Don't Gobble Gobble it all up!

The holiday season is upon us!  Here are some helpful hints to help you survive an Banded or Sleeved holiday! 
COOKING
Are you the chef?  Here are some tips.
1. Eat before you start cooking.
2. Designate a taster and taste only if you think you must.
3. If cooking is a family event, choose a task that involves something you would not be tempted to eat.  Make the rolls.  Clean the pots and pans.  You will burn a few calories along the way.
DINNER
1. Be Realistic!  You can't eat like before, so don't even try.  Take little bits, not huge spoonfuls.  Serve yourself with a teaspoon and not the large serving spoon.  Have a bite of everything, but just a bite.
2. If possible, serve yourself from a salad plate.  You will feel like you are eating more.
3. Go slow and chew well.  You do not need to track with everyone to hurry up and get seconds.  Go slow, you won't be needing seconds this year.  Cut your food into nickel sized bites so you can enjoy pleasant conversation.
4. If your family is like mine, every conversation is centered around the food.  Expand your horizons this year.  Read the paper and watch the news before the dinner.  Come up with interesting tidbits to pass along.  Think about who will be sitting at your table.  Ask them questions about themselves.  Listen.  You will be amazed at what you will learn.
EMOTIONAL
1. If a family member seems overly concerned with every morsel of food you are eating or if someone tells you that they see no weight loss, then explain to them that this is a process.  You are doing exactly what your Doctor wants you to do.  Thank them for their concern, but remind them that this is your adventure and you will be fine.
2. Have fun!  Don't stress!  If it ever gets to be too much, make yourself useful in the kitchen.  I have washed many plates in the past to avoid difficult situations.

The best part about a banded or sleeved holiday?  We usually lose weight!
Happy Thanksgiving!