Confused

[shelleymarie]

Hi all. I'm in need of some help. I've realised now I'm on normal foods I'm completely unsure of how much I should be eating. My provider has given me a list of things ok to eat now but it doesn't say how much. I've noticed my portions sizes getting a little bigger and like everyone I'm terrified of stretching my pouch. I've had a look around and every place says different things. In the beginning I was told to stick to a size of a ramekin, is it still that or a bit bigger? In tbsp would be helpful. I'm listening to when I'm full but if I had a definite guideline of what to dish up it would help as I'm still fighting that demon that tells me to finish what is on my plate. Thanks x

 

[Evenstarr]

At my group session we were told that eventually we would be able to eat three tea plate sized meals a day, so that's quite a bit bigger than ramekin size isn't it!
I think for someone like me who is used to huge portions, the much smaller tea plate size coupled with no crisps, chocolate or other snacks should hopefully work well.
Em xx

 

[shelleymarie]

Thanks. Yeah we were told the same but the tea/side plate is the ultimate goal. From what I've read there is a in between portion sizes from 2 months to 6 months and from 6 - 1 year and then at a year you are eating what you should be for life. But what you should be having varies from place to place, so I would be interested to know what size others are eating at my stage or were eating. You are right though small meals without the bad stuff does work xx

 

[chrisa]

Well I would say usually if i was having sunday lunch on my tea plate i would have a thin slice of meat about the size of my palm, dessert spoon of 2or3 vegetables 1 spoon of each that is not heaped though, teaspoon of stuffing if its turkey or chicken, 1 small y.pudding and gravy, mint sauce that will fill your plate up I don't usually bother with the potao i am full getting through the rest. Hope this is of help. But if you look up an eatwell plate that gives you an indication of what amounts you should have your plate divided up into. xx

 

[shelleymarie]

Thanks Chrisa that is helpful. Did you start on that size once you were on normal food or did you increase slightly as time went on? I definitely think my portions were on the generous side the last couple of days and I was feeling uncomfortable yesterday, I'm not sure what made me do that - I don't even get hungry, just habit to eat everything on my plate and putting too much on it, even if it is a small plate! I've reduced all of it today and weighed all my food too and feel much happier. I'm going to keep doing that until I'm more confident in myself and what I'm having. Thanks again x

 

[chrisa]

Yes I think that is the way forward weigh it out for a while and then you will be able to judge whats what, I started off like this after the puree stage am still having similar amount, but still like sweet stuff just have to have it in a very small quantity, i get hot sweats and flushes with some foods especially sweet stuff sometimes get pains but very rare if my stomach pains after food I take buscopan and that settles it down after bout 10 mins and I lie on my stomach while it takes effect if i am at home. Some people get to the point where they get diahorrhea never seem to get to that stage usually on the other side bit constipated, but it has improved an awful lot lately not even been having my prune juice and yoghurts and managing to go so thats a lot better. At SRH where I had my op they told us not to get hung up on calories as that is how we got here in the first place and don't want to go down that route gain. You are advised to eat 6 protein, 2 veg, 2 fruit, 2 carbs each day plenty of water, I try and stick to this each day still and I am 1 year out on the 20th August. It is a healthy eating regime that should be normal for everyone, (in my opinion) I did eat healthily before but just way tooo much and a lot of sweet stuff in between. I don't really count everything every day but have a good idea in the first 6 months I made a chart so that I could see what I had eaten just a ticky chart, saying 2 carbs, 2 veg etc quick n simple just to keep me on track. I still don't feel hungry, but apparently i have read a comment some where that it does come back after 1yr mark then it really starts to be a fight again to keep on the straight and narrow. I exercise as much as possible I have always exercised so am toning up as much as possible my skin isn't too bad but the boobs have gone South. Good luck and if you have any more questions just ask, am going to be asking some myself xx

 

[shelleymarie]

Thanks Chrisa, you've been a big help. I feel like I know for sure I'm on the right track now x

 

[chrisa]

You are welcome, its awful when you are not convinced you are doing the right thing, theres alwys some one on here to lend a helping hand. xx

 

[dimond]

Chrisa you are so inspirational. Your posts are certainly giving me a lot of advice to take onboard for when I have mine, thanks xxx