Tiny Meals - Are they forever?

[Happyme2]

Hello,

From the information I got from the doctor, when I get on real food he wants me to eat 5-6 times a day. That is fine for now but is this going to be forever?

I have always been a 3 meal a day person and that works well. No snacking.

But after you lose your weight and settle down are you able to go back to the 3 meal a day way?

Thanks much

[Tamera2]

Welcome, Short anwser is you will never be able to eat large amounts of food or eat a big meal. Your new tummy will not hold much if your eating the right kinds of food. I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and 1 snack a day. however when i’m doing strenuous exercise and burning large amounts of calories I eat a small snack every 30-40min’s. I mountain climb and burn a crazy amount of calories. You never want to overeat because its very uncomfortable but will happen and you’ll want to not repeat that. Youll want to watch all slider foods because they generally won’t fill you hope and allow you to consume way to many calories and potentially gain or stall weight. Youll have to see what schedule works best for your system. Your stomach will loosen some after surgery. Happy to answer any questions. all the best to you. 8DC2149E-3565-41FA-B1E1-F8DFCB90793D.jpeg59298A35-7B9E-4586-8CB1-BAD7A6CCA175.jpeg26CF3B4F-FAF8-4C06-BD1A-28114471B0B3.jpeg

[Kindle]

there are no universal rules about how many meals or how much to eat each meal. You do whatever allows you to lose weight and maintain your loss in a healthy way that fits your lifestyle.

[AnnieG]

Although my dietician encouraged the idea of 3 meals and a small snack, since my stomach was "touchy"prior to VGS, my bariatric physician said 5 small meals a day, or whatever I needed were fine. As long as protein goals are high, and I'm making healthy choices. In learning to eat slowly and smaller amounts, I find meal time is more about nutrition and the company than the actual quantity of food. I'm also retired so the kitchen and my schedule are easy to customize with my needs. I am at 9 months out, down 82 lbs. Past goal.

[Stacey03]

I eat like a bird but pretty frequently, I cant fit enough in my tummy for it to last so, more often, is the way that works for me. that might change at some point though. Healthy snacks are also good snacks and I'm mindful of what I put in my mouth. I think you just have to do what works for you. To be honest at some point you realise that you don't need as much food as you used to think you needed. Good solid nutrition is the way to go :-)

[tripletdadof5]

I eat like a bird but pretty frequently, I cant fit enough in my tummy for it to last so, more often, is the way that works for me. that might change at some point though. Healthy snacks are also good snacks and I'm mindful of what I put in my mouth. I think you just have to do what works for you. To be honest at some point you realise that you don't need as much food as you used to think you needed. Good solid nutrition is the way to go :-)

This is basically the advice that I was going to give. Three meals may not be feasible, because you simply won't be able to get enough protein in over the course of the day.

[The North Sleeve]

It is so great to see everyone doing so well on the weight loss after being sleeved. It sure is a life changer and so far I am enjoying every minute since I have been sleeved. I think we all just have to find our new eating habits and find the right foods to eat and all will be good. It seems to be a learning curve each and every day and all the advice on here is priceless!!

[denzel]

Are you under the care of a bariatric specialist Dietitian/Nutritionist?

They will guide you every step of the way through your diet progression stages post-op, along with what to eat, how much to eat, and how to eat.

[Christie13]

I eat a lot more spread out now and my meals are bigger but still not what a regular person would consume in one sitting. In the beginning I ate frequently as it was the only way I could get enough in. Like every 1-2 hours which a lot of surgeons discourage but I had to as I was hungry. I ate only 1-2 bites of food. As my tummy allowed for more I began to space my meals out more and eat a little more per sitting. I still eat more frequently than a lot of people I know because with working out I need to get the calories in. On the plus side, strength training allows me to eat more.

[Dutchie]

My sleeve still holds no more than 3/4 of a cup or 6 oz of food.
I eat three meals and 3 healthy snacks per day.
Healthy snacks for me are things like: high protein yoghurt, some cheese, handful of almonds, occasionally a protein bar (on the road), carrot sticks with hummus, things like that.
I could never meet my protein goals, if I didn't eat six times per day.

[sraebaer]

In a word, NO. It won't be the size of your meals; it will be what you eat. I can eat a normal size piece of salmon with some veggies, no problem. But I could also eat a big bowl of ice cream, no problem. (Lucky I don't like ice cream). It's all about healthy choices.

You will be able to do whatever works for you, no big deal. I typically have three small meals with two small snacks. These are not "tiny" meals, because after years you can eat so much more than in the beginning. (But never as much as before surgery). That's where the healthy choices/new lifestyle come in to play.

When I'm out with others, no one would have any idea I had surgery by what I eat. I just choose the healthy options, often a "small plate," appetizer, or a salad with a protein.

[Tenloris]

So if I can jump in here...What does an average meal look like for everyone ?

[sraebaer]

So if I can jump in here...What does an average meal look like for everyone ?

Breakfast - coffee with Premier Protein as the creamer with two eggs, sometimes topped with salsa.

Snack - the rest of the Premier Protein shake

Lunch - typically dinner leftovers, otherwise something like tuna, carrots with hummus, fruit, etc. I'm just always sure to have a protein.

Snack - Nuts, yogurt or low-fat string cheese

Dinner - Always a protein and a veggie. (Our "rule of two"). Mainly fish, but I do have red meat or pork too. (My nutritionist says the less legs the better!). Not to mention fish is so much easier on my tummy.

When hubby grills chicken, he cooks way more than we can eat. The leftovers make the perfect meal or snack, go great on a salad, etc.

[Dutchie]

B: yoghurt with granola

S: coffee protein shake

L:a complex carb, like rye bread or rye crackers with cheese, or a protein with salad

S: yoghurt, or cottage cheese, or cheese, or protein bar

D: protein and veggies

S: handful (16 to be exact, I am counting, that is exactly 20 grams) of raw almonds.

[Tenloris]

Sounds like good, healthy meal plans from you both! I’d Be quite happy eating like that. Is like to commit to eating more seafood myself. ��