3 months out.....Grazing or overeating......

[PGee 318]

I'm 3 months out and absolutely religious about measuring/weighing everything I eat (unless the rare occasion we go out to eat, then I let my sleeve be my guide---gone out to eat twice since surgery).

The problem I'm having, if I measure out 2 ounces of chicken or fish, I cannot eat it during the 1/2 hour recommended time. I may be able to eat it in an hour, but then my stomach hurts................The other choice is to graze with my measured food, which my NUT said we don't want......her recomendation was 2 ounces of Protein, and an ounce each of veggie and healthy carb or fruit, and I struggle just getting in the Protein.< /span>

So I'm wondering, at 3 months out, is my expectation of eating 2 ounces at meal time too much?

I don't eat anything else with the 2 ounces of fish/chicken (which is always moist).....and follow the no liquids rule. That being said, I can do better with: no cal drinks, protein shakes/drinks as long as they are not thick, yogurt, cottage cheese, chili....any thoughts, suggestions, input? Many, many thanks!

[7 Bites_Jen 479]

Just eat until your full. You might not be able to get it all in yet, as your sleeve may still be tight. Don't worry. Just try your best and do what you can and don't force it! You'll be fine :-)

[Teachamy 1,042]

My NUT has said, liquids first, Protein second. As long as you're getting in your minimum protein, do what you can within the 30 minute time frame. You're doing great!

[BellaItaliana 57]

Why does eating have to be within a 30 min timeframe? I agree, don't eat until your stomach hurts, but if it takes an hour to eat the food, and your stomach isn't hurting, is there something wrong with that? I usually will take over 30 mins to eat my 2.5 oz of chicken or steak.

[PGee 318]

Just eat until your full. You might not be able to get it all in yet, as your sleeve may still be tight. Don't worry. Just try your best and do what you can and don't force it! You'll be fine :-)

Thanks.......I'm worried if I do that I won't get enough Protein in.....

[PGee 318]

Why does eating have to be within a 30 min timeframe? I agree, don't eat until your stomach hurts, but if it takes an hour to eat the food, and your stomach isn't hurting, is there something wrong with that? I usually will take over 30 mins to eat my 2.5 oz of chicken or steak.

I don't know the reasoning behind it, but my NUT stressed to only eat within 30 minutes.......

[NMJG 1,266]

My clinic has the same rules. When you are all healed up, for long term success grazing doesn't work for a lot of people and leads to overeating. That said, I'm in the same boat as you at 10 weeks. Takes me forever to eat Protein, and I still eat a lot of soft foods and Protein Shakes. I almost never get to the veg or starch. I eat one little thing at a meal, then I eat a tiny snack two hour later, so I have 3 meals and 2 Snacks. Even with that I am under 800 calories a day and couldn't eat any more. So, I'm going with what my body tells me. I can't stuff down enough at a meal to meet any sort of nutritional minimum, I have to snack. But, I don't graze continuously and a little snack (1 oz of nuts, a glass of milk, a cheese stick) lasts several hours.

[7 Bites_Jen 479]

What our nutritionist said (and this is where the show title comes from) is this:

"Plan on seven bites. Four bites of Protein. Two bites of vegetable. One bite of starch. Wait ten minutes. If you're still hungry, go have another bite or two of Protein or vegetable."

In all, you should be able to eat about a 1/4-1/2 C meal within 30-45 minutes, and that will usually equal out to 7-10 bites.

[Kay__S 33]

I don't want to derail the thread, but I am really looking forward to seeing what your 7 bites cooking show is like. I'm just waiting for my daughter to go to bed! I am still on sips, but when I get to real food, thinking of it as 7 bites is very useful way to get through are new meal experience.

[PGee 318]

What our nutritionist said (and this is where the show title comes from) is this:

"Plan on seven bites. Four bites of Protein. Two bites of vegetable. One bite of starch. Wait ten minutes. If you're still hungry, go have another bite or two of Protein or vegetable."

In all, you should be able to eat about a 1/4-1/2 C meal within 30-45 minutes, and that will usually equal out to 7-10 bites.

I really like that, but then do you have any idea how much protein you are getting, or don't you worry about it.....and how far out are you? Thanks for letting me pick your brain, appreciate it!!!

[PGee 318]

I don't want to derail the thread, but I am really looking forward to seeing what your 7 bites cooking show is like. I'm just waiting for my daughter to go to bed! I am still on sips, but when I get to real food, thinking of it as 7 bites is very useful way to get through are new meal experience.

Me too! I saw the first video.....luv "yuck in a cup" LOL

[SeaGirl 193]

Just ate, didn't think it was too much, or too fast, then I got super uncomfortable, super slimey. Eventually I coughed and spontaneously hacked up a foamy mess right onto the carpet....YUCK! Gotta do it differently. Time to sslooooowww down. This is the first time that's happened. Hope it's the last..

[7 Bites_Jen 479]

I really like that, but then do you have any idea how much Protein you are getting, or don't you worry about it.....and how far out are you? Thanks for letting me pick your brain, appreciate it!!!

You do - and can - count your protein like this. 4-6 bites of protein should equal out to between 1-2 oz, depending on how big the bites you take are. As long as your getting your protein first, counting isn't as big a deal (unless your nutritionist insists on having you log it, which some do).

And - you're very welcome! That's what I'm here for! :-)