How are you meeting your protein intake?

[darpollard]

Hi, new here, surgery date scheduled with Dr. Almanza for January 26, 2012. My sister and I are "tag-teaming" and our husbands are going along for support. I've read alot of your posts, and it has helped me believe this decision is right. One concern I do have is the ability to take in the 100g of protein. How are most of you meeting this amount? Have you found good protein shakes that don't also fill you with carbs and other crap? I'm just curious how to plan to get my protein intake - especially right after surgery. I appreciate all the testimonies...many sound like we're living parallel lives! Thanks again for ideas and advice.

[newme2011]

I am using premier protien from Costco. 30 grm per 11oz. I like the chocolate one. they have vanilla too.
I don't love them by any means ..I try and think of them as medicine...just something I have to take everyday to stay healthy.
Julie

[Dana]

I never get in 100, but my doc only said at least 60 grm of protein. and I try. its the least I could do. smoothie king has a low carb high protein Gladiator that I try to get in sometimes. that is when my numbers look the best. other that that I sip unsweetened soy milk all day for the bulk of it. sometimes a steak, or part of one. and eggs or chicken salad.

[Grace]

I eat a lot of chicken. I also keep a tube of liquid protein (I use proasis) in my purse at all times. On the go it's cheddar cheese to nibble on. Also stewed beef, fish, pretty much any meat I ate before except ground beef which just doesn't go down well still. I do have soy milk/soy protein shakes maybe 3 times a week now in the car on the way to work. Eggs are touch and go with me, some days they are ok, others a no go.
After a while you can eat mostly normally, just tiny amounts. At first it's all about liquid protein, either shakes or the vials.
I get between 80 and 100 gms a day.

[inbliss]

Check out the Unjury protein - nice for 2O grams (31 if you make it with milk) of hot chocolate. I also eat a lot of greek yogurt and have been eating turkey bacon lately. It has been really hard getting all the protein in. Keep a stash of string cheese, greek yogurt (and anything else that is high in protein and easy to snack on) handy so you always have an easy snack.

Good luck!

[cowgirljane]

I haven't been sleeved yet, but the nutritionalist explained how this is done quite literally day by day. Our target is 60-80g and they have you start out using the drinks to help, with the goal that overtime you get it mostly from solid food. Do you get dietary instructions from your physician?

It depends on the phase you are in how you do it, but the basic principle is protein first, low carb veggies second, and fruits/carb veggies last.

[Sleeve4ever]

Hi, I believe that 60-80g of protein/day is completely necessary to meet the body's nutritional requirements mainly during the first 5 weeks after surgery. I found that taking 1 Lean body hi-prot 40g/servings at breakfast and another at dinner is an easy way to put in 80 g of protein, zero sugar, and 1L of fluid into your new body. I have had my surgery x 7 days, and that is what I take plus 2 centrums (it has iron, zinc, complex B) (breakf and dinner), sublingual liquid complex B, calcium/VitD 600/400 x 2 daily. ALso, I drink K20 protein water 5g prot/5g fiber in 16 oz bottle. I drink diet green tea with peach and Propel h20
throughout the day. I walk at least 30 min daily ~ 1 mile now.. will try to increase to 2 miles/day
Good luck on your surgery, god bless

[nycbiscuit]

60-80 grams is recommended for most adults including sleevers.
100-120 grams is recommended for those who've had malabsorptive surgeries, like RNY bypass or duodenal switch.

There are a lot of shakes and powders, some of which are low- to no-carb. You'll have to determine which you like, as taste is different for each person. Personally, I don't like most of those, so I limit my carbs elsewhere.

The idea is to eventually get all the protein you need through whole foods and not to depend on supplements, but for most they are necessary, especially in the weight loss stage post-op. I try to get protein in at each meal and snack. I will add a few teaspoons of protein powder to oatmeal or Cream of Wheat. I have a shake for lunch typically. Some cheese or yogurt for a snack. And meat for dinner. I'm always getting at least 50, and usually between 60-70.

You'll find that you do not get as hungry if your last meal had protein in it. When you eat carbs, you get hungry for more carbs.
?

[Kelly Jo]

I also use the Premiere Nutrition shakes from Costco. They can also be purchased at Sam's Club I believe. I really like the chocolate a lot. The vanilla is decent, and you can add yogurt/fruit to make a smoothie. Good luck.

[leesa]

My Dr. told me last week that they have increased the recommended amount of protein you should have daily I wanted to cry lol hard to do sometimes I drink Herbalife protien drinks that you miss with water and also a drink called Rockin Refuel its low fat choclate milk taste very good.

[msdw59]

I am using premier protien from Costco. 30 grm per 11oz. I like the chocolate one. they have vanilla too.
I don't love them by any means ..I try and think of them as medicine...just something I have to take everyday to stay healthy.
Julie

And I love them! I've tried lots of shakes and Premier is hands down a winner in my book. I will say this. Prior to surgery I was an Isopure girl alll the way. After surgery, my taste buds changed and all of my Isopures are too sweet! So, the premier protein has been a Godsend. And I'm not a chocolate milk drinker by nature. But I actually look forward. Now a tip for ya. Drinking these protein drinks cause a lot of constipation for many. Figure out how to get some fiber into your diet. After a long time, I finally gave in and I take a gummy fiber 3 to 4x a week. Once I started incorporating that into my diet all was right with the world. LOL

All the best to ya. - YOU CAN DO IT!

[darpollard]

Thanks everyone for all the info, recommendations and good wishes. I truly appreciate it. I'm thankful I found this site...I'll be a "pro" by the time my surgery date comes around! LOL!!!

[Shugaplum]

I totally agree with Lady Di...I get the Premier from Sams...best one I've tried! I eat tuna and chicken alot, cottage cheese, string cheese. I usually have no trouble getting in my 60 gms.

[splendaaa]

I can never get it all in. I think I get about 50grams.

[Emj124]

I found these small 3.4 oz. bottles of flavored whey protein at GNC. One bottle has 41 grams of protein. I usually take a water bottle and poor half of the protein mix in and it flavors the water similar to crystal light. Two 20 0z. bottles of water later I have 41 grams in! I also agree the unjury works really well! They have a chicken flavored powder I mix with low sodium broth and I have another 25 grams in and its really quite good! My issues are with getting all the vitamins down. The chewables are so chalky! I wish everyone the best of luck! Everyone is so inspiring!