I can see how eating only 3 meals a day would prevent grazing and all the trouble that brings, but I think that is more geared to people less than 6 months post op. At only a few weeks out I think it's necessary as many of us still can't eat enough to be able to get enough proten, calories, and overall nutrition in if we didn't eat more often. If I only ate 3 times a day I would only get in around 250 to 300 calories a day, which I did until very recently and was becoming quite ill from it. Eating a couple extra snacks or mini meals a day brings me up to almost 500 calories a day now which is still on the lower end but better for my energy and health. ps this is only me and my surgeons opinion, other surgeons may vary and I guess in the end one should only follow their own surgeons advice to be safe.

My plan is also "anti-grazing" and advocates for 4 mini-meals a day. They have us eat every 4 hours, of course all high protein, fitting in veggies and healthy carbs, fruits with our "meals" once we can get all of our protein in and are still hungry. I'm not quite there yet though.

Hi Dave, I was instructed to use my protein drink as a supplement, not a meal replacement. I cut it with water and drink it throughout the day. My doctor's dietary rules don't allow me to eat many of the foods you mentioned, but I look forward to enjoying some of them in the future! Thanks for the input!

Yep, 3 meals a day. No snacking. Period. The aftercare program at the bariatric center I went through is comprehensive and the nutritionist is on board with it all; she encourages patients not to snack at all. To be perfectly honest with you, I have yet to experience true hunger, so it's not a big deal for me. Another "rule" is no drinking 30 minutes before a meal, during the meal, and 30 minutes after the meal. If I were snacking between meals, I'd likely not get in all my water anyway. I think I'm going to investigate protein powders to add to my foods.

Hey Nicole, If you are doing a 40g protein drink (are you doing it as one of your three meals or between meals?) then you only need 40 more in the rest of your meals. Remember that anything over about 30g (some say 25g) of protein in one sitting will not absorb. So it is wasting it. But that was not your question! My Nut told us to eat every 4 hours. Small meals...but every 4 hours. Depending on my schedule, that can be either 4 or 5 meals in a day. I generally have a 30g Protein shake (one made with decaf instant coffee and chocolate protein powder and the other with fruit and Nectar protein powder) twice a day (as meals). Then I also do 1/2 of a bottle of Isopure (20g protein) between two of my meals and can count it as fluid intake as well. Generally, I have a South Beach Meal Replacement Bar (not the cereal breakfast bar) for one of my meals (another 19g of protein). The last of the 4 meals is generally some sort of "real" food. I generally try to have some lean meats (chicken, pork or fish - beef does not sit well with me right not). If I am tired, I will have a Lean Cuisine (although you have to be careful...many of these are either high in fat or high in sugar). I will do canned tuna, shrimp, crab or chicken in a salad. Usually mixed with low fat mayo and tons of spices. I have also found some low fat/low sodium soups (Campbells, Chunky, and Healthy Choice) that I like. If the prepared meal does not have enough protein (around 20), then I will add something like a Low Fat String Cheese stick to it. In the end, I am in the 120-130 range. This is what my Nut wants (male, exercising regularly). It took me a while to get onto the schedule, but it seems to be working. Hope you can figure your proteins out. Between that and the fluids, it was a big adjustment! Dave