Weight Gain is Not Unavoidable: Holiday News You Can Use!

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Tis the season to be gaining weight! Not so fast. We have control of our own fork and it does not have to be the gaining season. It's easier than you might think!


Remember, nobody ever gained 5-7 pounds in 6 weeks from enjoying a few wisely selected holiday traditions."

I am pleased to tell you that the mainstream media is wrong when they say every one of us will gain five to seven pounds between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It simply doesn't have to be that way. Over the years I've learned a few things about working the WLS tool in harmony with the act and pleasure of celebrating the season with food, family and friends. Take a look and see if you can work these tips into your holidays and prove the weight gain wardens wrong.

Protein First is our WLS Rule #1 and our best friend during the holiday season. When we keep our protein intake above 80grams a day, spread throughout the day, we fuel our metabolism into high burn; we have increased energy and fewer cravings. Gastric bypass patients avoid dumping.

Protein First: Why it works and how to get enough

Get your protein from real food as much as possible in order to experience the process of eating and digestion. Protein shakes and protein bars are fine in a pinch, but they should be no more than 1/3 of your daily protein intake.

For a quick protein fix try tuna with hard cooked eggs; chopped lean chicken or meat tossed with a small amount of salad greens and dressed in low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese, chilled ready-to-eat shrimp, vegetables with humus dip, or a measured portion of dry roasted nuts.

Enjoy your favorite holiday classic appetizer, starchy side dish or dessert only after eating three to four bites of lean clean protein. In so doing we decrease the amount of treat we are able to consume thus maximizing our pouch space. The few bites we are able to comfortably eat are that much more delicious. We avoid glycemic overload and in the long run the dreaded holiday weight gain. This is a powerful way to work the bariatric pouch so that it works for us.

Coping: When guilt gets us down

Have dessert within 15 minutes of your meal. Waiting any longer results in a larger serving and the satiation factor of your healthy high-protein meal is lost. Do you remember back in our morbidly obese days when we enjoyed our hearty meal, took a nap and enjoyed a second hearty meal starring dessert(s)? That's a tradition we don't need to bring back because we all know what comes with it.

Be mindful of your liquid restrictions. While it is often necessary to sip during meals where conversation is enjoyed pay attention to avoid turning sips into gulps. Gulps with food will wash the food through your pouch before any of the nutrients are absorbed. You will be able to eat more and will not reach that comfortable satisfied feeling that comes with a properly fed pouch. Learn more: Liquid Restrictions

Chose your indulgences carefully and proceed to enjoy them wisely. Give yourself a pat on the back when you do well. Be rational about events when you stray from your eating plan. Forgive yourself, learn from the event, and consider your next meal an Opportunity for Improvement.

Helpful Activity: Do a status check before the holidays are in full swing using the LivingAfterWLS Self-Assessment worksheet. "This worksheet should be used as a private tool with the intent to keep your eye on the goal. It is a contract with yourself; a contract of honor and self-respect because you deserve to treat yourself well and engage in appropriate long-term behaviors in pursuit of your healthiest life." ~Kaye Bailey

The Holiday Buffet: Food Safety Tips!

The countdown to Thanksgiving is now hours, not days. Here for a quick refresher I share the basics of a safe holiday party food buffet as instructed by USDA Food Safety and Instruction Service. These are the highlights, link to the full article here: Buffet Food Safety.

Holiday or Party Buffets

A popular way to celebrate holidays or any party occasion is to invite friends and family to a buffet. However, this type of food service where foods are left out for long periods leave the door open for uninvited guests — bacteria that cause foodborne illness. Festive times for giving and sharing should not include sharing foodborne illness. Here are some tips from the USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline to help you have a SAFE holiday party. 
 

Safe Food Handling
Always wash your hands before and after handling food. Keep your kitchen, dishes and utensils clean also. Always serve food on clean plates — not those previously holding raw meat and poultry. Otherwise, bacteria which may have been present in raw meat juices can cross contaminate the food to be served.

Cook Thoroughly
If you are cooking foods ahead of time for your party, be sure to cook foods thoroughly to safe minimum internal temperatures.

• Cook all raw beef, pork, lamb and veal steaks, chops, and roasts to a minimum internal temperature of 145 °F as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source. For safety and quality, allow meat to rest for at least three minutes before carving or consuming. For reasons of personal preference, consumers may choose to cook meat to higher temperatures.
• Cook all raw ground beef, pork, lamb, and veal to an internal temperature of 160 °F as measured with a food thermometer.
• Cook all poultry to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F as measured with a food thermometer.

Use Shallow Containers
Divide cooked foods into shallow containers to store in the refrigerator or freezer until serving. This encourages rapid, even cooling. Reheat hot foods to 165 °F. Arrange and serve food on several small platters rather than on one large platter. Keep the rest of the food hot in the oven (set at 200-250 °F) or cold in the refrigerator until serving time. This way foods will be held at a safe temperature for a longer period of time. REPLACE empty platters rather than adding fresh food to a dish that already had food in it. Many people's hands may have been taking food from the dish, which has also been sitting out at room temperature.

The Two-Hour Rule
Foods should not sit at room temperature for more than two hours. Keep track of how long foods have been sitting on the buffet table and discard anything there two hours or more.
 
Keep Hot Foods HOT And Cold Foods COLD
Hot foods should be held at 140 °F or warmer. On the buffet table you can keep hot foods hot with chafing dishes, slow cookers, and warming trays. Cold foods should be held at 40 °F or colder. Keep foods cold by nesting dishes in bowls of ice. Otherwise, use small serving trays and replace them.

Foodborne Bacteria
Bacteria are everywhere but a few types especially like to crash parties. Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens and Listeria monocytogenes frequent people's hands and steam tables. And unlike microorganisms that cause food to spoil, harmful or pathogenic bacteria cannot be smelled or tasted. Prevention is safe food handling.

If illness occurs, however, contact a health professional and describe the symptoms.

Sugared Cranberries: A Tasty Indulgence

Cranberries are a brilliant gem on the holiday table. Add a little sparkling sugar and you have a delicious treat that even the kiddies will enjoy: Sugared Cranberries.  I've been sharing this recipe with the LivingAfterWLS community for several years and many of you have reported how delighted you are with this treat. Others panic at the word sugar reminding me we are instructed to restrict sugar in our diet after bariatric surgery. I understand this concern and appreciate our community for the desire to follow the rules.

I think sugared cranberries are an ideal indulgence this time of year when we are tempted with so many high calorie rich sweets and confections.  Cranberries on their own are considered a superfood loaded with vitamin C and phytonutrients that promote good health. But their tart bite keeps them off the snack table. With just a little stove time, an overnight steep in syrup, then a dusting of fine sugar sweetness these tart berries become tasty delights. The steeping plumps the berries, the sugar dusting adds a crunch. One bite delivers sweet juicy cranberry flavor with a pleasing tart burst. This little treat packs a big punch and is suprisingly satisfying with only a few bites. A few sugared cranberries leaves me happy and satisfied and most importantly, disinclined to reach for something else on the sweet holiday buffet.

A serving is 1/3 cup and provides 75 calories, a trace of protein, no fat, and 17 grams carbohydrate (9 grams sugar).  I hope you'll find a place for this little treat on your holiday table.

Sugared Cranberries

Ingredients:
2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups water
2 cups fresh cranberries
3/4 cup superfine sugar

Directions: Combine granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring mixture until sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer; remove from heat. (Do not boil or the cranberries may pop when added.) Stir in cranberries; pour mixture into a bowl. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight. Drain cranberries in a colander over a bowl, reserving steeping liquid, if desired. Place superfine sugar in a shallow dish. Add the cranberries, rolling to coat with sugar. Spread sugared cranberries in a single layer on a baking sheet; let stand at room temperature 1 hour or until dry.

Note: The steeping liquid clings to the berries and helps the sugar adhere. Store in an airtight container in a cool place for up to a week.

Don't be sad: Avoid grieving for food

Gentle Reminder: Avoid Grieving for Food

This is a time of year when we can start to feel sorry for ourselves because we can't eat the way we used to - we can't eat in the manner that made us obese. I am pulling forward this article about grieving for food as a gentle reminder that we do not have to be victims of our WLS. Surgical intervention in the battle against obesity was a personal choice to save our own lives: we must never allow ourselves to feel punished because of this choice.

Gentle Reminder: Avoid Grieving for Food

(Previously posted December 13, 2005)
 New gastric bypass patients say they miss food, they grieve the loss of food, they yearn for their old foods. Some describe it like the death of a beloved friend. The foods patients grieve for are sweets and baked goods, pasta with heavy sauces, and salty snacks.

Mourning for lost foods is a natural step in the re-birth process after weight loss surgery (WLS).

However, I submit this phase can pass quickly if we consciously remind ourselves that these very foods we have loved and lost were not our friends. These foods were killing us. These foods caused us to be morbidly obese. Prior to surgery a morbidly obese person is dying a slow death by over consumption and malnutrition. Poor nutrition and excess weight taxed the cellular structure of the body causing illness, pain and suffering. Weight loss surgery was a last-ditch effort to save a life and restore quality to living.

Say goodbye and good riddance to those poisonous foods. They are not part of your life any more and isn’t that a blessing? Isn’t that exactly what you wanted when you elected to save your life with weight loss surgery?

Losing these foods is not deprivation – it is liberation from the damage, pain and suffering they were causing your body. Celebrate their loss, don’t mourn it. I guarantee when you start looking at it this way the phase of grief and mourning will be brief because your mind will not allow you to simultaneously grieve and celebrate.

Kaye Bailey © 2005 - All Rights Reserved

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kaye_Bailey

Cooking with Kaye: Thanksgiving Recipes

Cooking with Kaye: Thanksgiving Recipes


With Thanksgiving upon us this week, I share some recipe classics and few new favorites that I hope will find a place on your table. Each year about this time we get dozens of requests for our classic recipe, Creamy Butternut Squash Bake. It's included here along with a new take on the old favorite green bean casserole. And I just know you are going to love my Jasmine Rice with Pomegranate and Scallions. I cannot get enough of this fresh aromatic side dish. We've also include some great hints and tips for navigating the feasting days of this season - I hope you find them useful and supportive of your weight management goals. Above all else, enjoy the day and the gratitude that is Thanksgiving.

Featured Recipes:

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
Moist Tender Traditional Turkey
Jasmine Rice with Pomegranate & Scallions
Spicy Pomegranate Relish
Creamy Butternut Squash Bake
Green Beans with Turkey & Bacon

Check out these recipes and some great healthy holiday tips in our online archive:
Cooking with Kaye Thanksgiving 2013

7 Quick & Easy 5DPT Tactics to Prevent Holiday Weight Gain

5DPT Bonus Bulletin:

7 Quick & Easy 5DPT Tactics to Prevent Holiday Weight Gain

Link to Bulletin in Archive

The feasting season is a challenging time of year to do the 5 Day Pouch Test - I know this as well as you. But over the years I've found that a few reminders of what we learn (and re-learn) during the 5 days go a long way in helping us stay on track in the midst of countless obstacles. I've gathered 7 of my go-to tactics from the 5DPT and invite you to implement them this season. None of us wants to wake up to the harsh reality of holiday weight gain come New Year's Day. But we don't want to miss out on the spectacle we call life either. I think we can each find our own happy middle and this year let's truly enjoy LivingAfterWLS during the holidays. Also featured today is the short article "Hot Stove: Avoid the Burn" and be sure to put our Delicious Turkey Salad on your leftovers menu this week, you will love this fresh light salad with loads of flavor and health promoting nutrients.


 Featured Article
5DPT tactics to make the season bright

Have fun, enjoy living, and stay on track with these helpful hints 

 
by Kaye Bailey

When I hear from someone doing the 5 Day Pouch Test during the holiday season I admire their courage and true grit. It seems that doing the 5DPT during the feasting season is about as easy and going upstream without a paddle. Yet over the years I've heard from many WLS Neighbors use this time to get cozy with their pouch and fixed on following the WLS rules in hopes of avoiding the dreaded holiday weight gain. While this time of year isn't particularly conducive to the 5DPT there are many opportunities to polish our skills using strategies we learn from doing the 5 Day Pouch Test.  I've pulled some of my favorite nuggets of empowerment from the 5DPT Owner's Manual - 2nd Edition to share with you here.  Use these tactics in a manner suited to your lifestyle and traditions: work that surgical tool like nobody's business.  Find yourself on January first having done the holidays right without forfeiting joyous fun or forsaking your healthy weight management goals.

Continue Reading

Pie Preparedness: What to know before you take a slice

By Kaye Bailey

We all know we shouldn't reach for the holiday pie after Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) - it's against the rules and the potential to make us sick is very high. If that's not enough to motivate restraint how about considering the nutrient analysis of some favorite American pies. Take a look and see if it is really worth it to taste that full-fat, full-sugar dessert:

(Based on a 1/8 slice of the pie)
Pumpkin Pie: 461 calories, 21 grams fat, 9 grams protein and 60 grams carbs

Pecan Pie: 436 calories, 17.2 grams fat, 3 grams protein and 67 grams carbs.

Apple, Blueberry or Cherry: 340 Calories, 16 grams fat, 3 grams protein, 46 grams carbs.

Coconut Cream Pie: 485 Calories, 25 grams fat, 6 grams protein, 48 grams carbs.

Chocolate Cream Pie: 401 calories, 21 grams fat, 6 grams protein, 50 grams carbs.

Top that slice o'pie with real whipped cream - add another 104 calories, 11 grams fat, 41 grams cholesterol and a gram each of protein and carbs.

I'm laying down my pie fork right now! It's just not worth a taste of pie to risk being sick, uncomfortable or worse weight gain. (I know - you can't gain weight with one taste of pie - but I have never been able to restrain myself to one taste. What about you?)

LivingAfterWLS Recipe Collection: Desserts

Still don't want to go without pie this holiday season? Here are two sugarless and relatively safe dessert recipes for celebrating LivingAfterWLS style. Indulge with caution - though they do not contain sugar they are sweetened with artificial sweetener and contain high amounts of fat, calories and carbs.

Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients:
Pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie
1 can (16 ounces) pumpkin
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated skim milk
3 eggs
5-1/2 teaspoons Equal® for Recipes
 or 18 packets Equal® sweetener
 or 3/4 cup Equal® Spoonful(TM)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions:
Roll pastry on floured surface into circle 1 inch larger than inverted 9-inch pie pan. Ease into pan; trim and flute edge.

Beat pumpkin, evaporated milk and eggs in medium bowl; beat in remaining ingredients. Pour into pastry shell. Bake in preheated 425°F oven 15 minutes; reduce heat to 350°F and bake until knife inserted near center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Nutrition (1/8 slice of pie): 175 calories; 8 grams protein; 22 grams carbs; 7 grams fat


Chocolate Cream Pie
 Ingredients:
Pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/4 to 1/3 cup European or Dutch-process cocoa
10-3/4 teaspoons Equal® for Recipes
or 36 packets Equal® sweetener
or 1-1/2 cups Equal® Spoonful(TM)
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 cups skim milk
2 eggs
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 tablespoons thawed frozen light whipped topping

Equal® sweetener can be substituted with other sweetener products. Nutrition contents might be different from those listed below.

Directions:
Roll pastry on lightly floured surface into circle 1 inch larger than inverted 9-inch pie pan. Ease pastry into pan; trim and flute edge. Pierce bottom and side of pastry with fork. Bake in preheated 425oF oven until crust is browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Combine cornstarch, cocoa, Equal® and salt in medium saucepan; stir in milk. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, whisking constantly. Boil until thickened, about 1 minute.

Beat eggs and egg whites in small bowl; whisk about 1 cup chocolate mixture into eggs. Whisk egg mixture into chocolate mixture in saucepan. Cook over very low heat, whisking constantly, 30 to 60 seconds. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.

Spread hot filling in baked crust; refrigerate until chilled and set, about 6 hours. Cut into wedges and place on serving plates; garnish each serving with dollop of whipped topping, if desired.

Nutrition (1/8 slice of pie): 188 calories; 7 grams protein; 25 grams carbs; 7 grams fat.


Kaye Bailey © 2005 - All Rights Reserved

Whole Foods Tips for Healthy Holidays

Staying Healthy During the Holidays

From Whole Story: The Official Whole Foods Blog

So, you’ve recovered from your Halloween sugar crash and you’re committed to better eating habits for the holiday season. There’s just one problem: mom’s sweet potato casserole covered in butter and marshmallows… or grandma’s ultra rich pumpkin pie… or all of that leftover Halloween candy! Okay, maybe we’ve got a few problems on our hands here.


Many traditional holiday foods are high in sugar, fat and salt — and the sheer length of the modern holiday season (does it seem to last from Halloween to New Year's?) can exhaust even the best of dietary intentions. Here are a few suggestions for staying health-focused during this time of year.

Cooking and Entertaining
When creating meals for your loved ones, keep in mind that they may share your holiday eating woes. Don’t be afraid to substitute some favorite classes with updated healthful, delicious holiday recipes. You may find yourself creating new faves among your family and friends. A meal prepared from a wide range of delicious, natural, and whole fresh foods is one of the greatest gifts you can give friends and family.

A great starting place for menu planning is to choose recipes that feature seasonal vegetables such as leafy greens, winter squashes and root vegetables. Plan to always serve a green salad and plenty of vegetable and whole grain side dishes with your holiday meals. Speaking of whole grains, try working more of these into your holiday baking. Most recipes will produce great results with half the amount of all-purpose flour replaced with whole wheat or whole wheat pastry flour.

At Parties
When you’re not deciding the menu, staying on a healthy path can prove more challenging. We’ve got tips for navigating the nutritional landmines of holiday parties.
Eat a healthy, filling snack or small meal before heading out; it's easier to make sensible food and drink choices when you aren’t famished.

Once you’re at the party, think about portion sizes. Choose a smaller plate when you head over to a holiday buffet, and have just a spoon or two or a single slice of each offering. Emphasize vegetables and whole grains on your plate with larger portion sizes, which will help you feel satisfied and boost your nutrient intake.

Also, if asked to share a dish for a holiday meal, party or potluck, make it a healthy one! This way you'll always have at least one great option to fill up on. You can try one of our excellent holiday recipes, or even visit our prepared foods department and look for Health Starts Here-labeled dishes.

Just at Home
Since holiday parties and celebrations tend to derail normal eating habits, too, commit to healthy eating during non-holiday related meals during the season. Base your meals around fruits, vegetables, whole grains and plant-based proteins and avoid processed, salty, sugary and fatty foods. You’ll enjoy splurges more if you know you’re balancing them out with a healthy foundation.

And don’t forget, health is more than just food. Stick to a good exercise plan, and try to add some fun activities like skating, sledding, hiking and walking to your schedule. Take a walk with family after big meals, integrate activity into the party plan, get people moving!
Last but not least, remember to relax, get enough sleep, have some laughs and enjoy the season!

---

Source URL: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/staying-healthy-during-holidays

Is Your Food Budget in Overdraft?

From LivingAfterWLS Weekly Digest 12/11/2012

Food Budget in Overdraft?

What you need to know now! 

Chocolate is a favorite holiday splurge.

Thank you for joining me for this Weekly Digest. With the holidays in full-swing many of us are surrounded with temptation that is sure to upset our weight management efforts. Sometimes I feel like all the temptation is nothing more than a punishment; a steady reminder of the things I can no longer enjoy, or at the very least, things should not include in my diet. It has been 13 holiday seasons since my gastric bypass surgery and I have not marked a single one without splurging on some tempting treat that I know is not part of my healthy weight loss surgery diet. Some years I have indulged more than others. And many splurges have made me ill with too much sugar, dairy or dietary fat for my little system. As each year passes I like to think I get a little wiser in my carefully selected food splurges.

Account Overdraft:  Many years ago I had a college roommate, who like all of us, was on a tight budget. One night we came home to find her enjoying a prime cut beef steak with side dishes and dessert: this was a grand departure from her usual meal of ramen noodles and tuna fish. "What was the occasion?" we asked. She explained she was out of money and when she bought her groceries she knew she would overdraft her checking account. With that she declared, "If I'm going to overdraft my account it is going to be on something really, really good that I can totally enjoy."

While I don't agree with my former roommate's fiscal management I do get her point. If we transfer the philosophy from our bank account to our dietary account it makes sense that an "overdraft" should be on something extraordinarily good, not the mediocre or mundane.

In this Digest we present some of the best expert tips for managing our dietary bank account and making room for splurges during this time of holiday excess. I hope some of the hints are useful to you as you manage your account this holiday season. Thank you for joining me and remember, we are all in this together!

Cheers!

Kaye Bailey

Link to the Digest in our Archive:
Digest 12/11/2012  

Beyond the Plate at Thanksgiving

Now Online: Weekly Digest
Feasting Season: The Bigger Picture Beyond the Plate

Thank you for joining me for this Weekly Digest. As we are nearing Thanksgiving Day and the feasting season of the next several weeks today the Digest takes a look at the greater picture of our feasting traditions. I hope you will find our feature article insightful. As I researched the traditions and customs of food gatherings I came to understand that these big holiday meals symbolize community and human experience beyond the individual plate. While the feasting can feel overwhelming to us after bariatric surgery we can find ways to participate as part of the group while meeting our individual needs and restrictions. Feature Article. And while the feasting traditions continue, newer traditions present opportunities beyond the table. Take a look at the Turkey Quest article and tool to help us find charitable and volunteer opportunities in which to participate. And finally, in homage to the ubiquitous pumpkin I share a cookie recipe from Diabetic Living. Make and share these delicious cookies this week and feel good about contributing a healthy option to your holiday menu.

HOTLINES!
As the holiday nears we have gathered some terrific hotline resources for your cooking questions and emergencies including Butterball Turkey Talk and the US Department of Agriculture. Keep this reference list at hand ... just in case.

Thank you again for joining me, remember, We are ALL in this together. I wish you and the people you celebrate with a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

Cheers!
Kaye Bailey

 

Link to Newsletter

NO! to Holiday Weight Gain

5 Day Pouch Test November Bulletin - in our archive today!
Link Here: November 5DPT Bulletin

Too busy for the 5DPT? That's Okay! You can still use techniques and tricks to thrive during the Feasting Season.

November 2012 This is your year to say NO!  to holiday weight gain.

Greetings Neighbors!

To all of our Neighbors affected by Superstorm Sandy I send my heartfelt wishes and prayers for your safety and health. My heart aches for the suffering and destruction brought about by this act of nature. I am supporting your recovery efforts with a contribution dedicated to all LivingAfterWLS Neighbors to the American Red Cross. May peace be with us all.

This November 5DPT Bulletin is all about taking little steps to manage our weight with surgery. There is no question that the 5 Day Pouch Test has helped thousands of people get back on track with their WLS goals. One reason for this success is that the plan forces us to look at the very basics of the WLS lifestyle and return to the behaviors that helped us lose weight initially out of surgery. Sometimes all we need is a reboot, a reminder, an ah-ha moment of rediscovering a tool or technique we may have forgotten. Today's Bulletin is loaded with tools and techniques that work in our weight management and we can use them as part of a successful 5 Day Pouch Test or a less-dramatic reboot.  I know I need the occasional back-to-basics refresher course; I hope you will benefit from my experience.

Be sure to check-out today's Featured Recipe:Turkey Filled Colorful Peppers. Enjoy this on Days 4 or 5 of the 5 Day Pouch Test or anytime on Day 6!

We are all in this together!
You are more powerful than you think and
You Can Do This!
Kaye


Link to Bulletin

Best WLS Party Tips - Must Read

Keep in mind as you are preparing for the party that the goal is to arrive at the party in the very best state of biochemical balance possible so you can enjoy the people, the setting, the entertainment, and the total party experience. You can best do this by following the Four Rules and Liquid Restrictions in the days and hours leading up to the party. It is a privilege to attend a party in a state of balance and good health, a privilege worth the effort, a privilege you deserve to enjoy!

Read the full article in the 5 Day Pouch Test Bulletin - Link Here

What really causes Holiday weight gain?

From the 5 Day Pouch Test Bulletin

It is not the big meals that cause weight gain...
It's the BLTs!

This time of year it is very typical to read the calorie count of traditional holiday meals. The Thanksgiving Day Turkey Feast easily comes in at 1,400 calories and the Christmas Day Prime Rib Extravaganza packs in a whopping 1,800 calories. Experts warn us that weight gain from holiday eating is inevitable. But I dare say that, especially for those of us who have undergone gastric surgery for weight management, it is not the big meals that do us in: it is the BLT's: Bites, Licks, and Tastes. I wish I knew which diet program or person coined the BLT's so I could give them credit, it has been in my diet-talk for as long as I can remember. You have probably heard it it too.

The Bites, Licks, and Tastes will do us more harm than any big meal because even with our little tummy pouches there is always room for another Bite, Lick or Taste. When we sit down to a big meal our pouch fills quickly and when we are full discomfort occurs and further eating adds to that discomfort, so we stop eating. That is how the pouch is supposed to work. But standing in the kitchen stirring a sauce or baking cookies it seems we always have room for little Bites, Licks and Tastes. I've talked to many people who are in the BLT boat with me, maybe you are there too. So here are a few tricks I've learned to help me avoid caloric uptick and weight gain that comes from unchecked BLTs:

Read More

You do not have to gain Holiday Weight

We started December with the You Have Arrived Weekly Digest that focused on holiday tips to avoid the weight gain so many people believe is inevitible between Thanksgiving and New Years. It really isn't that difficult to maintain weight or even lose a few pounds if we make good use of our weight loss surgery tool and work the rules. From the newsletter:

Stay on Track Tips
Enjoy the Holidays

without the Guilt!

I am pleased to tell you that the mainstream media is wrong when they say every one of us will gain five to seven pounds between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It simply doesn't have to be that way. Over the years I've learned a few things about working the WLS tool in harmony with the act and pleasure of celebrating the season with food, family and friends. Take a look and see if you can work these tips into your holidays and prove the weight gain wardens wrong.

Read the full Article

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