How Do You Plan Your Meals?

[mooncat 106]

I really enjoyed reading all the replies! Interesting that we have so many different styles, yet it appears from the statistics that everyone is successful. I have somewhat of a mix of styles. I am extremely blessed in that my husband does nearly all of the grocery shopping and cooking (I have a very long commute and a stressful job that even has me working at home every evening). He is very conscious of my dietary needs so he usually cooks what I can have. The only exception to that is weekend breakfasts when he adds biscuits, gravy and hash browns to his meal. I just have one egg. It does not bother me to watch him eat things I cannot have. At first he did not want to eat things I could not have, and he started losing weight! He does not have a weight issue. I had to reassure him that he could and should eat what he wanted and I would be fine. I even see him have Snacks in the evenings such as chips and guacamole. I feel it is no different that all the food commercials we see on TV. I have to learn to be around foods and pass them up. It helps that I am satisfied with what I eat.

I can see that our NUTs are giving us very different advice. I am almost 4 months post surgery by my NUT said I am to stick to just 1/4 cup of food per meal and just three meals per day with two Protein shakes as my "snacks" until I reach my goal weight. I made a personal decision that she was insane because I was hungry much of the time. So I have increased to almost 1/2 cup for each meal. I also have a small snack during the day such as 8 small grapes or one clementine. I drink lots of Water. This seems to work for me. I do still follow the other guidelines such as NO Pasta, rice or bread of any kind at any time and no fried food or sweets.

Since I do not cook, I do not directly "plan" my meals for the week. I scramble eggs every 4 days or so and freeze one egg per container with either a little salsa or 2 teaspoons of gravy or shredded cheese. Whatever Protein he cooks during the week we portion out into 2 ounce servings and freeze as well as some of the vegetables. In the mornings I grab one Breakfast container, one lunch container, my fruit and I drink a ready made shake on the way to work. I often do not even know what I have brought for lunch until I open the container to heat it! No worries because I know I like all the foods I have frozen. I do mix it up a bit by taking tuna, yogurt, nuts, etc.

[DSwitcher 35]

I do better with pretty much the same meal plan, four years out, for VSG maintenance. In March, I lost 14 pounds of the 50 regain, after I was fired from DS Surgery. I have discovered coffee shakes, salads and soy Protein and vegs for dinner is the best for me,keeping it around 800c and exercising 2.5 hrs daily. I am insulin resistant, and as soon ass my tool stopped working -- regain started -- even though I was not eating carbs...

[joyb1only 4]

I only plan in a very loose way, mostly by making sure I have plenty of Protein bars and Protein shakes on hand to cover when I am on the run, which is most of the time. The other staple for me is Greek yogurt.

This is not the best of plans, because I tend to make a lot of choices otherwise. What's out there is usually pretty high in fat, even when I look for the most Protein, I can get for the serving (10 - 23 gr.) on nutrition labels, along with the least fat and carbs/sugar, but a lot of Fiber. I try to get at least one small meal when I can, with some meat and a few vegetables,more emphasis on meat, and likely 2 oz. by weight or less. I find that I can eat very little else after I've eaten my protein. So, vegetables, or any type of potato would be 1/8 to 1/4 cup at most. Fruits are occasional.

[ausmith 374]

So far I will go to the store an buy a large variety of different foods along with various fresh vegetables and fruits and then during the week I find I just can't eat everything and end up with quite a bit going to waste. (especially the fresh stuff). I eat primarily meats, eggs, and dairy for Protein, which means there is little to no room for fruits or veggies. I end up throwing out most of what I bought of these items each week. It appears it will be a continual learning curve.

We were the same so I decided instead of the fruit and veg going to waste. I would put the fruit and veg through the juicer and my husband and I add 1 scoop of Protein Powder to it and use it as a replacement for a snack each or every other day. Great way to squeeze the fruit and veg in and to decrease the waste.