Soft food phase

[Scuba Princess]

I'm in the soft food phase. I'm only supposed to eat 1 oz of meat, 1 oz veggie and 1 oz of fruit per meal (3 times per day). Sadly, that doesn't feel like enough food or nutrition. What did you guys eat, and how much of it, when you were able to eat food again (shortly after surgery?) I don't want to eat too much and stretch out my stomache, but these portions don't seem reasonable. Especially when I'm supposed to get 50 to 70 grams protein per day. That's not possible with only 3 oz of meat per day. I tried a shake in morning and then the two "meals" the rest of day but I felt crappy and weak. So please tell me what you ate and if you still lost weight. I saw someone ate retried beans and cheese... I can have cheese? Thanks!

[Linda51]

You need to call the nutritionist at your surgeon's office if they didn't give clear, written instructions. See if they can send you something in writing that you can refer to often. Every doctor's eating plan is different. I had surgery 2 days before you and I just started the pureed stage today.

[Scuba Princess]

Those were the instructions they gave me....I emailed the nutritionist to clarify, but thought I'd check with you guys too. What directions did your doctor give you for this stage?

[Alynn]

That's about it and you may find that you can't get the 3 oz. of food down. You have to take it one day at a time.

Blessings!

A

[Ann2]

Instructions were to now include "soft foods" while eating at least 60 grams of protein. That meant that I had access to everything I'd been eating up to that point and, now also, soft foods. That's why I liked mashed beans and melted cheese so much.

I also had to follow all the eating rules, which were lifetime rules, e.g., eat slowly, chew well, take small bites, use small plates, don't drink 30 mins. before or after meals or during meals, etc.

I knew I should also avoid slider or slurry or high carb foods. That meant crackers were out, as well as "white" foods like potatoes and rice and pastas. And early on, veggies, especially cruciferous ones, were hard to digest -- they definitely were not soft.

[Christie13]

I did not have any set amounts. I can tell you I could only eat about 1-3 tablespoons per meal. I did have to drink shakes to be able to get my fluids/protein in. It was hard in the beginning. It is very easy to overeat and feel sick from it. Just take it slow. Give your belly time to register what you have eaten. When you overeat it is painful. You will regret it. It seems like so little (because it is) but our tummies can't hold much. That is why it is important to try to get enough protein in and to take your vitamins.

[RehabNurse]

I'm supposed to get 50 to 70 grams protein per day. That's not possible with only 3 oz of meat per day.

Something's got to give...personally, I wasn't eating veggies or fruits in the soft food phase because it didn't leave enough room for protein. In fact, I didn't resume eating fruit until I approached my goal weight.

Focus on high-protein, soft foods such as tuna (20 grams of protein per 2.5 ounces), sardines (17 grams of protein per 3 ounces), shredded chicken breast (24 grams of protein per 3 ounces), and ground turkey (22 grams of protein per 3 ounces).

[Luna354]

I still haven't eaten fruit and my amount of veggies is still so minimal. My office told me the golden rule is protein first. In order to get remotely close to my protein goal, there's no room for anything else. You have to find a shake that works for you. Premier protein is 30g protein per shake. On liquids I was told to have 2 a day. On soft, 1 a day. One of my favorite things on soft foods was chicken/lentil soup from skinnytaste.com. It was a staple. even had it for breakfast some days.

[GigiUSA]

I'm a little over 3 weeks out and I guess in the soft food phase too? I do not have set amounts either.

Here is me most days and I feel great!!!...

I start with 2 Bariatric Advantage Multivitamins, 1 B-12 then drink some of my Premier Protein shake (usually 1/4 or 1/2?) ... then I have a little tuna salad (tuna in water, mixed with lo-fat mayo).. Like 3 small bits.

Lunch is usually some lo-fat small curd cottage cheese.. some small bites and maybe a little more tuna salad (bite or 2) and maybe a bite or two of sugar free jello.

Dinner is refried beans with beef broth to lighten it up with a small drop of sour cream. And 1 or 2 sugar free popscicles.

I then take 2 chewable calcium tablets.

...Hope this helps, remember everyone and every sleeve is SO different. I see a nutritionist next month.

[jcook2]

I'm in soft foods now and I've been eating things I make with FairLife milk- it has 20 grams of protein per cup. So, sugar free pudding mix, Carnation instant breakfast, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, etc. Best of luck to you-