food staples at 3.5 yrs post-op

Hi everyone!  I am 3.5 yrs out, lost  about 100 pounds but have gained 50 back. Its killing me...haven't been dealing well.  I can eat just about anything which I know isnt good.  Help please!  Looking for a list of foods I shoud keep on hand.  Thanks! Leigh Ann

Leigh Ann, I congratulate you on taking the first step and want you to know that everyone here understands how this can happen and how frustrating it can be.    I will be 3 years in February and I can pretty much eat anything also.  I do however still dump so I'm a little cautious on certain things.  I think it is important to keep your pouch fill with the right foods.  Protein/Water/Vegetables/Whole Grains - in that order.  Whenever I find myself losing touch I keep shrimp in the fridge and plan my meals out better. Being unprepared for a meal can be your greatest downfall.  Your pouch is still working so go back to what you know ot work.  I'm not sure if you have an exercise plan but burning those "extra" calories will help....   Feel free to email me for any support anytime!

Hi! :) It's easy to regain at 3+ years.  I'm just about 2.5 out and my body wants to head back up into the higher numbers.  Since I really can't eat a lot at the time, I tend to slide into the "soft" foods & start grazing on top of that.  Lately, I've literally put myself on the "5 hour diet".  LOL.  That just means that I can eat breakfast, and than I can't eat anything else for 5 hours.  Nothing.  Then I can eat lunch, then nothing else for 5 hours.  Then dinner, and nothing for 5 hours.  Usually I am ready for bed at that point because I eat  breakfast late.  Protein drinks don't count as meals in this.  Usually I can eat anything I want during meals, just because of the limit my pouch puts on me.  If I need to limit calories, I can eat "heavy" foods like protein (steak, chicken breast), or cereal like Shredded Wheat or Grape Nuts.  I don't worry too much as long as I keep my protein count up.  Take a look at the way you are eating.  If it is a grazing pattern all day long, do the 5 Hour Diet.  If you are eating meals but are sticking to "soft" foods like yogurt, bananas, thin hot cereal, soup, etc., you should switch to the heavier, stick in the pouch stuff, like meats,  Shredded Wheat, etc.  If sweets are your downfall, try to drink protein drinks masked as SF hot chocolate... most protein drinks are sweet & as long as you've just drank something sweet, you usually aren't as tempted by the Dunkin Donuts kind of fare.  Always drink a lot of liquids-- hot teas, SF apple cider, decaf coffee, etc., can fill the sweet spot and make the hunger go away-- and the more liquid in your system, the less hungry you will be.  Just some thoughts.

Do you drink protein drinks during the 5 hours period?  Just wondering.  I still drink lots of protein and some days i try to not eat anything solid.  what do you think

Patricia RNY 3/2005 262/125/135 highest/lowest/today 5'1"

 

Time really does change things~its SO easy to gain now (3yrs post op)! I still follow the  good old pouch rules  most days~push protein first, no drinking 30/30, etc. I can eat anything and do not dump~a blessing and a curse. There are days when I get off track, but hey nobody's perfect every day! I do try to limit those days, get plenty of exercise and drink lots of water. I continue to eat things like cottage cheese, salad w/shaved deli chicken and cheese, grilled chicken breast, eggs in any form, etc. I steer clear of most breads, pasta and potatoes b/c they don't settle well still. I do allow good carbs from fruit, whole grain cereal, etc but don't overdo it with these things. So, I guess going back to basics is something to think about. Have a plan for the day and stick with it, journal or track your food intake on paper or at fitday or sparkpeople and be prepared so that you don't reach for the quick fix, but have health options readily available to you at all times. Good Luck and keep us posted on how things are going.

I would say good foods to keep on hand would be: Cottage cheese  Riccotta cheese LF or FF cheese tuna egg (I loves eggs in any way, sharp or form lol) beans deli meats  humm for some reason I went blank...but those are the ones off the top of my head

Hi gang!, I am just 3yrs out myself and had a 16 lb creep up. So most of what is said here I agree.  More protein, more water and the number 1 is MORE EXERSICE! I have been walking at least 30 mins since last Monday outside with my dogs, every time I do I give myself a gold star on my calander.  Yeah it's juvenile, but I actually get a kick out of looking at my pocket calendar and see my silly stickers. Trying to break the reward with food habit that I seem to get sucked into, starts as grazing and the next thing I know here comes the bread and pastas! My MD also told me at my last check up that I can bring down the protien to 45 g per day vs. the 60 g since all my blood labs look ok and in general feel great so I started to add more fruits and vegies. Keep up the good fight and feel free to email me if you need a gold star or support. P.S.  I think this is a great time to "get with it".  Since the holidays are coming I think we all can use a tune up this time of year whether we are doing well or need a boost. Tammy McD.

Some ideas for treats that won't break your plan:

100-calorie couples:

 1. Breyers Double Churn Free Ice Cream + Fat Free Reddi-Whip PER SERVING (1/2 cup French Chocolate ice cream with 4 tbsp. whipped topping): 100 calories, ~1g fat, 55mg sodium, 24g carbs, 4g fiber, 15g sugars, 3g protein = POINTS® value 1* Heads up vanilla-lovers: The vanilla version of this fat-free ice cream also makes a cute (and delicious!) 100-calorie couple with the Reddi-Whip.  2. Fage Total 0% Greek Yogurt + Sugar-Free Maple Syrup PER SERVING (One 5.3-oz. container of yogurt with 20 calories' worth of syrup): 100 calories, 0g fat, 139mg sodium, 13g carbs, 0g fiber, 6g sugars, 13g protein = POINTS® value 2* Fage Total 0% (the creamiest fat-free Greek yogurt in the universe). There are lots of sugar-free syrups out there with sweet, rich, maple flavor and only 10 - 35 calories per quarter-cup. And they go perfectly with the slightly tart taste of Greek yogurt, also with blueberries (1/4 cup), freeze-dried fruit like Gerber Mini Fruits (a little less than 1/4 cup), Better'n Peanut Butter (a little less than 1/2 tbsp.), and Smucker's Sugar Free Preserves .

 3. Jell-O Sugar Free Vanilla Pudding Snack + Canned Pure Pumpkin PER SERVING (1 pudding snack with 1/2 cup pumpkin): 100 calories, 1.5g fat, 186mg sodium, 24g carbs, 4.5g fiber, 4g sugars, 3g protein = POINTS® value 1* Simply combine the contents of your pudding snack with a half-cup of the orange stuff. Mix well and, if you like, add a little Splenda and/or pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon and nutmeg).

 4. Rice Krispies Treats Bar + Smucker's Sugar Free Strawberry Preserves PER SERVING (1 Original ready-to-eat bar with 1 tbsp. preserves): 100 calories, 2.5g fat, 105mg sodium, 22g carbs, 0g fiber, 8g sugars, <1g protein = POINTS® value 2* Try it for yourself and see -- they'r e a fantastic team. FYI, Smucker's SF Preserves come in tons of fabulous flavors (try this out with others, too!), and they're available sweetened with either Splenda OR NutraSweet.

 5. Fuji Apple Slices + T. Marzetti Light Caramel Apple Dip PER SERVING (generous 3/4 cup apple slices with 1 tbsp. caramel dip): 100 calories, 1g fat, 39mg sodium, 26g carbs, 2g fiber, 17g sugars, 0.5g protein = POINTS® value 2* Slice a small apple (and we mean one that's about 4 oz.) and let the dipping begin! OR drizzle that caramel all over your apple slices for some sticky sweet fun!  And more ideas: Peanut Butter Celery Stalk -- One stalk of celery dabbed with a tablespoon of natural peanut butter (the kind without added hydrogenated oils) equals about 100 calories of protein-rich deliciousness.

 Reduced-Fat Triscuits -- Six of these crunchy whole-grain crackers tote up to under 100 calories. The fiber content will help fill your stomach.

 Dry-Roasted Pumpkin Seeds -- A quarter cup of this mineral-rich snack comes out to about 75 calories.

 Chocolate Treat -- For a quick and easy chocolate fix, take about six tablespoons of any brand of light whipped cream or light whipped cream substitute, and fold in a teaspoon of a powdered cocoa mix. Blend it thoroughly. Only about 50 calories.

 Strawberry Newtons -- Nabisco sells a two-cookie snack pack of these. Each cookie is 100 calories. Eat one and give the other to a friend.

 Cheese Stick with Marinara Sauce -- Put a low-fat mozzarella cheese stick into a bowl along with a quarter cup of marinara sauce. Heat briefly in the microwave (be careful not to overheat or you'll end up with soup). About 100 calories.

 Half-Cup of Sherbet or Sorbet -- A good ice cream substitute, and under 100 calories.

 Watermelon -- Two cups of watermelon cubes are fairly filling and equal only about 85 calories.

 Corn on the Cob -- One medium-sized ear with a dash of seasoning will set you back only 80 calories.

 Puffed Wheat Cereal -- Grab two-thirds of a cup of puffed wheat. Add a half cup of skim milk and a teaspoon of sugar or sugar substitute. About 100 calories.

 Blueberries -- They're delicious fresh from a farmer's market. A cup equals only 90 calories.

 Vegetarian Baked Beans -- Doesn't taste much different from the kind with pork in it. One third cup is only about 75 calories.

 Teddy Grahams Crackers -- The chocolate ones are particularly yummy. Fifteen clock in at 82 calories.

 Plums -- Three on the small side add up to around 90 calories.

 Bagel Bites -- Found in the freezer section of your grocery store. Two of these little pizza treats equal 100 calories.

 Sandwich -- Make a half-sandwich using a slice of whole-wheat bread and about two ounces of low-fat turkey breast. Add mustard and/or lettuce or a thin slice of tomato if you like. You're looking at about 100 calories.

Seven-Ounce Bottle of Dannon Lite 'n' Fit Carb Control Smoothie -- Good source of protein and calcium. Only 70 calories.

 Campbell 's Soup-at-Hand -- A convenient microwavable soup that you sip right from the container. The chicken noodle flavor is only 80 calories.

 Red or White Wine or Champagne -- Five ounces of the bubbly stuff is under 100 calories.

 Fruit and Whipped Cream -- Take a half cup of your favorite kind of berries -- raspberries, blueberries, boysenberries, etc. -- and place them in a bowl. Top with two tablespoons of a low-fat whipped cream or whipped cream substitute. About 100 calories.

 Craisins -- Dried cranberries make a nice change of pace from raisins. Four tablespoons come to around 90 calories.

 Grapes -- Ever try them frozen? A great summertime treat. Thirty are under 100 calories.

 Bagel -- A half a bagel with a very light sprinkling of low-fat butter substitute will be around 100 calories.

 Breadsticks -- The kind with sesame seeds -- two of 'em add up to about 85 calories.