Don't know what to eat

[bcarter 0]

I am new to this site. Any suggestions on what a good source of Protein would be besides cottage cheese? I do seem to be able to tolerate beef products and am tired of chicken. Any menu ideas?

Thanks!

[TallgirlTX 0]

Welcome the site!

3 things I cant live without...

Hormel Turkey Chili,190 calories and 24 grams of Protein. Also try cheese sticks or refried Beans.

Good luck on your band journey!

Self pay... 3.30.07

Dr Spivak, Houston TX

310/235/210

[TexasFire 84]

I love EAS Premium Protein in chocolate, and it has 27 grams of Protein. I get it at costco and usually mix up a "double" first thing in the morning to stay ahead of the protein game. Not bad to start with 54 right out of the gate. Other than that, I eat a lot of salmon steaks (Costco again...cheaper bought whole boneless fillet and cut up at home to freeze), cheese, Beans (LOVE black beans), chicken (which you are sick of and so am I at times), turkey, eggs, tuna, brocolli, brussel sprouts, Peanut Butter...want more? LOL

On the serious side, when you are looking at the nutrition label, make sure you also check the sugar grams because so much of the high protein stuff out there is AWFUL FOR YOU because of the sugar content. Most Protein drinks, Protein Shots, Protein Bars are horrid. There are some good ones out there, though. I just haven't found any that TASTE good, so I stick with the drink in the morning.

OH! And I have a friend on here who throws a couple tablespoons of Peanut Butter in her chocolate Protein Drink and says it tastes like that Reese's cereal! Gonna try that soon!

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Here's what I found in a search:

High Protein Foods

High Protein Foods - Blurtit

food.php" rel="external nofollow">High Protein Food

[2bthinagn 3]

Yogurt, stringcheese, tuna, your surgeon should have given you a list of foods and when you can start eating them

[munchkin392 1]

Welcome the site!

3 things I cant live without...

Hormel Turkey Chili,190 calories and 24 grams of Protein. Also try cheese sticks or refried Beans.

Good luck on your band journey!

Self pay... 3.30.07

Dr Spivak, Houston TX

310/235/210

Love, love, love the Hormel Turkey Chili, I've been eating that forever. I'm being banded next week and I'm on a high protein/low carb diet, so I've been eating alot of Hormel Turkey Chili and string cheese!! (Maybe I won't love it so much after eating is so much...)

[Chiquita 0]

banana smoody,, milk and a banana blended together.. good for the memory too

Beans, so refried sloopy Beans? ? lol.

Peanut Butter has Protein, maybe get the Adam's with no sugar, and take a table spoon of it with a glass of Water and just eat some Peanut Butter and some Water after to wash it down.

Can't think of what else, I am like you looking for ideas, but the banana smoody is quick and has lots of Vitamins and minerals and Protein

[transformer 1]

Hi there!

I posted this information on another thread, but maybe you'll find it helpful as well. I basically eat what "normal" people eat minus the fat, sodium, tons of carbs, and in smaller portions. No rocket science needed--I promise! If I can do this, you can do this!

The first thing I do is eat out of plastic containers that hold only a cup of food at the most to control portion sizes or I use a dessert sized plate rather than a dinner plate. It's a psychological thing! I usually aim for 1/2 cup of Protein at each meal then add in veggies, etc. Some people can eat more than a cup of food at a sitting which is fine--everyone is different. I'm a little shrimp--only 5'4" so my tummy is probably smaller than some folks'! As long as you're still losing, it's all good!

I eat three "meals" a day and I try my best not to eat at all after 6 PM. I don't snack between meals. Instead, I drink Water in various forms and strive to get in 64 ounces a day to flush out fat, keep from retaining too much Water, and to stay hydrated. I don't really like plain water, so I got a PUR water filter and flavoring cartridge that I attached to my faucet. I either make flavored water by the glass or keep a pitcher in the fridge to fill up my water bottle. I drink Crystal Light, too.

For dairy foods, I'll usually eat the low-carb 4 oz. yogurts although I find that yogurt does not do a very good job filling me up! I do still make Protein shakes with store brand skim lactaid milk (I'm still working on my bottomless container of Champion Nutrition whey Protein powder from a year ago)! I usually make it with about 8 ounces of liquid, 1 scoop of powder, and enough crushed ice to raise the volume to 10 ounces. I buy fat free cottage cheese and eat 1/2 cup with different things mixed in. I might add a teaspoon of sugar free strawberry jam (10 whole calories!) or a tablespoon of yogurt just to add some flavor. My doctor advised me not to add fruit like applesauce to it to avoid eating too many carbs. I eat string cheese sometimes with about 4 whole wheat crackers. I tried the lowfat version once, but wasn't too crazy about it. I also eat Egg Beaters for Breakfast often. Some stores sell flavored Egg Beaters--Southwest/Garden Vegetables, etc. Those are pretty good. I usually buy the plain kind and add something to it (chopped scallions, salsa, a sprinkle of cheese, chopped onions, peppers, and tomatoes, etc.). You can also play with spices as well.

I eat refried Beans pretty often. I take a 1/2 cup of fat-free refried Beans and combine it with a tablespoon or so of different types of salsa just to make it more interesting (peach salsa, pineapple salsa, etc.). Sometimes I add a teaspoon of fat free sour cream or a little sprinkle of shredded cheese on top (emphasis on little sprinkle--cheese can have a lot of fat).

I also eat canned salmon a lot. I'll take a 1/2 cup of canned salmon and stir in different things (chopped scallions, chopped onions, chopped tomatoes, dill, etc.). If you buy a couple of plum tomatoes instead of the big ones, that makes enough to mix in without having a lot of Tomato left over to spoil. I add to that fat free Mayonnaise or a fat free dressing that goes well with salmon. I do the same with canned tuna. I always rinse tuna (packed in water, not oil) in a collander to wash off the salt, too. That's an old habit I picked up from my dad's diet plan after he had a heart attack years ago. I also season salmon steaks with lemon juice and pepper and broil or bake it and then serve it with non-starchy veggies. I enjoy other types of fish as well (bake tilapia topped with salsa or canned chipotle peppers with adobe sauce which is very spicy, bake any white fish with a can of chopped tomatoes over it, etc.). All of these fish ideas can be split into smaller serving sizes and frozen.

I make stir-fry often with chicken or shrimp and frozen stir-fry veggies. It's very quick and easy, and you can freeze the leftovers in small portions for another time. I find it's too salty if I use regular soy sauce, so I usually buy the low sodium kind. I make a basic soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and cornstarch sauce found in most cookbooks. I usually cook rice for my son, but I don't usually eat any because I eat the meat and veggies first in my little plastic container and I get filled up.

For chicken, I have the best luck if I use chicken broth to cook it. Dry chicken and I don't get along well! Blech! Sometimes I'll cook a whole package of boneless chicken breast in my pressure cooker with 1 1/2 cups of low sodium chicken broth or a can of diced or stewed tomatoes to keep the meat moist. Once the meat cools, I'll chop it up and freeze it in 4 oz. serving sizes. I'll mix the cold or hot cubed chicken with all kinds of things. For warm meals, I'll heat the chicken up with some salsa, chopped tomatoes, or frozen non-starchy veggies. I'll add the cold chicken to salads, add fat free mayonnaise and scallions to make cold chicken salad, or grind it up with FF mayo and eat it on a few whole-wheat crackers. I use turkey the same way.

I haven't quite mastered making pork easy to eat yet. I'm still working on it. I can't eat shake 'n Bake pork chops anymore. Again, if it's too dry, I gag on it! I do have beef on occasion, but I make an effort to eat fish, chicken, and dairy more often.

I do purchase frozen meals sometimes (Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice, etc.). I try to buy the ones that have just meat and veggies like steak tips and broccoli or turkey and veggies. If it's too much, I'll save the rest for another meal. If I buy a salad, I find that it lasts me for a good 2-3 meals. I dip my lettuce in the dressing as I eat rather than pouring the dressing all over the salad. It stays crisp a bit longer that way.

You'll notice that I didn't mention the words bread or potato. I do eat some of these, but sparingly. I'll have a toast with Peanut Butter on occasion for Breakfast. I can say now that I no longer eat doughy foods like doughnuts or cinnamon rolls. I avoid processed carbs as much as I can (chips, Snacks in the cookie/cracker aisle, etc.).

I don't know if any of this babbling helps at all, but at least there's a few ideas in there that might appeal to you! Part of learning to live with the band is changing your thinking--the hardest part of this journey is overcoming what your brain is telling you from years and years of bad habits. If you make the food taste good and look good, you won't miss junk food at all. By the way, sugar free jello/puddings with lite cool whip can help satisfy a sweet tooth, too!

I feel like I'm a successful bandster not because I lost 100 lbs. in a year (which I most definitely haven't), but because I'm focusing on the good things I can eat and not bemoaning all of the foods I really shouldn't be eating in the first place. I'm choosing to lose weight at a slower pace than some folks--I'm not in a race with anyone but myself. I'm trying to make good choices to be healthy in order to change my lifestyle. I want to make lasting changes, not fall victim to the "fad diet" quick fix mentality if that makes sense. I didn't spend money to get banded and go back on the cabbage Soup diet, if you know what I mean! My band is just a tool to help me curb my appetite--the behavior modification and exercise is all up to me!

Good luck with your journey!!!!

[BarbBee 1]

Wow Transformer thanks for all the info. I found it really helpful. I like your way of thinking. I too realize I have to re-train my brain when it comes to food. I think that will be the most challenging part of this journey. Congrats on the 65 lb weight loss!!!

Do you use your Protein Shakes as a meal or do you count them as a snack?

Thanks,

Barb

[transformer 1]

Thanks for the congratulations! I've probably lost more by now, but I haven't weighed myself for a while. My jeans are getting looser come to think of it. Now you've made me curious!

I don't eat Snacks, just three meals per day, so the Protein drinks would count as a meal. If I wake up late on a weekday, I'll blend up a quick Protein shake and take it with me! That way, I'm not tempted to stop by McDonald's for a fat-laden breakfast sandwich (that will just make me gag anyway)! LOL!

While on the subject of fast-food places, I sometimes end up going out at lunch with colleagues which could be a problem. I do my best to pick the lesser of all of the evils on the menu.

For example, at Wendy's I'll get just a grilled chicken sandwich, eat the insides of it, and leave the bread behind, get a salad, or I'll order just a cup of chili. At Burger King or McDonald's, I order the grilled chicken sandwich (not a combo meal--no fries, onion rings, or drink--just the sandwich) or get a salad with fat free dressing.

If a pizza place serves salad, I go with that or sometimes a wrap sandwich (I usually have leftovers with either option). If the pizza place only serves pizza, I order a slice of veggie pizza and eat mostly the toppings on it.

Mexican food can be tricky because a lot of it is loaded with fat from cheese, sour cream, and guacomole. I usually get fajitas and eat mainly the meat and veggies. I like getting that because I get a lot of leftovers out of one meal! Less work for me!

If I'm stuck picking up something real quick at WaWa's (a gas station convenience store), I look for yogurt, string cheese, cottage cheese, South Beach Protein Bars (19g of Protein and low carb!), or Slim-Fast Optima shakes (low carb).

The bottom line is that you gotta do the best you can with the food choices that are available sometimes!

[Lumpy 18]

how do yall get those tickers and cute pics on there?

[transformer 1]

Hi there!

Go to these links to get directions for adding an avatar like my Tazmanian Devil or the weight loss ticker I have at the bottom of my signature:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/avatars-custom-title-issues-3434/

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/

To make the glitter writing, go to GlitterMaker.com and follow their instructions.

If you are new to this site, make sure you check out the Lap-Band Surgery FAQs and References section: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f73/. A lot of "newbies" like to read the Abbreviations and what they mean thread so they know what everyone's acronyms mean (like LOL, IMHO, etc.).

Hope this helps! :biggrin1:

[TexasFire 84]

I'm going to recant what I said about there isn't a good tasting Protein bar! I found one yesterday at Max Muscle called Supreme Protein. I got the Caramel Nut chocolate flavor. If you put a little Peanut Butter in a 100 Grand candy bar, that is what it tastes like! It is AWESOME and it has a whopping 30 grams of protein! It will also cure any chocolate craving out there! And to make it even better, it only has 4 grams of sugar. They are awesome and I will be going back to stock up!