Protein

Hey Nicole, If you are doing a 40g protein drink (are you doing it as one of your three meals or between meals?) then you only need 40 more in the rest of your meals. Remember that anything over about 30g (some say 25g) of protein in one sitting will not absorb. So it is wasting it. But that was not your question! My Nut told us to eat every 4 hours. Small meals...but every 4 hours. Depending on my schedule, that can be either 4 or 5 meals in a day. I generally have a 30g Protein shake (one made with decaf instant coffee and chocolate protein powder and the other with fruit and Nectar protein powder) twice a day (as meals). Then I also do 1/2 of a bottle of Isopure (20g protein) between two of my meals and can count it as fluid intake as well. Generally, I have a South Beach Meal Replacement Bar (not the cereal breakfast bar) for one of my meals (another 19g of protein). The last of the 4 meals is generally some sort of "real" food. I generally try to have some lean meats (chicken, pork or fish - beef does not sit well with me right not). If I am tired, I will have a Lean Cuisine (although you have to be careful...many of these are either high in fat or high in sugar). I will do canned tuna, shrimp, crab or chicken in a salad. Usually mixed with low fat mayo and tons of spices. I have also found some low fat/low sodium soups (Campbells, Chunky, and Healthy Choice) that I like. If the prepared meal does not have enough protein (around 20), then I will add something like a Low Fat String Cheese stick to it. In the end, I am in the 120-130 range. This is what my Nut wants (male, exercising regularly). It took me a while to get onto the schedule, but it seems to be working. Hope you can figure your proteins out. Between that and the fluids, it was a big adjustment! Dave

Hi Dave, I was instructed to use my protein drink as a supplement, not a meal replacement. I cut it with water and drink it throughout the day. My doctor's dietary rules don't allow me to eat many of the foods you mentioned, but I look forward to enjoying some of them in the future! Thanks for the input!

Nicole, Have you tried the protein bullets. You can get them from bariatriceating.com. They have 42 gms of protein in about 6oz. You drink 1/2 in the morning and the other 1/2 at night. There are some others that have 25gms of protein in them. I think the name of them is New Whey. My doc is like yours and it does make it difficult to get all of your protein in. In fact the program you're going through sounds exactly like mine! How many calories are you getting in a day??? Good luck! Janie

Yeah, ok so 3 meals with "supplements" between.... = 3 meals with snacks between... Well, as long as the snacks are high protein (or supplement), not just pleasure foods. So sounds like you're on the same page as us, they just rephrased the wording

Well.....sorta. I mean, I've been instructed not to drink 30 minutes before, during and 30 minutes after my meals - including the protein supplement drink. Once I'm able to get in enough protein with food I'll go off the supplement.

I buy frozen shrimp, keep 5 or 6 in a freezer ziploc with ice and take them to work, I also bring my bottle of ****tail sauce so I have a high protein delicous snack at work. Good luck with the battle to consume massive amounts of protein LOL