Can anyone eat this much food?

Just to preface this post, when I was pre-op I'd read this type of post and think to myself...If you think you can eat too much, then stop it...just don't eat that much. Anyway, now that I'm having this problem I'm worried. I don't go to my nut until May 15. This evening I had a few bites of a tossed salad with Italian dressing, about 12 small pieces of NY strip steak (probably 3-4 ounces) and an entire baked potato with a pat of butter. I know I was over-hungry by the time we ate, but I still wasn't full when I finished either. For breakfast I had a rice cake with 1 tab p-nut butter and sf strawberry jelly. At lunch I had the insides of a meatball & cheese lean pocket. Does this sound like too much? I just seem to be hungry all the time now. I'm not losing weight on the scales, but I just went down another size in clothing. I put this into fitday & I'm under 1,000 calories, but probably too much fat. Any comments? Thanks guys! Kathy

Kathy, I think the salad and meat are fine. Now, the potato ???? Lots of carbs, junkie carbs but I had some white rice on my sushi rolls so I am not judging. The thing that I notice is that if I eat stuff other than dense protein, I get hungry really really fast. I am one of the ones that never experienced not being hungry after surgery. I feel hungry A LOT of the time. We finished dinner about 20 minutes ago and I am ready for a snack(I have not had a drink yet - so it isn't washed away). For dinner, I had 2-3 oz beef w/ a tad of broccoli, 1/2 oz chicken, almost 2 california rolls (minus 1/2 of the rice b/c it was white rice and I had some brown that I could eat) and 1 tablespoon of brown rice. God bless,Jen

Thanks for your reply Jen, it makes me feel better. I didn't experience hunger until just last week. As for the dreaded potato. The one food that I have been absolutley craving since surgery is french fries..steak fries actually..extra crispy. Because I know that I can't eat them I settled on a baked potato. I knew I shouldn't eat all of it, but it was sooooo good. I convinced myself that because it was a vegetable it would be ok. Your meal sounds alot like what I would eat too...except for the sushi...yuk! Kathy

In a meeting I just had with my nut. she said that anytime now our hunger will come back. She said to just make good choices and to fill up with protien first. I am to stay at 1,000 to 1,200 cal's under is ok but not over. Fat grams not over 30. She never was concerned about this before, but she says it is because of the hunger coming back and now we really need to keep track. Sometimes I feel like I can eat more than others. Some days I still don't care if I eat at all, but others I feel like you. I do know if I eat carbs I can eat more. I try to stay away from any that aren't veg's or fruit but that is just me, not my nut. Leeanne

Thanks Leeanne I'm glad to know that it's not just me. Would you consider a rice cake too many carbs? I really miss bread so that is my substitue. I'll have to ask my nut about them. I usually have one for breakfast every day. I try to eat dense protein first and then veggies & fruit, but I'm not always successful. I think you're right about the carbs though,,,I am more hungry since eating the potato tonite. I may have some sf jello before I go to bed. Kathy

potatoes go thru us real fast. I have eaten a whole potatoe myself. I eat it after protein and usually add cheese. Sometimes, when I am on the road, I order one with cheese because there is nothing else that works on the menu. I don't eat it every night, so as long as I am balanced and in moderation, I don't worry about it. I eat less than most people usually. The last 2 days have been an exception, I kept myself full. Not today though, it has gone back to normal. I usually only get 2 or 3 oz. of food in 3 times a day. Usually 600 calories a day, the last 2 days were around 800. Don't know why I eat so little, but I do and seem happy with it.

Kathy--- I have been hungry all the way along. I have often posted that I each much more than most of the people who participate here. I eat betwen 900-1300 cals per day. I find I still struggle to know when I am full. I tend to not pay enough attention during meals and I often overeat-----I have started to get better about this (sitting down to eat and really concentrating) and I find I am full sooner than I know. I do try to follow the "pouch rules" and eat denser foods and protein first and wait awhile before doing liquids. I don't eat way too much doing a meal---- I fight the dreaded "grazing" which is a sure way to fail. So, I think everything sounds pretty good to my ears (other than the potato--just cuz they don't do much for you). Luck to you, Kathy, we will stay vigilant together!!! Our battle cry: "death to fat cells!" Cathy

Kathy, I can't say that you're eating too much, since everyone is an individual and each person's pouch is sized a little differently. But, I agree that the potato probably wasn't the best choice. Eating more steak probably would have been better. My surgeon doesn't even allow carbs of that type until 5 months and then only if you've eaten your protein first. I also think the rice cake has a lot of carbs. I personally am a carb addict and I don't even do much in the way of cooked veggies (not allowed raw yet) when I eat. If you need something crunchy (as I did) try the soy crisps. They're much lower in carbs and much higher in protein. Or try almonds as a snack. They're crunchy and have good fat and protein. You might also try adding more protein supplements to your diet, if allowed by your doctor. My nut also says to only take 20 minutes to eat. That doesn't mean eat fast, but chew, chew, chew and eat slowly for 20 minutes. After that, you should be done. If it takes you 45-60 minutes to eat, she says you're eating too much. Finally, are you using ketosis sticks to make sure if you are in ketosis? That would be a good thing to see whether you are eating too many carbs. Anyway, hope this helps. Good luck! Lisa S. 227/171/140

Lisa, Wow, your Dr. is very strict. No carbs until 5 months...I'd have a terrrible time if I had to wait until then. The thing I miss the most since surgery is bread & french fries. I wish I could use protein supplements, but I just can find any that I can get down. I gag on most of them. Believe me, I've tried. I know that I would be more full if I could use protein shakes. I usually do take between 15-20 minutes to eat, so I don't think I'm eating too fast. In fact, even though I've always been overweight I've always been a slow eater--I'm usually the last one done. I do eat soy crisps. I like the Quaker white cheddar cheese. I only use those for snacks when I'm really hungry. Thanks for your input, I appreciate it Kathy