Protein sources?

Some of you are probably wondering if I ever paid attention in my nutrition sessions. but here goes a question for you all....I am going to call/email the PMRI nutritionist on Monday but until then I am VERY CONFUSED... I had my first major dumping session today with a piece of meatloaf and some mixed veggies (after about an ounce!). First time I ever threw up since my surgery in August. Very frustrating because I am finally getting the courage to be more adventurous. The food I am asking you about is something I tolerated well BUT I am afraid I am breaking a rule... You might remember that I told you I found -- at a low carb store and then at the grocery store -- shelf ready veggie meals (Fantastic Carb'Tastic brand) that were very high in protein. Well, most are pasta based (low carb pasta). What's the deal with pasta if it is in a meal that gives you as much, if not more, protein than the usual "meat/chicken/fish" meal? I can eat approx. 1/3 to 1/2 of a meal (weighed out at 3 ounces), and then add some melted shredded cheese -- to get 18-21 grams of protein per serving. I know not to eat these for every meal but they DO work for me. I am used to eating the softer protein varieties, LF cheese, LF peanut butter. beans, soup, eggs and tolerating them well. Well, gals and guys, what do you think?

You know, Lisa, I am not an expert at this and DO call the nutritionist. BUT, I think if you are losing weight and feeling ok, do what you have to for now. You can always 'change your ways' later on when your pouch gets more comfortable. I know you understand that pre-fabbed foods have lots of sodium and preservatives and if that doesn't make you feel ill, then go for it! You need to get the protein in and my feeling are - get them in the way that it works best for you and your new pouch. I'm sure someone will yell at me for encouraging, what they believe to be a 'bad behavior', such is life... Best of luck! Valerie

THANKS Val, I appreciate your response. I am going to talk to someone at PMRI as soon as I can tomorrow. But my thinking is the same as yours! GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE MAYBE?????!!!!!?????? I am losing weight, feeling good, and getting my protein, etc. I am hoping that as long as I can control any "bad habits" this type of eating might bring to me later on -- such as making sure to watch my intake (due to the sodium and preservatives, etc.) -- that I'll be OK. After all, I am only two months out and still learning (and healing)! But as ANYONE knows, that fear of "doing wrong" hits immediately after you wake up from surgery. Or at least it did for me! You are so right that it is a matter of making this surgery work with our lifestyle!!! I've been doing some research from my food diary, and I have found most often when I eat the animal protein sources (chicken, beef) I get more stomach upset than when I stick with the veggie alternatives. My friend who is a vegan (but not a WLS patient) tells me that most of veggie protein I am using is soy based and that could be easier on my healing stomach. But I will see what the nutritionist has to say! THANKS AGAIN!

Hi Ms. Kitty, You know I kinda feel the same way. As long as you are getting in that protein and what you are eating is nutritious then a little pasta doesnt hurt in my book. If you are meeting those requirements then theres no problem. Besides sooner or later you will eat that pasta or that bread and testing the grounds now isnt such a bad idea in my book than to completey deprive yourself of those foods then one day later on try them and not have that self control from the beginning... If that made any sense. Everyone is different though and some choose to stay away from carby foods completely. I wish I could. As long as you dont make it a bad habit and know that you have to limit those carbs (which is always a struggle) then you will do fine My nutritionist didnt say no carbs ever or anything like that she said protein first in fact she mentioned very little abou****ching carbs which I thought was odd. We do need to watch them carbs. But at any rate, sounds like you are doing great. oh and meatloaf!! man thats a heavy meal thats probably why you got sick. I know when i ate meatloaf before surgery it repeated on me and nothing really ever repeats on me except meatloaf! well best wishes to you ! Elizabeth M -102 lbs

Thanks Elizabeth, First let me congratulate you on your awesome weight loss. As far as I'm concerned anyone who is that successful knows his or her "stuff." And the fact that you agreed with me didn't hurt! I heard back from the nutritionist today and I was pleasantly surprised that I did not get a big "DROP THAT FORK AND STEP AWAY FROM THE PASTA!" She explained to me how it's about staying within good nutrition, with the primary emphasis on getting enough protein and not exceeding specific daily carb goals or a certain amount of carbs per meal. She reviewed the recommended servings of fruits, vegs, bread/grains and their approx. carbs.(Actually I feel like I was just spouting off in Chinese here -- a language I do not speak -- so I have to look at her email a lot closer so I can understand it fully). But the bottom line is I think I am going to be OK. I have found that it took me awhile, having had my surgery in August, to get into a "program." But now I am thinking more about what I am eating and striving to make choices that fit into a successful weight loss lifestyle. I know for a fact -- and I can envision all you posties farther out from surgery than me probably chuckling as you remember-- but at first I was afraid to put any morsel of food in my mouth. Not because of dumping or discomfort either! It was my mental outlook. You know years and years of dieting via deprivation AKA starvation tactics! I did not believe that eating would let me lose weight!!!! What I did not realize is that my "post surgery" is eating 3 ounces of well balanced food and feeling satisfied which is a lot different than my "pre surgery" eating a large cheesesteak and washing it down with a Coke (diet of course!). Thanks again to you Elizabeth and everyone here at OH for being so supportive! PS. The Food Channel had some chef on today making what? Meatloaf! Changed the channel quick before I barfed all over the TV! Just thinking about it make me queasy!