Having trouble eating solid food- is this cheating?

[gwbicster 257]

Hi! I am just starting the "soft solids" phase (I am a month out). My plan says I am allowed 2-3 ounces for the next two weeks. This is how much food I normally prepare. But in reality, there is just no way I can eat that much in one sitting without either throwing up or getting right to the edge. Fortunately I've figured out how to tell when I am getting to that point and STOPPING before it gets to be bad.

What I find myself doing, however, might not be so constructive, and I wanted to get your feedback about it. I will wait at least 40 minutes to have some Water, which as someone pointed out "washes out" the sleeve. Now I realize that I'm supposed to leave at least 2-1/2 hours between meals/snacks, but I find myself "ready" to finish the part of the portion that I didn't eat pretty quickly (another hour?) after liquids.

Part of me feels it's OK as I didn't really "finish" my "portion" and it feels like I might be simply completing my meal. But I've also read the warnings about "grazing" and I feel like this might be categorized as such. What thinks you veterans? Am I setting some bad habits for further down the line? Or is this a reasonable way to proceed until my sleeve becomes more able to tolerate "normal" portions of food.

Curious as to your opinions. Thank you.

[Apple1 2,572]

This is a good question. Once I am done with a meal I am done, and I usually don't eat again for at least 3 hours. However, if you are not meeting your Protein goals I think it is appropriate to eat every 2-3 hours if you needed to get it all in. There are many vets who eat 5-6 times a day smaller amounts. Hopefully you will get some more responses from those further out.

[tabula 54]

To me, grazing is more about not tracking what you're eating and not realizing how many calories, carbs, etc, you're eating.

I was similar in the beginning and couldn't get a "whole" portion down in one sitting, so I'd eat a little, break eat a little break. Eventually I was able to eat a "whole" portion.

I think the trick is to make sure you're following the program, seems like we all have slightly different experiences.

So long as you're tracking I think you're doing alright.