Protein Suggestions

[JamieLogical 8,708]

@@CowgirlJane

Thanks for your more detailed reply. In your first post you just said you don't eat Protein bars anymore because they are high carb, which by itself didn't make a whole lot of sense. But once you spelled out your concerns about them being "snacky" or a slider food and how that became an issue for you in maintenance, I can definitely see how that could be an issue.

I'm still losing and still experiencing a LOT of restriction from my sleeve, so I'm not yet to the point where I can really have any foods that aren't primary Protein sources. I am looking forward to eventually being able to incorporate some whole grains and some veggies. Right now I don't have the room to eat those things and still get all my protein in. The concepts of Snacks and sliders are so alien to me right now. I'm still just eating on a schedule and I can't imagine "wasting" precious sleeve space on sliders or foods with low protein, but I am sure that will change over time as I'm able to eat more.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

For most people, "sliders" don't become an issue until 6-12+ months post op. The whole deal with sliders is the DON'T take up much space in your tummy, they don't satisfy you. Even if you are temporarily "full" from sliders or junky food you tend to want to eat again sooner. My joke is even 3 years out, i eat on a small plate, and eat "mini meals" and get quite satiated from that, but I am pretty sure I could eat a whole bag of cheetos.... i might have to wait 30 minutes to eat the second half - I don't know, as I have not tried, but I suspect it!

Anyway, I was a big Quest bar advocate until my weight loss slowed to a crawl about 8 months post op and my Quest bar habit was one of the offenders. Getting off that train got me back on track and I lost a total of 150# in 14 months. I could not have done that had I stayed eating Quest bars.

Our experiences change over time, but I still find success eating food like this:

4-5 mini meals a day

Dense Protein first (fish, seafood, chicken, beef, eggs, egg beaters, etc etc.

Healthy veggies (love roasted veggies, salads etc)

anything else is low priority

Difference is now my desire and capacity to eat is much higher than it was in my first year

[JamieLogical 8,708]

Anyway, I was a big Quest bar advocate until my weight loss slowed to a crawl about 8 months post op and my Quest bar habit was one of the offenders. Getting off that train got me back on track and I lost a total of 150# in 14 months. I could not have done that had I stayed eating Quest bars.

@@CowgirlJane How often were you eating them and were you eating them in place of other meals/snacks or in addition to? I eat two a day right now and you have me worried that might be an issue down the road, so I'd really love to hear more about your experience and why you had to cut them out.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I ate about 1-2 per day at that point. Compare satiety to having two decent sized skewers, delish, 150 cals; 24 g of Protein, low total carbs...

Anyway do what is working, just sharing my experience.

[Marymoon1 1]

Someone on this site recommended Jay Robb whey Protein. I love it. The Premier Protein gave me major GI issues. I make it with soy milk. It's not chalky and it sort of tastes like a melted milk shake.

I like strawberry the best.

[cruummbs 36]

Premier Protein Shakes...30gm Protein...Vanilla chocolate Strawberry...18ct $25 shake n go...no milk or Water needed

[Rubygirl 32]

What about the "Inspire" powder ?? Anyone try these???

[Stevehud 1,790]

Syntrax Nectars for me fuzzy navel and Cappuccino, especially but the Twisted cherry, lemonade iced tea, and grapefruit are great as well.

I do have to say that carbs are not the only way to fuel your brain. Ill hold my tongue on the rest of the carb debate. Needless to say carbs are the enemy along with sugar. They raise your triglycerides and cause higher blood sugar and insulin levels resulting in altering the metabolism to store fat instead of burning it. Scientific medical fact there. The brain runs on glucose BUT not only glucose it also runs on Ketones, the brain itself has small ketone factories to supply the neurons with fuel. Now since we get glucose not just from carbs but also from stored fats, the obese person needs no extra carbs to cover the 30 grams or less of glucose needed over the ketone production , and by the way you can get it more effectively and without any blood sugar spike in two tablespoons of coconut oil daily. So carbs are not needed. for the person losing weight. Now if your already thin and trying to put on weight like muscle mass and bulk, carbs are perfect!

[JamieLogical 8,708]

I do have to say that carbs are not the only way to fuel your brain. Ill hold my tongue on the rest of the carb debate. Needless to say carbs are the enemy along with sugar. They raise your triglycerides and cause higher blood sugar and insulin levels resulting in altering the metabolism to store fat instead of burning it. Scientific medical fact there. The brain runs on glucose BUT not only glucose it also runs on Ketones, the brain itself has small ketone factories to supply the neurons with fuel. Now since we get glucose not just from carbs but also from stored fats, the obese person needs no extra carbs to cover the 30 grams or less of glucose needed over the ketone production , and by the way you can get it more effectively and without any blood sugar spike in two tablespoons of coconut oil daily. So carbs are not needed. for the person losing weight. Now if your already thin and trying to put on weight like muscle mass and bulk, carbs are perfect!

Ha! I love how you said you would hold your tongue and then went on for a full paragraph. I already said my peace earlier in the thread, so I won't elaborate any further, but that definitely gave me a chuckle.

[Stevehud 1,790]

Trust me a paragraph is holding my tongue.

[JamieLogical 8,708]

Trust me a paragraph is holding my tongue.

Hehe! I can sympathize. This is one of my favorite cartoons of all time.

[dashofsunshine 875]

I have literally tried it all. I started with several flavors of Syntrax Nectar, and did fine with that pre op, but post op it made me sick as a dog. Tried Unjury, same deal. The clear Isopure drinks were SO foul to me. I was drinking Premier (choking it down, because I'm picky about the way Protein Shakes taste...), and then I found Cellucor whey Protein. You have to order it online, but let me tell you...it is the best. Tasting. Stuff. Ever. My favorites are the s'mores, red velvet, and mint chocolate chip, but I have yet to try a flavor that I didn't like from them. I'm frankly amazed that I have finally found a Protein Powder that I like and can stomach. Good luck!

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

Funny picture!

So, I am a low carber since WLS (I didn't used to believe in it - ha!) but I am questioning the point that obese people get enough brain energy from fats. I am basing this on a study of one.. (me)... but if I get too low carb, i get brain fuzz and I get physical exhaustion - that happened even when I was obese. It is a fine line - I recall not evening have energy to pedal my spinning bike when I was two low on carbs. i have been on a long hike where I literally felt myself running out of fuel. My hiking partner could tell i was struggling... slowing down, a little unsteady etc. I did not feel hungry, but I had to eat a carb source.

I don't consider any class of food as my enemy - just to be clear. When I lecture..haha.. about carbs I am simply trying to share the reality of my world. I lost a crapload of weight post sleeve and I could not have done it without going low carb. Maintaining that massive weight loss for 2 years hasn't always been easy, but carb management is for me the secret to hunger management. I found that down the road, you simply cannot rely on "restriction" of the sleeve - at least for me - what I eat drives my hunger levels.

My other point about carbs/nutrition is that sugar is sugar. And sugar can really impact us negatively. It doesn't matter if that sugar is buried in a healhty source (like fruit) or comes from something perceived as better (honey) it is still metabolically... SUGAR. For people who are carb sensitive those type of foods tend to increase hunger and interfere with weight loss. Maybe sugar is the enemy - I don't know, but I find I can eat high fat and calories do matter, but not as much as the carb/sugar situation.

Now, this does not seem to be everybody's truth because our bodies are quite individual, but it has held true for me.

[bobbyswife 862]

Syntrax Matrix Peanut Butter cookie, cookies-n-cream, mint chocolate chip

GENEPRO