Frozen meals - lean cuisine weight watchers...

[Sharpie 3,306]

I had lapband so it might be different for sleeves but I discovered other sources of Protein that don't get stuck. I posted in another place that I had a black/bean burger with a egg on top, it was one of the most satisfying thing I have eaten and good calorie to Protein ratio. Morningstar brand. I never in a million years thought I would eat a veggie burger but it was so flavorful and was totally great for the band. I also sometimes either eat a Protein Bar or a shake to get in enough protein if I'm short.

[mae7365 372]

@@MamaTo3inNH

You mentioned not being able to find a Protein supplement that you like. I was exactly the same way until I heard about, and tried, Syntrax Matrix, which I purchase from vitacost.com

I've tried the Cookies & Cream and Mint Cookie. I make it with 4 oz Almond Breeze vanilla and 4 oz. of Water. They are really good. 23 grams of Protein in 140 calorie. I now drink two shakes per day along with a Protein Bar and I'm consistently getting at least 80 grams of protein per day. I found an online coupon that worked and the items were delivered in 2 days.

[amylynns 802]

@MamaTo3inNH Have you tried cooking the chicken in a crock pot? meats are usually very moist and tender this way. If you'd still like a sauce, try adding some cream of chicken Soup on top of the chicken while it cooks (maybe even stir in some unflavored Protein powder for extra protein).

This is how I do my chicken. In the crock pot, with a cream soup. Keeps them super moist. But yesterday we did a full chicken in the crock pot (with no soup)and then I had re-heat my little portion because I was gone during dinner. Oh my gosh. It was WAY too dry. Instantly sick to my stomach and couldn't eat anything else for the rest of the evening. I hate when that happens, especially on days I was already low on my Protein.

I used to eat eggs every morning for Breakfast, but I'd literally have to put out of my head what I was eating, or I'd gag. I'd mix salsa with mine and a sprinkle of shredded cheese. But I am so sick of them now. Just thinking about them makes me nauseous. So I feel for you!

I've switched to Light & Fit Greek yogurts for Breakfast. I was also sick of the super sweet flavors of them, but it's a switch up from the eggs, so it's going ok so far. I was buying the 80 Cal ones, but got sick of those flavors, so I've gone to the 100 Cal ones. I figure for an extra 20 calories, and if I can get them down easier, I'll eat the extra 20. :-)

I totally agree with you on the fact my taste buds seem to change often. What I can eat one week might be totally different the next week!

I have bought a few different frozen meals also. I eat all of the protein/veggies out of them first, and if I'm not full, I'll eat a little of the carb item. But I can usually only get down 1/2 -3/4 of a meal.

It's such a learning experience!! Daily!

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Are these ok, once you get the all clear from your surgeon? I got two today that had 15grams of Protein and 300 (ish) calories! I am having trouble getting my Protein in (still need to find a good protein supplement - I keep losing my taste for them) and this seems like a perfect choice.

~RNY 1.19.15

I would speak to your nutritionist. They aren't my cup of tea, but many like the convience. I would be careful because some of these can have loads of sodium and sugar.

[Graciesmom04 184]

I haven't done any prepackaged foods, but agree with having issues getting in the amount of Protein I need. I can't do any meats...I've tried and end up bringing them back up. Just saw Dr Tues and he said most won't allow meats til 6 mo's postop to give your body time to heal and adjust. So...I'm not beating myself up over that. But still have trouble finding other sources that work. I do a lot of yogurts, milk, eggs (hard boiled only) and Protein Bars and shakes. But I get full so fast, I usually can't get it all in which again, causes problems with getting in the amount needed.

[heynowkc 329]

If you can find something that fits in with your dietitian's guidelines I don't see why you can't try it. It's pretty difficult to find those though! I am not allowed any kind of carb-foods (Beans, rice, crackers, noodles, bread, sweets, potatoes, corn, etc.) so for me it's especially difficult. HOWEVER, I did find one I loved the other day: Atkins Crustless chicken Pot Pie

This has chicken, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and spinach. NO rice, Beans, breading or noodles at all. And it tastes AMAZING. I love the cauliflower and the spinach in this especially. Really makes it special. I can only fit about half of it (actually a little less) into my stomach so what I usually do is cook it ahead of time at home and then split it up into my snack-size sistema plastic containers. (I get the sistema stuff at target or world market.) For half of a container it's about 165 calories and 11 g of Protein.

I have issues with frozen meals anyway because if I'm going for anything marketed as "healthy" I notice they tend to make up for loss of flavor by adding lots of spice to things that oftentimes aren't even traditionally spicy and I can't do spicy at all. So finding something like this one is a great find for me.

Edited March 23, 2015 by heynowkc

[Cleo's Mom 257]

If you can find something that fits in with your dietitian's guidelines I don't see why you can't try it. It's pretty difficult to find those though! I am not allowed any kind of carb-foods (Beans, rice, crackers, noodles, bread, sweets, potatoes, corn, etc.) so for me it's especially difficult. HOWEVER, I did find one I loved the other day: Atkins Crustless chicken Pot Pie

This has chicken, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and spinach. NO rice, Beans, breading or noodles at all. And it tastes AMAZING. I love the cauliflower and the spinach in this especially. Really makes it special. I can only fit about half of it (actually a little less) into my stomach so what I usually do is cook it ahead of time at home and then split it up into my snack-size sistema plastic containers. (I get the sistema stuff at target or world market.) For half of a container it's about 165 calories and 11 g of Protein.

I have issues with frozen meals anyway because if I'm going for anything marketed as "healthy" I notice they tend to make up for loss of flavor by adding lots of spice to things that oftentimes aren't even traditionally spicy and I can't do spicy at all. So finding something like this one is a great find for me.

Your post is another example of the "all over the place" foods that those on here eat or are told they can eat. Your NUT says no to all those foods, while others say they can eat anything but only in smaller quantities. Very confusing.

I have two questions - unrelated to the OP:

1) What nutritional rationale is behind the 64 oz. of Water (or non caloric, non carbonated) Fluid per day? Is it because you don't get as much Water from your food now? Because the need for 64 oz. of water daily for people who haven't had WLS has pretty much been debunked.

2) With those foods eliminated from your diet - where do you get the daily recommended amount of Fiber?

Edited March 30, 2015 by Cleo's Mom

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I have two questions - unrelated to the OP:

1) What nutritional rationale is behind the 64 oz. of Water (or non caloric, non carbonated) Fluid per day? Is it because you don't get as much Water from your food now? Because the need for 64 oz. of water daily for people who haven't had WLS has pretty much been debunked.

2) With those foods eliminated from your diet - where do you get the daily recommended amount of Fiber?

1. I have no idea about the water thing. My guess is to both keep you hydrated and to aid with digestion since our diets put us into ketosis.

2. Most people have to supplement, hence the reason so many have issues with Constipation. Thankfully my nutritionist has no problem with complex carbs so green leafy veg, Beans and fruit are okay for me.

[Cleo's Mom 257]

1. I have no idea about the Water thing. My guess is to both keep you hydrated and to aid with digestion since our diets put us into ketosis.

I have two questions - unrelated to the OP:

1) What nutritional rationale is behind the 64 oz. of Water (or non caloric, non carbonated) Fluid per day? Is it because you don't get as much water from your food now? Because the need for 64 oz. of water daily for people who haven't had WLS has pretty much been debunked.

2) With those foods eliminated from your diet - where do you get the daily recommended amount of fiber?

2. Most people have to supplement, hence the reason so many have issues with Constipation. Thankfully my nutritionist has no problem with complex carbs so green leafy veg, Beans and fruit are okay for me.

I would imagine that if you have to take Iron supplements that could also contribute to constipation.

[Swampdoggie 477]

I have trouble with chicken breasts being too dry for me, generally. I have switched to thighs and they are much more tender. Like the other poster, I have cooked them in the crock pot with a couple of the Campbell's Soup Crock Pot sauces when I'm in a half crunch. But if you do this, be careful - some of them are fairly low in carbs - esp if you don't eat the sauce and just use it for the moisture - but some are really high. And of course, they are higher in sodium than you'd normally want. I like to cook from scratch but you don't always have time. Cooked ahead you can use these chickies for lunch.< /p>

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

......

Maybe I should get some plain powder and add it to my coffee.

I often add unflavored powder to my coffee. I used Isopure but others have had success with GENEPRO and powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury as well. I also add them to my Soups. Tonight I'll have a cup of progresso lentil Soup. It's 9 gms of Protein, but I'll add a scoop of unflavored Isopure which is 26gm making dinner a whopping 35gms of Protein.< /p>

While I don't use them, I don't think there is anything wrong with keeping a few in the freezer for an emergency situation.

If you do a weekly food prep, there are many Indian and even Italian dishes you can premake into ramekins. Indian cooking will be very bean heavy, and if you do Italian you could go to the seafood side.

[Cleo's Mom 257]

I have trouble with chicken breasts being too dry for me, generally. I have switched to thighs and they are much more tender. Like the other poster, I have cooked them in the crock pot with a couple of the Campbell's Soup Crock Pot sauces when I'm in a half crunch. But if you do this, be careful - some of them are fairly low in carbs - esp if you don't eat the sauce and just use it for the moisture - but some are really high. And of course, they are higher in sodium than you'd normally want. I like to cook from scratch but you don't always have time. Cooked ahead you can use these chickies for lunch.

I find chicken breasts too dry for me, too (I have the band) and always use the thighs. Plus, I think they taste better, too.

[Swampdoggie 477]

@@Cleo's Mom I like the taste of the thighs better too.