Having a hard time eating

I don't know if mine is a familiar or different story. I had my surgery 11/14/05. I am 8 days out. I am having a hard time eating anything. I have not had a problem keeping any food down, but my problem is just thinking about eating makes me feel sick. I don't want to eat, but have to eat. I am on pureed foods. Just looking at anything pureed makes me feel sick! I can seem to tolerate a scrambled egg with cheese in the mornings to give me at least 14 grams of protein. It is very hard using the protein powder. Again, it has not made me sick, but the taste makes me want to gag. I have to force myself to get in my protein each day. I have been averaging about 40-55 grams of protein a day. I need to find some foods that don't gross me out to look at and that give me some protein. I did do some refried beans with melted cheese the other day. After eating this twice, I don't think I want to see it again for a while. Has anyone else had these problems? Any solutions or recommendations? I would appreciate any advice!

Puree some chicken noodle soup. It tastes like cream of chicken. Add extra chicken to it. What protein powders are you using? You can also puree chili. That was really great for me, lots of flavor! I would also saute some ground beef with my favorite Montreal steak seasoning, then puree it and eat it with mashed potatoes & cheese. I also pureed chicken and added BBQ sauce to it. Sloppy joes (no bread) were also good. Then you've got the protein shake smoothies. My favorite was just plain old chocolate protein power with milk & ice in a blender made up just like a shake. Reminded me of a Wendy's frosty.

This is normal, you're only a week out so protein wise you're doing alright, strive for more but don't kick yourself if you don't make it to your goal. Something I loved on puree... take canned chicken breast and puree it then mix it into cream of chicken soup and you've got an easy to tolerate drink that is high in protein. Also, Campbells has one called creamy chicken verde now, it's chicken soup with a kick, mix it with that if you want something that tastes a little south of the border but is still pureed. I totally relate to the refried beans with cheese, after 2 days of that I said I wonder if I'll ever eat them again! A strange sounding combo is pureed chicken with applesauce... the applesauce keeps it moist and makes it sweet... it is actually quite good. If you tolerate protein powder, mix ½ scoop of flavorless powder in with sf pudding for a healthy snack (never thought pudding would be healthy did ya?) Remember above all that this is temporary and you will soon be on your way to semi-solid foods! Hugs Rachel PS mix protein powder in with gravy and top off your mashed potatoes... be creative and try new things... just don't expect them all to work.

HELLO TAMMY SWEETIE,WELL YES THIS IS NORMAL SORRY TO SAY AND I STILL TO THIS DAY CAN'T STAND THE SMELL OF FOOD ESPECIALLY WHEN COOKING SO SOMEONE ELSE HAS TO DO IT I GAG MYSELF TO DEATH,YULK.AND SOMETIMES I CAN'T EAT WHAT WAS FIXED WHICH IS A MESS.THEN I SAY MAYBE GET SOME ELSE TO EAT THEN I KEEP WONDERING WHAT LOL AND IT TAKES ME AWHILE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT I WANT AND SOME TIMES I GO THROUGH A FAZE TAKING A BITE OF SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS BY THEN I GET FILLED UP ON ALL KINDS OF FOOD WHICH MAKES ME MAD I WOULD HAVE 4-5 DIFFERENT THING TO TEST TASTE BY THEN TOO FULL LOL,OH WELL AT LEAST I'M NOT HUNGRY LOL.SEE IF YOU CAN GET SOMEONE ELSE TO PREPARE YOUR FOOD THIS MIGHT HELP YOU OUT.AND TRY TO BREATH THROUGH YOUR MOUTH INSTEAD OF YOUR NOSE WHEN YOU GO TO EAT.GOOD LUCK SWEETIE,IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO GIVE ME A YELL OK.TAKE CARE YOUR FRIEND BONNIE

Cream of Wheat, Oatmeal, cottage cheese and apple sauce, yogurts **** and fit smooth 90 calories and SF), soups such as cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, blend up some tuna with FF mayo for tuna salad, puddings SF of course, melted cheese on mashed potatoes, ricotta cheese and tomato sauce.....I hope this list helps.... I take protein supplements still so foods are not my only source of protein. I like Syntrax Nectar as well because it is like a fruit drink to me....I have mixed it with OJ and fruit 2 O drinks and find I can tolerate that way. Unjury is good but I am not much of a milk drinker. Milk is another good source of protein if you can tolerate it. Debbie

Oh Lord!!! You should read my posts!!! I have had it bad with eating - so bad that the doc and dietician are like "don't worry about the protein right now, just as long as I can keep something down..." The only thing I could eat was KFC mashed potatoes!!!! What a trip!!! Things are getting a little better but I am still having problems with the protein. And yes the oversensitivity to things - all my husband had to do was mention a food and I would gag!!! Right now, don't force yourself to meet your protein need. Just get something in your stomach that helps you. Like I said go back and read my posts - you will see how similar our situation is! Hang in there!! Jo