I have wasted so much money ....

Yes.  And yes.
That's why at any given time I had 5-7 different home made frozen meals - ready to eat at home.
i still may end up with take out or eating out.  Or protein shake.

As for protein shakes - I had a few that I rotate all the time.   But I found out that I become sensitive to the artificial additives that most manufactures use: artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners.   So I stitched to all natural whey protein shakes. so far - so good.  

I use 5-6 flavors and rotate them - as I can't stand them.   I also have unsweet proteins.

Eggs are my friends, cheese... for now.  I know the  time will come that I would not be able t stand them again.  Then I will switch back to meats, or fish.

It comes and goes in cycles.

I learned to make food - and freeze it. Make sure you put a good label on the frozen. Since it may be 6 month before I can eat something again.  Adding new flavors, spices. Constantly looking for new recipes. 

Before RNY I was never a picky eater. I am now.

I haven't found anything I like well enough to freeze that would do well frozen.  I've done stir fry a lot lately and that doesn't freeze well. 

I've always been picky and that pickiness goes in cycles.  It seems so much worse now.  I try to drink protein shakes now for breakfast because I cannot stand the thought of eggs or any other breakfast type thing.  Can't stand greek yogurt or any other kind of yogurt.  I have been eating some toast and pb but that's a ton of calories ......    Really solid, meat type things don't do well first thing in the morning. 

I'm afraid now that I'm getting burned out on chicken.  I have no idea what I can eat to subsititue.  I'm tired of shrimp and other fish makes me gag right now.  I'm not supposed to have pork or beef yet.  *sigh* 

Not sure what type of stir fry you do, but most leftover I can freeze for later use - i.e. stew.   Veggies, meat, etc. Small portions, label - put in a freezer (got a big one in a garage).
Once I have a lot of "leftovers" I get that out and make ea new dish: .
Some stir fry veggies - can be used later in eggbites recipe. (eggface profile).
or mini - fake pizza... 
I learn long time ago not to waste food.   But - if the food is in a freezer too long - I will toss it out.  
When I cook food - I try to make it - so if i have left overs - I can use them. 
BTW: some veggies - can be puree and the added to make meatloaf. 

cup of veggies + 2 cups of meat+ spices = great meatloaf.

If you do not like to waste food and money - try to think ahead. I know it is not easy... but it can be done.  with a little bit of planning.

 I kind of think it isn't bad to be picky...even though it hurts my wallet and my husband doesnt understand why I don't just eat canned ravioli for every meal like he does. We spent a lot of out lifes putting so much crap into our bodies and now we eat the good stuff. I like it.

The samples are probably your best option for now.  Also know that the protein canisters usually have a fairly long shelf life, you may be able to drink them again later.  It's not uncommon to have an aversion to certain foods or shakes after a time and later be able to use it again.

On food do have a freezer you can freeze some of your foods for use later?  I have some one cup freezable containers I use.  I have also wasted food post-op that I just didn't want to eat any more of.

On "nothing sounds good", yes even this far out many days nothing sounds good I force myself to eat the protein or drink a shake.

I'm the same way carrie. I can only drink isopure rtd protein,any powder ones make me gag! I only eat greek yogurt,cheese, and grilled chiken. Nothing else tastes or sounds good. I'm in need of help too..

Take the word "picky" out of your lifestyle. You need proteins, fiber, etc.  You need to eat proteins, even if they are on your "picky list".  Hold your nose and drink the protein shakes, if you have to.  Learn to eat new foods that are healthy. It's part of a lifestyle modification. Tastes can evolve over time post op, and this will likely help. The common issue is that favorite foods preop do not taste the same post op.  Be flexible in what you eat. You may not like fish or shrimp, but it's got good protien and can be prepared in a number of ways.  If you have trouble with beef (assuming it's ok'd by your surgeon now), you should try bison meat.  I get ground bison burgers, coming in 1/3 pound patties. I cook a pattie in my Sunbeam Rocket Grill for exactly two minutes.  Make a slice of whole wheat toast.  Add some mustard and a little onion. Cut patty in half--so one patty makes to small burgers. Assemble and eat.  Bison seems to be easier to digest than beef, has half the fat and about twice the protein.  whfoods.com has an extensive listing of the densest protein rich foods you can find. Codfish is number one.  DAVE 

it is so crazy because something will sound and taste so good, the first time I eat it, tastes good.  But then anytime I think about eating that paticular food again it sounds gross.  I am running out of food to eat!

 i actually spend more on food now than before surgery and it really ****** me off. so much goes to waste or end up not liking it or my KIDS get into it and eat it all. Im kinda picky too even tho im finding i can tolerate most anything, just cant eat a lot of anything. 

Hey Carrie, I find i can tolerate any meat if it is drowned in Golden Mushroom soup from the can.  Yes a bit more sodium than I need, probably.  But I am not putting down 2 bags of buttered popcorn and a can of pringles a day anymore, so I think its ok.  It makes everything nice and moist.  I put hamburgers, meatballs, chicken thighs (my fave) and I put it over mashed potatoes and a little on steamed spinach.  I also HATE leftovers.  I have a tiny crock pot at work.  When I come in to work I out a piece of chicken or steak in the tiny crocker and let it ride until I am ready to eat.  I also live on Chobani greek yogurt.  I eat the regular greek, I know it has a lil more sugar, but I am not snacking on pepsi, snickers and honey buns anymore, plus I do not have the sensitivity to sugar.  So far so good. Rock on Carrie..