Seriously, how do you get all of your protein in?!

[mlgok 29]

I am 16 days post op and feel awesome, I am past the liquid phase and actually able to eat food again. I am just curious how some of you get all of your Protein in without shakes (my NUT does not want me drinking shakes due to the fact that that are considered a "slider") every meal I eat is Protein, but I can only get severaly bites in before I am full, so I get maybe like 6g of protein in a meal?

For example:

Breakfast- Could only manage 1/2 of an egg

Lunch- 1/3 canned chicken and 1/2 cheese stick

Dinner-2 oz of salmon

Help! lol. I have unflavored Protein powder, but was told not to eat slider foods and cant really add Protein Powder to the dense Proteins?

[LipstickLady 25,682]

You're fine. It took me almost a year to hit my Protein goals and I never could have done it without 2 Protein shakes a day. I'd voice your concern and see if you can't have one a day along with what you are eating.

You can also add Protein Powder to yogurt, SF pudding, Peanut Butter...

eggs were really hard on me for awhile as was chicken. Have you tried a softer Protein like crab or shrimp? Crab legs were heaven for me because they were so soft and SO normal after so many weeks of liquids.

[mlgok 29]

I haven't had shrimp yet! I didn't know when would be a good time to start eating shellfish. But I'm always afraid I'm going to over eat because full feels so much different now than it used to. So I usually eat a couple ounces and just stop. @@LipstickLady

Edited June 9, 2016 by mlgok

[LipstickLady 25,682]

I haven't had shrimp yet! I didn't know when would be a good time to start eating shellfish. But I'm always afraid I'm going to over eat because full feels so much different now than it used to. So I usually eat a couple ounces and just stop. @@LipstickLady

That's seriously the best way to do it. I measured everything because one bite too many and it all came back.

I loved heavily mayonnaised salads. Crab salad, seafood salad, shrimp salad (I chopped the shrimp up a little). The fat kept me feeling full longer and it sat better on my stomach.

[KristenLe 5,979]

Find some Protein Water if they won't allow shakes. Did they tell you only 3 meals? My plan is 5-6 small meals (3 hours in-between).

[Christinamo7 4,042]

I added Protein powder or cheese to anything it was appropriate to do so and I eat 3 meals and 2 Snacks. are there any Protein Bars you like for one of the Snacks?

[Read2016 658]

My plan discourages shakes after week three as well... While it might make it harder, I think it forces you to interact with food again and train yourself how to eat...

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them"

Einstein

[Daisee68 2,493]

No idea how people get there that early without shakes. I am 1 year post-op and still drink 1 every day.

[1Day1Life4Now 882]

The shakes are awesome. The most important thing is to get the Protein in so if it takes the shakes to do it then so be it. It's your journey so how you eat will be totally different from everyone else. It's not a 1 size fits all kind of journey. We all tolerate foods differently so do what is best for your tummy.

[JusWannaBeHealthy 2]

Good question. I'm in Phase 3 and can barely eat a kids bowl of puréed food.

Just wasting food.

[jess9395 5,450]

Ditto what's been said. No way could I get all my Protein from food until maybe 1.5 years post op and honestly still can't most days at 2.5 year out and I've been at goal for a year and a half!

I also used 5-6 small meals a day rather than three squares again because my capacity wasn't large enough to fit everything in. Still do that to this day. High Protein Snacks like Greek yogurt, shrimp, tuna, Jerky and yeah Quest Protein Bars.

[Valentina 2,642]

I add nutritional yeast to anything and everything. It adds Protein (app. 8gr/2 TBLsp) to everything. In Soups it tastes like savory croutons. On meat, fish, fowl, it has a cheesy taste.

It's a great way to boost the Protein count of whatever you're eating.

Give it a try. "you'll like it".

Good luck and let us know how you're doing along your journey.

Prayer going up for you, Friend.

[gm4dis29@gmail.com 5]

It's interesting how each Dr. gives us different direction. My Doc said that for the first year, I'd need to supplement my Protein with shakes or he suggested GENEPRO (flavorless Protein powder) which has 30gm of protein in one serving and mixes with pretty much any liquid. My meals are so small that even though protein rich, I don't get enough food down to tic off too many gms of protein. I have so much more energy when I keep the protein up.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

You guys doing it without Protein shakes are the real MVP. I couldn't do it. I was having a Protein shake every morning for years before surgery just so I wouldn't skip Breakfast.

My program moves you off them as you can eat more food, but they are encouraged in the beginning so you don't starve. If you are starving you won't lose weight, and your hair, skin and nails will be affected.

Add some softer foods, like a really moist baked fish like swai or cod. Salmon can be tough. chicken is another thing that can make it hard to get enough Protein in.

Good luck.

[mlgok 29]

I'm definitely gonna try the nutritional yeast!