Food options

[sleever123 8]

So my nutritionist gave me a list of foods and one is I can have bread as long as it's toasted- crackers etc. I'm not a huge meat eater so as of now a big chunk of what I've been having is dairy stuff. Im only a month out and haven't lost that much and reading all your posts and how quickly everyone is losing and getting really discouraged. I know, I know everyone loses different but when we don't have many food options and I'm eating tiny meals why am not losing more? I hope one day I will be one of the inspirational stories I have read on here.

[nonnilynn 43]

I was where you are in the first few weeks following my surgery. I was so discouraged and reading about huge losses really made me worse. So I spoke to my NP and she said that a lot of people include pre surgery weight loss in their numbers. She said it's 2 pounds a week, that's the expectation when the program is working. Be patient, it will kick in!!

[Introversion 1,876]

You are exactly one month out. How much weight have you lost?

I was a slower loser who dropped an average of 3 to 6 pounds per month. The important fact is that I attained my goal weight and have been able to maintain it so far.

This is your personal marathon, not a race in which you sprint next to others and compare your progress against theirs.

People focus too much on the weight loss phase when it is, in the bigger scheme of things, very unimportant. On the other hand, maintaining the weight loss is crucial. What is the point of losing 25 to 35 pounds monthly like Speedy Gonzales only to regain in the second or third year?

Nobody thinks regain will happen to them, yet 80 percent of all bariatric surgery patients regain some or all of the weight they've lost.

Good luck to you! And...stay off the scale for a while.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

@sleever123

You posted a bunch of vague stuff. What do you eat in a day? How much Protein are you getting in? How many carbs? How many calories?

You aren't going to heal well or lose weight on bread.

Bread and crackers and a whole lot of other stuff was on my list of foods in my book, but my Dr told me not to eat those things if I wanted to be successful.

A lot of programs list a bunch of things that they don't really suggest people eat because they know if they are too strict people won't have surgery.

[Newme17 3,444]

1 hour ago, Introversion said:

Nobody thinks regain will happen to them, yet 80 percent of all bariatric surgery patients regain some or all of the weight they've lost.

Because they go back to old habits.

Edited May 7, 2017 by Newme17

[nonnilynn 43]

Introversion said it all and so perfectly true. This is not a race

[blizair09 3,250]

For me, meat has been central to my success, so I can't imagine a post-op diet that doesn't include large amounts of it. And I have cottage cheese twice per day, but that is it for dairy as it has too many carbs. (In fact, 12 of my 20 carbs per day come from the cottage cheese. I keep it around because I like it.)

Like others said, this is a marathon, not a sprint. But you do need to focus more on Protein and less on bread and dairy if you want to be successful long-term.

Good luck!

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

The reason meat works is because it sits in your sleeve for a long time.

If someone doesn't like meat, there are other sources of Protein. It is harder but not impossible.

We don't get to eat large quantities of food, so people should eat what they like, if she doesn't like meat, so be it.

[MSinger 348]

Something is missing here.. why are you mentioning bread when it sounds like your primary issue is not eating meat? Bread is not a substitute for meat.

Are you taking in adequate levels of Protein? Did you have a discussion and about non-meat protein sources? Do you have a list of protein-rich foods you plan to use as an alternative to meat? That comes first. Protein first - even if your NUT said bread is ok.

[Introversion 1,876]

4 hours ago, sleever123 said:

So my nutritionist gave me a list of foods and one is I can have bread as long as it's toasted- crackers etc.

I have one afterthought...

The dietitian at the bariatric practice that sleeved me also included bread and crackers on the list of approved foods I was given. However, just because we're allowed to eat a certain food doesn't necessarily mean we should. I didn't touch bread until after reaching my goal weight.

The sooner you eat animal-based Proteins such as chicken and fish, the faster you'll start losing. meats have an extremely high thermic effect, meaning your body must expend a tremendous amount of energy in the form of calories to burn them off during digestion.

If you are a vegetarian, this is going to be a potential problem and you will need to be ultra diligent finding tolerable non-meat sources of Protein (e.g. Beans, flatbread, cottage cheese, eggs) to torch the metabolic fire.

[queendeborahbee 119]

5 hours ago, sleever123 said:

I can have bread as long as it's

My NUT and surgeon both stress low carb! No bread, rice, Cereal, oatmeal, starchy vegetables. Protein, protein and more protein.

Edited May 7, 2017 by queendeborahbee

[CJ1107 23]

My NUT and surgeon both stress low carb! No bread, rice, cereal, oatmeal, starchy vegetables. Protein, protein and more protein.

My doctor and nutritionist advise the same!!! Protein first always and keep it low carb!!!

[sleever123 8]

Yeah I'm aware everyone of protein- thanks. As unmentioned I don't eat a lot of meat so was looking for options and ideas. Thank you for your opinions I was looking for more support as this is hard and maybe it's easier for you meat eaters and hearing what I shouldn't do isn't helping right now. It's very frustrated the limitation of what I can eat and trying to switch it up. Again- thanks for those supportive opinions. I'll wait to speak to my doctor.

[Pam_2-06-2017 375]

It's tough to get Protein in as a non meat eater. I love miso Soup made with a homemade beef broth. Miso has tofu. You can buy a firm high protein tofu but I caution against too much soy.

Also, u you may have to eat more to get it. 1 cup of broccoli has 3G of protein. Maybe make a yummy beef broth broccoli soup with tofu.

Don't forget eggs! Yum!

Greek yogurt is higher in protein. I have used it to replace sour cream, mayo in home made Salad Dressing. Add some stevia and fruit with crushed almonds...omg that is super yummy.

You'll have to be creative to get protein without meat. But people do it all the time. Google is my go to for recipes and ideas.

We're all learning:-). Good luck

[SassyNanny 311]

If you ask for help and experienced sleevers take time out of their day to offer it don't get snarky at them for not "being supportive". This is what support looks like. They asked specific questions to ascertain what your idea of a meal plan looks like.
Are you logging every bite you take faithfully? I use SparkPeople.com daily and I'm 18 months out and 120 pounds gone at 66.
Are you walking?
Are you drinking a Protein Drink like Premier Protein from costco with 30g of Protein?
How many calories a day are you ingesting?
How many grams of protein are you getting daily?
Are you drinking all your Water daily?
What does your Dr recommend?


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