5 or 6 meals a day? - ThinnerTimes

Claire-in-Texas · 11-11-2007, 10:07 AM

Would appreciate your comments and suggestions.....

I just read in long term post op that an rny patient, post op for 2.5 years, eats 5 to 6 small meals a day. What a good idea.

My mind stopped when I went to three meals a day and one snack, and find now that I am a bit too hungry for the next meal sometimes.

Being 7 months post op, is it a good idea to do six small meals a day (with fluids in between, of course)? And if so, what would be considered a "small" meal?

shereeks · 11-11-2007, 01:32 PM

I have 5 small meals a day. I find that if I only have the normal 2/3 then I get too hungry and overeat making myself feel sick! It hasn't done me any harm so far I guess so I plan on sticking with it. I really believe that every person is different and you've got to do what works best for you!

;o)

LyndasRoom · 11-11-2007, 04:45 PM

You know Claire, when I read that it made a lot more sense to me too. When I try to do 3 meals a day, I cannot stay satisfied, and start looking around for something to snack on. I'm going to try planning 5-6 small, keyword small meals and see if I can get some more off of me!

Jeri · 11-11-2007, 04:46 PM

Obviously I don't know yet...but I know that my surgeon & bariatric team think 3 meals a day is what should be done but I don't necessarily agree with that. From what I've read about keeping hunger down you should eat 6 small meals a day to keep your blood sugar level and that is what keeps hunger down.

I'm thinking a small meal would be a small amount of protein & veggies or fruit. Probably divide normal meal size in half??? Just a thought.

Toony · 11-11-2007, 04:49 PM

5 or 6 meals a day, not drinking before or after for 30 min (or whatever your dr. says)... isn't it hard to get your liquids in? When does it become "grazing?"

Curious Katie

Jeri · 11-11-2007, 04:50 PM

I think grazing is eating constantly...not planned meals. I haven't figured all this out yet so I don't know about liquids--especially since I'm not eating yet.

Claire-in-Texas · 11-11-2007, 04:56 PM

Lynda, I am going to try small meals, too - 5 to 6 a day. I think it will be more satisfying and I don't have to feel hungry that way (in theory!).

Shereeks, I totally agree about each person finding their way - but dumb me never thought about 5 to 6 small meals!!! Glad it is working for you!!

Also, I attribute a LOT of my weight loss to my exercise routine. DON'T GROAN - I HAVE ALWAYS HATED EXERCISE and assume many of us do. But aquajogging has saved me in a lot of respects. It is the way I enjoy exercising (in a warm therapy pool, but deep enough to aquajog (remember, I'm vertically challenged!) wearing my aquabelt. I have increased my exercise times to 5 times a week now until we leave on our cruise in 3 weeks to drop 4 lbs to make it an even 100 lbs weight loss by the time I go. It also makes me feel high afterwards, like a drug high (like when I took Vicodin). Woo hooo! Love that feeling and can't believe it happens every time I really push myself aquajogging!

But getting back to the meals, it really does make perfect sense to get in those small meals frequently.

Incidentally, I have started mixing vanilla protein powder in my lite yogurt, and adding one crunched up Triscuit. Ohhhh, delicious, and makes a wonderful small meal.

Claire-in-Texas · 11-11-2007, 05:09 PM

Katie and Jeri, the water thing is not quite that black and white after you get to my stage. I drink a lot (don't measure anymore), and don't drink when I eat. But I don't worry about the before and after too much anymore. It just comes naturally.

At the beginning, following the strict rules regarding liquids and when to eat and what to eat is extremely important, and will put you into that mode of good habits. When you start eating meals, you are in this honeymoon period where you aren't hungry (maybe head hunger occasionally, but not the real thing) I am no longer on my honeymoon and I feel hunger and I get full. So now I am in the adjusting period, getting what I need as far as liquids and nourishment, but maybe in different amounts at different times.

Grazing is like having a can of peanuts on your lap and before you know it you have eaten all of it, and then go to the next item and graze. Nibbling constantly.

Also, my portions are very small, so it only takes 5 minutes for me to eat, and that's eating slowly and putting down my fork. I can't eat breakfast (never could), so if I start my first meal at 10:30 am (which is when I usually eat breakfast), then eat at 12:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm, that's only 5 meals, small portions.

Katie, how is your husband doing?

Jeri, how are you feeling?

Toony · 11-11-2007, 05:38 PM

Hi Claire...

I'm listening to "YOU: On A Diet," and finally "get it!" Diet and exercise is explained in there SO WELL... I can't wait to get back to water aerobics and daily walks!!!

DH's foot is still bad. We like the latest dr. tho... he has him keeping off of it, trying to stabilize his general health (good luck there)... and will him again in April. I sure hope to be post-op by then!!!

Thanks for asking... you're such a sweetheart!!!

katie

Jeri · 11-11-2007, 06:45 PM

Thanks, Claire it all makes perfect sense. At my stage I'm just worried about getting my liquids in--the protein I have down. And exercise. I've done some but not like I should be.

Claire I feel great. I have been blessed with an amazing recovery. I can't believe I had major surgery 2 weeks ago. It sure doesn't feel like it.