Hubby's comment/food ideas

Good afternoon, I need some suggestions from you wonderful folks. This morning, hubby asked me if I get enough protein from my cheesesticks that I don't have to use protein powder. I told him my philosophy about how much protein I should have daily and that cheesesticks do not fulfill that amount. (I aim for 75-100 grams). I think that he was mainly concerned because I just spent $37 on a new tub of protein powder, calcium powder and samples. Anyway, regardless of his reasoning for the questions, I started thinking that most of my protein comes in the form of cheese. I don't eat meats much anymore and always eat cheesesticks, which get expensive. I eat them for breakfast, small snack before the gym and snack in the evening, so at least 6 cheesesticks a day - with pretzels. I suppose that I should get some meats in, but am not thrilled about it. Plus, I often need something that I can cook fast, or cook a day in advance because everyone is hungry when we come home from the gym. Please throw some ideas at me for other protein sources. FYI - can't gag down yogurt or cottage cheese anymore because of the amount I ate after surgery. Help!!!!!! I'm feeling guilty about spending so much money on foods that may just be comfort foods for me. Oh, also, I have decided that I will try to replace that evening snack with a fruit or veggie instead of cheesesticks and pretzels. Ideas more than welcomed here, God bless, Andrea P.S. It has been an altogether bad day because my uncle passed away yesterday afternoon. Prayers for his family and my mom are greatly appreciated.

I am sorry to hear about your uncle. It is always hard to loose a loved one. I wish I had some good ideas for you on what other protiens you could fix or eat. I too am having trouble getting enough protien in, and just can't hack the meat anymore. I gag at the thought usually. SO I will be interested to see what others might come up with. Thanks for asking a very good question. Cindy G.

Andrea, I'm not a real big meat fan anymore either. I have said many times that I could probably become a vegetarian now if it weren't for the need of getting enough protein. I do eat lots of tuna salad & find I don't need bread or crackers with it. I eat lots of chicken & am surprised how much protein you get from it. Fortunately for me I still love yogurt and cottage cheese. How about sliced smoked turkey or ham? I find that I can eat the shaved meat very easily. I usually make a salad for my supper at work & include lots of meat & cheese. I haven't checked lately but think I'm getting enough protein. I'm very sorry to hear about your uncle. It's hard to lose family. Hugs, Dixie

Hey Andrea, Looks like protien is the theme of the week,LOL. I don't know how you handle milk but I drink a lot of it. I never did before the surgery, well no ....never isn't exactly accurate..rarely would probly be a better term. Anyhoo.....I drink at least 4 glasses a day. This gives me more than half of my daily protien. Every day I take 2 16oz bottles of milk to work with me and 1 RTD protien drink and a 20 oz bottle of sugar free tea, koolaid, etc...... When I go to lunch I also order skim milk and drink before my meal comes. Not only am I getting my protien relatively cheap, I am also getting my calcium and most of my fluid intake for the day I am new at this and sometimes still feel like a newbie but this is what does it for me. I realize that some people do not tolerate milk very well. I guess I consider myself lucky......I never thought I would be so gung ho about it but here I am acting as if I were a spokesperson for the "GOT MILK" campaign. I would like to explore some more protien choices as well, I tolerate meat OK but I am always wanting to try something new because maybe at some point (not there yet) I will be feeling the same way you feel about yogurt and cott. cheese. I hope more people post, I am just as interested to hear others ideas. BTW ~hadn't thought about cheese sticks before, how much protien is in one of those???? Sorry to hear about your loss- ((HUGS)) Sherri

Morning Andrea, First of all big hugs to you & your family with the passing of your uncle. My thoughts & prayers are with you. Do you like pizza? I found a crustless pizza recipe. all pizza ingredients except the crust! My family loved it! Make your meats up (I boil hamburger out of the freezer) put it in a cake pan with lots of cheese (350 degrees****il the cheese has melted and the pizza sauce is hot. I use to love tuna but hit burn out on that also although a few weeks ago a friend & I went to lunch & that was the only thing on the menu that caught my eye & it was yummy. Don't know what to say hon except if you don't think you are getting enough protein then the shakes are a good thing. I hear concern about eating "enough" all the time from dad, IS THAT ALL YOU ARE GOING TO EAT? YOU ARE GOING TO STARVE! I almost get sick when I look at his & Katie's plates! My chicken casserole is easily tolerated also, it's really moist & simple! Heat 375 degrees. Bake 1 hr 15 minutes Layer in cake pan: 4 cans drained green beans chicken pieces pour cheese sauce over the top & bake Cheese sauce: cream soup (I use 2 small cans) shredded cheese, recipe calls for 2 cups but I always use more. Heat over low heat until cheese is melted then pour over chicken. This is another family favorite, been making it for years. The chicken is so moist it melts in your mouth. Don't beat yourself up over buying the protein drink. I feel we have to do what is right for us. Take care. Hugs Carolyn

Man oh man we are having a hard time getting in touch this week Sorry about your Uncle....but he is in a much better place without the pain now Did you find someone to watch the kids today? I hope it all went okay! You know how I feel about the portein.....you should NEVER feel guilty about it.......you order it once every six months or so....and you NEED it!!!! I am absolutely positive Mark spends a lot more on his habits/hobbies But we are moms and we always feel guilty about spending money on us, I totally hear that!!! Let me know how those samples taste! I will talk to you soon Jesi

My prayers to you and your family. Just an idea on the cheese -- I just buy bricks of mozarella cheese and slice it up in a baggie and keep in the fridge. It's cheaper than buying the sticks and I like it better too. I don't have any trouble with meats and I love eating it. Can you do hamburger - like in tacos. I like to make taco salad so I get meat & cheese and then just break up a few chips on top for crunch. I've been working out early in the mornings (like 5:30) and when I get home I love to make a scrambled egg sandwich. I use 1 egg, a couple T of shredded cheddar and then I buy the pouches of bacon crumbles (they're a name brand & are like $1.49 in a pouch - oscar meyer I think). Then I use a couple T of them. Anyway fry it all up and put on 1 slice of toast cut in half. It's a great breakfast that holds me all morning. I never do protein drinks anymore and think I get enough in regular food.. I'll find out next week when I have my one year check and get to see my labwork!! Good luck! Janie

wow andrea,ss to hear about your uncle. I hope and pray that your mourning will be lessened with the consults of prayers for you and your family as well as the knowledge that he is in heaven smiling down at all of you. Sorry i cant give much info on the protein part, just wanted to say very sorry to hear about your uncle and not to feel ashamed about the protein thing, if you need it....get it. He should be standing behind you now as he did then. Just a personal thought. BTW....well done on your journey.

Thank you all for your support, ideas and prayers. This weekend was long and hard with visitation and funeral. As I sit here typing after midnight, I know I should be in bed, I have soooooooo much to do. I'm getting stressed about my son's graduation party coming up and money issues, etc. I need that protein to get here soon! In the meantime, I'm going to keep trying to get in some other protein sources besides cheese. I like the idea of a taco salad. I also like taco nachos - if there aren't chips hanging around the house for me to eat later. Thanks again! God bless, Andrea

Oh I know how you feel. I am having a HUGE problem even getting food in not to mention protein. I get smoked string cheese at the Hy-Vee Deli and one piece tides me over till night. Which isn't good because I am not eating. I just poured myself an AdvantEdge protein drink...Chocolate Fudge and I can't get it down. 2 weeks ago I drank 2 every day and now I just can't do it. My tastes are changing so much and in such a short time. I'm not even a full 4 weeks out yet and it's frustrating to find protein that I enjoy. I have tried almonds. My mom buys a huge thing at Sam's and I only eat a few but they are PACKED with protein and the "good" fat. You have to chew chew chew but it really gives my crunch need a boost! I've tried cashews too but they seem more fatty to me. Nuts are just an excellent source of protein. Cantelope, when really ripe, melts in your mouth as well. I eat that at night so I don't over do it. Night was my worst time for eating but now if I eat anything but maybe a little fruit, I'm sick to my stomach and force myself to go to bed. Did you get my email? I have been praying for you and your family. Now you have a new angel and he's watching over you. Hugs, Jen