or eat organic, but I do include only healthy whole grains and avoid white sugar, white carbs, etc. I don't eat chemically fake low fat/sugar free/fat free, except in my Greek yogurt on occasion. So I don't know where that puts me in your scheme of things, but I guess what I think is its not an all or nothing for many of us. I can't get in to that all or nothing thinking, it's not something that works well for me personally long term. Because if it's not ALL I'm a failure and so it must be NOTHING and I give up. That's something I learned in therapy for many areas of my life not just food. So... That's where I'm at. Take what you want and leave the rest!

I walk 14 miles a day working at a hospital, but aside from that, I do elliptical 25 minutes, I do butterfly press (reps and weights vary), I do bike 25 minutes, stair master 25 minutes, and go back to work for cool down. That's it. I stretch at home a lot. Drink Powerade zero and Vitamin Water zero. Eat nonfat Greek yogurt only, that's it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am 10 days out since my balloon procedure and have lost nothing. ZERO. I am maintaining 1100 calories/day diet with protein at every meal. Eggs, shakes, fish, fruit, yogurt...is pretty much all I have eaten. I had my thyroid removed 2 years ago due to cancer and am wondering if the balloon has messed with my meds and have crashed my metabolism or something. Am having blood work done later this week to figure this out. Anyone else have no thyroid and the balloon? I would love to hear your story.

I just wanted to update for those who are headed to surgery soon. I am one week and a day since sleeve surgery and I’m pretty much feeling 100%. I didn’t really ever have pain from the wounds. I did experience gas, I wouldn’t call it pain but it was very uncomfortable. It lasted about 24 hours and got better with walking. I had minor pain when I left the hospital but Im a single mom with a one year old and it was hard not to pick him up. I had to lift him onto the changing table, give him baths, etc you know regular mom stuff. That pain subsided pretty quickly too and I didn’t have to use pain meds much. Being on liquids again for another 2 weeks is the worst part but it’s not unbearable. It was difficult for me to get a protein shake down this first week. They just felt heavy and sweet and weren’t setting right but I kept trying different ones and found ones that I could tolerate. Protein water has been a life saver. I found some sipping soups yesterday that have been helping me feel more satisfied. I also talked to my surgeon’s office and they told me I could try some Greek yogurt and that went well today. I went back to work day 6. I’m a teacher and all my student are virtual for now so I’m basically just sitting in front of a computer all day. I was feeling really tired like I needed a nap midday and then super exhausted when I got home from work but not today. Today I felt great. You feel better every day. I’m just so excited to start seeing results. I have lost 11 lbs since surgery.

Home from work. I tried working out with one of the girls and just about killed myself. I'm so sore from the workout the night before. I did ok on the eating part today. Sister said she would make dinner tonight. Here it is 8:30 and it's still not ready. So I guess I will just get me some yogurt. I hate eating late at night because it backs up and I have heartburn all night than. Jenn, Love the pics. You've done such a wonderful job. You should be proud of yourself. Judy, We are going to miss you something awful. Hopefully sometime during your trip you will be able to drop us a line. TracyK, Hang in there girl. We worry about you alot. Kat, I admire you ability to just stick to soups after a fill. I'm gonna finish DWTS and than head to bed. I'll yack at all of you tomorrow. Night.

Hey everyone. I'm home a resting for a while. I'm having an early dinner with one of the girls from our boot class, so I had an early lunch of 1/4 of an orange, yogurt and a handfull of peanuts. I went to the hospital this morning and my sister was just sitting on the side of the bed. Looked like she had been crying and that she had a bad night. Come to find out she didn't have any breakfast, not even any coffee. So I got her untangled from her IV and got her in the bathroom. She took a sponge bath and I got her hair washed for her. I changed the sheets on her bed and got her all set up. I called down to the kitchen and ordered her some food. She was resting comfortably when I left. She is the one that has a "Genetic Blood Clotting Disorder". So when my little Sis had me look at her leg and the spot was warm and very painful I took her in to have it looked at. The Doc said we did the rght thing by bringing her in. With our older sisters history, we just can't take a chance. If it had been a clot she could be gone in an instance. She's going to make an appointment with the regular doc to see what is causing it. Thank You all so much for all your thoughts and prayers. I'm blessed to have such good friends. Got my feet propped up and waiting on the washer to finish so I can put the stuff into the dryer. I need to not let things pile up while I'm busy. Judy, I had already made my corned beef when I saw your recipe. I will try it next time I make one. Which will be soon. I always stock up on them while they are on sale. Everyone have a great day. Hugs.

1. What are your typical days meals and how much of it can you eat? (PICTURES WOULD BE FABULOUS IF POSSIBLE) I am not a huge fan of breakfast foods so I typically eat a yogurt with some dry Cereal, or have leftovers from a previous meal. For lunch, I eat out a lot, so it really it whatever I want just in small quantities. The other day, I ate 4 of the nachos from Chili's 2 with fajita chicken, 2 with just Beans, cheese, guacamole, sour cream and 3-5 jalapeno slices. For dinner, I'll have whatever I prepare for my family. I typically eat 3-4oz of meat, veggies, and a few bites of whatever starch I prepare. I can eat 1 slice of bread with 2 slices of deli meat and 1 piece of cheese without the crust. I can eat 1 soft taco from taco bell, or 2 wedges from a steak quesadilla from taco bell. Here's some pictures I've posted on what I've eaten, I eat about the same amounts maybe plus 1-2oz on mushies food. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/2934-food-for-thought/page__p__27160__fromsearch__1#entry27160 http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3049-another-food-for-thought-moment/page__p__28094__fromsearch__1#entry28094 3 tortilla chips, beans, rice with sauteed onions and queso blanco. 3 pieces of fajita skirt steak. About 1Tbsp of sour cream and guacamole mixed in with everything. 2. Do you every wish you could eat more than what you are eatting and get depressed over it? Nope, I don't wish I could eat more. I rarely eat to the point of being "full" anymore. I eat what I know will satisfy me, and in quantities that will allow me to hit my caloric and Protein goals and never miss the huge portions I ate pre-op. And, believe me, I could eat most men under the table. I had a huge appetite pre-op, I was definitely a volume eater, and would eat to get that "thanksgiving day" fullness every night at dinner. I had one case of "buyer's remorse" at 5.5 months out Thanksgiving 2009. I was still not able to eat a lot, and I sat there and watched my in-laws gorge themselves. I was furious at myself, but it was a fleeting moment, when I realized everyone was in their food coma, and I was ready to go do something. I felt alive, in control, and had so much energy while everyone else was napping. Least to say, I have absolutely ZERO regrets, and live an amazing life post-op. 3. Do you regret the surgery or are you happy you did it? Happy doesn't even begin to describe how I feel about my life post-VSG. I would do it over again and again to feel this amazing. 4. How many months/years post sleeve are you?Just a few days shy of 18 months post-sleeve

I have alarms set on my phone to eat. For example my alarms are set for 9,12, 3, 6 & 8:30 I eat Breakfast at 9 then at 12 I eat a snack (usually a cheese stick) then at 3 I eat lunch. then at 6 I eat dinner and at 8:30 I eat a snack. Maybe I need to pick different foods. I am so use to trying to watch what I eat maybe I need to eat different foods to get in the needed calories. My usual breakfast is a half a serving of oatmeal with 1 scoop of unflavored unjury Protein powder added. Then snack is usually a 100 calorie greek yogurt or RF cheese stick. Lunch I usually eat cottage cheese about 1/2 cup (either low-fat or fat-free) then dinner is usually 1-2 oz of protein and 1/4 cup of vegetable and 1/4 cup of brown rice or protein plus Pasta. (Sometimes I can't eat all of my dinner but make sure to eat all the protein) Then my snack before bed is usually a cheese stick or 100 calorie greek yogurt. So maybe I need to change my lunch meal to contain more food? Thanks for responding Mary

im in my third week just starting pureed foods and dont like anything i am eating. such as ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt or guacamole and red pepper hummus. any suggestions. i do like the protein shakes with fruit and spinach. please help

Honestly, since I'm hardly eating any "real food" I've got to be chock full of chemicals. Between protein shakes, protein water, sugar-free non-fat yogurt, Crystal Light, turkey bacon, light mayo, high protein snacks, etc. I'm not sure that I'm actually eating "healthier" at all

Yes that's right! Anything I want! 6 months ago I was absolutely miserable. While eating anything I wanted, I was gaining weight like crazy. My body would hurt and I could not fit any shoes with the exception of loafers. I would plan my my whole day around eating. I would plot how would wake up early just to stop by Dunkin Donuts. There I would by about 6 donut holes and 2 chocolate covered donuts and wash them down with a 20 oz soda. When I arrived at work 2 hours later ( I know, hell of a commute) I would be hungry again and would most likely eat another whole Breakfast or snack. I would down coke before lunch and couldn't wait for 11:00 to come to indulge in whatever the hospital cafeteria was serving. I would cancel meetings some days because it was too far of a walk across the hospital and my feet would hurt terribly or I would be too embarrassed to walk in out of breath. By 3:00, I was ready for a sweet indulgence and when I left, on my way home I would eat McDonald's. If my husband cooked. I would eat again once arriving home. That was my life. 6 months later. I wake up early to make a smoothie made of spinach, blueberries, strawberries and Water. For lunch, I eat a lean and green never eating more than 4-5 mouthfuls (I throw away so much money). For dinner I juice all sorts of fruits and veggies. If I'm hungry in between? Nuts. Do I have something carby from time to time? Yes! Do I have something sweet from time to time? On my way to get frozen yogurt now! Do I eat anything I want? Yes! So how have I lost 80 lbs in 6 months? Because this surgery has made it so that I mostly only want clean, healthy foods. I hate eating out of a bag or box or can. I love colorful foods and fresh foods. I crave them! This surgery has changed my life! I still have about 50 more pounds to go, but I am looking forward it! New day! New life! New me!

43 pounds is great! Don’t lose heart. For me I find premier protein shakes, Atkins bars, babybel lite cheese and Dannie Greek yogurt easy to always have on hand or in the car. For more meal foods, soup with extra chicken added, Trader Joe’s “zucchini fritters” basically an egg and vegetable frittata, grilled chicken and beans from my local Mexican place. Trader Joe’s has some good low carb ready foods. I hope this is helpful. Good luck!

For the early January Sleevers, how is everyone doing on their preop diets? I'm allowed to have 2 Protein Shakes, 1 can of broth based Soup, and 2 Snacks (sugar free Jello, fat free yogurt or cottage cheese). Im on day 3 and down 5 lbs. My cravings and mood were terrible for the first 2 days but today is better. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

That was the pre August plan with my Surgeon that I was looking forward too. Now it is just light yogurt, refried beans, ricotta cheese, and cottage cheese 5'10 Sleeved 9/25/17 HW: 309 SW: 278 CW: 255 GW: 190

Week 1: clear liquids, almost no protein except a little broth. Water, g2, herbal tea, apple juice, sugar free jello. Week 2: Milk, protein kefir, broth (and clears from week 1). Week 3: all of the above plus yogurt and cottage cheese. Week 4: purees.. all of the above plus blended tuna salad and refried beans Week 5: I don't remember as well, but still relied HEAVILY on cottage cheese and yogurt and beans and introduced eggs (sulfur, yum! Sounds like I'm joking but I'm not. I really liked that..I must have needed it). Weeks 6-8: I really started eating. Meats without blending, cashews, smoothies, eggs, cooked veggies, a little fruit. Chili, potato soup. Week 9 to present: cottage cheese, yogurt, milk, eggs, beans, nuts, meat, fish, fruit, veggies, potatoes (white and sweet). Coconut water and V8. Rarely cheese. Grains and sweets are reserved for special occasions. Everything I buy is single-ingredient. So fish is just fish, not breaded. (I occasionally splurge and get it pre-marinaded). I hate mayo now, but like chik fil a sauce. I put that into tuna salad. Salsa is great with beans and eggs and potatoes. My goal is 70g protein, and have been able to reach it most of the time since week 2. No protein shakes or bars. I used to count carbs, but stopped. I'm pretty much always under 100g. The most important things to measure are added oil/fat, and nuts/seeds. You could eat 2 whole potatoes for the calories in an extra handful of almonds. (I know that sounds like I load up on potatoes, but I don't. I eat 3.5oz about once or twice a week).

Ok, I'll play! I'm gonna pretend that I'm post WLS by 3 weeks. At 3 weeks I'm at the soft solids. My daily protein goal is 74g for my height. My portion size is 2oz Protein/meal; 1oz Protein/snack. I'm to have 3 meals and 1-2 Snacks daily, but since I'm still so newly after surgery it's really 5-6 mini meals of the same size. Meal size by volume is about 1/4-1/2cup. (Because I'm so close to surgery, I'm sure I will be relying very heavily still on protein supplements and will also probably need 3 meals + 3 snacks per day...) B: 1/4c 2% Daisy cottage cheese + 2tbs Walden Farm strawberry syrup (7g P) MS: 1/4c 0% Fat HEB Greek yogurt + 2tbsp Walden Farm blueberry syrup (6g P) L: 1/4c salmon salad (1oz canned, drained, skinned pink salmon; 1/2 hb lg egg; 1 tbsp 2% Daisy cottage cheese; 1 tsp country dijon; 1 tbsp Walden Farm Amazin Chipotle Mayo; TJ EBBS) (8g P) AS: Same as lunch (8g P) D: 2oz blackened tilapia + 1 tbsp avocado + 1 tbsp mild salsa (9g P) BS: 1/2c PBC protein pudding (homemade) (11g P) Daily Total Before Supplementing with Protein Drinks: 401cals; 49g Protein; 12g F; 20g Carbs; 3g Fiber; 17g Net Carbs (*Note: I will need about 9fl oz of Premier Protein Vanilla to hit my protein goal for the day. I'll probably just use those in my morning decaff coffee as a coffee creamer. (Daily Total After Supplementing with the Protein Drinks: 532 cals; 74g Protein; 14g Fat; 24g Carbs; 5g Fiber; 19g Net Carbs)

No one ever on this site has made me feel not welcomed. Ever. I agree with your mentality about eating healthy foods. And to me healthy foods are not "sugar free", "low fat", "fat free." In other words food that has taken out fats, sugars, calories, carbs and added in crap chemicals are not healthy. I would rather lose weight slowly, while taking care of my body than eat crap food because it is low fat, sugar free, fat free or carb free. I think complex carbs are necessary for many healthy functions including going to the bathroom. So many WLS patients complain about having HORRIBLE constipation after surgery. Screw that, your body NEEDS Fiber and not just fiber found in a "mix" but actual fiber from foods. There are exceptions like cottage cheese, certain yogurts and cream cheeses that I'll buy low calorie/sugar versions but all in all, I will not eat chemically altered food. There is no reason why ANYONE should.

Thank you so much for this article. I needed to read this. I have been enjoying my WLS portions of watermelon, strawberries, grapes, blueberries and kiwi. I've been making smoothies paired with greek yogurt, Kale or Baby spinach and although I've not had any stalls in my weight loss yet, I often wonder would I do better without it? Listening to so many others in the community with their take on what we should and should not eat I have to cipher through the nonsense and do what makes sense. I will continue to enjoy my faithful 3-4 servings of fruit daily. Thank you again!!!

I've tried doing the meal prep stuff and I've found my way around it successfully Meal #1: any flavor Oikos triple zero yogurt (Salted caramel is amazing) = $1.09 Meal #2: 1/2 cup cottage cheese = $0.50 Meal #3: 1/2 cup oatmeal with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter powder (buy from nuts.com) $0.50 Meal #4: Starkist tuna meal pack = $1.89 Meal #5: !/2 Premier protein shake (DOESN'T TASTE LIKE THE DREADED PROTEIN lol) It has 30 grams of protein 1 gram of sugar and is a delicious milkshake = $2.30 (full shake cost) Sam's Club has the BEST price I don't have a membership as I'm single and eating like a bird. Meal #6: finish off remaining premier protein shake (these shakes are perfect during work hours) Meal #7: 2 low fat cheese sticks and small apple = $1.25 Total daily cost: $7.53 - $8.00 daily be sure to add fiber to 2 water breaks during the day to combat the constipation from the protein!

Today's PieHole Report: 1 cup warm h20 w/lemon 16.9 oz h20 B'fast: vanilla chai protein shake 1 cup tea w/1 splenda Lunch: Blueberry Yogurt Protein Smoothie (Judy got me thinking this sounded yummy... & it was!) Exercise: 30 mins on treadmill @ Y 16.9 oz h20 Snack: Tomato Soup & Low-Fat Triscuits Dinner: vanilla chai protein shake (later this eve) 1 cup hot tea w/1 splenda Totals = 1262.5 cal, 27 g fat, 147.5 g carb, 102.75 g pro

Hi Shannon, I was banded 7/27. I am on the liquid diet for 4 weeks! I have been taking canned soup and adding water to thin... then blend, blend, blend. It is smooth and seems to do the trick. I also get yogurt. Good luck... This is a hard part.

I was banded on December 14, 2007 - Friday and I am back to work... I was very ouchie the 3 days post op but once I stopped taking the pain medication I started to feel better. I didn't feel as dizzy or light headed. One Alieve gel cap kept my pain at bay. It is day 5 post op and I cannot wear a regular bra- which suck.... a sports bra does not quite support the twins... hahhaaaa... sorry, but it is true! I am living off tomato soup, drinkable yogurt, pudding cups and haven't ventured out into the world of mashed potatoes or pintos and cheese yet... any recommendations? I stupidly tried tuna fish yesterday morning - i do not know what came over me but i did... dumb! my stomach was saying "no no no" like amy winehouse after the first small bite... i could have done some major damage.... can someonce slap me?

whatever the timing, I certainly wouldnt call tuna and crackers a mushy food. Tuna can be quite dry and "sticky" in texture so unless its packed in oil or doused in mayonnaise (which kinda makes it a high fat food) thenn its going to be hard to eat. ON crackers, wow, surprised you managed to swallow it and keep it down. Mushy foods should be soft and moist. Especially so soon after surgery I'd really be focussing more on very thick soups, blended up things, pureed fruit and yogurt and staying away from stuff so solid for a week or so yet.

I was going to add that I wasn't big on sugar-free anything. To soften the blow on the sugar-free pudding, I would add low-fat whipped creme. You can put a little on your pudding or Jello. I rarely like jello because of that two week before and two week after surgery. After the two weeks after surgery, I really did not like eating anything sugar-free. I would rather have nothing than having it or would rather just have a smaller amount of the real food (not sugar-free). I don't think the sugar-free part of foods is good for you. I also made my own soups/broth. It seemed more flavorful. You can freeze it so you always have some around. Creamy Soups had more flavor too. Popsicles were good too. I bought the ones with low sugar. I can't eat those anymore either because I ate them for two weeks before and after surgery. I think I as burned out on all those things. Yogurt really helps too when you get the mushy stage.