Question:
14 Months Post-Op, Am I getting adequate daily meals.....
I have lost 130 pounds and I have hit a plateau BIG TIME !! I exercise 5-6 days a week at 40 minutes + per day and my basic diet consists of : Breakfast- 1/2 cup oatmeal w/Milk....SNACK: 1/2 CEREAL W/MILK LUNCH: SALAD WITH MEAT ....SNACK: PROTEIN SHAKE OR BAR DINNER: 1/2 SOUP WITH PEANUT BUTTER.....SNACK : 1/2 OATMEAL WITH MILK...I lean rather towards the soups and cereals due to the fact that they go down easier and don't upset my stomach like chicken, beef, and other protein choices....As for the protein bar, I can eat an entire one without any problem at one setting....is this a normal for others to eat like this....??? At this point I cannot eat more than 1 cup other than if it is a salad or popcorn....I would appreciate any feedback on this question...Thank You....April-Michele — april-michele D. (posted on March 9, 2004)
March 9, 2004
I had a 3 month plateau. I was getting so depressed. I had a very busy
schedule and wasn't able to go to work out for two weeks. I didn't eat
right and wasn't getting all my water in. Well in those two weeks I lost
9lbs. I don't know how or why but I will take it. Everyone says to change
your routine. While I don't advocate stopping exercising. I am cutting
back until I plateau again, then will kick it up.
— Gail O.
March 9, 2004
Well, ok, you're asking, so I'm telling what I see. Please don't take it
as a character critique, ok? Only food critique. I don't count calories
myself, so I can't begin to guess how many calories you're getting
presently. What I see is too much sugar and too much non-food. I learned
from a banded person about "soup eaters". That is, people who eat
soup (soupy things) because they can eat more of it, thinking that is a
good thing. It's the opposite of what we want. We paid good money for a
pouch so that we can eat small qty. So, when you say eating meats fills you
up too fast, that's the point. I'm not much of a meat eater myself, but I
was when I was losing. The meat does indeed form a gentle road block so
that we fill up fast. Even a few bites before your veggies will work. I
have nothing against oatmeal once/day, but I avoid milk entirely. Still,
even just once/day oatmeal with moo is not a hideous choice. But not all
day! Toooooo much sugar, too much volume, too much food, really. And it's
not really giving you anything but some fiber. I'm thinking it might be
making you hungry more often. Over how much time can you eat that bar or
your cup of food? And of course, I only saw one protein drink in there, and
you didn't say what it is or how it's made. I have nothing against PB at
all, so that's a good snack. Could you replace a couple of your oatmeal/moo
with maybe some string cheese or tuna on good quality crackers? Or even PB
on a whole grain cracker or bread? And do protein drink (no milk, no juice)
before bfast, maybe 2 hrs after lunch, maybe 2 hrs after dinner? I'm just
thinking that carbs/sugars to this degree + soupy things might be your
undoing when you hit that 2 yr wall. And it sounds like you are really
trying to do all the "right things". It would be a shame to work
that hard and not get to the finish line, you know?
— vitalady
March 9, 2004
You asked for feedback so here it is. Your eating lacks significant
quantities of protein. Your carb intake is way too high. At 14 months out
you need to be finding a way to eat those good solid proteins. Have you
had any bloodwork lately to see what your protein level is? I'm not trying
to criticize but provide the feedback you requested. I occassionally will
eat 1/2 a bowl of soup but still save room for protein. At 13+ months PO
myself, I some days do way more carbs than I should but the protein intake
usually stays up there. I know it is critical for me to stay healthy. I
eat only food and no protein drinks because I need the full sensation that
having a full pouch of solids provides. I also can eat a whole protein bar
so I don't think that is out of line. Please try and revamp your eating
plan to include a lot more protein. It will help get the weight loss
moving again is that's your desire and keep your body healthier.
— zoedogcbr
March 9, 2004
I totally agree with Michelle (as usual). It's all way too carb &
sugar heavy, with little usable and satisfying protein. Oatmeal and soup
are not bad things occasionally, but they're "slider" foods, and
eventually, as your appetite builds, you'll be able to eat way too much of
them. Also, the way to break a plateau is to shake things up a little,
change your routine. If you want to teach yourself to eat solid proteins,
try starting with maybe Wendy's chili (if you like it), then with chicken
or beef, take teeny tiny bites. If you cut a tiny piece of meat, cut it in
half again...makes it so much easier to chew. And, of course, take it
slow. Also, how about fish? If you just cut down on the oatmeal and milk,
I guarantee you'll break that plateau. Just read the carb & sugar
count on the labels and you'll see why. Just some thoughts.
— Leslie F.
March 9, 2004
Wow - I'm out 14 months too and I eat a lot different! I dont do any type
of protein bars--I eat regular food, meat, complex carbs, fruit, veggies.
I've been told by BTC my blood work is perfect ---however, I am at a major
plateau too so I understand your frustration. I eat a lot more too. I'm
not saying I'm right because the scale isnt moving. Best wishes
— debmi
March 10, 2004
April-Michele, I am not a big fan of meat for protein (never really liked
it much), but I rely a lot on tuna, or turkey pepperoni, string cheese (or
a cube or two of good cheese, with good crackers -- not too many), egg
beaters with cheese (or mushrooms, or with turkey bacon), or turkey chili,
rolled up, thinly-sliced deli-meat, plus protein shakes now and then. See
... not much really dense meat (though I can tolerate it, I just don't care
much for the taste), but lots of soft proteins that, for me, do plump up
the pouch quickly, nicely, gently, and reliably. I really understand the
craving for cereal-type foods, but I just do one bowl of cereal in the
morning with skim milk and half a banana, and that is the only
"feeding" I have all day that is not all about protein. (I've
toyed with having it at dinner instead, just because I do like my cereal,
but whenever I have it, it's gonna happen once at most all day and that is
it.) I'd try to get away from so many oatmeal snacks (though the fiber is
good), and, as suggested below, find some protein snacks that are gentle on
your pouch. I'm really becoming more and more convinced, as I near that
two-year wall, that the head hunger that comes screaming back down the road
is really kept to a much lower "hum" in the background when
muffled (gagged, even!) with protein.
— Suzy C.
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