Struggling with Meats...

I am having a real issue with meats right now.   Read on...but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated... I am not even sure how to explain this, so I appologize if this rambles a bit.    I find that I really don't like the meats that are sitting well.   Things that used to love like Chicken and Pork, I now dread eating.   They sit just fine, but the taste...especially after chewing it until it is liquidfied...is not what it used to be.  I say "used to be" and I am referring to pre-surgery. Tuna fish is starting to go the same route as the chicken and pork.   Even if I spice it up or cook it differently, by the time I finish chewing, it all tastes yuck!    I even tried putting some left over chicken in lite mayo with some spices to make a great chicken salad.   But in the end, I really did not like it. Beef does not generally set very well.   The little bit of steak I have tried has made me sick at my stomach (or is that pouch! :-) ).   Lean ground beef turns out to have the same problem as the other meats (not good after so much chewing) and does not sit well.   There are some exceptions to these rules.   Some grilled or broiled fish taste good (I generally don't have to chew them as much) and the beef in Wendy's Chili seems to sit OK (although if the pieces are big, they don't taste very good). Anyone else out there have these kind of issues?   Any ideas on how I can get my taste for meats back? Thanks for looking... 

That's a rough one Dave.  I have had a hard time with chicken since surgery - but I think I don't chew as well and it tastes ok, then it feels like I ate 5 bricks after about 1 oz of meat.  I guess it appears to be a trade off?  I find that meats in soups sit really well though.  It may mean making them homemade to avoid the cream bases, rice/pastas, and higher fat soups, but I have made a few kinds with veggies and cut up chicken.  I think slow cooking it in flavorful broth helps it stay good longer.   How are you with shrimp and scallops? They seem to sit really well for me too, and aren't so bad even with our "mega-chewing".

Shrimp does the same thing that chicken and pork do.   It is not quite as bad but not nearly as good as before surgery.   They are also somewhat expensive.   I never really liked scallops...but have not tried them since surgery.    I might try the soup idea.    It is getting a bit frustrating at this point. Thanks for the insights.

Dave if all else fails, try tofu. It tastes like whatever you flavor it with. Just an option.

Hi Dave, This may not be any consolation, but I do remember a point of real frustration with food in general (I think I have the 'classic' finicky pouch).   My frustration was that I could understand not being able to have the quantity of food .. but could I at LEAST enjoy what I could eat!!!  

Also, I found the spicier the better. I am almost 3 1/2 years out and I STILL have issues with food.   Most specifically dense foods like meats.  It might be the chewing thing and then again it might be that my pouch wants to remind me who's in charge! Hugs, Mo

I still can't eat pork at all. I found that soups worked for me. I tend to go for the smaller meats that may already be chopped finely like at a salad bar. Over time it has gotten better.

I am having the same issues. I can eat chili. But meat alone, forget it. Oh well. I will try later on, in a month or so. 

Dave, I'm sorry you are going through this. Did you have issues with food in the beginning from not chewing enough? I chewed a lot in the beginning but now I eat normally. I really don't find that I chew my food any differently then before the surgery. Maybe steak I chew a few more times but that's it.  I am finding that I would rather not eat meat now. I start to eat it and just don't want it after a bite or two. I only want cold things, sf popcicles, fruit things like that. I do force myself to eat the meat most of the time though.  I do hope you get it resolved soon. Wanda

I had a friend (who had the surgery about year before me) get a piece of meat "stuck" in her pouch.  She was sick and eventually had to go back to her surgeon.   They went in (sort of like an egd) and removed the blockage.     Consequently, I have been very diligent chewing food.    Having a requirement for 115 to 130g of protein a day, means I have to have high amounts of protein in every meal.   Unless I want to do protein shakes 4 times a day, I have to eat meat (or tofu).   So far, I can't deal with tofu...but then I have only tried it once or twice.    We shall see... Thanks for the input.

Dave,     Hang in there, You are still a "new be". Are you doing protein shakes??????? Well, you should start them, that will help you with more protein in your diet.  I am 18 mounths out and still have trouble with most meats. I do 2 or 3 protein shakes a day. I get them at Beratriceating.com " Protein delite". Don't try and force the meat. In time it will get better. Good luck and just take your time.... Ellie