Question:
I was able to eat a whole taco.

Is a whole taco (from taco bell) too much at 3 months out? I was amazed that I could eat the whole thing and then a couple bites of the pinto beans. It is the first time trying a taco so I was really surprised. Earlier that day I only ate 1/4 of a peanut butter sandwich and got full. I didn't even feel that way after the taco. Tell me there are others that eat this much and its OK. Thanks.    — Cheri M. (posted on February 7, 2002)


February 6, 2002
I was able to eat one taco at 3 months post op and sometimes now (8 months post op) I can even eat 2 tacos if Im really hungry. I think your doing fine but I can relate to your fears because I have them daily when it comes to over-eating.
   — Dana D.

February 6, 2002
Because taco stuffing is mushy, you can get more of it down. Texture has so much to do with making this surgery tool work for us. Indulging in tacos once in a while is fine, but it's probably better to stick to the more solid proteins like non-processed chicken, beef, etc. Keep in mind, they usually put lard in the taco mix.
   — Terissa R.

February 6, 2002
I could eat a taco bell taco without the lettuce at three months out also. As the other post stated the crunchy shell basically chews up into dust and there is not much more to the taco really but a few ounces of meat (if you want to call it that) and cheese. If I get a soft taco though, I can't eat the whole taco because the shell does not chew up as well and takes up more space in my pouch. It is still odd though, when I went to Taco Bell Pre op I could eat 4 or 5 taco, a burrito supreme, a long coke and hell even at times a chicken burrito. You get funny looks when you order just one taco there. LOL... not to worry hon it is normal.
   — Celtic B.

February 6, 2002
I could eat a taco bell taco without the lettuce at three months out also. As the other post stated the crunchy shell basically chews up into dust and there is not much more to the taco really but a few ounces of meat (if you want to call it that) and cheese. If I get a soft taco though, I can't eat the whole taco because the shell does not chew up as well and takes up more space in my pouch. It is still odd though, when I went to Taco Bell Pre op I could eat 4 or 5 taco, a burrito supreme, a long coke and hell even at times a chicken burrito. You get funny looks when you order just one taco there. LOL... not to worry hon it is normal.
   — Celtic B.

February 6, 2002
I was also able to eat a whole taco at about 3-4 months. The cheese and lettuce take up a lot of room shredded, but chewed there is not much volume there. Think maybe a tablespoon of "meat" plus a tablespoon and a half of other toppings, and then the shell. No wonder they look at us funny! My husband and I used to go to Taco Bell and order the 10 pack plus a mexican pizza, one of those supersize nachos, that melty thing, and pintos.<p>About the pnut butter sandwich, I find that the volume I can eat changes throughout the day. I can barely squeeze in 1/2 cup at breakfast, but can sometimes eat as much as 1 1/2 cups at lunchtime, then less again at dinner. (BTW I am 8 mos out).
   — ctyst

February 7, 2002
I've found (2 months out) that the amount I can eat seems to fluctuate from meal to meal - and depends on WHAT I'm eating. Some days I can eat only a boiled egg for breakfast. Other days I can have a poached egg AND dry toast AND maybe 1/2 strip turkey bacon. Look at what you're eating.. and imagine it crushed/smashed into a pile. Some items are high VOLUME, but not a lot of WEIGHT (such as a taco shell or lettuce). I don't measure or weigh my foods, except to keep an eye on DAILY consumption of my proteins, fats and sugars. I just chew thoroughly, take my time with my meal and keep looking for that feeling of SATISFACTION.. not the feeling of FULLNESS. If I feel FULL, I think I've gone too far. I was a 'lightweight' (Starting weight 225) but in 2 months, I'm down to 190 (first time I've been under 200 in YEARS!) and I've lost a total of 32 inches all over. I consider this SUCCESS, so I feel I must be doing it right, or at least what's right for ME. Good Luck.. :-)
   — Diane E.

February 7, 2002
I didn't think a taco was a bad choice being that it is only 200 cals and 10 gr. of protein. Why are some against tacos? Fresh lettuce, tomato, cheese, beef. Sounds like a good combo to me.
   — Cheri M.

February 7, 2002
Wow! Taco Bell tacos are what sustained me at 3 months post op!! I would have 1 about 5-6 times a week. When I started eating them, I would get them without lettuce and tomato and I would break off the extra shell. So, I didn't really have much volume left. I gradually added the lettuce and tomato back and then the remainder of the shell. I also used the mild sauce, to give it extra moisture. I told my surgeon all of this and he was very pleased that I had found something healthy to "get me over the hump" before my diet became more diverse. I believe that this is a good choice and it helped to feel normal by eating what others were able to eat. We went on vacation last April and again in July, and it was fun for the kids to be able to find a taco bell for mom to get her taco. It helped them to participate. It sure didn't hurt my weight loss either. The pounds flew off of me during this time. I also don't attempt the soft shelled things. I will however open up their soft steak taco and eat it like a salad, it is good. I am now 13 months post op and 17 pounds below goal weight. Good luck! Shelley
   — Shelley.

February 7, 2002
Wow! Taco Bell tacos are what sustained me at 3 months post op!! I would have 1 about 5-6 times a week. When I started eating them, I would get them without lettuce and tomato and I would break off the extra shell. So, I didn't really have much volume left. I gradually added the lettuce and tomato back and then the remainder of the shell. I also used the mild sauce, to give it extra moisture. I told my surgeon all of this and he was very pleased that I had found something healthy to "get me over the hump" before my diet became more diverse. I believe that this is a good choice and it helped to feel normal by eating what others were able to eat. We went on vacation last April and again in July, and it was fun for the kids to be able to find a taco bell for mom to get her taco. It helped them to participate. It sure didn't hurt my weight loss either. The pounds flew off of me during this time. I also don't attempt the soft shelled things. I will however open up their soft steak taco and eat it like a salad, it is good. I am now 13 months post op and 17 pounds below goal weight. Good luck! Shelley
   — Shelley.




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