Not enough calories

[Mystique2015 11]

I am probably only getting 500 calories in on most days . I do meet the required amount of Protein which my Doc says is 70-80. I usually eat a yogurt and add a scoop of Protein powder and add some honey nut clusters or something with Fiber which is 45 grams of Protein. Then I will drink a shake which has 30 grams... just to get my protein in.. mostly on nights that I work (it's hard eating on night shift and even harder because of my job).

How are others combating not being hungry and getting in enough calories?

I am 6 months out.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Keep in mind that we only metabolize about 20-25 grams of Protein over an hour so if you are adding Protein to your yogurt to get 45 grams of protein, unless you are dividing it up and eating it over multiple meals you aren't really getting 45 grams of protein.

Aim for multiple meals of no more than 25 grams of protein each, spread out over the day.

[Mystique2015 11]

Oh okay, didn't know that.

Dumb question: what happens to the rest of the Protein?

Also, thanks for your response!

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

My understanding it is converted to glucose for energy and then if not burned is stored as fat.

I am learning that Protein is a delicate balance. If we don't get enough our metabolism slows down (it needs Protein to do the required work of building muscle, replacing skin, reconfiguring out body to make it smaller) but if we get too much excess that it can't use right then it can't store it. Also, if we don't get enough our bodies will consume our own protein (muscles).

That it is why it is important to eat enough protein but to spread it out throughout the day. Eating frequent protein-based meals and Snacks is preferable to eating one or two big meals/doses of protein. It keeps our metabolism going and it keeps us from getting hungry.