Protein Problems

Has anyone else had a problem with these protein shakes? I think they are giving me "dumping syndrome". I try to drink one, and I have made several different kind, with water and milk, and I still get all pukey, and heart beats fast and I wanna die. Sound familiar? Does anyone know any other way to get protein in when you are in the pureed stage? I am having a rough time. I have been having so much pain that Dr. Irgau sent me for a CAT scan on Friday. Luckily nothing is wrong other than I am having a hard time healing. But I really need help with the protein!!! Any suggestions? I appreciate any help.

Hi Jennifer, Sorry to hear you are having probs with the drinks but as luck would have it there are lots of things you can do. First off, you may not be dumping on the shake mix itself ( check the sugar content on the label ) but you may be dumping on the natural sugars in the milk. I use Carb Countdown milk, same protein level as regular milk but MUCH less sugar. I use either 2% or the fat free, whichever I am in the mood for. Some people like it, some don't. Give it a try and it may help you out a bit. Second, I would tell you to think outside the box as far as pureed food goes. Pureed doesn't have to mean low protein, boring, carby potato things. Are you using a small food processer? If not get one! They are cheapy cheap at Walmart and really come in handy. Try some precooked shrimp from the grocery store, put it in the chopper and add either some mayo and old bay for a shrimp salad, or some ****tail sauce for like a shrimp ****tail. You get ALOT of high quality, low fat protein for a small amount of shrimp. Plus it tastes oh so delish! Same thing goes for canned tuna or chicken, a little mayo and some seasoning, onion and celery chopped very finely with the processor. Look for those little microwave containers of chili and beef stew. Once again, lots of protein in a small amount. Also consider adding unflavored Unjury ( available online or at docs office ) to your food. Elissa always added a scoop to her Crystal Light and drank it through the day for an extra boost. Try cottage cheese too, you get the protein, plus the extra benefit of calcium there. try jazzing it up with different things added to it. Riccotta cheese is another nice treat. Add some Splenda, cinnamon and vanilla to it and you get sort of a mock cheesecake. Maybe make yourself some sugar free pudding. Use the carb milk instead of regular, add a scoop of unflavored unjury...or you could even add a choc protein powder to a choc pudding etc and get a boost that way. There are puddings available at GNC called Instone ( made by Sylvester Stallone ) and are 20 grams of protein for about a 4 oz container. They are a little pricey, but may be worth the cost if you like them. Make sure you eat by the clock, do NOT wait and let hunger dictate when you eat. Look at your food as a med to be taken on schedule whether you want it or not. It will be a good habit to get into for later. You can pack alot of protein in a few small bites pretty easily if you pre-plan a little and think outside the norm of what a usual pureed diet would consist of. Good luck and I'm sure you will do great! Linda

What kind of protein shakes are you doing? I would also suggest looking at the ingredients to see what the sugar level is....Another thing to look at is it a soy base protein or whey? My pureed foods were yogurt with a strawberry, pureed vegetable soup, oatmeal with unjury protein, cottage cheese, flax seed (ground) and applesauce (I lived off of that for a long time it was my fav), ricotta cheese and spaghetti sauce, and sf custard for treat. I am not an egg eater but you could do that... Just remember in the beginning its hard to get a routine of foods we like and sometimes the strangest ideas come to our heads to eat. Some of the combinations of foods I eat now I would never have done before so be creative with them! I don't know how you feel about baby food....I just hated it! YUCKY! Some people do that to get protein in this phase. Take your time and look at foods you like to see what the protein levels are in them. Chicken is a tough item to puree and hard for most in the beginning. Sometimes we have to step away from foods then reintroduce them later on. Linda has given you some good stuff there....Also another place you might want to check for food ideas is the recipe board on here. This site is a wealth of info! Debbie

For protein I use Cream of Wheat with 8oz of Skim milk and a scoop of unflavored protein powder ie:Unjury for a total of 32grams of Protein. (this will be loose and easy to get down) I also add cheese to almost every thing that I eat or consume for added protein. Ricotta cheese added to protein drinks is also quite good or even added to a cream based soup. I use the Hot Chocolate from the CHRIAS store (use 12oz skim milk for added protein) The Isapure protein drinks I drink on a daily basis (from CHRIAS or Vitamin Shoppe or GNC). Hope this helps.... Sharon ObesityHelp Leader

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I am not having a problem with milk, as I can drink it by itself. I have tried Unjury and the Healthwise that I got at Dr. Irgau's office. I just can't abide them. I have a problem with texture of foods too. They make me gag. Anything too fluffy or frothy, anything the consistency of cool whip or whip cream. bleck. I need denser foods. I also can't take anything that has an aftertaste. I know this is horrible, but it wasn't like this before the surgery. I just don't know what to do. I will definitely try the things you ladies suggested, but I CANNOT go back to protein shakes. Its just not going to happen. I am going to try eggs and tuna tomorrow. Hopefully they will work out and not hurt me. Again, thanks for all of the suggestions!!! Jennifer

I found the protein powders disgusting as well, and they really upset my stomach and I can't make the protein requirements on food alone. I was okay with the zero carb Isopure (at Vitamin shoppe) - 2 servings per bottle of 20 gms each, but my favorite now is Profect in the little tubes -- 25 g in less than 3 oz. Get it online; pricey but goes down great and fast and my pouch is happy. Good luck Carol

Carol, where can I get these???? What website? Thanks. Jennifer

Hi Jennifer, You can order online by clicking on the profect icon which pops up all the time on the message board. If you have problems with the icon try www.profect.com. Take care. Prycey Lady RNY 2/2/05