Comfort food

[Scuba Princess]

Hi everyone,

Im 2 months post surgery and down 40 lbs. I hike every morning (it's the only time I can excercise since it's so hot now). Everything is going ok so far, except my need for comfort food. Don't worry... I don't eat it. I'm actually looking for alternatives. Even if I wanted to eat it, I know I would end up in pain...I binge eat, so the quantity would hurt so bad. So I guess that's good that the sleeve is detouring me. But other than excercise and baths, can you tell me what you do when you are bored, depressed, stressed, etc instead of eating for comfort? I know I need to figure this out ASAP before I can eat more and slip back into old habits. Thank you!

[MegannsMom]

I wish I had an answer. I'll be following this to learn for myself. The hardest thing was watching my football this weekend and not having my snacky foods for it. It was a lot tougher than I thought it would be too. And, I wasn't even hungry. It just felt like something was missing.

[Luv49ers19]

I clean something or go for another walk. Drinking water is always good too!

[Christie13]

Sugar free popsicles usually do it for me. (Besides exercise-that is my first choice. If not, busy work.) Also, if you crave it have some good, solid protein first. After that you will be too full to eat some comfort food!!!

[JanPit]

My first year post surgery I spent a lot of time typing on this site. The support is amazing and it keeps the boredom away. I still visit even though I am 3 years post op on Sept 24. You will always have to fight off the desire to eat when bored. It was our best friend for years and years. Start playing in your closet. There are pages on facebook that sell clothing for plus sizes. I started posting my clothes and selling them. That kept me plenty busy. Then I would take the money and shop in the thrift stores for new clothes for me. The weight was coming off so fast who could afford retail. Now its a hobby to me. I love thrift. I have a great closet.
There is always someone to talk to here. I would be wanting to snack right now if I wasn't here.
P.S. that cute top in my profile picture came from the Salvation Army thrift store. I still love it!!

[ghost_ryder]

Keeping the mind active is the best defense and finding satisfying alternatives is the next best. SF Popsicles, SF Fudge pops, SF pudding, etc.

The canned answer is though that if you seek comfort in foods then you should see a therapist that can help you work through those issues.

[jamma]

When the temptation gets the highest, I remove myself from the place where food can be accessed, drink water, talk on the phone, etc. It's hard, these urges do NOT go away and I don't always win against them!

[Ann2]

Just as a postscript, there is quite a range of different eating issues some of us are challenged by, including eating disorders (some of which have official mental health diagnoses), comfort eating, celebratory eating, mindless eating, susceptibility to trigger foods, and just plain old bad eating habits, to name only a few.

For those who truly suffer from a binge eating disorder ("BED" -- look it up; it's not the same thing as occasional overeating or eating to numb unpleasant feelings), that eating disorder requires some professional help to overcome, including therapy and even medications.

Sadly, being sleeved doesn't resolve all of our eating issues. As the saying goes, "They operate on your stomach, not your brain."

[GigiUSA]

Right now I am just trying to get the nutrition in. It's been a really stressful season for my family and that has been in the past a huge "trigger" for my eating issues. I want to get in with someone to make sure I have a handle on them and can resolve or work on the why's... but I have to get through this season first and am glad I am only a few months out and am never hungry.

[NYCGIRL000]

Hi ...I am two months out as well and have the exact same issues as you so here is what has worked for me so far: I always make sure I have sugar free Popsicles in the house and grab one when I feel I need a snack. If I'm out of the house and crave chips or crackers, ill run in a drug store and buy a cheese stick and that will fill me up so Im not even thinking about the other crap! I also keep a plastic bag of QUEST BBQ CHIPS with me at all times. They are not like potato chips at all, they are not made with potatos or any starch, they are ONLY made with Protein, phsyllium husk and spices so they basically taste like cardboard until you get used to them but they are very high in protein and very crunchy: 22 grams per bag, only 2 carbs and 130 calories per bag. I gave some to my coworkers and they loved them so you may like them. The thing is, you can only eat a few since they are so high in protein they fill you up quick so I keep a bag with me at all times and just grab a few when Im hungry. Other things I keep with me: almonds (very low carb and can only eat a few) protein bars, brazil nuts, edamame roasted (very low calorie and carb adn high protein, and my favorite thing is this. When I'm home and bored and just want to eat for no reason but I already ate my meal, i make a big Tupperware of Italian ice or a slush. My Italian ice is excellent and 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 everything and lasts for hours! you can make any flavor. let me know if you want the recipe.

[sraebaer]

Hike some more? Weights at the gym? Find a hobby you enjoy? Read? Netflix? Shop for smaller clothes?

I know the feeling, shopping today and seeing the candy corn about drove me nuts. But I did walk by. In the past I would have bought the bag and eaten it all.

[A Fairly Odd Panda]

Being only 6 weeks post-op, I don't have hunger signals that make me want to eat, even when stressed. However, that doesn't mean I still don't have some "feel good" foods that I enjoy just because it's nice to have. When I am stressed out, I do not eat. That was the old way and comforting myself with food is no longer a choice, I tell myself.

1 serving (about 1/2 c.) Halo Top Ice Cream (it's under 100 cal per serving depending on what kind, is low fat, low sugar, and has 5+ grams of protein!) I love the mint chip.

1/2 c. cut strawberries and whipped cream and 1 small piece of graham cracker. I use this as a dessert and I use low fat whipped cream. It's delicious! Reminds me of strawberry shortcake and it's only about 60 calories.

"Fake Pizza" - 1/4 c. mashed cauliflower (pressed flat), big sprinkle low fat cheese, 1 tsp. tomato sauce. 2 pepperoni. I bake this for like 5 min. It's a great little tasty meal and everything is soft on my sleeve!

Hope this helps! o/

[GigiUSA]

Hi ... my favorite thing is this. When I'm home and bored and just want to eat for no reason but I already ate my meal, i make a big Tupperware of Italian ice or a slush. My Italian ice is excellent and 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 everything and lasts for hours! you can make any flavor. let me know if you want the recipe.

I want the recipe!!!! xoxoxo

[NYCGIRL000]

Oh sure!!!! Ok, all you do is crush some ice in a blender that makes snow. I have the Ninja but I hear the bullet works too. So take the ice and of you want firm Italian ice then pack the snow down in a Tupperware. Then take some MIO -any flavor and spray the ice with the mio sand then shake!! Then pack down again for firm Italian ice. Zero calories zero everything. Now if you don't have mio u can make a 5-10 calorie ice. For that I buy wylers sugar free sticks. I love the lemon and orange. If I use that, I put one or two sticks in a glass and mix with one cup water to make a flavor syrup and use that over the ice. If I want a slushy, I mix the flavors with a little water in the blender with the ice and do that. I am so addicted to this. I'll brb I have a video of how to make it so u have a visual

[NYCGIRL000]

Here is the video for zero calories Italian ice. https://youtu.be/KttSPzktNC8