[Sharon_T]

I am having a terrible time getting my protein in. My taste buds have seriously changed and I can't seem to stomach it. I have the New Whey bullets, an vanilla protein mix (that didn't taste bad before surgery), chocolate premade shakes, and a couple other powders. I've always had a hard time with sweetner so I am assuming this is what is causing the upset stomach. It's so bad that a bite of a sugar free pop has me running for the toilet. I'm trying to get as much as I can in my food, but as I'm still not eating much and they only want me to have 3 meals a day, I don't know what to do. Tuna is high in protein and 3 oz gets me about 25 grams, but eating tuna 3 x a day is almost unbearable even with a little added light mayo.

Here is my typical day...

Breakfast 1 egg - 6 grams of protein
Snack (in place for protein shake) cheese stick - 7 grams protein
Lunch 3 oz tuna - 26 grams protein
Snack 1/2 cup cottage cheese - 9 grams protein
Dinner 3 oz of chicken - approx 12 gram to 15 grams

If I do it this way I get at least 60 grams, but if I cut out the 2 snacks I barely hit 50.

I guess my question is are the 2 snacks going to hurt me if I use them instead of a 4 oz to 8 oz protein shake since my doctor doesn't want me eating more than 3 x a day (I am going to discuss this with him when I go back)? What other foods could I use to substitue that have higher protein?

I have a lot of options of what to eat, but I want the higher protein foods so I don't have to use the supplements right now. I am hoping to order the achiev1 and try them as I miss my cold coffee, I haven't done it yet.

Any advice would be great. Thanks!

[greensgirl19]

What did your doc say? Mine told me to aim for 40-60 proteins/day. I know I make it easy - 40 isn't terribly difficult, but you sound like you're doing excellent! It just depends on what the doc wants you to get - they're all different. My doc would love that protein intake!

[Kenyar]

i was told at least 60. so i was doing a shake everyday for breakfast for a while. that was 35 grams right there. there are some unflavored protein powders that you can add to foods. but if you can only eat 3 meals a day its going to be hard to get in 20g each meal when you cant eat much. tuna, chicken, turkey cold cuts, egg salad, you could add boiled egg to the tuna. do you eat fish at all? broiled fish, shrimp. i think the further you get you will be able to do with wih ease but right now you still dont have much room in the pouch.
PS. i think you are doing great too!

[wannabe skinny]

we had our surgery on the same day!!!! exciting isn't it ! :-P
my tastebuds have been going crazy when it comes to protein too. with the creamy milky shake types especially. i have a glass of AO that is going down the drain very soon. what i have found that is really yummy is the isopure punch that i mix with one of the crystal light pouches of cherry pomegranite (forgive my spelling on that) it is really tasteee!!

food-wise, i don't know how many grams of protein, but last night for dinner i had the appetizer of the grilled shrimp from outback last night with some of their dipping sauce OH MY OH MY!!! extremely delicious. must not have been too many calories/carbs because this morning i was down 2 more pounds!

[mlg78]

My surgeon told me at least 60 as well... Thankfully, my favorite shake is 30.5 grams each! I hope you find some great suggestions!

[Sharon_T]

My doctor wants me to aim for 60 to 80, but no less. He said he knows its hard but to do the best I can do. My problem is that I feel so much better when I get at least 60 grams.

As far as fish...white fish doesn't settle with me at all and I am allergic to shellfish terribly. I've tried salmon and it sits OK, but just like chicken it tends to hurt. My best bet with meat right now is chicken and ground turkey.

I am going to continue what I am doing and when I see him I guess I'll tell him I've added the snacks versus the protein supplement. I wouldn't think it would be a problem other than it counts for the fluid intake and I'm getting about 50 to 60 oz of water so I'm not doing bad on that end.

Next I need to work on getting all my vitamins in. I realize that if I work on it all one step at a time I do better. I just wish there was some totally, unbelievably good protein drink out there that wasn't so darn expensive. I'm tired of throwing money down the drain!

Thanks for the input! I really appreciate it.

[Trulykath]

At first, I was OK with the New Whey bullets, but then they became sickening to me. I use the Profect bullets....they are easier to stomach for me and I found the VHT smoothie that I love (Discount Nutritional Supplements for Bodybuilding, Fitness, Diet, Weight Lifting, Weight Loss do a search for VHT SMOOTHIE EXTREME). They have 35 grams and I usually do one of these for breakfast....

I don't think the snacking hurts, as long as it's healthy choices....you will find your routine....it sounds like you are on the right path!

[Kenyar]

i found one that isnt too expensive but tastes vary so it may or may not work for you. unjury is what i use now. i was using EAS from walmart. a huge tub for 18.00. i still have some i think...the thing is, your tastes will change over time so dont buy too much or any one thing and dont throw anything that you dont like now, away. you may like it, or figure out a way to tweak it to you liking later on.

[mlg78]

Since I'm only 3 days out I have a question... I'm supposed to get in all this water but also a lot of shakes for protein... Either way, it's all in liquid form and it's all about sipping. So what's more important? I can only sip so much? The water or the protein? What should I strive more for? I seemed to do really well today with the protein...but not so well on the water. I'm confused.

[DocSanae]

You need to keep track of the fluids to prevent dehydration. Protein comes after this until you can get everything in. However, keep in mind that you can count the shakes towards fluids for their liquid content.