Second fill...finally know what restriction is!!

[Elisabethsew 50]

To "work the band" optimally, you should have hard Protein for your "main meal" of the day. This includes beef, pork, fish, chicken, soy, etc.). You need to cut the protein into SMALL pieces, THOROUGHLY chew each piece, and eat 4-6 ounces.

I was told to eat all the protein first, then the veggies and then the starch. Often, I can get in the protein, about half the veggies and just a few tastes of the starch. When people are too restricted, they go to "softer" foods and avoid hard Proteins because they can get these foods PAST the band. Often, this can result in weight GAIN not to mention damage to the esophagus, etc. if left too tight for too long.

I will sometimes have spaghetti with a meatball and that's fine. We're supposed to eat like "normal" people. I typically have 4 oz of lite ricotta cheeses, coffee and Vitamins for Breakfast, Cereal or a salad with some turkey or tuna for lunch and a balanced dinner (fish, steamed green Beans, rice for example). I buy 100 calorie pack Snacks and 60 calories puddings and 80 calorie fudge pops for treats.

I hope that helps.