How do you know when you have eaten enough?

[nikki914 1]

I know that may sound like an odd question but I do not have an answer.

My problem is that I eat slow and take my time - but eat a good (not very small but much less than I used to) amount of food. Then about 30-40 minutes later I feel STUFFED and most times will not eat the next meal because of it.

I do not feel/notice any triggers so do any of you dole out a specific amount, use time limits or any other tricks you could share? I am willing to try anything.

THANK YOU!

[NCsQueen 0]

I'm trying to figure that one out myself. What i've been doing lately is just making a really small plate for myself, about 4-6oz of food at a time and only eat that. If i'm still hungry in an hour then i'll eat a little more but thats the only way I can keep from feeling over stuffed. I hope that helps.

[MistyD65 1]

Until you retrain yourself to recognize when you've had enough (still not there myself lol), the best thing to do is to only serve yourself a set portion of food. When that is gone, you are through. Did your nutritionist or surgeon give you any post-op diet suggestions? I'm assuming you are past all of the healing diet stages and onto regular, solid foods. For me, a reasonable meal consists of about 3 ounces of a Protein and 1/2 cup of vegetables, with a bit of carbs as needed. And that is plenty to satisfy my physical hunger without feeling overfull.

[RealityCheck 0]

I think we always assume that everyone is out of bandster hell. I know I can still eat a great amount of food if it is mushy enough. Can not wait for my first fill, then those smaller meals will do their job!

Woo-hoo!

[debbie_7155 0]

i too is using a smaller plate & when i start to feel comfortable i have to stop as i cant eat anymore, im averaging about 800 calories a day & cant physically manage any more

[RestlessMonkey 7]

It takes our bodies at least 20 minutes to start signaling "done...full now" and that message get to the brain. So eating slowly is a good start. My surgeon says not to take longer than 30 minutes for a meal, though, because you can "graze" and overeat. So aim for taking 20-30 minutes to eat.

As to how much? That's hard for most of us, I think! You can portion it out like some do. I go nutso measuring and bean counting (literally LOL) so I try to get what looks like a "sensible" portion. Then after each bite I think...how do I feel. Am I done yet? This gets easier to do. I'm hoping eventually to pick back up on those signals that, like Jack said, I've ignored for so long. Used to, stuffed was a good feeling. Now I fear it like the plague because it hurts! LOL

[DaMomb 1]

I am experiencing the same thing as you are. I just got my second fill this week, and I definitely have restriction for the first time since my surgery. Yay.... but.... It is usually 30 min to 1 hr before I realize it. I have been eating small amounts and thinking.. hmmm... i don't really feel full, but then a short time later I realize I feel stuffed. NCs queen had the best idea i think.. if you still feel hungry in an hour, have some more.. I am really excited about finally feeling restriction tho!!

[wstorms 2]

Like MANY others I too am still trying to learn the signs my body is sending me . Lately it has been burping. I find that when I am eating, the first time I burp that is my bodies signal that I have had enough. I don't know why, but if I continue on after that I start to feel VERY uncomfortable!