Input needed...

Guys I'm in a quandry. I'm about 2 weeks + out... surgery was September 23rd... and I KNOW I'm not getting in enough protein. The issues that I am dealing with are pretty serious. I have major problems with texture issues. I have tried BUNCHES of the protein drinks and they make me sick as in (barf your toes sick)... I cannot handle the textures or the sweet tastes.. so subsequently I'm not getting in my proteins... Liquids and other foods...just fine and dandy. I have NO issues with drinking or eating...(knock on wood) I have had NO issues with any foods I have tried not settling good either.... I've lost 49lbs. total and 16lbs of that has been postop. NO weight loss since last friday though...at a standstill and the scale has NOT budged..... (btw I am exercising alot as well).... I don't know what to do... Nectar (made me sick) Unjury (loved it before but now it is waaaaaaaaay to sweet)... Carnation SF breakfast (sickingly sweet) plus I have tried a bunch of other protein drinks that I cannot remember the names of..... What to do? Elizabeth~

Elizabeth, I would keep trying different protein powders. I found one I like, from a friend's recommendation. It's called Ultimate Nutrition Prostar Whey. On their website you can put in your zipcode to find a store that sells it. The site is ultimatenutrition.com. Good luck. Lynn J., lap RNY 9/29/04

Elizabeth, You may want to try a bottle of the clear protein drinks that are out there. I have tried Isopure Zero Carb and also EAS both from GNC, though I think you can also get them elsewhere. They are a bit pricey (between $3 and $4 a bottle for 42 grams of protein), but they are clear like koolaid and premixed, and you can mix them with some crystal light to improve the taste. When I drink these over crushed ice, I forget I'm even having a protein drink. I do recommend you mix with the crystal light. Alone they are nothing to write home about, tastewise. Hope this helps. By the way, I am getting in 60 grams of protein a day through food now at 5.5 weeks out. If you are tolerating food well, then soon you may not even need to supplement with nasty drinks. Fitday.com helps me track my protein grams so I know I am getting enough. ~Sue

I like your idea about mixing isopure with crystal light...I'll have to try that. I don't really care for the taste of the isopure by itself, it's ok...but not great. Thanks for the suggestion. Brook

hi elizabeth, i've been having trouble with my protein, too and also can't do the sweet stuff and the thickish or chalky drinks. i do like most cottage cheese, especially the more 'sour' types - today i made 4 meals out of breakstone's lowfat cottage cheese - each 1/2 C. has 16 grams of protein. so i ate the whole 2 Cup container, over 4 meals, for a total of 64 grams. that's probably too much dairy to do all the time but it worked for me today. i've been having so much queasiness the past week because i've been at a standstill for 15 days. i haven't been able to eat much and my body's rebelling. so i was thrilled to get this down easily, it tasted good, plus all my protein. can you handle this type of texture? susan

Elizabeth, I too, use the ISOPURE zero carb. It's found at GNC and is good stuff. Because they are so expensive, I only drink 1/2 a bottle a day for 20 grams of protein and then work on eating for the rest of the day. In the evening I like to mix 8oz of skim milk (9g protein) with sugar-free hot chocolate mix (1g protein). It helps me get in my last 10 of the day. Also, try turkey sandwich meat. There's some by Oscar Mayer that has 13 grams per slice. I cut it up and eat with a few slices of cheese. Hope that helps! Good Luck! -KT

Well if foods aren't an issue try cottage cheese, shredded cheese, re-fried beans. If your able to eat that yet. Everyone's doctor's orders are different. I drink Isopure and at first I really hated the taste but now I like it. I hope you are able to find the right things but it can get serious if your not able to tolerate the taste of anything liquid. Call your nutritionist, she/he may have answers for you. Shannon P.S. I wish you the best and I hope you find something that agree's with you soon.