Protein question

[2bullymom 44]

What happens if we don't get in the "minimum" amount of Protein? I am 6 weeks out and have had a hard time getting in the required amount (60 grams) of protein since day one. I am certain most days I am only hitting in the 40 range. Is this slowing my loss? I have "only" lost about 15 since surgery about 35 since the beginning of my two week liquid pre op diet. I also am noticing my strength doesn't seem what it once was. I am having a hard time opening Water bottles and that seems strange. Could this be due to a lack of protein?

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

I, too, have noticed a lack of strength, and have wondered about it. As far as the Protein goes, have you tried using unflavored Protein Powder in Water with Water Enhancer drops? It works great for me, has less calories than most shakes, and the variety of flavors is awesome. You can adjust the sweetness factor depending on how many drops you use. It tends to be much easier going down than the shakes, in my opinion. I also add my calcium citrate to the "cocktail", along with Benefiber (Shopko brand - it is far cheaper). Have fun with it, you can mix flavors!

[2bullymom 44]

I am sorry you are going thru the lack of strength thing too but I am glad I am not alone. It is beginning to bother me. I have "no flavor" Protein powder but I had a bad experience with it when I added to to s/f pudding. I think it was the brand of pudding I was using but I am still leery to use the powder. I already add Miralax to one liquid bottle during the day I suppose I could try the protein powder in another one. It all just gets so overwhelming

[JamieLogical 8,713]

Protein is critical to your health and recovery. It's tough to get the minimum in during the liquid phases of the post-op diet, but once you are onto soft foods and purees, it should be manageable. You will continue to feel weak and tired if you aren't getting enough protein and you will also be much more likely to experience significant Hair loss a few months down the road. What are you currently eating and what are the obstacles you are running into that are preventing you from getting enough in?

[2bullymom 44]

I am 6 weeks out so I am eating (almost) a regular diet. A scrambled egg or yogurt and beef Jerky for Breakfast. lunch consists of left overs of whatever was for dinner, Soup, lunch meat or low fat refried Beans and taco meat for lunch and for dinner. I am just having a hard time getting to 60grams. Protein Shakes don't sit well on my tummy. I was drinking Isopure for a while but the taste of them gets old quickly. Idk what my problem is to be honest.

[Sunnybaby 95]

I am almost a year out from surgery and the thing I have noticed is that on the days where I don't get all of my Protein in I tend to lose more hair then on the days where I do get everything in. That might be something that only happens to me IDK but just wanted to throw my experience out there.

[JamieLogical 8,713]

At 6 weeks I was allowed solid foods, so I switched to Protein bars instead of shakes. I was SOOOOOOO over shakes by then. It took me a while to be able to eat a whole one, but I definitely prefer them to shakes. Just be careful about saturated fat, carbs, and sugar when choosing a Protein Bar. Some of them can be pretty terrible for you. My personal choice is Quest Bars (specifically chocolate Chip Cookie Dough). If you have a Vitamin Shoppe or GNC near you, you can buy individual bars to try out the different flavors. Even some grocery stores sell the individual bars.

Here's what I eat in a typical day to get my 100 grams of Protein in. Keep in mind, I'm 7 months out, so I can eat a lot more than you probably can right now:

Breakfast: Quest Bar (21g)

Morning Snack: Reduced Fat String cheese (8g)

Lunch: 3-4 oz. of meat of some sort (14-20g)

Afternoon Snack: Dannon Light & Fit Greek Yogurt with Granola or Kashi Cereal mixed in (12-15g)

Dinner: 3-4 oz. of meat of some sort (14-20g)

Coffee: w/ 2 oz of Soy Milk (2g)

Evening Snack: EAS AdventEDGE Carb Control shake or Quest Bar (17-21g)

So that's 88 grams on the low end of everything and 107 grams on the high end of everything.

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

It IS very overwhelming, so maybe make a schedule (or have a piece of paper where you write all the Protein down everytime you have some), where it could help you keep track.

This is what I do: I have my egg or cottage cheese for breakfast. Protein! At mid morning I have a Protein Drink (said "cocktail", above). 30g protein! lunch. Protein! Protein Drink, mid afternoon. Protein! dinner. Protein! 2-3 hours before bed: 1/2 cup cottage cheese. Protein! By the end of the day, it's all there, a minimum of 60 grams.

I follow the 2-3-2 plan; eat within 2 hours of waking up. Eat every 3 hours. Eat within 2 hours of going to bed. Not for everyone, but it works for me! I lose slowly, steadily, and sometimes stall for a week or two, but then it starts up again.

I sure hopes this helps!

[JamieLogical 8,713]

I follow the 2-3-2 plan; eat within 2 hours of waking up. Eat every 3 hours. Eat within 2 hours of going to bed. Not for everyone, but it works for me! I lose slowly, steadily, and sometimes stall for a week or two, but then it starts up again.

That's what I do. I find that if I eat small amounts every 3 hours or so, I never feel hungry and it's easy to get all my Protein in eating 6 times a day.

[Stephanie Stroup McIntosh 157]

A lack of Protein can definitely effect your weight loss and your energy level. You will lose some weight just because you are eating less, but your body will attack your muscles to burn the calories stored there. You need the Protein to replace what your body uses. Also protein will help you heal. I would make sure that you are drinking some Protein shakes to hit that goal. I drink 2 shakes (60g protein) and then eat some higher protein food. That way I am getting the minimum protein for sure. I am only 3 weeks post-op, but just met with my doc today and said thats exactly the way I should be doing it. She said not to worry if some days I can't get it in, but most days I should get at least 60 if not 80.

[knjay1205 3]

New Whey Protein Shots. 3.8 oz 42 grams of Protein they can be gross but take it like medicine with juice or Water as a chaser. Not as bad as some alcohol I've tried.

[2bullymom 44]

I have never seen these. Where can u get them?

[knjay1205 3]

GNC, Walmart, target, online.

[Misty1975 1]

I, too, have noticed a lack of strength, and have wondered about it. As far as the Protein goes, have you tried using unflavored protein powder in Water with Water Enhancer drops? It works great for me, has less calories than most shakes, and the variety of flavors is awesome. You can adjust the sweetness factor depending on how many drops you use. It tends to be much easier going down than the shakes, in my opinion. I also add my calcium citrate to the "cocktail", along with Benefiber (Shopko brand - it is far cheaper). Have fun with it, you can mix flavors!

How much protein would you use in a 16.9 oz bottle if water?

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

@@Misty1975

Well, that depends on how thick you want it. I believe most instructions say to have a minimum of 8 ounces of Water (liquid) per serving of the powder, but I usually have a large glass, probably about 12-16 ounces of Water, one scoop of the powder, then a couple of squeezes of the Water Enhancer. Ice is optional, but don't add it until you have mixed all the powder in thoroughly, otherwise it will probably clump. I will then sip on that drink for about an hour or so. Have fun with the flavors, mix different ones together!