Mac N Cheese

[shanbutler 15]

Ow long did anyone wait for this?

[7carol3 212]

I was sleeved 11-14-11 and I still haven't eaten mac & cheese. No plans to.

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

No white carbs for me till I reach goal or 1 year post op. which ever comes first.

[Webchickadee 716]

You may feel an intense craving for mac & cheese, but if you were to try this (assuming you're healed enough to tolerate it and your medical team has signed off), you may find you don't actually like it!

Many people who have had VSG surgery find they don't tolerate Pasta well at all post-op (same with bread........).

In addition, if you're following your post-op diet closely (you should be, to make the most of this fresh start at a healthier food life!), you'll note that our focus is to eat Protein first, vegetables next (if you have room) and carbs as a last resort. Mac & cheese is very nearly 100% carbs (the cheese is negligible, especially if it's boxed mac & cheese that uses processed cheese powder and not real cheese). So your nutritional value is very low, carbs are very high (usually an impediment to weight loss) and may make you feel unwell, bloated, nauseous and generally unwell!

So my recommendation is to try a bite or two from a friend (don't cook it at home....you'll be left with a pot/pan of it left that you can't eat!) and see how it sits. I'm nearly certain it won't give you the happy contented memories you remember.....

[hm734 228]

Never..at least not for me. One bite after all my Protein maybe in the future, when I am comfortable that one bite won't lead to an entire bowl. This is the kind of food that lead me to being unhealthy.

[Webchickadee 716]

This is the kind of food that lead me to being unhealthy.

hm734 makes a very valid point that I was gentling hinting at in my post above. Foods such as mac & cheese are mostly void of nutrition (especially for VSGers) and contribute to a mindset and lifestyle that lead to obesity and a multitude of health problems.

Try to approach your VSG surgery as a fresh start to your entire life. This includes making much more informed and careful choices in your food intake; increasing your activity level in every aspect of your life; and eliminating (to the best of your ability) influences that can lead you to old patterns of behaviour that made you obese and inactive in the first place.

For me, I find that includes watching TV (I am a BAD snacker, especially when there are food commercials!), going to events where food is the primary focus (trade shows about food, cooking classes, pot luck lunches/dinners, local/state fairs, etc.), sleeping in late, etc.

So you say, what does that leave? All the fun is gone......

You're right, it seems that way in the beginning, but it has to be a conscious shift in your behaviour patterns, and that doesn't happen overnight! If you do go to things like pot luck get-together's, you have to plan it out. Bring a food you like that fits your new diet. It may be the only thing you can eat there! Focus on talking to people and making human connections rather than thinking about the food. It's more fun, satisfying and non-fattening!

I'm not saying you have to give up your friends, and your favourite activities and start new on everything. That's is too overwhelming and not what VSG is about. But you do you have to give more thought and planning to things in your life in the first 6-12 months while you're establishing new behaviours. Eventually they will become second nature!

And don't stop asking questions! Here at VST, there are ALOT of experienced people who are happy to respond and give you ideas and support. We all started out not knowing how to get through each day, what to eat, how to cope with all the change (mental, physical, relationships, etc.). We help one another, and soon you'll be one of those people answering others and sharing your experience and advice!

Good luck!

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

DH came home the other night with a small box of hot mac n cheese from our local grocery store.

i had one delicious teaspoonful

it was a wonderful splurge - don't plan on doing it again....well ....maybe one more time after the next 8 months, etc. etc. etc.

eating the mac N cheese didn't kill me, i'm still around to write about it

[lollyfidy1965 402]

Yeah...another item that isn't on my post-surgical diet plan...pasta, of any kind.

[hm734 228]

I should be clear. Just as I mentioned in a similar post, I do not eat things like this because I can't trust myself not to eat more than a bite, not because I look at my life as one big diet. If your doctor approves, and you can handle a small portion, knock yourself out. I personally know I would eat too much of it and would make a habit of it.

[Territravel 217]

Six weeks post op. I had 3 tablespoons, went down well and boy was it yummy! My sleeve does well with Pasta of any kind. My sleeve does not like any variety of bread.< /p>

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

can't trust myself not to eat more than a bite

hm734

i know exactly what you mean about trusting yourself with certain foods

in the past 8 months i have not had one sweet, sugar, candy etc. not even a bite.

unfortuanately many candy stores have now had to lay off people or have totally gone out of business

[Catracks 865]

No white Pasta for me ever. I do have a small amount of whole wheat Pasta with red sauce.. I don't plan to eat mac and cheese the way I used to make it. I do however have shredded zucchini and cheese. Carbs make me stall and gain and I stick under 40-45 grams a day.

It's just like the milkshake thread. I make nutritious versions of the stuff I used to eat when obese. I can run up mountains now. I'm not trading it in for food.

[Catracks 865]

hm734

i know exactly what you mean about trusting yourself with certain foods

in the past 8 months i have not had one sweet, sugar, candy etc. not even a bite.

unfortuanately many candy stores have now had to lay off people or have totally gone out of business

You're hilarious!

[Catracks 865]

Shanbutler, did your surgeon send you to a nutrition class? Does he have one on staff. I might gently suggest that you speak to someone about food issues. You are 3 days post op and wanting to dive right back into foods that got you this way.

Moderation is for people with good control. I have some, but I rather not let my tastebuds and body get used to that stuff. Right now, sugary stuff is sickening sweet to me and I hate it. I rather it stay that way.

Right now it sounds like you are having a massive attack of head hunger that you might want to nip in the bud. Just a suggestion.

One can eat around this sleeve and sabotage weight loss. It would be a shame to say the least.

[phatdivabbw 86]

You may feel an intense craving for mac & cheese, but if you were to try this (assuming you're healed enough to tolerate it and your medical team has signed off), you may find you don't actually like it!

Many people who have had VSG surgery find they don't tolerate Pasta well at all post-op (same with bread........).

In addition, if you're following your post-op diet closely (you should be, to make the most of this fresh start at a healthier food life!), you'll note that our focus is to eat Protein first, vegetables next (if you have room) and carbs as a last resort. Mac & cheese is very nearly 100% carbs (the cheese is negligible, especially if it's boxed mac & cheese that uses processed cheese powder and not real cheese). So your nutritional value is very low, carbs are very high (usually an impediment to weight loss) and may make you feel unwell, bloated, nauseous and generally unwell!

So my recommendation is to try a bite or two from a friend (don't cook it at home....you'll be left with a pot/pan of it left that you can't eat!) and see how it sits. I'm nearly certain it won't give you the happy contented memories you remember.....

WHEN YOU PUT IT THAT WAY! I DON'T WANT ANY. LOL