I'm a vegetarian: pre-op & post-op HELP!?

[Brittanysiemens 3]

The list of things we can consume is a small one as it is, but I find as non-meat eater it's extremely limited.

Jell-o is derived from pigs (gelatin), broth is from chicken or beef...did anyone manage to stay vegetarian on the pre-op and post-op diet, and feel ok?

[wishes 125]

Post-op look up feedyoureye, she has been a vegetarian for years and has been doing wonderful with her sleeve. Post-op, tofu and other non-meat products like Gardein are great for acquiring Protein.< /p>

[Sassygirl06 962]

i am not vegitarian, however i have found some stuff that is non meat and high in protein......i use almond milk for my Protein Shakes. you can pour almond milk in a blender...add some fruit like bananas and then put in a couple tablespoons of Peanut Butter, along with some Protein Powder that is vegan. add some ice and blend....it is yummy!

sugar free popsicles are wonderful. they also have some vegitable broth that is really good. if you have a trader joes they have a big selection on broths.

also you can do the same shake above except instead of bananas and peanut butter you can use some berries for a berry smothie.

good luck to you!

[Brittanysiemens 3]

Thanks for the ideas! How do you handle your "clear period" as a vegetarian? I wish there was something to substitute the chewing action of jell-o, 2 weeks seems like a very long time for veggie broth and popsicles, but I guess I'll have to do it!

[Sassygirl06 962]

well with my post op diet i got to go straight to full liquids...so no clear for me. hope you get to do the same. i would also add in some teas and juice if i were you so that you at least get some variety.

[TigerLily 3]

I wish there was something to substitute the chewing action of jell-o,

I was an avid vegetarian for years and a vegan for a few. Marriage changes so many things.

Anyhow, have you tried agar agar? It's not quite the same a Jello, but it's still good.

Agar Agar comes from seaweed. It's not crystal clear like Jello but still relatively clear, rather like the Isopure clears.

You can make all sorts of different flavors is you want to use fruit juice.

You will boil the agar with the juice to dissolve.

Now I haven't tried this BUT when it's cooling and gets down to about 105deg and still in a liquid stage before setting, it might work to stir in some unflavored Protein powder like from powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury?

I wish you well!!!

[longer-life 139]

2 weeks seems like a very long time for veggie broth and popsicles

I agree! That would be very depressing for me.

I will be going 100% lactose free after surgery ( I am lactose intolerant now) and I am picky, so my choices are a little limited as well. I don't know how to say this politely, but I plan on "making" the nutritionist work a little harder for me. I don't mean this as rude as it sounds, but I feel I shouldn't have to tackle this by myself. You might want to consider doing that.

I am also researching online, planning on cooking more, saving crock pot recipes for different stages & I will be going up and down the aisles of Whole Foods to see what I find. Like you, I will also post a thread here.

Like Sassygirl, I will pretty much go to full liquids right away, I wonder if your surgeon will accept this in your case.

Best wishes!

[MegInNOLA 531]

Are you a vegan, or do you eat dairy or eggs? I was a vegan for a few years in an earlier stage of life, too--and post-surgery, I find I'm tolerating vegetable and dairy Protein MUCH more easily than meat or even seafood. I joked with my husband yesterday that I was on my way back to vegetarianism, but not on purpose--it's just how I eat now and what feels good to my body.

Protein can be tricky. Beans are a wonderful source of protein for vegetarians--you can sneak them into all sorts of foods. I even made a smoothie with Beans in there--almond milk, about a half cup of white beans (rinsed very thoroughly), cocoa powder, ice--and it came out creamy and yummy with extra protein from the beans. You can't taste them in there, either, so it's a win-win. Adding some Peanut Butter or Peanut Butter powder (I have some of the PB2 dehydrated peanut butter stuff--all the flavor and protein minus the fat!) would probably be yummy too--will have to try that.

Getting enough daily protein is still a challenge for me, but I'm working on it every day. Protein Bars are a good thing--if you eat dairy, the whey protein products might be a good option, and if you eat eggs, there are egg-protein powders (I just saw a Jay Robb mix in Whole Foods yesterday) that might work for you.

I didn't have clears, either, just liquids post-surgery, and I was slurping yogurt like a crazy woman (all 1 teaspoon of it at a time, LOL). You might look into those Isopure drinks, although for me they were not a good fit--I think others on this forum relied heavily on them during their postop clear phase.

Edited to add that vegetarian Soups can be protein-amped by the addition of some Greek yogurt stirred in, or dried milk powder, again, if you do consume dairy. You can also zap some Tomato Soup in the blender with a combination of Greek yogurt and cottage cheese, get it to a smooth consistency, and heat that gently--it's good without the meat broth.

[Brittanysiemens 3]

I do eat dairy and eggs, so I've got those along with Beans for Protein.

I am mostly concerned about options during the "clear" phase, I may be stuck with Popsicles and veggie broth :/

[geminhi 0]

I'm a pescetarian so the only meat I eat is fish. In the liquid stage I used my juicer to make veggie and fruit juices with flavorless Protein. I use Isopure because it dissolves so easily. Also made my own Protein Shakes with almond milk and fruits. I'm in the mushy stage and found some high protein tofu at Trader Joe's..14 g per 3 oz. Polenta is a good mushy, hummus, egg salad, cooked spinach..once you get to mushy choices are endless. Clear liquid is limited no matter what. I was only on clears in the hospital and drank broth, mint tea, and Water only...hopefully this clear stage passes fast for you!

[Brittanysiemens 3]

I'm a pescatarian too, I just figured saying "vegetarian" was easy to understand for the sake of the question. Thanks for the juice + Isopure idea, that will be quite helpful and nourishing! I have a box of myoplex EAS original for when I can do Protein Shakes, I do not have a juicer so I plan to just buy broth.< /p>

[clk 3,519]

Do you ever use agar flakes to sub for Gelatin in recipes? I used to make Gelatin from agar agar and juice - you just boil it and chill it afterward. It's not quite the same as Jello brand but it's pretty close. I also remember finding a vegan gelatin at Trader Joe's one time. Check that out. Oh, and I think I read once that the Dole fruit cups (those have canned fruit in them, so they aren't perfect) are vegetarian (not vegan) so that might be an option.

I know your broths will get boring but don't forget to mix it up as much as possible with something like the Better than Bouillon vegetarian mixes - mock beef and mock chicken blends that you can flavor a number of ways so that it doesn't get too boring.

Consider making your own sorbets (or buying them) from pureed fruit and simple Syrup as a change of pace from plain old popsicles.

The secret, in my opinion, is to spice things up with as much flavor as possible when your diet is limited. Intensely fruity sorbets and spicy vegetable broths will be far more satisfying that a can of veg broth or a grape popsicle!

Post op you'll be fine, especially in the states where meat substitutes abound. And as a pescatarian you'll have even more options! The clears/liquids get boring for everyone, though, you just have to get through it. Hopefully you'll have enough suggestions from folks to help you through.

~Cheri

[Brittanysiemens 3]

Thanks Cheri! I will likely try the agar idea, as thats something I will feel like I'm "chewing", trader joes has a lot of good things- we are lucky here in California.

Did your surgeon allow you the agar Jello for the 2 days leading up to surgery? I'm assuming I'm allowed Jello because it dissolves into liquid in the stomach, I'd figure the same for agar.

[Brittanysiemens 3]

Thanks Cheri! I will likely try the agar idea, as thats something I will feel like I'm "chewing", trader joes has a lot of good things- we are lucky here in California.

Did your surgeon allow you the agar Jello for the 2 days leading up to surgery? I'm assuming I'm allowed Jello because it dissolves into liquid in the stomach, I'd figure the same for agar.

[clk 3,519]

Did your surgeon allow you the agar Jello for the 2 days leading up to surgery? I'm assuming I'm allowed Jello because it dissolves into liquid in the stomach, I'd figure the same for agar.

I actually didn't have a preop diet so I can't help you there, though I assume it would be the same. Do an internet search for agar agar recipes - I read some neat ideas about gelling Soups and other foods which might help with that "bite" thing. I remember those 20 days of liquids being the longest 20 days of my life!

Also, don't sub agar flakes or powder 1:1 for Gelatin or you'll get a super-firm, kind of crumbly and not so appetizing gel. To make something much softer and closer to Jello, I use about half of what is usually suggested (1 Tbs. flakes per cup of liquid). You might have to play with it a bit to get it where you like, but it's worth the effort.