What's with all the "diet" food?

[lgrey 37]

OK, here's one I haven't seen addressed: what's with all this low fat, diety food? ?? I thought maybe it would make more sense after my surgery, but it still doesn't. I'm 4 weeks post op and can only eat about a quarter cup at a time. My nut says 3-4 quarter cup meals a day. How can you possibly gain weight on 1 CUP of food a day, even if you are eating full fat meals???? Better yet, how can you NOT lose weight on one cup of food a day?

Before I started this process, I was actually eating pretty healthy. Healthy fats (avocado, coconut, EVO, even some clarified butter). I avoided simple sugars, grains and dairy; ate mostly meats, eggs, lots of vegies (with fats thank you) and some fruit. Some juicing too, mostly veggies with about 10% fruit to make them palatable. I was still overweight (portions and hormones?), but low bp and cholesterol. Healthy. Since starting this program and especially post surgery, I'm told to eat a TON of dairy (which I don't tolerate well), and lots of chemical laden sugar free fake foods like the Protein Shakes and jellos and puddings and Protein Bars, etc. And told to do low or no fat. Sites like the Bariatric Pal are constantly advocating diet food and low cal recipes.

So I just don't get it. I'm not talking about eating high fat, high calorie food all day long, but I don't see why eating healthy food with moderate fat should be a problem. So you don't lose quite as fast. Wouldn't that be healthier and maybe less issues with sagging skin? I just don't get it.

Input from veterans please...what am I missing?

Edited January 18, 2015 by lgrey

[Pac-woman 325]

Good Argument!!!! ( I am 5 days post surgery) so I can't wait to see the responses on this one.

I can divide my whopper in 10 pieces. LOL Just Kidding.

[ProjectMe 909]

I am by no means a veteran and am very interested in others' responses. Just wanted to say that I enjoy the blog world according to eggface because she uses regular fat/real ingredients in her recipes. She wrote that portion sizes are so small so why not. But, she also does not eat rice, Pasta, white flour, etc. So I am curious as to vets responding because I really don't like "diet" foods but also don't want to reintroduce stuff that is bad for me.

[IronDruggist 136]

I don't eat "diet" foods, nor am I "low carb". I am 4 months out, I've never stalled, and I'm 90lbs down. I eat whole, real foods. I eat my Protein first, but I do enjoy small amounts of *gasp* rice, bread, and Pasta. Eating Thai food tonight, and I'm going to enjoy the hell out of my 1/2 cup of grub. There is no point to diet food...especially when at the early stages we struggle to get ENOUGH calories to not go into starvation mode (weight loss stalls, Hair loss, etc). Add to that the unnatural chemicals, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners that can't be good for you. Maybe farther down the road when I am able to eat more volume it might matter, but right now I enjoy being able to eat normally, for the first time in my life!

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I don't eat ANY diet foods. The closest I come is eating 0% greek yogurt. I also don't eat any artificial sugars or food dyes. Today I actually had butter! Not a lot and it's not something I eat daily, but yes I eat real butter.

You don't have to eat those things. You just to do a little research and learn enough about carbs/proteins/fats/etc...

I am vegetarian. The only dairy I get is greek yogurt and cheese if I eat an egg. I drink almond milk and other plant based Proteins. Early on I used whey Protein for my Protein shakes.

You have to work it out with your nutritionist. It was one of my main concerns when I looked into WLS. I am happy to have a nutritionist who worked with me.

[mduffield 252]

Def want to follow this thread. My surgeon really inspired my hubby and I about whole foods/clean eating. We've been doing it about 60/40 the past two years and def going full scale once I'm off post op restrictions. Asked my surgeon why people who are eating small amounts are gaining? Simple, he said. Chemicals and unclean food. Mess with our hormones and bodies big time.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

@@mduffield Agreed. I don't eat anything from a box or a package and rarely used can goods.

[Babbs 14,681]

I don't eat "diet" food, either. Mostly lean meats and fish, nuts, fruits and veggies. I stay away from bread, rice and potatoes. I know a small amount of carbs won't kill you, but in my case I don't do well with them. If I start having carbs, my weight loss slows and I get hungry. That's the reason I stay away from them.

[Karenlrn 41]

I want to follow this thread too. I wondered about all the emphasis on diet food when the amounts are so small. I had surgery 12/29/2014 so I'm still on pureed diet. My nut wants me to have a lot of milk and I wondered what lactose intolerant patients do.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

@@Karenlrn - Choose a Protein powder that uses soy isolates instead of milk or whey. Drink unsweetened almond, rice, cashew, soy, hemp or coconut milk instead. So Delicious makes a non dairy yogurt, so does Rice Dreams or Almond Breeze (I forget which one). These are the kinds of discussions to have with your nutritionist. They will offer suggestions if you make them aware.

[MichiganChic 3,262]

I refuse to eat anything I don't like. I eat full fat cottage cheese, cheese, sour cream, butter, and salad dressing, if I'm going to have it. I don't eat all of those things all the time, and when I do, it's a small, measured amount. I work it into my calories for the day. I rarely drink milk, but if I do, it's whole milk. I don't eat much bread, rice, or Pasta, but I do on occasion. I also take advantage of some "diet" foods like Quest bars. One fat free thing I do eat is Fage 0 fat greek yogurt - because I like it.

[Kindle 8,667]

I don't do "diet" anything. I eat normal, regular meals, just in smaller portions. I never worried about fat...I do full fat dairy and eat a ton of nuts. I use real butter and real maple Syrup on my homemade pancakes. I also don't like artificial sweeteners, so I drink Water, Decaf herb teas, milk, juice and if I do drink a Vitamin Water or other "sports drink", it's the real thing, not low cal.

Seriously, the only thing I do different from preop is drink a large protein/fiber smoothie everyday (30-40g protein/10g insoluble fiber), make sure I'm getting plenty of fluids and eat healthy.....Protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains instead of fried or processed junk food. Not to say I don't still have deserts, alcohol, bread, Pasta and other "bad" things, but in moderation, and not everyday.

And, BTW, I lost over 100% of my excess weight and have kept it off for 5 months....all without "dieting"

Edited January 18, 2015 by Kindle

[prairie 34]

My understanding is that the low fat, low carb diet helps the weight come off *fast.* we want a fast weight loss initially so that we don't get a new "set weight" early on. If you lose slowly, your body can keep up.

So, yes, while I will eventually return to a diet free from artificial sweetners, fats, etc. I'm including some of those in my diet now.

I can positively influence my post op diet with the kind of broth and Soups I eat, the type of Protein I use, and the liquid that I mix in. I currently use unsweetened rice milk and unsweetened almond milk.

I've put way too much energy into this entire process to risk it by not following the plan.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

However it is entirely possible to eat both low fat and low carb without eating fake foods and artificial sweeteners. I am doing just that.

I would say my weight loss is about average, neither super fast, except for my 2 week loss, but not super slow either. I avoid them because of life threatening allergies, but even if I wasn't allergic to them I doubt I would eat them.

Edited January 18, 2015 by BLERDgirl

[MisforMimi 760]

I think a lot of folks ate a healthier diet prior to surgery. I love vegetables and healthy fats. I'm not a fan of the after taste caused by artificial sweeteners. I think those cab be added back in with the help of a nutritionist. I think the goal would be to do that over time. Something that is not enjoyable will not be sustainable over time. I love to cook. I'm just 3 days post op and I think you can have a lot of healthy Protein rich food from scratch. I will be eating more dairy than normal but I think there is definitely room to eat organic and less processed foods soon enough.