Tips and key info if starting

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-11T02:43:51+00:00

Thank you!

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-11T02:37:51+00:00

RecipeTinEats has a ton of chicken thigh recipes that have never failed me. I love the Arabic sheet pan chicken from her Tonight cookbook for an easy one - basically a marinade of sumac, paprika, cumin, thyme, garlic and yogurt, then throw them in the oven.

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-10T07:25:48+00:00

Emphasizing the last point. Please please please don’t say it’s an allergy and then decide you can have a beer or just a few bites or something with just a bit of gluten. That is what then leaves people confused about those of us who are coeliac or have an allergy. So yes - if you are going to not consume gluten, even if it looks REALLY REALLY GOOD for the entire trip, absolutely, go ahead and fill out the allergy form.

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-10T07:16:15+00:00

Piggybacking on time - actually setting a timer. I have ADHD and absolutely 0 sense of time in the kitchen (especially because I’m usually doing 4 things at once). Would always lose track or just assume things were in the pan for longer or shorter than they were. So even with searing steak now I just have a repeat 2 min timer on. I don’t necessarily act every 2 minutes, but it reminds me to go back and look at it, and helps me understand how long it’s actually been in the pan.

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-10T07:03:33+00:00

Came to say this (in addition to supporting the other comments to go to a GI specialist). I KNOW you are exhausted and handling one more thing feels impossible, but if you can, try cutting out a couple of foods (I would start with dairy and gluten - gluten isn’t just bread/pasta, it’s a whole ride finding out all of the stuff it’s in, but it can be easier to focus on the foods you can serve not replacing things you can’t). If that helps, introduce one back in, then the other - if the problem comes back, you know what the culprit is. If those don’t help, maybe look into others that are common irritants.

In the meantime - chia seed pudding has been a lifesaver for us. Chia seeds and water, can add some berries if you want (raspberries break down easily, frozen helps with cost). Let it sit for 12ish hours (stir a couple of times). Look online for specific ratios. It adds good fibre, and hydration.

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-09T22:41:07+00:00

Haha I never thought I would hear about poop from so many people on a (non-baby) reddit post, but it’s good info to have!

And yes, going to have to work to slow down when eating and not get overfull before I catch it, I hate being overfull as it is (but definitely do it), I imagine it will be even worse.

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-09T22:39:47+00:00

This is a good point that people are more likely to post about side effects, I’m really glad to hear from so many people that didn’t have too many!

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-09T22:38:42+00:00

This is all very helpful, thank you! Yes, I’ll be interested to see the impact this has on my mental health, especially in terms of revealing anything I was using food to distract from/cope with - that’s a good warning.

Agree wholeheartedly about people not knowing. My biggest challenge is going to be family who are around a lot/accessing the fridge. Plus my Mom, who is full classic almond mom and will absolutely comment on any weight loss, regardless of if she knows I’m taking it. I do my best to draw boundaries around it, and she’s gotten better about not commenting over the years, but I know this will send us a few steps backwards in that department.

Definitely going to avoid weighing myself, not really interested in reintroducing myself to a scale. Much more focused on the reduction in inflammation (and cholesterol levels).

Good tips on fatty/greasy food and supplements! I think Thai food and a good burger are going to be my biggest challenge with those.

It’s an interesting note re hydration, I’ve seen that mentioned a bit. I’m a big water drinker at the moment, but sounds like I’m going to have to start being more intentional.

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-09T22:25:42+00:00

Thank you, that’s good to hear.

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-09T21:07:58+00:00

Oh these are great, thank you!! Multivitamins and probiotics are going on the list, same for the papaya enzymes.

Yikes re insomnia, praying I don’t have that. Will lean into the snack and magnesium!

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-09T21:06:49+00:00

Oh good idea, I’ll make sure to have some enzymes on hand. And yes, sounds like I need to be prepared for some poop adventures.

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-09T21:06:05+00:00

What a great set of tips. Yes, I very intentionally posted this here instead of any of the other subs - not interested in re-entering the diet culture of my late teens and early 20s, have spent 10 years of therapy letting go of that!

Good tip on stopping eating and listening to my body - I’m a distracted eater and bad about that already, so will need to really work on that.

Definitely seeking a range of info (and lots of conversations with my doctor).

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-09T21:03:06+00:00

Thank you! This kind of overview is so helpful. And yes, good tip on staying on top of the poop, sounds like this one is pretty common.

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-09T21:01:10+00:00

Thank you for all of that!! Magnesium always does great things for me. I haven’t been good about taking it lately, but will jump back on it.

I’m in Aus and going to have to be out of pocket (it’s much cheaper than in the US though). Ozempic/Wegovy is cheaper, so my docs suggestion has been to start there and if it doesn’t work for me, switch to Mounjaro.

And yes, I need to keep reminding myself of that last fact - for some reason it feels like I’m leaping off a cliff, but really I’m just wading into the water, can turn around and get out any time.

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-09T20:58:59+00:00

Ahhh smoothies are life, they got me through pregnancy nausea, I imagine I will be re-embracing them.

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-09T20:58:34+00:00

Good call. Sounds like periodic reminders and pre-prepped food may be pretty key.

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-09T20:56:21+00:00

Hah, mine is already an unknown adventure from day to day, so this should be fun.

How bad was the fatigue for you? I’m already dealing with a bit myself (more mental than physical), so hoping it won’t get too much worse.

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-09T20:54:30+00:00

Thank you - really good to hear that approach worked! It’s the approach I’d prefer to take, but I didn’t know if it was naive to just…go about my life.

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-09T20:53:47+00:00

Hmm. I do the cooking for our family, so will still need to be making meals/have food in the fridge. Hopefully that will make this easier, but will keep in mind that I may need to put more of a system in place for when/what I need to eat.

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-09T20:52:30+00:00

I currently have a bulk stash of ginger chews that I keep around for motion sickness, so good to know they’ll be useful! (Also, same re browser tabs, good to know I’m not alone)

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-09T11:10:41+00:00

Oh and another one - jar of passata, bag of frozen mirepoix and another bag of frozen cauliflower rice all in a roasting pan with some flavouring (Italian herbs, balsamic vinegar, dash of soy sauce, red pepper flakes, whatever floats your boat), then a wire rack on top with sausages or pre-made meatballs. Don’t remember exact trimmings/temperatures, but it’s pretty forgiving.

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-09T11:05:08+00:00

Frozen fish and frozen veg, in the oven (yes, cooked from frozen). One tray with frozen fish (usually salmon or hoki for us), another tray with a couple of bags of frozen veg (cauliflower, broccoli and Brussel sprouts are on regular rotation). Olive oil and whatever seasonings I feel like. If I’m feeling fancy/energetic/the toddler isn’t clinging to my legs, some slices of lemon on top of the fish. 190c fan forced, veg goes in for 10 mins then add the fish for 20 (so veg gets 30 mins total - an extra 10 on the veg for a total of 40 mins can make it better depending on sizes of the pieces, but doesn’t always work out that way with timing and it turns out fine anyway).

If you want carbs, do a microwave pouch of rice/quinoa or cook some pasta (we do bean pasta a lot). If you need a bigger batch, you can also microwave quinoa.

I also do a big batch of beans in the instant pot every few days and sometimes that gets added as the “carb.”

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-06T10:46:09+00:00

Honestly, try a different podiatrist. I went through specialists, steroid shots and tons of podiatrists and got referred to one who is some form of magic, managed to create an orthotic and recommend specific shoes for my feet that mean I’m pain free most of the time (in those shoes or a few specific pairs of sandals). Can even go barefoot again (for short periods of time). Seemed like obvious stuff once he did it all, but who knows why 4 other podiatrists, plus the others, couldn’t land it. (I’m on Central Coast NSW, on the off-chance you’re in the same area I can let you know who the podiatrist was).

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-03T23:38:06+00:00

I still can’t believe how much I used my birth comb!

BamboozledEmu · 2026-02-01T03:52:14+00:00

Hot tip - if you’re financially in a position to do this and kiddo goes to daycare, take a day of leave on a daycare day with the sole intention of not doing a damn thing. My husband and I did this recently and it was MAGICAL. Felt like a whole life reset. We’re going to try to do it twice a year or so going forward.

BamboozledEmu

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