Food log format? List of do's and don'ts re: food

[meyouus 415]

I would like to start a food log. I'd like to be a step ahead of my WLS clinic before I seem them, and show them I have lost weight because I am keeping a food log. I had to do a log when I was initially banded, three small meals, two Snacks and a safe dessert if I was good that day. My NUT had me follow the South Beach diet, it SUCKED. Assuming my diet will be different than the South Beach, what kinds of food do RNYer's eat? Is there a list of do's and don'ts? Tell me or show me what you do.

[ArmyOfMe 82]

I had a 2 week diet to shrink the liver before surgery day.

I was given precise instructions and was reminded NO cheating.

The list contained a variety of non starchy vegetables, steamed/baked chicken or fish the size of your palm but not more, Protein Soups, bars, pudding purchased from the surgeon's office, fat free/light canned broths and such.

No alcohol, no sodas, no fried foods, no pizza or bread based foods, no Pasta nor rice.

[ArmyOfMe 82]

For logging my daily food intake, I use MyFitnessPal. I'm getting addicted to it.

[meyouus 415]

A half year ago, I tried MFP. I found it tedious yet eye opening. I don't own a smart phone with the app for it, which I would LOVE to do! But you know? I started taking food short cuts and started lying to myself. What good was that, so I quit. I'll check it out again just because you suggested it. Thing was, it gave me honest insight into what I was putting into my mouth and I wasn't ready to be shocked. You think it would still be a good thing to do if I'm not dieting yet? Would be an eye opener.....

[meyouus 415]

I had a 2 week diet to shrink the liver before surgery day.

I was given precise instructions and was reminded NO cheating.

The list contained a variety of non starchy vegetables, steamed/baked chicken or fish the size of your palm but not more, Protein Soups, bars, pudding purchased from the surgeon's office, fat free/light canned broths and such.

No alcohol, no sodas, no fried foods, no pizza or bread based foods, no Pasta nor rice.

Food...no, no, no. I wanna hear yes, yes, yes.

[kinsse 171]

Also sparkpeople.com is a great place to log. It has allot of different things to do on it.

[terry1118 1,274]

Also sparkpeople.com is a great place to log. It has allot of different things to do on it.

I like Sparkpeople. I didn't log the first couple of months. I worried about getting enough Protein and fluids and sometimes I worried about eating too much or not enough. Logging is used by a lot of people here and recommended by my team for tracking food, exercise and fluids. When you don't log you tend to estimate. Over or under, either way you're usually wrong. I found that logging is an accurate way to see what I'm doing every day. I'm eating more calories than I thought (but still well within my range) and most days I'm getting all my Protein. In the evening, if I see I'm short on protein I'll have another Protein shake to make up for it. If I'm short on fluids I'll have another bottle of Water before bed. Not enough (or any) exercise? A longer walk with the dogs is in order. The point is I now KNOW where I stand. I love it - no more wondering and uncertainty! :-)

[Obeasta 92]

My fitness pal all the way! Wish i started sooner.

[DLCoggin 1,788]

You'll find more food ideas here on the forum than you can shake a stick at. Go to the Home page and under "Main Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums" you'll find "Food and Nutrition" - a whole forum dedicated to appropriate foods at various post-op stages. The first few weeks following your surgery can be challenging but they pass quickly and you'll soon find yourself in the routine. Virtually all surgery teams give their patients very detailed, written instructions on what to eat, when to eat, how much to eat - at each stage of the process. It sounds daunting but it's not nearly as bad as most folks imagine.

Stay positive. Stay patient. And stay focused on following the protocol as closely to the letter as you possibly can. You're gonna love the new you!!

P.S. I strongly agree with what others have said - food logs are an enormously powerful tool and the more you use it, the more you learn and the more valuable they become. I'm almost two years out and I log every single day. My Fitness Pal and Sparkpeople are both excellent!

[Truckerchic 171]

A half year ago' date=' I tried MFP. I found it tedious yet eye opening. I don't own a smart phone with the app for it, which I would LOVE to do! But you know? I started taking food short cuts and started lying to myself. What good was that, so I quit. I'll check it out again just because you suggested it. Thing was, it gave me honest insight into what I was putting into my mouth and I wasn't ready to be shocked. You think it would still be a good thing to do if I'm not dieting yet? Would be an eye opener.....[/quote']

Even though you dont have smart phone for the app check it again online...there are a few threads on here of people using mfp you can friend them and check out their diary's ...search mfp on here ..good luck