Proteins or 3 meals/day...finding the balance?

Hey Gang! Here's a question for those who are out a ways, who've mastered this... Our goal is supposed to be 60-70 grams of protein a day, and3 meals - with or without a light snack. No grazing. So here is the dilemma... I can't get anywhere near that amount in protein without grazing. I just can't eat enough at three sittings to meet the requirements. So should I be aiming for the better habit of 3 meals...or grazing my way up to the correct amount of protein? Also, to get the amount of water in recommended, I have to overlap with my protein sometimes. When I stopped drinking 30-45 mins before and after every time I ate, I was not getting in enough water to stave off UTI's. Ugh...trying to figure out the Balancing Act! Any suggestions sure would be appreciated!

Ok, I'm not qualified enough to answer this but I have heard either 3 regular meals a day or 5 small meals a day....not sure if that helps though. Hope you can find your answer.  I'm interested to learn more about this, too.

Thanks creeklady. That is probably about what I'm getting right now...the 5 small meals, since none are very big. Out nutritionist seems to lean more toward the 3 meals, but maybe we are supposed to work into that as we are able to eat a little more. Thanks for your response!

You're welcome!  I'm enjoying this thread and learning a lot .

Per Dr. Simon...3 meals, no snacks.  40-60 grams of proteins

If you can include two protein shakes between your three meals you will have not problem meeting your 60-70 gm a day.  The shakes I use are 30 gm each and they are so yummy that there is no problem drinking them.   I agree it is just about impossible to get in the protein in just the food we consume.   The shakes are a key factor in the whole protein picture.    Good luck Sally

That's a really good idea, Sally. Can I ask which kind of shakes you use?

My daughter and I both like the SYNTRAX brand protein powders.   Before my surgery I bought a couple of different sample flavores from vitalady.com to try so I knew what I would like without spending a ton of money.  Each sample is 1.99 each.   Our favorite is the fuzzy navel flavor and I mix the powder with crystal light peach tea.......... it is so yummy.  I serve mine over ice and a scoop and a half in 4-6 oz of tea is 33gms of protein.    I also like their crystal sky (which is like a fruit punch flavor) and I mix that will either crystal light tea fruit or that new lipton diet green or white tea w/raspberry.  It makes a pretty good shake too.  The other flavor I don't mind is the Strawberry Kiwi made with the strarberry crystal light juice.   

My daughter likes to drink the 25gm bullets but I am not crazy about them.   The only good thing about them is that they are only about 3 oz so they are quick to drink.  They are much better cold then warm (in my opinion) but they are also a little more costly then the powders.  They are conveinent to have on hand if you don't have time to make a shake.   Sally

 

I wasn't near the amount of protein, ever.  I was eating 4 meals.  My doc scolded me and said only 3 meals!  I drink water all day long, getting in 3 liters a day (w/crystal light).  My doc doesn't want us snacking either... 

Wow! But what you were doing was working so well for you! Are you closer to the protein levels you need now?