Food... Blah! - ThinnerTimes

brutherford · 08-02-2004, 08:51 PM

Have any of you noticed that food is just not that interesting any more? In the last few weeks, I've actually had to force myself to eat. It's not just that I don't get hungry, but nothing really sounds or tastes good either. I'm really active, so I can't skip any meals or I won't be able to do all of the things that I want to do. This just makes me eat for the nutritional content alone, and I really don't invest a whole lot of effort in making anything taste good, you know?

It's just so bizarre because food used to have supreme importance to me. As a former chef, I usually spend between 60-90 minutes of food prep each day (eating healthy and fresh just takes longer), but now I'm down to maybe 10-15 minutes. (Example: instead of preparing lunch or dinner, today I ate half of a leftover chicken breast and half of a plum for lunch, then a can of tuna and some white beans for dinner!) I'm relieved to be free (at least temporarily) of the food demons, but forcing myself to eat is just not fun. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to be sick, but it hasn't happened. The only thing I crave any more is fresh fruit, which I eat between 2-3 pieces a day, usually a little with each meal. If it had all of the nutrition that I needed (mainly protein) I'd just eat it all day, but I can't.

Just wondering if anyone else is having (or has had) the same experience.

stakeda · 08-02-2004, 09:48 PM

You know, I have the same issues. I don't know whether I'm eating right and I have to force myself to eat. I'm almost 4 weeks out. My typical day goes as follows:

9 am = 8 oz protein drink
11 am = 1/2 piece string cheese & 1 piece turkey lunch meat
1 pm = 1/8 cup fresh fruit
3 pm = 1/2 piece string cheese & 1 piece turkey lunch meat
6 pm = 8 oz protein drink and/or some small amount of chicken

Is this too much? It seems like I'm constantly eating. And I'm always nausous. I don't really like anything I put into my mouth these days.

Some body help!!!

Suzanne-photog4fun · 08-03-2004, 07:57 AM

This is totally normal. You are one of the lucky ones who experience minimal hunger. Enjoy it while it lasts and make the most of it. You're in the honeymoon phase! It was the first and only time in my entire life that I didn't care much about food....a trully incredible experience!

Dara · 08-03-2004, 08:24 AM

Barbara:

Melanie and I had this same conversation yesterday afternoon during our walk. I feel like my love affair with food is over. A big part of my former life was based on my love and obsession for the taste of what I thought was "good" food (translation: high in fat and/or sugar). My life now is centered on eating healthy and eating for fuel. Just like you, nothing really tastes "good" any more except fruit. My goal during this honeymoon period is to readjust my head so that this new feeling becomes permanent. I think this new feeling is a blessing. We all need to learn to eat to live, not live to eat!

Take care of yourself and keep up the great work!

Midntsgirl · 08-03-2004, 07:02 PM

I HATE TO EAT! Even when I'm forcing myself to eat, I hate it. Nothing seems good anymore, reguardless of how good it is for me. I try to eat protein, but what I've been craving is pickles and ice...LOL What a combination huh?? I don't feel the same way about food as I used to. I look at carne asada and think, "WOW, I remember what that tasted like BEFORE the surgery", but then I think what a waste it would be to buy some cause I couldn't eat much. Sometimes I wish I could just have 1 day of being able to eat the way I used to, but then I look at myself in the mirror and change my mind. Fitting into a size 24 jeans is just amazing and it's been like 12 years since I've been able to fit into anything smaller than a 26. LOL...what this surgery does for us is just a trip! ISN'T IT?!?!?!

lealphachienne · 08-03-2004, 08:59 PM

No more eating just becuase I'm bored! Food is such a non-important thing nowadays. Instead of all the times I sat cooking/eating, I fill the extra hours with exercise, reading, crafts, gardening or just plain enjoying the beautiful weather we have. I have desires to only eat flavorful, healthy foods. I've been buzzing around the various ethnic foods as the good old american foods tend to be so bland. My desires are quickly satisfied with only a few bites. It's a challenge to cook now, as I'm only cooking for one person. One entree is 3 meals for my husband and I. The dogs are living like kings on the leftovers that we always have! I think it's great food is so blah in general. Even when others are stuffing there faces, I just sit back and enjoy the company. No desire to eat just to fit in. Even 2 years later, my husband still find most foods bland and doesn't have much of an appetite.

marisa · 08-03-2004, 10:57 PM

Reading everything you all have said makes me feel like I am not CRAZY! I hate to eat anymore! I eat because I get hungry or because I feel faint. Food does not taste the same and just thinking about the things I use to love makes me nausiated! I was hoping that this would pass. I am not wanting to eat a lot again, but I would sure like to enjoy what I do get to eat. Anyone out there enjoying food yet and if so, how far along are you?

All complaining aside....I do NOT regret the surgery and I would do it again in a heart beat!

60 pounds down as of today. Surgery was 06/02/04!

Marisa

Andi · 08-04-2004, 03:14 PM

Wow! It's amazing how this surgery has that effect on us. After my surgery, it took about 5 months for me to be able to tolerate the taste of meat. Of course now, almost 1 year later, I love to eat a piece of lean steak or a BBQ chicken breast.

My greatest piece of advice is - Make the most out of this honeymoon period. Use it to learn new, healthy eating habits. That is the most important part of this special time in your recovery.

Just remember, your tastes and your feelings will get better as you heal.

Andi

DFoster · 05-29-2005, 09:16 PM

I'm almost 9 weeks out, starting at 332 and I'm down almost 60lbs. After getting over the complications of the surgery and being re-hospitalized 2 weeks post op, I fell into a sort of uneasy routine. I live alone and spend a LOT of money on groceries, trying to find something that I enjoy eating. I've always hated milk and most dairy products except cheese. I LOVED to eat and now I get frustrated trying to find something I remotely LIKE to eat. Cold fresh fruit is wonderful. I went to the dietician last week and I've lost a tiny bit more than they wanted me to. They suggested yogurt smoothies to get more protein since my hair is starting to fall out. On my own I've avoided carbs because they make me ill. So far, no vomiting or dumping. I try new foods, a small spoonful, then I wait. I can usually tell within a minute or so if I can tolerate a particular food. The hardest thing to deal with is that I cannot tolerate water. It causes hard instant cramping. The only thing liquid I tolerate is Crystal Light (iced teas only) and some clear juices. The dieticians suggested gatorade and full calorie orange juice. (They actually want me to get a few more calories and potassium) Did anyone else experience challenges with plain water?

Laura@BellaBabies · 05-30-2005, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFoster

I'm almost 9 weeks out, starting at 332 and I'm down almost 60lbs. After getting over the complications of the surgery and being re-hospitalized 2 weeks post op, I fell into a sort of uneasy routine. I live alone and spend a LOT of money on groceries, trying to find something that I enjoy eating. I've always hated milk and most dairy products except cheese. I LOVED to eat and now I get frustrated trying to find something I remotely LIKE to eat. Cold fresh fruit is wonderful. I went to the dietician last week and I've lost a tiny bit more than they wanted me to. They suggested yogurt smoothies to get more protein since my hair is starting to fall out. On my own I've avoided carbs because they make me ill. So far, no vomiting or dumping. I try new foods, a small spoonful, then I wait. I can usually tell within a minute or so if I can tolerate a particular food. The hardest thing to deal with is that I cannot tolerate water. It causes hard instant cramping. The only thing liquid I tolerate is Crystal Light (iced teas only) and some clear juices. The dieticians suggested gatorade and full calorie orange juice. (They actually want me to get a few more calories and potassium) Did anyone else experience challenges with plain water?

Have you tried the Necta protein drink powder? I mixed the fuzzy navel with CL iced tea and it makes and awesome peach tea and has a lot of protein.
http://store.bariatriceating.com/syntraxnectar.html
I have recently stocked up on my protein shakes and powders for my surgery and I have to say that these drinks are nothing like the ones I had years ago when I did medi-fast. They even have a tasteless one you can add to pudding or scrambeled eggs to give yourself a protein boost.