Meal ideas

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

I forgot to give my soft food suggestion!

Swai fillets! Even if you aren't crazy about fish it is okay because they have a very mild fish taste, probably the mildest possible. They are very easy to digest and extremely soft and flakey. They are also very affordable compared to most seafood. I was eating crab but this is easier to digest and doesn't sit as heavy in my sleeve. I eat 10 oz of swai most days in 2 different portions. I can eat some other things, but I like swai because of the easy digestion, low price and how easy it is to cook. And it accepts flavors and seasoning very sell, so you can season it how you please. I started with 2oz at a time and I am at 5oz sometimes almost 6 oz now. It is easier to digest than crab, tuna or shrimp because it is so soft. It is easier than salmon also.

Also if you are starting soft foods. Get a scale if you don't have one and weigh everything you eat. Even if you are eating something with the weight on the package and you think you cut it in 1/2 etc. Weigh and track everything. It is easy to over or under estimate and sometimes you don't finish everything. You really have to track everything to make sure you are on track with your Protein. It is too easy to realize at 6 or 7 pm that you are at less than 1/2 your Protein requirements.

I also suggest prepping your food for the next day at night, or doing it all in the morning. Pre-planning makes sure you hit your requirements.

[MrsRoboto 370]

Also if you are out an in an emergency, there are still better options than going to a fast food resturant. Almost all gas stations have muscle milk. There are gyms everywhere, and most gyms sell Protein shakes right in the front, you can walk in and buy a Protein shake without being a member. Walmart has Protein Shakes. You can carry a Protein Shake in your purse, When you are off soft foods you can keep a Protein Bar or nuts. You should really never let yourself get into a situation where Wendy's is your best option, and there aren't even that many Wendy's around.

To each their own. It seems like you might be an all or nothing type, and that's fine. But that's not me. I like to take my kids to lunch. I like Wendy's. I like Chipotle. I like KFC. They have some good low carb options with good Protein. I would much rather eat some tasty food than choke down another nasty shake. I gag at the thought of shakes these days. I don't think a half a cup of Wendy's chili is going to hinder my weight loss.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

Everyone has their own triggers. I don't think eat fast food is a habit that people should start back up. It is too easy to slide. You can easily eat french fries as a slider food. Mashed potatoes are on the soft foods list, mashed poatoes and french fries are cousins... It is a slippery slope for most people struggling with food issues.

Especially eating fast food during the soft foods phase. Which is what the original poster asked about. A week or 2 after surgery eating fast food seems risky and flat out bad advice. If someone is further out, it could be different. Still there are higher quality food options than Wendy's. If a person waited 6 weeks plus (depending on the program) then a person could get a salad instead of chili.

There are better options, we need to learn them early and stick to them for success.

I love Protein shakes, I drank them long before surgery and will probably drink the rest of my life. I would rather drink a Protein shake than think about how long I have to spend on the elliptical to work off a fast food treat, and then actually get on the elliptical.

And there is nothing to stop you from eating a Protein Bar or something while your kids eat whatever junk food. Just because other people are making bad choices doesn't mean you have to join in.

Edited September 7, 2015 by OutsideMatchInside