protein! protein! protein!...Help
Hello Beatifulls!!!
I hope this post finds you having a good day!!!
I’m coming to you all for help. I’m struggling with protein intake :(
It definitely has me frustrated, and instead of fighting the good fight a part of me has gotten lazy and I’m at the point to where I’m not making every attempt to get the protein in. I know that if I continue like this that I will severely regret it. Yesterday I almost bought a hat in anticipation for the hair loss....talk about defeat!!
Right now I’m getting in anywhere from 40-60 grams of protein a day. I’m 25 days post-op and have lost 29 lbs. (yikes!) Although I’m happy, I also didn’t expect so much so quickly.
So this is where I come to you. My sleeve family <3
I think we’ve all struggled with protein intake but I definitely think there are some of us who are more diligent than others at making this work.
So my specific questions are:
How much protein is in your protein shake? And how many ounces are your shakes?
I find when I make my shakes that it ends up being a lot…maybe 20 oz. or so and it takes me over an hour to drink it. I think I may be making too much.
How many times are you eating a day? Or Are you on a set schedule? If so what is it?
I am transitioning from purees to regular food this upcoming week.
Can you please give me some examples of what you are eating and the quantities?
Are you weighing your food? How many ounces per meal? Out of the ounces how are you determining the amount of protein intake?
Ok…I think that’s it. And I may have gotten little technical so obviously you don’t have to answer all of the questions. I guess I’m just looking for more ammo to be able to win this battle. If you have a sure fire way of getting all of your protein in per day and you don’t miss any then you are the person I need to hear from :)
Thank you beautifulls!! I look forward to hearing back from you.
As always, very thankful to have you around!!
Sol
Re: protein! protein! protein!...Help
Here's my experience. I'm 6 weeks post...
How much protein is in your protein shake? And how many ounces are your shakes?
My shakes are:
- 1/2 banana
- 3-4 strawberries (frozen the night before)
- several blueberries (frozen the night before)
- 1/2 (or more) cup Crystal Lite Strawberry Kiwi
- 2 measures of vanilla or chocolate protein powder (40 grams protein)
This is roughly 20 ounces. Takes me 30 minutes or so to drink it.
How many times are you eating a day? Or Are you on a set schedule? If so what is it?
3 meals plus a small snack in the afternoon or evening, like 1/2 of a yogurt or a sugar free popsicle (Blue Bell is the best!) or small rice cakes.
Can you please give me some examples of what you are eating and the quantities? Are you weighing your food? How many ounces per meal? Out of the ounces how are you determining the amount of protein intake?
I'm eating low fat meals, for the most part. Chicken, turkey, deli meats, salads, some soups, some sandwiches, etc. Just trying to be smart about it. I don't weigh portions - I pretty much know by looking at it how much I can eat. I start to feel full, I stop. That makes it easy.
I use a program on my iPhone called My Fitness Pal. It has a huge food database and lists the protein amounts for most foods. It's easy to keep track of what I'm eating with it. I haven't gone over 1000 calories in a day with most days under 800.
I average 50-70 grams of protein/day. If I find myself running low, I have protein shots that I'll take. They don't taste great, but they do the job.
Hope this help.
Best wishes to you!
Re: protein! protein! protein!...Help
Sol...I have the same problem...I have bought different protein shakes and drinks they all taste yucky.....My protein intake is low...I eat only few bites and I am full.
Re: protein! protein! protein!...Help
Hi Sol, thought I'd type out my liquid diet for you:
Breakfast: 100mls Complan made with semi skimmed or skimmed milk
Mid Morning: 100mls strained yoghurt (no fruit pieces)
Lunch: 100mls strained soup, 100mls skimmed milk pudding or strained yoghurt
Mid Afternoon: 100mls Complan made with semi skimmed or skimmed milk
Supper: 100mls strained soup, 100mls jelly or jelly whip (sugar free)
Evening: 100mls Complan made with skimmed or semi skimmed milk
nb/ Complan may be replaced with slimfast if preferred
This menu will provide 800mls of fluid
Remaining 1.2-1.7liters of fluid can be in the form of:
Max 200mls semi skimmed/skimmed milk
Low Calorie or reduced sugar squash
Tea/herbal tea/coffee
1 small glass (125mls) unsweetened fruit juice diluted with water
Fruit smoothie
Water
Hope this might help a bit
Re: protein! protein! protein!...Help
Hi-we have been looking at protein and found that Trader Joe's has some excellent tasting high protein products. One of the best to us is Clif Builder's bars. There are different flavors and each has 20 grams of protein. These are to replace a meal and are approximately 270 calories. Clif also has bars more for snaks with 11 grams of protein that are 260 calories. Trader Joe's also has several protein drinks and soy milk that can be mixed with protein powders. Hope that helps. :o
Re: protein! protein! protein!...Help
I havent been sleeved yet, but decided to try some protein shakes for breakfast... the ones i got were by EAS called advantedge carb control protein shakes that are 11 oz with 17 g of protein, i actually have a big list that my dietician gave me if anyone wants me to email it to them... those protein shakes, are AMAZING, i was soooo excited the firs ttime i tasted it, its like chocolate milk lol! ( or slimfast haha)
Re: protein! protein! protein!...Help
@ Johnny,
How many onz are you aloud to have? I am almost 5 weeks out and my Dr. have me with max 4 onz/meal.
@Sol It is really hard to get my protein with only 4 onz...... and all the protein shakes I have tried are not tasty.....
Re: protein! protein! protein!...Help
Thanks Johnny!!
I've definitely been living off of protien shots, I add them to my water and they go down easy so I've been sticking to them but get bored with the taste. It looks like we're on the same track as far as food choices go, I also downloaded my fitness pal recently but havent started yet.
I guess I realized part of my frustration by reading your response.
I'm definitely going to need a food scale, otherwise I wont know how many ounces of protein I'm consuming and wont be able to log it accurately. The liquid protien is easy, it says it right on the packaging lol food...eh not so easy.
The lazy person in my doesn't want to have to become a protein guru but if I can make some sense out of what I'm doing then I think it will become easier. Thank you for your repsonse!!! I'll be looking out for those posicles too :)
Jersey, we gotta do this together sis!! Do you have yahoo IM?
If so, add me vegasgrl143
Sarah that definitely helps thanks!!! Very encouraging to see you've gotten it down to a science!! ;-)
Thanks Jen! I've heard about those, I'll look online for them. 11 oz with that much protein is awesome!! I've also heard about unjury, thinking of trying that too.
Hi wonderful! *waves* don't give up friend. Hopefully this post helps you too!!
Thanks again.
If anyone else has any awesome tips I'd love to hear them!
Sol
Re: protein! protein! protein!...Help
Wonderful1... my nutritionist has been flexible. Because I continue to lose weight with the routine I have been following, I will continue. I really don't want to start weighing everything I eat so I tend to estimate high for tracking purposes and eat until I start to feel full and then stop. If I had to guess, I would say the portions are close to a cup or so.
Also, I found the retail protein shakes are too low in protein and high in calories. For me. it's not worth it. I would rather make my own to get the protein I need. Plus, the smoothie recipes I make tastes great!
Sol... I would encourage you to play around with the app. It has so many foods listed (both retail packaging as well as restaurants) that you can get really close without using a scale. You also have the option to specify the portion amount (1/2, 1/3, etc). When I estimate, I round up on calories and go conservative on protein. That works for me...
A food scale is a great tool - I just don't want to be tied to it.
Good luck!
Re: protein! protein! protein!...Help
I've been getting around 80 grams of protein every day, sometimes more; and I have to wonder: How much protein is TOO much? But anyway Sol, here's what I eat, most days:
Breakfast: Either oatmeal (1 pack of instant) made with 1/2 cup skim milk and 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder...or...
1/2 cup cottage cheese, mixed with 1 snack pack of diced peaches (packed in water) and 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder. Add a little cinnamon and this tastes like dessert!...or...
An egg scrambled with a little cheddar cheese and a tablespoon or so of milk
Lunch: 1/2 cup tuna salad on top of a small mixed salad...a little balsamic or wine vinegar on the lettuce part makes it tasty...or...
A Lean Cuisine classic cafe that is low in carbs (under 20 grams) - there are only 4 or 5 that fit this criteria...or...
2 or 3 oz. of thinly-sliced deli lunchmeat with a veggie or small salad
Dinner: 3 oz of baked chicken or fish, occasionally a meatball with tomato sauce, occasionally steak or shrimp...plus well cooked mushy veggies such as broccoli or cauliflower or green beans
Snacks: 1 mozzerella string cheese stick mid-morning and 1 protein shake mid-afternoon
Late night, if I'm hungry, I'll have a sugar-free pudding snack (1/2 cup)
Hope this helps!
Re: protein! protein! protein!...Help
I start my day with a scrambed egg with turkey sausage or bacon (1) or a slice of wheat thin bread (50 cal) and cheese melted on top or cottage cheese and toast.
No mid morning snack.
Lunch a protein drink and maybe 10 veggie stix for crunch or 2 oz of water packed tuna and a little mayo and 3 crackers.
Mid-afternoon sometimes a protein drink or just a few more veggie stix (39 are 129 cal)
Dinner: 2 to 3 oz of protein usually chicken or fish. Have tried steak once (did well) some sort of veggie such as salad or green beans.
I am getting in all my protein which is 80 grams usually without problem. I am steadily working in more vegetables. I do eat carbs but what gram count and stay well within limits. I lose every week and am satisfied with my results. I have not lost any hair but am wrinkling some. age does not help. I am 56 almost 57.
Re: protein! protein! protein!...Help
I'm drinking 80g of protein each day. How long after your surgery before you started eating like that. It sounds good and filling - - and you are getting in the protein.
Re: protein! protein! protein!...Help
Usually about 4 or 5 weeks. That's when you can start introducing "normal" foods, one at a time as you are able to tolerate them.
Re: protein! protein! protein!...Help
geez, reading all this I cant wait to get to that stage of my post op. Not that I'm hungry, far from it, but just the different textures and tastes, thats what I'm looking forward to.
Re: protein! protein! protein!...Help
Hi. Wow that's amazing. I am 10 weeks from surgery and I've lost 31.5 pounds so I think you've done brilliantly! I am eating a lot of salad and fish and on 1000-1200 calories per day. Have also started doing exercise but am busy at home with 3 young children anyway. Have had a few plateaus which are really disheartening. Like now I have increased my exercise and lost nothing for a week! Bowels nor quite moving regularly yet though so it could be that. How many cals are you all on and are you drinking protein shakes? It is surprising me how much I can eat. I thought it was supposed to be a year before I could eat a starter or kids portion but I can certainly do that now. I also seem to graze on ryvitas and cream cheese which do add up tlin calories.