Grazing vs 3 meals + a snack per day

[jograves 2]

Hi there, I was sleeved May 21st, 2013. I am struggling with my Dr's written directive to 'stop eating at the first hint of fullness.' Because when I do that, there is no way I can get down what is considered a typical 'meal' amount of food. So instead I stop eating after a few bites, then eat again about an hour and a half later, and stop again when I feel the 'hint.' That means I am grazing all day which I'm told not to do. Confusing.

Based on my Dr's recommendation for the size of 1 meal (example: dinner 3-4 oz broiled halibut, steamed broccoli, sliced tomatoes and a few whole grain crackers,) I could never get all that down in 1 sitting without going way past a 'hint' of fullness.

As a result of my 'grazing' I tend to focus on food more, and think about what I'm going to eat next, etc. It makes food way too big a part of my day. It's also way easier to go too high in calories & carbs this way. I've stumbled a few times (1 cookie, 1 cupcake on 2 different days). And I want to nip this in the bud. For me, the 'thinking about food' is the trigger. I know if I had 3 meals + 1 snack I would be better off overall. But should I just eat the 3 meals even if I feel overly full after each one?

Thanks for the help.

Shawna

[jandseakin 96]

That is a lot of food for one meal this early after being sleeved.. I was sleeved June 6.. I eat 3 meals and 2 Snacks a day, and not in between those times. Breakfast is usually 1 egg. snack, a Protein Drink, lunch 1/2 cup of Soup or some cold meat and cheese, Afternoon snack, greek yogurt, and dinner 2 ounces of fish or chicken and a few bites of vegetables. If I can't finish something, I don't finish it later, but throw it away or save it for another meal I dont know if this is right or wrong, but it seems to work for me. I'm afraid grazing between planned meals/snacks, would set a dangerous precedence for me. Good luck to you.

[Indigo1991 1,612]

Shawna, how quickly do you eat? How small are your bites? How much do you chew? These are all factors that dictate how much food you can take in a meal. Take it slowly, cut your food into tiny bits and chew well - and when you think you are done chewing, chew a bit more!

When I started doing that, I was able to get a decent size portion in and stay satisfied for a few hours.

Stick with it, you know what you need to do, remember Protein is the priority so get that in first and if you have room for anything else, eat that. Good luck!

[futureloser 190]

Shawna, I am 4 mos out and still can only get my Protein in. I am between 600-700 calories, about 35 carbs.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

My doctor is very firm that the meal size in our plan is a maximum, not a minimum. If we feel full, we stop eating and then don't eat again until the next meal, no grazing or snacking. If we can't eat the 3 or 4 ounces "meal size" then we aren't supposed to push it. Maybe your surgeon has the same general idea?

[vegasneon 181]

I do like Bufflehead said. 3 meals even if they are pretty small sometimes, no Snacks no extra meals. If I need to I drink 2 Protein Shakes so I get at least 60 grams of Protein but if I dont need to I drink one, I don't count my shake as a meal.

I can't eat that much fish, forget about the other stuff. I might get close to 3 oz of fish and 2 or 3 bites of the Broccoli, that would be a big meal for me.

[DougNichols 124]

dinner 3-4 oz broiled halibut, steamed broccoli, sliced tomatoes and a few whole grain crackers

I'm 3 years out, and can't eat that much. I could fit maybe the halibut in.