Nik and I get lots of requests for nutritional statistics (Stats) on our recipes. There are a few very good reasons why we don't post stats for our recipes. Since we've been getting quite a few requests recently, we thought a thorough explanation here that we could refer back to was in order. We aren't trying to "punish you" by not doing the stats for you, we're trying to help you learn how to do it, so you can embrace this healthier lifestyle for good.
The first reason is: You may use different ingredients than we use. Different brands (even something as simple as Greek Yogurt) have different nutritional values. So if we use Fage and you use Chobani, then the stats we give you would be useless. Not only different brands, but perhaps even different actual foods. (Hence our common phrase: "Your mileage may vary.")
We each have those "certain things" we cannot tolerate post-op. Burgers, in any way or shape or form, Nik cannot handle. Just as ham hates me, always has, and it seems, always will. Chicken takes awhile for most post-ops to be able to tolerate. Again, the stats vary widely from one meat to another.
Not to mention, Nik and I frequently use different ingredients for the very same dish. That's how our concept of giving you "One Dish, Two Ways" was born. We have very different approaches to food, as well as different surgeons, so since our plans differ, our stats also differ.
The second reason is: Your portion size may vary greatly from ours. We're both over 2 years post-op and our pouches have matured, so the amount we eat at a meal will be different from what someone at 3 months out can eat. Again, the stats would vary.
The third and most important reason is: Our goal with both Pouch Party™ and Bariatric Foodie™ is to help you on your journey by encouraging you to create your own recipes and prepare delicious foods that embrace better choices. You can still enjoy food as a WLS post-op, you just have to be more creative and make thoughtful choices.
That means when you add several ingredients into a recipe, it is important for you to know how to adjust your statistics accordingly so that your food journal and tracking is accurate. Make our recipes YOUR OWN. Change things up, customize them to fit your plan or likes/dislikes. That's why we always say "Play With Your Food!"
HOW TO CALCULATE RECIPE STATS:
I use the recipe calculator on Spark People. It walks you through it step by step, you can even save the recipe in your "recipe box" on their site, and they have mobile apps for Iphone, Blackberry, and Droid Phones. It also has a food journal section, if you haven't already started tracking your food elsewhere.
You can also go to whatever food tracking program you use ( I use Fitday, Nik uses Livestrong), enter all the ingredients for the recipe into a blank page in your food journal, then divide the totals by the number of servings. That will give you your stats per serving.
Our wish, for ourselves and for all of our friends living post-op weight loss surgery lives, is that we can successfully maintain a healthy weight and establish a normal relationship with food. Seeing that 5 of the contestants on this season of "The Biggest Loser" gave us some pause. We don't want to be that person who fails their tool and ends up on national tv. (Not that we would, but just saying.)
Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? Absolutely! Nik and I are more committed than ever to helping you down the path to a healthier lifestyle and continued success with achieving and maintaining a healthy "normal" weight. We appreciate your continued support of our endeavors, and we pink puffy heart you all!
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