Sick of the soft foods phase!

I'm 18 days out, and was okayed for soft foods on Monday. There aren't many things on the list that I actually like, but haven't had any problem at all with the things I've added. However, some of it fills me up but doesn't have enough protein - then I have to supplement with protein drinks, and still try to get in my 64 oz of water. I don't mind at all having the same things but I'm soooooo looking forward to the next stage. FWIW, for my 2 weeks on full liquids, I had two Isopure Alpine Punch mixed w/ water drinks 2x a day, and one Unjury unflavored mixed with Crystal Light lemonade. Since I've been moved to soft foods, I've had frozen mac and cheese, but can only eat about 1/3 of it for lunch, for about 3 g protein. I've also had fat free American cheese, for 5 g each. And yogurt mixed with Unjury unflavored - I had half servings yesterday for lunch and dinner, at 12.5 g each. Today I'm going to try a whole container to get more protein in for the meal - it's practically liquid after I mix it, and so if I go slow and spread it out, I think I can do it without being full. Oh well, I guess this frustration is a small price to pay for the end result, eh? I'm just dreaming of the next stage!

It is frustrating at times. I came across this recipe for Taco Soup that is high in protein. I am making this today in the crock pot, it also freezes well so I will freeze some in indivdual containers for work. If you make it in the crock pot, after 8 hours on high the beans will be soft and mushy. If you cant have ,meat yet, substitute tofu! Tofu takes on the flavors of whatever you are cooking and it is very high in protein, just dice it up and cook away! It will also soften to the point you can ma**** with a fork, and tolerate it okay. Im NOT adding the corn just yet, so if you make this as a new post op, then hold the corn. I did nibble on my grandson chcken finger last night. It was cooked to where it was very moist and easy to chew well, and I did okay with this. I only ate a bite or 2, and if I ate a whole one I have no idea how I would tolerate it but a bite or 2 satisfies me right now. Taco Soup 2 lbs ground beef, cooked & drained ( I use ground turkey, more protein) 1 can pinto beans 1 can black beans **(do not drain any of the beans) 1 can chili beans 1 can kidney beans 2 cans white shoepeg or yellow corn (drained) 2 cans diced tomatoes (do not drain) 1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch (dry) 1 packet of taco seasoning mix (dry) Mix all together and cook on low for several hours. The longer it cooks the better it gets. It does well in a crockpot for at least 8 hours! You may add tomato sauce to it to thin it out more or beef broth if you wish. I like mine like chili. Can serve it with a dollop of fat free sour cream, and top with shredded cheese, olives, diced tomatoes, green onions, whatever you wish. YUMMY, low cal and high protein!

I am going to try your Taco Soup recipe when I am on soft foods. Do you know how much protein is in it? Thanks for sharing. Pam Lap RNY 4/20/05

Hi Pam, Im not sure of the exact protein count per serving. Each can of beans has between 5 and 7 gm's protein per serving. The ground turkey has 23 gms per serving, which is roughly 4 oz. I will see if I can find out how much protein is in one serving for you. I will be changing to ground turkey from ground beef. I had no idea how much protein it contained until I picked it up for this dish. Sandy

I'm also having trouble getting in all my protein and liquids! At my last doctor's visit, he told me the protein drinks count in my 64 oz of daily fluids. And I can't wait until I can begin the soft foods stage! This liquid diet really stinks. I bet each stage we go through, we will hardly be able to wait for the following stage until we can eat whatever we want!

I can't wait to start soft foods!!!!!!!!! Tuesday I get to switch over. I did try some mashed potatoes and a drizzle of queso today and it went down fine. I've been on liquid since my surgery on the 19th.

I am having small curd cottage cheese -- they make little 4 oz cups -- has I think 11g of protein. I am also pureeing tuna or chicken in the can and adding "Just 2" Mayo and a bit of lemon juice -- also a good source of protein. And, I repeat again (probably ad nauseum), the Stallone High Protein Pudding -- each cup has 20g of protein, lots of potassium, no sugar, 2g of fat. Last night I pureed some cooked chicken with a sauce w/in my guidelines, and lost my cookies for the first time. Trial and error. (Maybe it's my cooking... lol). I've also taken to eating firm tofu with soy sauce, nuked. Hope you find more that you enjoy. Just explore... Regards, Marla

I'm with you! However, it seems to be going well, so I'm not going to complain too much. I have been living off of soup for the last 2 weeks. Try the Vegetable Beef Progresso. I poured it into the blender and pureed it. It actually looks awful, but has a wonderful taste. 1 can has lasted 3 or 4 meals. Yesterday, I did have some moist, flaky fish with a little bit of mashed potato. It actually felt like a real meal and the fish went down great. Hang in there. This too shall pass and a few months down the road when we are shopping for those "skinny" jeans, these first few weeks will seem like a distant memory. Lisa C.

Refried beans (Taco Bell brand fat free) with shredded cheddar cheese melted on top, topped with a dollop of FF sour cream and smooth taco sauce. Cottage cheese with pepper and diced tomatoes (small) Low fat clam chower Instant mashed potatoes with low fat/FF beef gravy Sugar free chocolate pudding (Jello brand, made with skim milk)