Here are the guidelines for your new way of eating.
Eat slowly and chew foods until they are mushy.
* Allow 30 - 60 minutes for each meal
* Aim for 30 chews for each bite, chewing thoroughly to mush
* Explain to people why you must eat slowly
* Take small bites. Try a baby spoon. Cut food in the size of a "pea" to make it easier to chew
* Savor each bite, noting its taste, flavor, and texture
* Sit down and be focused on eating, not other activities where you can become distracted
Stop eating as soon as you feel full.
If you eat too much you'll get sick. Because the amount of space in your stomach is so small, do not eat and drink at the same time.
At first, you'll only be able to eat 1/4 cup of solid food (2 to 3 tablespoons of each item on your plate). Over time, the amount of food your stomach can hold will increase from 1/2 to 1 cup per meal. Your new, tiny stomach will not hold more than 1 cup of food at a time.
How to tell when you've had enough?
* Pressure or fullness in the center below your rib cage
* Nausea
* Pain in your shoulder or upper chest
When you get the feeling of fullness, stop eating, even if you have not finished your meal.
Set aside three meals a day when you only eat solid foods.
This will help you eat nutritious meals rather than endless snacking. Snacking could prevent you from losing weight. It could even cause you to gain weight.
Sip slowly in between meals all day.
* We all need liquids to stay hydrated. We suggest you drink water, skim, low fat or soy milk (up to 24 ounces per day), low calorie beverages, or tea.
* Don't drink anything for 30 minutes before or after each meal. Your stomach isn't big enough for both food and liquids!
* Sip beverages slowly. Carry a bottle of water at all times.
* Avoid high calorie drinks like milkshakes, soda, fruit juices/fruit drinks, beer, alcohol, meal substitutes. They can sabotage your weight loss efforts by adding calories without making you feel full.
* Avoid carbonated beverages. They can cause bloating.
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