solid protein question

ok, so i've been asking on the band forum about eating too much.  I've been eating appox, 2 cups per meal.  they all seem to tell me i'm eating too much mushies.  so I need your advice.  ok, need to eat solid protein, now, i've been buying sliced turkey and I like it, has high sodium but only 30 cal a slice.  when I cook proteins for the family, beef, pork, chicken, the calories are much higher.  so yes, I've been filling in with other foods that are less calories, but apparently not so filling, therefore, making me eat more.  so... I guess taking in higher calorie protein, MIGHT make me eat less??? What do you guys eat for solid protein?   what is normal dinner for you?  I hope I made sence with this question.  I don't want to drink protein drinks unless i'm on liquids, EDIT:  I just came back to add on more.  HOw do you guys do this?  I am so confused, low cal, but add more protein, which is higher in calories.  I'm trying to cut my calories, there for adding veggies, but then, i'm told, to eat more protein, (more cal) ... grrrrr I don't know what to eat anymore. I'm going to experiment, figure out the perfect day, and eat the same thing for the rest of my life....dah! that won't happen. well, wish me luck...

Hi Cheryl, I eat protein in the form of:  turkey burger, boneless chicken & pork, tuna, fish (have you tried talapia?), and boca veggie burgers.  Walmart has a bagged chicken breast that is 120 calories for a good size 1/2 boneless breast = about 4 oz that I either grill or bake in fat free italian dressing.  Jenni-O makes a seasoned turkey burger that is 160 calories per burger...really good grilled with a piece of kraft fat free swiss topped with onions and I LOVE mustard (zero calories).  Baking is the best way to go for me as I can put whatever it is in a sauce to keep it moist for easier swallowing.  I usually eat about 3 oz of protein with 1/4 cup of vegtables for dinner.  My favorite lunch is deli turkey on a 1/2 small wrap w/ a slice of 50 calorie cheese or a Chicken of the Sea cup w/ 1tbsp rf mayo and a cut up string cheese.  I don't do breakfast as it just doesn't sit well.  The heavier 200+ calorie protein bars stay with me well also.  My favorite it the Atkins peanut butter which are 240 calories they keep me full for 3 - 4 hours.  What I know doesn't work is cottage cheese, yogurt w/out an added cereal or nut, cheese alone and eggs = with all of those I'm usually hungry within 2 hours.  However an egg with cheese and a piece of deli turkey will keep me full for about 3 hours.  I could go on but I don't know if you want me to.  I hope that gives you some ideas.  My limit is between 1/2 & 2/3's of a cup per meal.  4 to 5 meals a day. 

Hey Cheryl!  DON'T GIVE UP YET!!!!!!!  I've wondered the same thing about the more dense protein being higher in calories! (That was my MAJOR issue when Corinne told me to keep it 400 cals but try not to supplement with the protein drinks!  YIKES!)   Try the white meat chicken or turkey (fewer cals) and eating it VERY slowly.  I enjoy beef and pork, but find that the higher calories aren't worth the amount of protein.  I LOVE my frozen bay scallops (70 CALORIES in 4 ounces, 23g of protein, 75mg sodim, .5g fat, Og Sugar) I can eat 4 ounces of those with a couple bites of broccoli or snap peas and I am DONE!  Like I said, though, eat slow and chew, chew, chew.  That is why, I think, we get full so fast!  Fill in with some low fat re-fried beans if still hungry.  Most seafood is lower cal and pretty good protein-wise.   For lunch, I love a low carb wrap (I can only eat about 1/2 of one) with 2 ounces of sliced Turkey lunch meat in it. I use mustard, which is a "free" food. ( 13g protein total, 90 cals) add a low fat piece of Sargento string cheese in there for an additional 6g protein and 50 cals.   I usually have the string cheese for a mid-morning snack: takes me about 15 minutes to eat/chew, but fills me right up.  I ALWAYS go with low or no fat stuff and, if I can find it, low or no carb stuff (low carb wraps, Calorie countdown non-fat milk by Hood, stuff like that) All that being said.......you are gonna fill up less on this type of food, even with your fill!  You know that eventually you'll get to that sweet spot....so all you can do right now is try to make the right choices and know that you are not gonna be able to eat like someone who is just post-op RNY  (I know you know this...but...just wanted to repeat, I guess!)  Just keep plugging away!  You'll get there!   Doc already said you were right on track....so, just keep doing your best and know that once this is all said and done...........YOU'LL BE WHERE YOU WANT TO BE!!!!!!!!   hugs and honks girlie!   Ruth