I think I need a tongue lashing!!

I have been reading what other of you have been doing and, quit frankly, I don't think I am doing that good. I simply do not pay attention to how much protien I get in. I sorta keep track but at the end of the day I would not be able to give you a specific #. I usually get around 45-60 a day. I can start on something more than protein shakes and fluids this week but I really don't know how to work them in. Can any of you tell me how you started introducing foods? also, anyone have a methodology of keeping track of everything? Thanks in advance, Bethannie

Hey there Bethannie, First of all, take a deep breath! This whole thing can be very overwhelming and time consuming. For me, I just wrote down everything I consumed on a piece of paper. I put the date, then how many grams of protein, and how many ounces of fluid. Every night I add up the totals to see where I am at. I usually have 4-5 protein shakes a day which is about 100 g of protein and 55 ounces of fluid. That is my base. Then I add fluid to that, like Crystal Light or Sobe Lean or Diet Snapple. I buy the pre-made protein drinks for on the go, or at home I'll make my own depending on my mood. I try and eat (if you can call it eating) lunch and dinner, and work my protein drinks around that. I am eating mashed potatoes, or soups at my meals. I also can snack on string cheese (low fat) which has protein too. It will get more tricky as you add real foods to get the protein in. I think the rule of thumb is an avg ounce of protein (chicken) has about 7 grams of protein. I am not positive on that number. I also have a little pill container that has compartments for Morning Noon Evening and Bedtime. I fill it every morning with my vitamins for the day. Lots to remember, lots of trial and error to see what will work for you. Don't give up, and just keep at it. Nothing in life worth anything comes easy. Feel free to email me anytime if you have questions. Are you going to a support group? That will help you alot. Take Care, Deanna

Deanna: 4 - 5 protein shakes a day??? Is there such a thing as too much protein?? I feel guilty when I add a 3rd shake at the end of the day. Maybe I need to add another. You must get up at 3:00 a.m. in order to start eating and drinking . My surgeon gave me pages of a diet journal to keep. I have to keep track of the food, how much, how much fluid, how much protein in the food and then add the totals up. They have me on 64 oz. of protein and 60 of fluid. I seem fine with the protein but struggle with fluid. SO I bought a sno-cone maker and some DaVinci sugar free syrups hoping that will help. Jean Lap RNY 5/24/05

Hi Jean, I know, it does seem like I spend all my waking hours trying to remember to drink, drink, drink. Now that I'm back at work, it is harder because I get busy and before I know it a few hours have gone by without a sip. I try and do a protein shake in the AM around 7am, then another at 11am, then one around 3pm, then one for dinner around 6pm, then a really yummy home made one with Chocolate Soy Milk around 9pm. My friend bought me a Sno Cone maker as a pre-surgery gift. I've used it a couple times but I don't like the taste of the sugar free syrups. I bought some new ones but haven't tried them yet. My kids really like it. I just know that this whole process is very hard and we have to be very conciencous all the time. Anyone who says we have taken the "easy way" out can kiss my behind!!!!! Good luck to you! Deanna

thanks Deanna for the response. I am doing much better today and know what I am consuming. So far I have had 34 G of protein and about 270 calories. I do not go to a support group as there is not one near me that I know of. I use these forums as my support group. Thanks, Bethannie

Try a diet diary like fitday.com - it'll help you track what you're eating so you know how you're doing on protein, calories, and other factors. There are many foods in the database, and you can enter custom foods (like your protein shakes). By the time we're eating normal foods in relatively normal quantities (6 months out or so), we should be in the habit of eating protein-heavy meals and won't need to track our intake so closely. At this stage, though, a diet diary is very handy. Each day I enter all foods into FitDay (fluids too, to make sure I've gotten my 64oz minimum). I also have a one-week pill case with four compartments per day, which prompts me to take my meds and vitamins at the right time. The official method for introducing foods is to try one new food at a time. Um, well, I haven't been following that direction too closely. (luckily my pouch is happy with all the real food I've tried so far)

Thanks PK ~ I think I will try the online diet diary. I am behaving better today. My pouch is tolerating very well too and I am wondering if that is a good thing or not. It kinda concerns me that nothing makes me feel queesy or sick. Bethannie