How to beat the weight gain - post transplant

[donnia]

UUGGHHH!!!  I am hungry alllllll the time!!!  I take 30 mg Prednisone a day and I can't work out yet... I need some ideas on what I can eat to fill me up but not put on the weight.  I love fresh fruit and vegetables just yet... (no fresh fruit or veggies for 3 weeks, so I can start snacking on them on Thursday).  Also, since transplant I have had a major sweet tooth (doesn't help that my friend had a bake sale for me last weekend and I have like 5 leftover cakes in the freezer!).  I need ideas on how to satisfy that sweet tooth the good ole low calorie way.
 

[monrein]

I like angel food cake with fresh stewed strawberries instead of icing, or with a light skim of chocolate icing if you must have it sweeter.  Also you can use Splenda to bake with and check out the diatetic section for hard candies without sugar.  Substitute frozen yogurt for ice cream and go super light on butter.  I never put butter on bread and if the bread is really nice stuff I never missed it.  Feel more full with fiber and so I eat dry cornflakes or other cereal instead of chips if I'm feeling like that kind of nibble.  Don't eat granola straight as it can be high in fat but mix it with healthier cereal.  I don't bring into the house anything I want to stay away from and I have rules about no deep-fried stuff.  Baked potatoes instead of fries and salad dressing always on the side so I control it.  The prednisone does make you ravenous so I found my rules essential to not gaining a lot of weight and I never did.  In 23 years of transplant I gained about 15 pounds total.  I also used to eat rice cakes instead of toast with a little bit of peanut butter.  I like to use a dry non-stick pan, put a whole wheat tortilla in, spread it with canned refried beans and little slices of tomato, a sprinkling of cheese, green onions, top with another tortilla, then flip when toasty and do the other side till toasty, cut into wedges...makes a healthy snack.  Unsweetened applesauce is good and Cozy Shack makes  lower fat tapioca and rice pudding.  Healthy Choice makes some not bad chocolate and butterscotch puddings.

It's hard Donnia and I completely changed how I eat but it has worked for me and I don't feel even a little bit deprived.  In fact my body will no longer tolerate fatty, greasy foods and my skin improved quite a bit as a result of eating healthier.  I find it easier to exercise too when I'm not overweight.  Exercise is crucial to not gaining the weight in my opinion, also do weights when you can to help with bone health.

Other dessert ideas to satisfy the sweet tooth thing is to do fruit crumbles or crisps (NOT pies) and gradually cut back the sugar (or use Splenda) so you notice it less.  Low-fat muffins with lots of fruit, and you can always check the internet for low-fat dessert ideas.  At restaurants I always go for the heart healthy choices and often choose two appetizers instead of a meal to control portions or I only eat half and take the rest home.

Good luck girl and all the best with everything.

[MIbarra]

I like sugar free pudding and light cool whip on top. I also keep cottage cheese and canned fruit with light syrup for a snack.

We buy high fiber cereal and bread and it does help with the prednisone hunger feeling -- and protein rich food.

The best thing I found to combat that feeling is to stay busy to keep your mind off of it. Play a game, play fetch with the dog, catch up on e-mail...

[okarol]

Slice up an apple and put it in a pie dish, sprinkle with cinnamon and equal, microwave for 45 seconds. You can add blueberries and microwave 25 more seconds. Top with light cool whip (2 Tbsp) and it's a great evening dessert treat!

Can you take a walk everyday? Jenna wasn't on prednisone afeter the first 3 days, but her appetite was much better after the transplant. She walks everyday, has been since the surgery. If you can do 30 minutes every other day, or longer if you feel up to it, and drink plenty of fluids, you can hopefully maintain or lose weight.

[donnia]

Wow!  What great ideas!!!  I will give them a try!

I can't really get out just yet.  I'm sure I could, but I am paranoid about being out in this west Texas wind.... never know what it's gonna blow in... but I could do some walking around the house more.  I keep trying to do some work around the house, but my husband keeps telling me to take it easy since I am not yet 3 weeks post TX.  I  have been getting up and walking around the house.  I bought a Wii and Wii Fit so I can do aerobics and hula hoop and stuff like that when the doctor releases me.  I can't wait to start doing that.   

I have been keeping up with my fluid intake and I usually drink between 2500 - 2700 ml.  My transplant coordinator tells me that I need to try to slow down on drinking?  What the heck!  Just what I wanted to hear!  NOT!  I do live in west Texas... it is 100 degrees here... we get hot and want to drink!   

I did notice that when I slowed down on my intake ... like  1900 - 2100, my creatinine went from 1.0 to 1.1 then 1.2?  Have yall been told to slow down on your drinking?  Everyone tells me not to worry about my creatinine going from 1.0 to 1.2.... but I do worry, thats my job LOL! 

[Chris]

I wish I had this problem. It's hard for me to gain weight and I am below normal weight for my height and age. Then I lost even more weight  recently and now done to 129. I'll take some of that weight and appetite!

[donnia]

I sure would love to give you some Chris!  I talked to my TC today and she said they would take me down from 30mg Prednisone to 10 mg after 30 days.... so hopefully at the end of next week..YAY!!!!  That reminds me that next Saturday will be 1 month!

[Chris]

That reminds me that next Saturday will be 1 month!

Congratulations !

[donnia]

Thanks! 

Tomorrow is 3 weeks so I can finally eat fresh fruits and vegetables again.  I usually like to dip my fresh veggies in Ranch dressing and I hate Fat Free Ranch or Reduced Ranch.  Any ideas on how to make it more healthy?  I have a friend who dips her veggies in mustard, but I don't think I would like that, I'm not a big mustard fan.

[Chris]

Melted Cheese comes to mind. Not Cheez Whiz unless you like it. Then there are those cheees spreads in an aerosal can, but those seem real salty, Mustard is good for a sandwich. Tried Honey Mustard on Mc Nuggets, yuck! How about other salad dressings?

[pelagia]

Donnia,

You can have a complete chuckle about food cravings by going to this site:

http://www.hungry-girl.com/

I signed up to get their e-mail newsletter everyday.  They review all kinds of ready made foods and also have loads of recipe suggestions. They always list the Weight Watchers points, but I am pretty sure that they are independent of WW.

[donnia]

OMGosh,  thanks pelagia!  I signed up too!  That site looks F U N!!!

[Romona]

What about making your own dip with fat free sour cream. I don't mind it. I am a ranch nut. I would be careful since it is too hot. Drink when you are thirsty. You don't want to get dehydrated. I was told to drink 2-3 liters, but I know I drink more when it is hot. I do like the wish bone sprays, the Italian is good. My numbers are like yours. 1.0 to 1.2 range. Even though I am not on Predisone, I gained over 20 pounds since my transplant. What about marshmallows for something sweet. They are fat free, but high in sugar.

[twirl]

I like ice cold fresh fruit
I place frozen cool whip in AW root beer to make an almost float
frozen grapes never worked for me

[donnia]

That is a great idea Romona (making my own dip w/ fat free sour cream).  I will check out the wish bone sprays.  Marshmallows are a good idea.  I got an idea from another friend to mix cottage cheese, jello, marshmallows, coconut and cool whip (low fat or fat free on ingredients available).  Sounds like a great snack to me.

I have seen your idea on the frozen cool whip and AW root beer float in another thread, twirl, sounds delicious!!!  I am definately going to try it!

[kitkatz]

I do not like the frozen grapes either.  But then I could line them up....side by side...and....

Oh never mind.  Back to topic.  Weight watchers points are good, so I have heard.  I keep finding pounds.

[donnia]

weight watchers points.... that reminds me, I have a great site for weight watchers recipes... I'm going to see if I can find it.... want me to post it heren if I do?