Calories

[livingstone 137]

Hi folks - just a quick question on calories. I'm nearly five weeks out and mostly eating sliced deli meat (ham, chicken or beef), so my Protein is up.

But because the meat is quite low calorie, I'm getting in about 300 calories a day or less. Once I'm on to full solids in about 10 days, I think I may be able to get in more calories and protein by eating Protein Bars when I need to, but right now I can't see that my calorie take could increase much.

My question is whether this is OK for five weaks out. I am worried that my calorie intake may be too low - I know I'm not going to starve to death, and I am getting Vitamins etc through my supplement. And yes, I know I should ask my doctor and I will when I have my six week check up, but I just wanted to see what people were getting in at five weeks out.

I've also started exercising yesterday - nothing heavy - just some light cardio until I'm cleared to do weights. But I do burn about 200 calories with a 30 minute workout.

[JerseyCityGal 231]

Your supplement has calories too.

At five weeks out I don't remember exactly how many calories I was eating, but I would guesstimate it was around 500 calories a day.

[livingstone 137]

Thanks. My Multivitamin doesn't have any calories though.

I feel fine, but just want to make sure that the 300 or less calories I'm getting is OK for now. I have a feeling it will increase a lot when I'm on full solids.

[heftyhoosier 30]

They had to up my calorie intake Bc I stopped losing weight. So, as long as you're still losing you should be good!

[liannatx 897]

That does seem pretty low compared to what I have seen others averaging. Calories will increase some when you add more variety with solid foods. What are your Protein amounts daily with nothing but lunch meat?

I am about 3 1/2 weeks out, still on soft foods, and average about 500-600 calories a day, 70-90 g Protein. I still have 2 Protein drinks daily, and meals are usually cottage cheese, tuna or chicken salad made with light mayo, refried Beans with cheese, etc...

[Djmohr 6,965]

I was taught not to focus on calories, even now six months later. The real focus absolutely must be hitting your Protein goals, getting 64 oz. of liquid and taking all prescribed Vitamins. If you do that, your body will heal and you won't go into starvation mode.

I use myfitness pal to track everything I put in my body and it keeps me accountable. It also let's me know if I hit my Protein goals, if I am using too much fat in my diet to do it. I follow the rules around only good carbs (vegies, fruit). If you eat two bites of protein for every one bite of vegies or fruit you will easily hit your goals.

Also, as the swelling goes down in your tummy you will be able to eat a little more. The most I can eat is about 3/4 cup. And that depends on whether or not it is meat or yogurt. I can eat a bit more softer foods. The thing is, the protein keeps me fuller longer. I end up eating about 1000 a 1100 calories a day. I only know this because Myfitnesspal tracks the calories for me.

I do still drink 1 30gram Protein shake every morning. I use Premier Protein and it seems to give me good energy.

[JerseyCityGal 231]

Thanks. My Multivitamin doesn't have any calories though.

I thought you meant something along the lines of Ensure, not a Vitamin pill, lol.

[livingstone 137]

I was taught not to focus on calories, even now six months later. The real focus absolutely must be hitting your Protein goals, getting 64 oz. of liquid and taking all prescribed Vitamins. If you do that, your body will heal and you won't go into starvation mode.

I use myfitness pal to track everything I put in my body and it keeps me accountable. It also let's me know if I hit my Protein goals, if I am using too much fat in my diet to do it. I follow the rules around only good carbs (vegies, fruit). If you eat two bites of protein for every one bite of vegies or fruit you will easily hit your goals.

Also, as the swelling goes down in your tummy you will be able to eat a little more. The most I can eat is about 3/4 cup. And that depends on whether or not it is meat or yogurt. I can eat a bit more softer foods. The thing is, the protein keeps me fuller longer. I end up eating about 1000 a 1100 calories a day. I only know this because Myfitnesspal tracks the calories for me.

I do still drink 1 30gram protein shake every morning. I use Premier Protein and it seems to give me good energy.

Thanks. I'm getting about 30 grams of protein at the moment. I know that's not enough, but again, I also know that when I fully move on to regular food that I can increase that with protein bars if I need to. I'm able to have one slice (about an ounce) of cold sliced beef/ham/chicken about every two hours. Any more makes me feel too full. I also had about three very small slices of sourdough bread yesterday.

I've not done any Protein shakes etc - my surgeon advised me to stay away from them and work up towards getting my protein in normally (which is good because I really didn't want them).

[Stephanie Stroup McIntosh 157]

I see your surgeon doesn't recommend Protein drinks, but I really think you should be getting more Protein at this point. I also drink Premier Protein and find it pretty good. It doesn't have too much of a texture. 1 drink is 160 calories and 30g of protein. You will need to have it in a couple of settings, but it is considered complete nutrition.

[Weighting2BeFree 164]

I am 18 days out and seem to be able to average 800-1000 a day and i lose more on the days i eat more and walk. I can't get 70 grams of Protein in in 500 calories. My doc wants me to move away from shakes but truthfully i think 1 a day for Breakfast may be permanent.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I have a pretty high BMI so I was also advised to keep calories low. At about 5 weeks I was probably around 400 - 600 calories, but I was hitting my Protein and fluid goals. I was allowed a AM Protein Drink because I have always had a protein drink for breakfast. Even now at a bit over 6 mths I don't go much over 800 calories. The only thing I would worry about is the fact that your are eating lunch meat. They tend to be high in sodium. They are low in calories because they are mostly water.You could probably increase your protein by eating well cooked/moistened real meat instead. This would also help bump up your calories a bit.

[CTDEE 58]

My doc says the same about the Protein drinks. He wants us at 3 weeks and beyond to focus on real sources of Protein. Save the shakes for the end of the day if there is a protein deficit.

I'm around 500 - 600 calories a day from four meals and two Snacks. Low sodium deli meat with a bit of hummus inside is my go to. I make them the night before.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Like I said the only reason my nutritionist IV okay with my AM shakes is because that's always been my go to breakfast. Otherwise I get my Protein from food. My biggest meal of the day tends to be lunch since I'm more active in before 3pm with the exception of my once a month African dance class and the 1 or 2 days of the week I take an evening workout

[CTDEE 58]

Yep makes sense. I've always had breakfast issues (skipping, missing) so I know part of my instructions were also for behavior modification.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I've been taking a 9 am aqaufit class for the past 4 years. I know it's important to eat before a workout but I can't eat anything heavy and workout. I started making my own Protein drinks. It's enough to fuel my workouts and get me started.