1/2 cup per meal??

[morningoasis811 1]

Hi everyone. This thread is helpful in getting everyone's input and outlook.

Let me preface my post by saying that I have not had a fill yet. I was banded 7 weeks ago, I had my apt. yesterday for a fill, but the Dr. said I was doing fine with losing 2-3 lbs per week and he'd see me again in Jan.

I am overly conscious of not wanting to stretch out my pouch (self inflicted damage). So with no fills I feel that I have pretty decent restriction. I will typically pack and plan my meals for 1 cup servings, but I break them down in to shifts. I eat part of my Breakfast at 8am and part at 10am. So I'm eating 5-6 small meals a day about 1/2 cup each. I feel my magic number depending on time of day and restirction is about 1/2 - 3/4 cup unless it's Soup or something liquidy. I find myself getting full quickly on 1/2 cup after about 20-30 min. But I get hungry again within 2-3 hours. So I pace myself all day.

I know we are warned against grazing, so that's why I pre-plan, I measure, I educate myself on portion size and eyeballing because you're not always going to be able to measure, and I record my food after each meal online, and I stay between 700-800 net calories per day. Seems to be working ok for me.

Reading everyone elses experiences has certainly helped in my personal benchmarking.

*Tip, I have found the Ziploc brand disposable tupperware makes 4oz containers, you get like 6-8 per package for like $4 these are a perfect 1/2 cup! When I open a can of Beans, I just portion them out and put them all in the fridge, easy breasy!

I have also found that using baby spoons and forks, along with small salad plates (especially when eating out) helps a lot!

[morningoasis811 1]

*Sorry* It's GLAD not Ziploc brand. 4oz miricle cups on the go.

[marjon9 6]

Well, SueBob, I only know what I read in these threads--but people have stated here that it takes 20 minutes to begin the digestion process from our pouch.

I DO know that when I have pain (for whatever reason--too much, too fast) it takes about 25 minutes and suddenly the pain disappears.

Want_so_bad, you will find that 1/4 to 1/2 cup (2 to 4 ounces) of food is going to satisfy you completely. For Breakfast and lunch, I go with 1/4 cup so that I don't get that 'overfull' feeling--but dinner time it's usually 1/2 cup.

You won't realize that's all you're eating, but when you measure it, you'll be shocked! :hungry:

1/4 cup of food is fine for me too, as long as I eat 3 or 4 times an hour.