Family Easter Dinner

Yesterday, my family had it's Easter Dinner. It was yummy and I was able to easily eat within my guidelines. I had a few ounces of ham, 3 baby carrots, a tiny amount of cabbage with onion, and half of a dinner roll. I used a few sprays of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray.

It was my job to bring the cake and rolls. My sister-in-law's birthday was also on Easter, so I got a spring/Easter themed sheet cake that wished her a happy birthday with lots of thick, sweet frosting on it from the local supermarket. Along with it I got a sugar free angel food cake to try. The nutrition information stated that 1/6 of the cake is a serving which is quite a large, airy slice and it only has 60 calories! Plus there are 4 grams of protein, since it uses lots of egg whites.

I ate it plain and it was delicious! My boyfriend, Ray, is a diabetic and he liked it too. My brother-in-law had some but I don't know what he thought of it. My brother had some, but he put frosting from the other cake on it. (ha ha ha.) We have 2 servings left which will be served with strawberries tonight. I found a recipe online for Sugar Free Angel Food Cake so that I can make it myself and I am thinking that melting a small SF chocolate in the microwave and drizzling it over the cake would be fabulous too, and only add 20 calories.

A Day In My Pouch

I thought that I would show you what I typically eat in a day. I use the site Calorie Count to keep track of what I eat and make sure that I am hitting my targets. Unfortunately it doesn't tell you what the serving sizes I am consuming are. For example, I had half a packet of oatmeal and I had half of the Smart Ones Santa Fe Rice and Beans. I love that I get 2 meal out of what is normally one serving.

Fri, Mar 26 2010 Day Incomplete: View Analysis			Grade	Grams	Cals
	Breakfast
	Weight Control Instant Oatmeal Cinnamon		A	23	82
	Almonds		A	14	81
	Click Espresso Protein Drink			16	60
	Lunch
	Santa Fe Style Rice and Beans		B-	142	151
	Healthy Harvest Blueberry Delight Apple Sauce - Mott's		B+	56	25
	Dinner
	Pork, Fresh, Loin, Top Loin (Chops), Boneless - Separable Lean Only, Cooked, Pan-fried		B	71	160
	Sweetpotato - Cooked, Baked In Skin, Without Salt		A	50	45
	Broccoli - Cooked, Boiled, Drained, Without Salt		A	39	14
	I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! Spray - I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! Spray			2	0
	Snacks
	Crackers Baked Whole Grain Wheat Thin Crisps		B	15	65
	Light French Onion		A-	42	70
Total Calories Consumed					752

Nutrition Class

It has been about 4 months since I had my gastric bypass surgery, so it was time to see my dietitian again. This time it was in a nutrition class with 5 other patients. The class was mostly a review of information that we had been taught prior to having surgery, but they find that refresher courses can help keep us on the right path.

I did get weighed in and I have now lost 117.5 pounds. The surprising thing is that not only have I not lost any muscle mass, I have actually gained 2.5 pounds of lean muscle mass. I really need to commit to exercising even more so that I keep as much muscle mass as possible.

Previously, I had told you that I was being treated for an ulcer. The medication that was prescribed for me has helped immensely. I am symptom free now, but I have to continue taking the medications for 3 months to ensure that the ulcer has time to heal completely. In an unrelated note, I am now also being treated for a UTI with antibiotics. If it isn't one, thing it is another!

My next appointments are on May 18th. First appointment of the day will be with the dietitian and the second appointment will be with the surgeon. I hope that your weight loss journey is going well and that you will share it with me. Take care!

Uh Oh

I had to call my surgeon's office this morning. The pain in my pouch has been progressively getting worse, despite taking the OTC acid reducers that my surgeon recommended to me at my last appointment. I was awoken in the wee hours of the morning today, with a volcano in the pit of my stomach.

I spoke to a nurse in the office, telling her my symptoms, and what I have been taking for it. She, in turn, spoke to one of the surgeons on call, who advised that I be put on Carafate and to double my dose of the OTC acid reducer. I am supposed to let them know next Monday, if I get any relief. If I am still suffering then a scope will be done to see if it is an ulcer and if it requires more intervention.

I am going to hope that medication alone will be enough to heal me. (fingers crossed)

Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl Sunday is a big day in our home. In the past, we have prepared enough food for an army, even though it was just the two of us. We were wondering what to do today, since I have had my surgery and he has changed his diet due to diabetes.

The first thing we decided was that the chili we always make was still going to happen. The only change we made in it was we purchased a lower sodium seasoning packet (we always add extra minced garlic) and got very lean ground beef. Chili can be very nutritious and protein dense, so we saw no reason to eliminate it from the menu. We are topping it with reduced fat shredded cheddar and fat free sour cream.

For dipping we decided to stick with salsa and baked tortilla chips. We made the chips ourselves from the multi-grain tortillas that we use for wraps. Just give a quick spray of butter flavor Pam to each side of the tortilla and then cut it into wedges. Season in what ever way you like. We sprinkled a tiny amount of garlic salt on them and baked in the oven at 400F for 5-7 minutes. It only took 5 minutes for this batch. They are amazing and are going to become a staple in my diet. I think they will be a great replacement for packaged crackers.

We are both very pleased that we are having some very flavorful foods that we can really enjoy, but not have to worry about busting our diets. I encourage everyone to find a way to make the foods you love work in your food plan so that you don't have to feel deprived. Instead you feel empowered. GO SAINTS!!!