Healthy snacking Ideas and Encouragement

Lipster101
on 8/22/18 2:42 am, edited 8/22/18 4:34 am
RNY on 02/14/18

In 6 months, I lost 50 lbs. I actually thought I might lose more, but the stars are not aligning, and my anxiety isn't helping. I find I am an emotional eater, a night time snacker and mid night rambler. Now that I see my problem clearly, I'm going to try to get a handle on things.

So, I'm looking for ideas for a late healthy snack. I have tried fruits, but they are too sweet and make me sick. Perhaps a bar a few hours after dinner and a something i could munch on while watching TV? I bring the biggest bottle of water to my bed in hopes I won't go scrounging. I could also use "pick me up suggestions" for the day, that are easily allowed at work, for lunches, and healthy munching. Which bars do you like? Recommend?

I did find my thyroid is running very low, and need my synthroid increased. I have the specialist tomorrow, but find myself in limbo after a a lot of blood work, biopsies, and am hoping that an increase will not only move my metabolism to a "normal person" but also give me that "umpf" I don't have these days. I should say that I have had thyroid cancer a number of years ago, and I underwent radioactive and actual radiation because the aggresive nodes were too close to my vocal chords. Now, these biopsies play on my psyche, and now I have been told come back in 6 weeks for more work up, after 13 vials of blood, and veins collapsing. In my mind that's way different than see you in a year, or check back in 6 months.

I'm not looking forward to going back to school (work) but am looking forward to a structured day. I have been walking and biking at the gym. I lost inches but darn that scale won't move, in part because I'm sabatoging myself, and then feel bad about it. And we all know when we feel bad, an emotional eater, eats..

I know you've all been there, because, we're all here. I want to be proactive, and not get sucked into the dpression and whirlwind that seems to grab on to so many. So, I will leave a positive note too. Last week, I walked all the Rocky Steps in Philly, and didn't collapse, lol. I bought a dress 3 sizes smaller than a year ago. I actually like some pics of myself without cringing, and making sure that I buy things that fit, look good, and are not big, and these are all major changes for me..Thanks again for all suggestions

peachpie
on 8/22/18 3:56 am - Philadelphia, PA
RNY on 04/28/15

I wouldn't encourage finding a bar for late night snacking. Even protein bars can become habitual-- and what's to say you'll be satisfied with eating 1? Despite the benefit of the protein-- it still has calories.

So my struggle time of day is after work/before dinner. I can inhale a days worth of calories in the 1.5 hour time span. What I've done is restructure how I eat. I'm losing the battle to not snack at this time-- so I'm not eating the dinner I prepare most nights. I make sure my protein goals are met by this time of day, so the dinner is really not necessary anyway. I keep the dinner I make for my lunch the next day. So can you shift how/when your eating throughout the day? Make the last meal later, so then maybe the snack won't be calling you? Or do you exercise? Maybe workout in the evening?

Only bar I eat is the nature valley protein- dark chocolate peanut. I don't eat them daily but it is my toss in my bag go to in a pinch.

Thyroid med dosing is difficult to reach that sweet spot with. Be persistent- doc should just dose to your levels-- he/she should be listening to how you feel.

glad you can pull out some positivity-- keep doing that, never let th negative take the drivers seat.

5'6.5" High weight:337 Lowest weight:193/31 BMI: Goal: 195-205/31-32 BMI

Writergurl08
on 8/22/18 4:24 am
RNY on 02/15/18

Hey, we're nearly surgery twins and really, I've only lost about 65ish lbs since surgery, so first of all, while you maybe could be losing more, you're not THAT far off base. My surgeon isn't displeased with my progress, but I've also been going to the gym, going for walks in the evening, and putting on some muscle, and losing inches.

I also have a problem with nighttime snacking. I rectify it by drinking hot herbal tea in yummy flavors. Tazo has a "lemon loaf" tea and I swear with a bit of sweetener it tastes like you're drinking a slice of cake. So when inhave the urge to snack, I make a cup of tea. Can't eat while you're drinking! I also find it helpful to keep myself busy and mentally occupied in the evenings, hence the walk, but I also work on jigsaw puzzles, draw/color, and I want to learn to crochet. I'll even clean, if I'm feeling particularly desperate.

Its just head hunger. If your head is busy, it won't think about food.

HW: 340 SW: 329 Goal: 170

CW: 243

Surgeon: Dr. Kalyana Nandipati (Omaha, NE)

Lipster101
on 8/22/18 4:32 am
RNY on 02/14/18

I drink hot tea during the day, but will try switching it to night. Funny, I clean more than ever, sometimes walk after dinner, but my favorite walk is about 5:30 am as the sun is rising, the neighborhood is quiet, and my headphones are loud. Thanks for sharing, and keep up the great work!

Writergurl08
on 8/22/18 5:59 am
RNY on 02/15/18

Yup! It might be helpful to switch it up to combat the nighttime struggles.

Good luck! You can do this!

HW: 340 SW: 329 Goal: 170

CW: 243

Surgeon: Dr. Kalyana Nandipati (Omaha, NE)

Partlypollyanna
on 8/22/18 7:56 pm
RNY on 02/14/18

I like the lemon loaf tea tea too! My current evening favorite is a chocolate almond tea (caffeine free) from Bigelow. So good!

HW: 306 SW: 282 GW: 145 (reached 2/6/19) CW:150

Jen

Librarian67
on 8/22/18 4:31 am
RNY on 02/28/17

Morning! I have a couple of suggestions.

First, make it a daily habit to log into the RNY menu thread. You will see what others are eating, make a commitment to your own healthy eating and have some accountability.

Second, I can't say it enough...stay away from the carbs, even carbs that have protein (like protein bars) and are traditionally healthy (fruit). While you are trying to lose, you should keep your carbs very low (20-30g per day). Focus on dense protein for all meals and snacks. I like to keep deli meat (including pre-packaged servings of Buddig's meat), meat sticks (chomps, Epic, Stryve), jerky (watch out for hidden carbs in these), etc. Dense protein will fill you up and keep you satisfied more than carbs.

Third, some people find that having decaf coffee or herbal tea in the evening helps to satisfy them. Make it something special.

Fourth, keep your hands busy rather than just sitting. Do some exercises while you watch TV, learn to knit, take a walk.

Breaking from the carbs is difficult for a few days or more, but once you have them out of your system it is easier to stay away.

HW: 248+, SW (RNY: 2/28/17): 244, GW (10/17): 125; LW: 115; 45# regain (19-20); CW: 135.6; new goal: 135; Plastics: Ext mastopexy, Ext abdominoplasty-5/18/2018; diagnosed w/ gastroparesis 11/20.

freshstart2018
on 8/23/18 4:55 pm
RNY on 06/28/18

Where is the RNY menu thread?

Partlypollyanna
on 8/23/18 5:00 pm
RNY on 02/14/18

If you click on the RNY forum and go to recent posts, it's almost always the most recent -- it's a very active community; there is a new one each day.

HW: 306 SW: 282 GW: 145 (reached 2/6/19) CW:150

Jen

H.A.L.A B.
on 8/22/18 5:05 am, edited 8/21/18 10:06 pm

I often eat late at night. Habit and the way my system works. I can get really hungry late at night, and often can't sleep unless I ate something no less than 2 hours before bed. Or even right before bed. Plus I am often not hungry until noon or so, and when I tried to force food in me in the morning, I used to feel nauseated, sick to my stomach.

I was trying to change that, and I was trying to eat breakfast, and stop eating app 4-5 hours before bed. I was miserable. Plus I often had blood sugar problems in the night (low to critically low BS). After a few years - I decided to work with my body and my "eating clock", not against it. Now, most days, I don't get any calories in me until roughly noon. I switched breakfast for late night snack. Making sure I stay within my calories and carbs limits.

As for "low calorie" snacks - raw cucumbers, or zucchini can work well, raw celery, and no sugar added pickles. Late at night I need to avoid foods that has too many carbs, or foods that are difficult to digest. Food that can have tendency to go bad when left in a warm environment - or ferment - I also try to avoid. Carbs eaten late at night may cause RH (reactive hypoglycemia) and a few really bad episodes made me really aware of possible consequences.

What my body tolerates well - is no sugar added nuts or nut butter. A few tsp of almond butter,, not only would keep my BS stable, but it does not spoil - ferment as my body is digesting it slowly. I try not to get more than 200-250 calories in my LNS.

Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG

"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"

"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."

Most Active
What's on your Thursday Menu?
Queen JB · 50 replies · 514 views
What's on your Monday Menu?
Queen JB · 49 replies · 473 views
What's on your Wednesday Menu?
Queen JB · 49 replies · 425 views
What's on your Tuesday Menu?
Queen JB · 46 replies · 427 views
What's on your Thursday Menu?
Queen JB · 43 replies · 333 views
What?s on your Sunday menu?
Melody P. · 2 replies · 102 views
Forum Search Error & 404
RNY2007 · 2 replies · 69 views
Recent Topics
What's on your Thursday Menu?
Queen JB · 43 replies · 333 views
What's on your Wednesday Menu?
Queen JB · 49 replies · 425 views
Forum Search Error & 404
RNY2007 · 2 replies · 69 views
What's on your Tuesday Menu?
Queen JB · 46 replies · 427 views
What's on your Monday Menu?
Queen JB · 49 replies · 473 views
×