Opinion poll on chocolate....

[Beegee]

An Easter related question... (because its about chocolate).

I had my first post-op appointment with my surgeon this week he questioned me about what I am eating, as I said I have no restriction and to everything he said yes that's fine. BUT when he asked me if I eat sweets and chocolates and I said yes I treat myself to a bar of chocolate twice a week he was horrified.. and told me very firmly I must not eat chocolates or sweets as they will make me gain weight.

Am I alone in thinking this is impossible?

 

[A.Positive]

Treating yourself twice a week won't make you gain weight but falling back into old habits (if over indulging in chocolate was an old habit) will definitely cause problems. Perhaps this is what he was getting at?

I wouldn't worry, if you really feel you have a handle on it, then by all means continue on with the treats. Just be mindful.

 

[fjsinc]

I do think that is totally wrong. Trying to be too restrictive can cause more problems than it solves. If its something you fancy and you eat it within a calorie controled diet, I do not see the harm. And for the record. I have eaten chocolate at least once a week since I was 2 months post op. AND I have still lost over 10 stone!

 

[Matra]

My dietitian told me to try good quality 70%+ dark chocolate and that's what I did. I have some most days but I'm only talking half a square or a whole one if I'm pushing the boat out!! It seem to give me the hit I'm after.

 

[clare-revised]

I can't comment overly on this, as chocolate....doesn't bother me, in fact I think the last choc I tried was m&m in bloody Cuba and spat it out - in beginning Jan! Lol

Although, as long as your in control, it's part of your controlled intake & accounted for & doesn't make u ill your doing nothing other than leading a normal life, which is completely commendable!!!xx

 

[Beegee]

Thanks ladies, I really wasn't sure, as I have had an issue and am worried its something I have done.
But, it did seem to me that if I restricted myself I would eventually bust and go of the rails completely... My diet is healthy high protein, low fat, and full of vegetables/fruit...my hazelnut lattes are now skimmed milk with sugar free hazelnut syrup... so didn't feel the two star bars I have a week could do any arm. He also said no alcohol... but don't really drink so that didn't bother me.

 

[Yvessa]

You don't mention how big those bars of chocolate are. If they're full size i would be a bit worried but a small bar twice a week is not an issue. Rather I would recommend keeping a food diary and just looking at what works for you. Keep yourself honest - if extras start creeping in you'll spot them quicker if they're written down.

 

[ThinnerJemima]

That's a NO vote from me. If I were to live like a Nun then the lifestyle changes wouldn't be sustainable and eventually large portions would be back (if I could eat that is). The changes we make post-op need to be permanent. So a 'treat' of your choice on an occasional basis is normal I'd say.

You're surgeon isn't a saint like he sounds, he nearly ran me over in a car park as he pulled put of a junction not looking and was on his mobile phone whilst driving

 

[GeMzY]

everything in moderation is usually the key, as long as a little of what you fancy is just that I would say go with it.... its when your told NO the defiant little kid comes out in us & makes the desire for forbidden greater

 

[JackTheLass]

I treat myself whether it be a bar of chocolate or bag of crisps. I do try to keep it to one treat on a Saturday but the odd treat sneaks in mid week if I fancy it. Hasn't affected my loss, 13 stone down. Everything in moderation I think. If I cut treats out completely I'd obsess about them and eventually go mad eating tons of junk.

 

[Madcatwoman]

I find that 'treat size' chocolate is the best bet. It gives you a taste, at around 100 cals and once or twice a week is ok. But the sick feeling you get if you eat too much is enough to put me off any way x

 

[Paula Garner]

I buy a bar of good quality dark chocolate and tend to have two squares every couple of days. I think getting back to 'normal' is really important, as long as we don't go back to our old eating habits.

Denying yourself something, usually leads to you wanting it more. Then your at real danger of gorging on it and over indulging.

 

[chrisa]

HI all, I have been a big believer of moderation and yes it does and can work however, I will be 3 yrs post in August. I have found that once or twice a week be it a biscuit or a small freddo bar has now led to a bit of something every day now and I have put some weight on. I have recently been talking to a cyber friend who has turned to alcohol as some wls people do I have really cut back on my alcohol but like I say the sweet stuff has really taken over. I am no different to an alcoholic. My head is to blame I do not feel hungry, music to your ears I hear you say, however it is my mind that fancies stuff and I have been listening to it. I am still only eating small amounts but if I did count the calories am sure I would be eating a fair amount. I daren't get into counting as it is a big nono for me. I have been chatting with my hiubby aboyt this and we have agreed that once Easter is over we are going to fight it together. It is hard on NIght shift its boredom not hunger. IF I HAVE A CUPPA I WNAT SOMETHING WITH IT - OLD HABIT. I honestly wish I never started back on sweet things. They the hardest things not to eat. I don't really dump now only if I eat sweet things in excess which I don't but have incorporated them into my dialy routine and it has to stop. How I am going to cope I do not know. I need to be strong and use my WILL POWER, something I am not familiar with haha xx Yvessa you mentioned somewhere about self help groups are there any you know of that deal with this tyoe of thing? xx

 

[ThinnerJemima]

That's a really interesting point Chrisa. For me a controlled treat regime, could if left unchecked be a daily "that's ok", particularly if it's something small.

But I do know that denying myself would eventually surface in a blow-out.

It is definitely something to keep a really strict control and stern eye on.

Having such difficulty eating proper food in the last year, has lead to some bad choices that will stay down just so that I can get some calories in :sigh:

If only life was easy!

 

[chrisa]

My meals tend to be healthy and nutritious and well balanced, I eat high protein and fruit n veg. I mainly crave crunching things nothing crunches like a biscuit, but I am getting to the point where one won't suffice and I may have 3 digestives, which I don't need. I find that after a meal I am satisfied, however when I have a cuppa half an hour later I want something sweet, its become like a cigarette habit, not that I have ever smoked but my friend sdo. I can recognise all the signs but can't pull myself together. I think may be I need to give my self a designated day or 2 days a week when I can have something like that. Would it work I don't know. I do not want to undo all the good work. I have a wedding coming up in July and have family problems which can't disclose. I n the past food was my comfort and its the sweet stuff I crave for but want to be crunching. I try not to go to the shop at work but always try to take my food with me, plan the evening so that I have structure of times with work and find things to do. But I will go looking to see what I have to much on. I keep ryvita so think will have to munch on that instead with scraping of lemon curd on. It is hard, harder now than it was before, that's why I was contemplating cold turkey. Need to keep talking about it to get it in my head so that I can decide when it starts from. Have to be ready and want to do it or I won't succeed. x

 

[ThinnerJemima]

I'm a cold turkey person when I need to be. A taste can lead to more. I might be a bit bad tempered also

 

[Lilacglittergirl]

I agree with Sarah, the mad cat lady. I buy treat size too and it does me fine. Yep, the consequences of overdoing chocolate are enough to put me off any bigger bars. But I also agree about not letting old snacking habits creep in too much. Hard I know ... xx

 

[Flickalicious]

I have a huge bar of chocolate in the cupboard which has lived there since january?? Im only tempted during the time my period shows. 2 chunks is enough. Anymore I feel sick and have that im-going-to-dump sensation which is a fantastic trigger for saying no.

I could scoff an entire bar at one time but the sickie feeling works so well, the want for chocolate doesnt bother me now.

Is it something you could limit? Say 1 small bar at the end of a good week? Perhaps something more expensive like lindt as apposed to mars.. that kinda thing?

 

[Beegee]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.. much appreciated.

I have two star bars a week... which, in addition to being a naughty treat, as a vegetarian, is also a source of protein (not a good one, but protein nonetheless).. I wouldn't eat mars its just pure fat and sugar.. and Lindt, OMG if I started on one of those tasty morsels I would definitely be over indulgent...I appreciate that it could lead down to the path of bad habits, but after being with slimming world for a million years I know that I cant cut out everything. I have been calorie counting since I started this new journey and when I have been naughty.. I jump on my treadmill and burn the equivalent calories.

I am going to be on the treadmill for a long time today.. lol

Happy Easter everyone. xxx

 

[adrienne]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.. much appreciated. I have two star bars a week... which, in addition to being a naughty treat, as a vegetarian, is also a source of protein (not a good one, but protein nonetheless).. I wouldn't eat mars its just pure fat and sugar.. and Lindt, OMG if I started on one of those tasty morsels I would definitely be over indulgent...I appreciate that it could lead down to the path of bad habits, but after being with slimming world for a million years I know that I cant cut out everything. I have been calorie counting since I started this new journey and when I have been naughty.. I jump on my treadmill and burn the equivalent calories. I am going to be on the treadmill for a long time today.. lol Happy Easter everyone. xxx

Star bars!!!!!
My absolute favourite!!!
Just saying xx