Anyone tracking JUST protein? How?

[outwithbenjiboi 227]

I find MFP really easy to use, and a great accountability tool. I have it set to private, and don't use the any of the social features or exercise tracking. I enter my Breakfast, lunch and Snacks when I'm packing them in the morning, and don't open it again until dinnertime. Sometimes I have to trim the day's input (if I don't eat it all). Then, I figure out what to have for dinner based on what I need to meet my goals. I don't find this difficult, or taxing...it only takes about 30 mins each day. My goals are 800 calories, 80 grams Protein, and a 40% protein, 40% fat, 20% carb split. I sometimes call this "prescriptive eating," and I'm totally cool with it. I'm 3 months post surgery, and approaching 80 lbs of loss (30 pre-op). I figure - after a year or so - this will just come naturally to me, and I won't need it any more. But no big deal either way.

[Zakura7477 14]

Thanks! I'm sure you're right; once I can increase capacity to 8oz at a time after 6 weeks post op, there will be a little more wiggle room for adding fruits/veggies. Yes, I am on vitamins; Calcium 3x a day, multi Vitamin 2x a day, B12 weekly, acid blocker daily, Vitamin D daily, Iron daily. I have been doing fantastic on the Protein though, my highest day this past week was 109 grams!

[crowsnestmama 240]

Thanks! I'm sure you're right; once I can increase capacity to 8oz at a time after 6 weeks post op, there will be a little more wiggle room for adding fruits/veggies. Yes, I am on vitamins; Calcium 3x a day, multi Vitamin 2x a day, B12 weekly, acid blocker daily, vitamin D daily, Iron daily. I have been doing fantastic on the Protein though, my highest day this past week was 109 grams!

Except I'm almost 5 months post op and can RARELY eat 8 oz. of anything solid and 8 oz of liquidish foods like yogurt is pushing it.

I use mfp and track protein only. It gives everything else but I don't look at it.

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

Misty - I count my Protein only. Everything else is in my head.

I know if I hit my Protein, everything else will fall into place. The only time I might say 'hmm... how much was that worth', is when I'm about to nibble on something a little calorie-loaded. I'll have a look at the packet, do a bit of maths and know where I have to be the next day.

If I'm hitting minimum 42g on protein and at least 1,500ml minimum on Water - I feel fairly confident that I'm going to be good.

[mistysj 1,940]

Misty - I count my Protein only. Everything else is in my head. I know if I hit my protein, everything else will fall into place. The only time I might say 'hmm... how much was that worth', is when I'm about to nibble on something a little calorie-loaded. I'll have a look at the packet, do a bit of maths and know where I have to be the next day. If I'm hitting minimum 42g on protein and at least 1,500ml minimum on Water - I feel fairly confident that I'm going to be good.

Where/how are you tracking your protein, if I may ask? Just in your head using the labels?

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

I know how much each meat roughly gives you per serving and for the other stuff I'm not sure about, I look at the labels . Obviously the shakes and the bars are standard and I only eat one variety and drink one manufacturers product, so its pretty easy.

Edited January 5, 2014 by Madam Reverie

[mistysj 1,940]

I've had fun with this the past two days. I'm making the best choices I can for every meal and snack, then logging at the end of the day. My goal is to have at least 90 grams Protein and less carbs than Protein. Simple! And it's a small sample size but I have hit it both days so far.

Also I am logging in MFP and MND to see which I really like better. It seems silly to double-log but it lets me try MND without losing days in MFP.

Now that I am back at work and in my normal routine, I am going to make it a habit to pack my morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and "emergency food" every day, in a way that makes my food goals easy to meet. I had gotten lax about bringing my lunch and just grabbing something near work. Wasteful and usually not the best choice I could have been making. But mostly expensive!

I even bought a better lunch bag and ordered some new tupperware to help me out.

[lsereno 2,525]

Yeah, I travel with food postoperative. I have a small cooler that I use on trips. Really helps stay on track when heathy food I enjoy is on hand.

Lynda

[Obeasta 92]

Guys, i just found an awesome app that only tracks protein! And it is free!

Search for Protein-tracker.

[B-52 7,113]

I do not count calories, measure portions, etc....since my eating is very limited, I just make sure I make the best decisions I can...

I DO however keep a close eye on my Protein intake...as well as Water...I have seen severe symptoms of low Protein in a persons diet to scare anyone into being extra cautious...especially when on such a limited food intake regime with WLS....

But it is not that hard to do...I start everyday with a home made high protein smoothie...about 35gm of protein right there to start the day..the rest is just making good choices...chicken fish, etc..(I no longer eat meat)

Also, one of the most liberating things for me was to stop using different tracking apps that measured everything...once I stopped that, the weight really began to come off.....

[Postop 412]

Our practice gave a packet of info. & in it were daily menu sheets. I photocopied them & tracked my Protein for 6-9 mos. After that, I was able to do it in my head. I only track Protein, vitamins/minerals, etc.

I do have a list of the vitamins/minerals [i take] but that's really only for doctors. I keep it in my knapsack to provide to a doctor when necessary (so I don't have to try write them all down on the patient forms). I just have the doctor's assistant photocopy it.

[fit2Bme2014 38]

For me, when I have my surgery, I want to use an app for a bit to get back in the swing of counting calories, Protein, etc, however, I don't like the idea that info is available to others who might get all judgy about it. Wouldn't it be nice if they came out with a Bariatric SPECIFIC tracker!

[mistysj 1,940]

For me, when I have my surgery, I want to use an app for a bit to get back in the swing of counting calories, Protein, etc, however, I don't like the idea that info is available to others who might get all judgy about it. Wouldn't it be nice if they came out with a Bariatric SPECIFIC tracker!

You can choose either not to friend anyone, of to friend people but keep your diary and weight private.