Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

What does a small bite look like?



Recommended Posts

I'm not banded yet and I keep reading how after banding you have to take small bites and chew, chew, chew. The chewing I understand... chew 20 - 30 times until it's the consistency of mush or applesauce, but I need a visual for the samll bite.

What does a small bite look like? For example a 4oz serving of meat is the size of a deck of cards, or 1/2 cup of rice is the size of a tennis ball.

Thanks,

PS

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

well a small bite to me is the size of a die as in dice. or say the size of a marble. or the size of a quarter, or a key on your computer key board. g2s

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

well a small bite to me is the size of a die as in dice. or say the size of a marble. or the size of a quarter, or a key on your computer key board. g2s

START EATING THIS WAY NOW! Don't wait until you've been banded to get in the habit. Believe it or not, it is very difficult to to change the way you eat. I've been practicing now during my pre-op diet and it's tough! If I'm not paying any attention, I'll take huge bites and swallow almost as soon as the food goes in my mouth.

Girlie2shooze has the right idea. That's about the same measurement I use as well.

Capt. Jack, that's a funny description, but I can relate. I take at least an hour to eat a Lean Cuisine pizza.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have a couple of baby spoons left over from when my daughter was an infant....I like to use those to eat, it forces me to take smaller bites.

In our March thread, one of the bandsters was gifted with a silver cocktail fork for the same reason......

I like to use little bowls and plates, too.....just looks better than my lonely 1/4c of food on a giant dinner plate!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've also been told about 1/4 the size of your thumbnail. When you start eating regular food again, you may not feel much restriction and will find you don't have any bad effects by eating larger bites. As you become more restricted (with fills) it is so important to take VERY small bites, chew lots and PAUSE between bites. The pause is just as important. Dont' forget to also not take another bite until everything has been swallowed.

biggest advice I can give is to get lots of small plates and bowls. I went and purchased more side plates (bread/salad plates) to use as my main dinner plate. Little bowls will also help.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm not going to lie... but i'm laughing at the thought of using a baby spoon to eat.... I think I was probably using a meal fork and steak knife by the time I was two!!! :biggrin: the thought of eating tiny little morsels seems crazy, like my tongue is going to be yelling at me "this isn't enough to get the tastebuds doing a happy dance!"

But I respect that all of you are speaking from experience, and if I don't take your words of wisdom I'll probably be barfing food everywhere as if i was having an exorcism...

I'm 2 1/2 weeks banded, and I'm already eating solids that I shouldn't - thin crust pizza, Cookies, chicken nugget, rice.... the first two weeks were amazing - no hunger at all - then boom! starving like i've been living in a cave for the last three weeks...

I better start learning NOW how to "be" a bandster or else there's gonna be a price to be paid, and I don't mean the $18K I had to dish out for my band... the whole point of doing is is that I could inhale a pound of wings faster than you could blink, so this will be my biggest behaviour modification...

Maybe I'll go practice right now.... I'm hungry. :regular_smile:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I will have to try the smaller fork and spoon thing...I never thought of that and even though I am restricted, I am still taking to big of bites!

Thanks for the tips

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Niki you crack me up!

I have never been one for tuna but since being banded, I have eaten tuna almost daily.

Whilst reading this thread I am eating my lunch and have become very congisant of the fact I am still eating like a pig and taking way too much in at one time. So what do I do? Take smaller bites and chew like crazy. Except now I can taste every morsel going into my mouth (rather than inhaling it) and it is making me feel like yakking it up! :purplebananna: Oh how I love that term...

Now I remember why I never really liked tuna. :cool:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I too, was banded, March 20th, and I am now eating EVERYTHING also. My surgeon and dietician says I am doing fine, but no first fill for another 3 weeks. I am afraid I will be huge again... But, have lost 14 pounds as of today...and I am very HUNGRY!!!!I started out at 217.

I am eating solids, chicken, meat, crackers,pasta, etc. Only, I think I am eating smaller amounts. I think.... If I do eat too fast or take too big of a piece, I do feel the pain...takes me a few minutes to breathe/but of course, I do eat again....after the pain subsides.

I am not P'Bing or throwing up....

I am really trying to eat SMALLER bites...that is a struggle for me, especially when I am hungry.The baby spoon is a great suggestion. And I try, try , try, not to eat anything too dry....

These 6 weeks, while I am waiting for my first fill, is a real learning experience, for me. I am learning , NOT, to drink with meals; not to take too big of bites, and watch what I am eating... Not strictly dieting, though... In fact, I am trying to stretch the time between meals and Snacks, and I start out in the morning being really motivated.... But, I have grabbed and not planned when I am hungry in the afternoon.. That has been a real challenge for me. But I can eat sweets...like costco birthday cake with frosting...but at least, I stopped at one piece... Something, I was not able to do before.

Interesting, is that I don't drink morning coffee anymore. I don't have any craving for coffee. Would rather drink tea...Very strange.. and I was a big coffee drinker, before my surgery.

Good luck... I guess we are going through what is called Bandster Hell... Can't wait for my first fill.

CC

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey I lost my grand love of coffee too!! It kind of saddens me because I always liked stopping at Starbucks and it was always like my little fun for the day. Only coffee with cream, no foo foo drinks. I always had an 8 cup pot in the morning, now i do s/f hot chocolate with instant coffee. I really miss the little thrill of Starbucks, crazy huh? Sure saves $$ though. Anyone else lose taste for one of their favorites?? g2s

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Bashbee91

      Hey guys new to the process looking forward to this new life. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Bugg

      Hi everyone! I’m brand new here. I just went through all my pre-op requirements per my insurance company and now everything has been submitted and I’m just waiting for final approval and my surgery date. I’ve been doing research, watching YouTube videos, TikTok’s, ect.. trying to prepare my mind and what to expect so I’ll be ready for the surgery. I was so sure and so set and so ready and excited. However, now that I’ve done everything & it’s almost here, I am sooooooo scared! I know why I want it bc I’ve tried everything and I just don’t feel like I can lose weight by myself. I’m tired of being overweight my entire life. I’m miserable, but I keep psyching myself out afraid of GERD bc I know how that can be and I don’t want to have to get a bypass after already gaining the courage to even get VSG. I’m scared of complications like I’mgoing to regret doing it and be depressed that I didn’t just be more disciplined and try again to lose the weight on my own even sitting here typing this knowing in my mind i just can’t and don’t possess the discipline. I’m also afraid I won’t be able to handle the restrictions of the sleeve. What do I eat? I don’t know how to eat healthy really and don’t enjoy healthy food. I don’t know how to do this! I feel so defeated!Someone tell me they felt anything similar to this or am I not ready? I thought I was. I am so tired of being sick and tired and so tired of myself and so tired of being stuck and stuck in this body and somebody different on the outside from what I feel inside. I just want to ball up and cry.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • buildabetteranna

      over 20 lbs down since4 the pre surgery diet and surgery on the 14th
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        Yay!! Congrats. I know how good that feels. 🤩

    • Jenopolis

      Had a sleeve in 2017, lost over 100 pounds. Had a DS surgery this year (2025) for more sustainable weight loss. 🤞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • buildabetteranna

      The 14th was my day. I am home and recovery is going pretty smooth. They even let me walk out of the hospital. Picture of me in recovery curtesy of my boyfriend lol. 

      · 3 replies
      1. DaisyChainOz

        Glad it went well!! Wishing you a speedy recovery and wonderful success!! 🤗

      2. buildabetteranna

        Thank you ❤️

      3. Selina333

        Neat you have a pic of this day! I was sooo happy to get my surgery. It was well worth it! And I'm not even near my goal. I had surgery Dec. 2!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×