Question:
How do you deal with cooking family meals after you have had WLS?
I am in the "waiting for approval" stage of my journey and think about (or should I say obsess) what life will be like post surgery. I have noticed, that I do not enjoy cooking a meal if I am not the going to enjoy eating it. If I am not hungry, I would really rather just order a pizza for the family. If all I can eat for months is liquids then pureed food and then mostly protein, what will my poor family do? How do those of you that have familys deal with this? — colleen M. (posted on February 3, 2002)
February 3, 2002
I'm a very picky eater, don't like anything very adventurous. I used my
break-in period to cook all kinds of things that did not interest me AT
ALL. It was rather scientific, actually. And I made myself the foods that
were recommended for the time and then later, I'd make a meal that *I*
liked, usually veggies, while making my family something icky, IMHO. I get
my protein via supplements, as well as the basic 8 vites & minerals, so
that was not an issue. I made eggplant (yuck), cauliflower, veal, fish,
other seafoods, ham -----all that gross stuff that does not interest me. I
had the good stuff, baked potato & spinach, salad, tiny stir fry, stuff
like that. It was PURE bliss. And my family was ecstatic, since I broke
out of the "safety zone" of pot roast, chicken, pork, pasta, rice
dishes.
— vitalady
February 3, 2002
I made up several sauces (spaghetti, etc) and froze them before I went. I
froze several meals for my hubs and kids and it worked pretty well. The
funny thing is, I've always loved to cook. So much so, that now that I'm
on to my new life, I'm looking into opening a catering business! What a
hoot! I never would have done it pre-surgery, not only would I have gained
300 pounds, but I never would have had the courage to go out and do it!
Sorry to ramble, but I hope the first part of my answer helped :-)
— Lisa U.
February 4, 2002
I bought frozen dinners and instant meals for my husband and I stayed away
from fixing his food for about 3 months. I was afraid I'd cheat from the
post op diet. Luckily I didn't cheat, the thought of food changed after
surgery. I did find that anything with nutrasweet made me very hungry and
once i stopped consuming anything with it in it my appetite was thoroughly
repressed.Once I started cooking for him again I found that being around
the food and smells while cooking it, I couldn't eat. By 4months out I
could cook without problems, I even made all the xmas cookies/candies, even
some of my favorites and I found that i was able to resist them. I dump
with natural sugars so I knew I didn't want to feel like I was dying just
because I wanted to taste a goody. My husband survived the tv
dinners,instant oatmeal and sandwiches and he even lost 20lbs during my no
cooking stage.
Where there's a will, theres a way to handle every situation. Good luck
— Helen B.
February 4, 2002
I have four children and a great husband who all love to eat! I am 7 1/2
months post-op and by this point, I make meals that are good for us all and
I just eat very little usually. If they want fast food, we try to go to
places that offer some choices I like and can tolerate, like Wendy's chili,
etc. But, early on I must admit, the last thing I wanted to do or think
about was food and cooking! Yuk! I do buy soups, frozen dinners, quick prep
items lke macaroni for them to be able to make themselves if Dad isn't
coming home and I don't feel like cooking/eating even now. My kids are 10,
12, 15, and 19 (in college) and when she comes home to visit, she and he
boyfriend have begun making special meals for us which is nice. Some things
I will substitute or not eat like for the Super Bowl meal my family asked
for pigs-in-a-blanket and I obliged, but made myself some cold, boiled
shrimp which a few of them ate as well. If we order pizza, I can now eat i
small piece thin crust cheese..but it is still not too interesting to me.
You may see your tastes change drastically after the surgery which can help
you in the whole process as well with less temptation ascertain foods taste
weird or they make you feel yukky. Overall, I hope I am making better
choices for them as well (okay except not the pigs-in-a-blanket!)Good Luck!
— Molly S.
February 4, 2002
This was one area that I was selfish about. I told my husband that if I
wasn't going to be able to eat regular food for 6 weeks I wasn't going to
be cooking during that time either as it would be too much of a temptation
to cheat or I would feel really deprived. He didn't have a problem with
that so either he or my daughter fixed dinner every night for six weeks (it
was wonderful!). As I started eating regular food I resumed cooking duties
although he helps out often. Since both kids are now in college it's gotten
to be a bigger chore as I'm kind of like you if I'm not going to enjoy it
why bother cooking it. I feel guilty sometimes because our dinners are
usually meat of some kind and one side dish like potatoes or noodles. My
husband is a meat and potatoes kind of guy and he constantly tells me not
to worry about it because he is fine with that. I wish he could eat more
balanced meals though. We eat out several times a week to avoid cooking. If
you have children at home are they old enough to pitch in with the cooking
duties? Who knows, they might even grow to love it. My son (age 21) loves
to cook and tries new stuff on us all the time when he comes home (usually
has lots of garlic in it!).
— georgiacarol
February 4, 2002
It is no problem for me as a long-term post-op. I must fight not to taste
or sample, however, because I will be full before the meal!
— [Deactivated Member]
February 4, 2002
I'm 7 weeks post-op.. and I'm taking this GOLDEN opportunity to teach the
REST of my family better eating!! What I'M doing is making things that I
can eat (staying within my nutritional guidelines) while working to make
them as palatable and enticing as possible..so that we ALL can enjoy our
meals TOGETHER. I have Victoria Bowen's cookbook which has LOTS of stuff
that my family enjoys eating..and that I CAN eat! I LOVE that BOOK! I'm
also using recipes online at Splenda (the carrot cake was GREAT!) I'm
learning to adapt the things that my family has LOVED for years into MUCH
healthier forms. All the while they think they're eating the same old
"delish dish" when, in fact, I've made it reduced fat/reduced
sugar - and they usually don't notice (unless it's to say "..this is
different, but STILL really good!"). You'd be surprised what a
difference just stocking things like plain yogurt, applesauce, Splenda,
Lite Cool-Whip..etc.. in your pantry can do to make your whole family eat
better.. AND healthier. GET CREATIVE..!!
— Diane E.
February 4, 2002
I was also afraid of this. It turned out that my tastes have changed since
surgery. Especially in the beginning. I didn't have any problems cooking
for the family. I didn't feel deprived or anything. I was content with what
I was able to eat. I guess I was so glad to have this surgery done that
nothing was going to get me down. I remember watching Em
eril on the food network and no even wanting to eat anything.
— Dawn H.
Click Here to Return