When can I eat a sandwich?

[cuchas 51]

I'm now 5 weeks out of surgery and have been on solids since week 2.

I haven't been able to see my NUT yet, but I was wondering if you all would think it's safe to eat a sandwich during this time?

My main issue is the bread. I want a sandwich but I have been refusing to eat bread because there really isn't a point to. in my opinion, it's just a "filler food"

So I'm on both odds of the spectrum. I want one but then the bread is my main issue. But if I take the bread out, there's no point of it being a sandwich?

What do you guys think?

[Babbs 14,681]

You need protien this early out, so bread has absolutely no nutritional value to you right now. I made roll ups with lunch meat and cheese. You're a little early out for lettuce, but it makes a good substitute for bread on a sandwich, too. Just stick your meat and fillings in between 2 pieces of lettuce

[tcon 305]

I love ham and turkey wrapped in lettuce with cheese. Very yummy. ????

[OKCPirate 5,323]

About six months out my NUT wanted me to start getting a few more carbs, so I use flat out lite wraps. 8g Protein, and they taste good. Few vegies, lots of meat (4 oz). I hate bread.< /p>

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I eat deconstructed sandwiches, usually with a fork or as a roll-up.

[ShrinkingPeach 1,291]

I eat deconstructed sandwiches also. I just don't want the extra calories and carbs of bread. Also I was told by my nut that some folks have issues with bread becoming a ball of dough causing pain in the sleeve. I don't want to even find out if I am one of those people.

[jess9395 5,449]

I do meat and cheese roll ups too. Over 1.5 years post op and have had four slices of bread in that time--two after my first triathlon and two after one of my half marathons. I agree that it's empty calories.

[DreaDH 12]

I agree with everyone else. bread has no nutritional value and will take up prime real estate. Also, I'm not sure if anyone else was told this but my nutritionist told me that if I was going to ever have bread it needed to be toasted because bread swells in the stomach and apparently toast does not. Personally I don't think the meat/cheese wraps really fill the sandwich craving but they are the closest you should be getting to one right now. However, if you are going to do it, I would strongly suggest toasting the bread at least.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Others' advice (above) is correct: At your tenure post-op, you should be focusing on Protein, Protein first, and then (only if your stomach can handle it) little bits of healthy, colored, non-starchy veggies.

But, actually, I do eat bread. And IMHO it does have nutritional value, depending on what kind of bread you eat. The kind of bread I typically eat, one slice of the Sara Lee 100% whole wheat bread, has 45 calories and 6 grams of protein.

HOWEVER, I'm 11+ months post-op. And when I do have it (rarely) I only have it toasted (the comment above about toasting bread is what I was taught, as well).

But there's another aspect to bread and carb-laden foods: Bread is a real trigger food for some people. If bread is a trigger food for you, then I'd stay the heck away from it. And only you know how you feel about bread.

Now that I'm on maintenance, there are some higher-carb foods I can eat in moderation, and others I know better than to flirt with at all.

Congrats on being past the first rough month of recovery. Sounds like you're doing great.

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

deconstructed sandwiches

@@Inner Surfer Girl

i've led a sheltered life

what is a deconstructed sandwich??

134 lbs gone

keep up the good job

kathy

congrats

[Babbs 14,681]

@VSGAnn20147

I agree completely. I know I sound like a bread nazi sometimes, but I'm not against bread at all. Like you said, I think it should be avoided in the first months of surgery to make room for more protien, and it doesn't serve them well nutritionally the first 6 months or so. I think once the person has lost most of their excess weight, it's great to start adding some whole grains for a more well balanced diet as long as it doesn't send the person off the deep end with cravings for more. I enjoy my occassional piece of bread, but man oh man does it make me crave more sugar and carbs! That's why I choose to stay away mostly.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

deconstructed sandwiches

@@Inner Surfer Girl

i've led a sheltered life

what is a deconstructed sandwich??

134 lbs gone

keep up the good job

kathy

congrats

I define a deconstructed sandwich as the insides of a sandwich, usually on a plate or bowl.

For instance, I will put sliced turkey, cheese, some dill pickle slice, some spicy mustard and maybe a bit of mayo on a plate. Pop it in the microwave to melt the cheese and eat it with a fork. Or, a tuna packet (ranch flavor is good) with some cheese -- instant tuna melt.

It's just the sandwich without the bread.< /p>

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

sliced turkey, cheese, some dill pickle slice, some spicy mustard and maybe a bit of mayo on a plate. Pop it in the microwave to melt the cheese and eat it with a fork. Or, a tuna packet (ranch flavor is good) with some cheese -- instant tuna melt.

It's just the sandwich without the bread.< /p> define a deconstructed sandwich as the insides of a sandwich, usually on a plate or bowl.

@@Inner Surfer Girl

thanx for the good explanation

making a tuna melt

luv it

can't wait to try

thanx bud

kathy

[kell778 46]

There are carb smart tortillas by Mission that are a great replacement for bread. I too was really wanting a sandwich so I put some tuna on the carb smart tortilla and tried it. I found that I was used to having tuna without the bread and preferred it alone. Best of luck!

[cuchas 51]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

I've mostly been doing roll ups. I'll take the ham and salami, roll it up, and eat it like that. I haven't had cheese. I saw someone on here say it wasn't that good for us this early out? Not sure if that's true or not so I'm just staying away for now.

On another note, I remember when eating a sandwich I could put like 3 slices of ham or whatever deli meat and cheese inside the bread, but now my stomach can only fit 1 slice of ham and 1 slice of salami. It's so crazy to notice the differences

Anyway, thank you all for replying. You guys have been so much help. I'm gonna stick to my Protein and forget bread ever existed!????????

Edited July 21, 2015 by cuchas