Exercise, Nutrition, WLS & Cooking Q&A - 10/14/2013

I am here to help in whatever way I can.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor (yet). I am not a nutritionist (yet), I am not a personal trainer (yet). I am not a psychologist (yet). I am not a chef (but a pretty damn good cook). I have however read, watched, researched, and experimented extensively over the past several years, so whatever advice I dispense, take it for what it is worth.

Well seeing you asked!

We had Thanksgiving this weekend up here in Canada and I said to my husband, "This is the last 'holiday' meal I will be eating like this."  And then I realized I have no idea what my holiday meals will look like.  I'm having my surgery November 25th so Christmas will be four weeks out.  Just when I'm starting solids.  What do you suggest I will be able to eat...any meat?  I said to my hubby I thought ham might be okay.  I know I'll only be having a bite or two but if I have to sit there and watch everyone else eat I at least want to make the most of my two bites! lol

Thanks for your help!!

You hit the nail on the head. You will focus on proteins first, veggies second. You will only be able to eat a little bit. You will not drink before or after you eat and certainly not during your meal. You will avoid sweets, potatoes, breads, etc.

ham is good, just if it is something like honey baked or glazed, be sure to cut the edges off and don't eat that part. Lots of sugar there. Turkey is great. A small amount of sweet potato is ok as long as they are fresh and no sugar has been added. No sweet potato or yams from a can as they are packed in sugary syrup.

Holidays are easier than they seem to be. The hard part for me was skipping the sweets, but you will get used to it.

Thanks Keith!  Ham is great!  I don't like turkey it doesn't agree with me so that's a no-go.  But ham with some brussel sprouts would make me very happy!  I can do without potato (sweet or regular) but love my veggies.  I'm not to worried about food but my hubby keeps saying we don't need to have a big meal if I can't eat.  He's a sweetie but I can not see us all sitting around eating greek yogurt on Christmas day lol

You won't want to eat and at that point you won't care that everyone else is eating. Everyone else will. The trick is to put a little bit if stuff on your plate and spread it out so it looks like you have more than you do. Then people will not say anything.