QUESTION

Im confused on how to eat during the day. Do I have 3 small meals plus protein drinks? Or when I drink the protein drinks do I count them as a meal each?

I counted the protein shakes as a meal. Remember, you need to eat at this point about every 3 hours. Its hard when you are on all liquids, but make sure that its a protein source every 3 hours. Mary

Yes, it is hard because im trying to get 60 oz of water in also. What do you eat and how do you do your eating through out the day?

3 SMALL MEALS + 3 SNACKS, WHI*****LUDES SHAKES ... ABOUT EVERY 2 - 3 HOURS YOU NEED TO TAKE IN SOME PROTEIN ... WHETHER YOU WANT TO CALL IT A MEAL OR A SNACK DOESN'T MATTER AT THIS POINT. DO THIS FOR ABOUT A MONTH TO A MONTH & A HALF, THEN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO EAT MORE AT ONE SITTING & YOU WILL EVENTUALLY (AROUND 2 - 3 MONTHS) BE ABLE TO GET IN ALL YOUR PROTEIN & THE NUMBER OF TIMES A DAY YOU EAT DOESN'T MATTER QUITE AS MUCH AT THAT TIME. RIGHT NOW, YOU'RE JUST TRYING TO GET ALL THE PROTEIN YOU CAN BECAUSE YOUR SWOLLEN POUCH WON'T ALLOW THE FULL AMOUNT OF 60 - 80 GRAMS A DAY. AS YOU CAN EAT MORE ... COUNT YOUR PROTEINS TO BE SURE YOU ARE INCREASING UNTIL YOU GET YOUR FULL AMOUNT. DO NOT GRAZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS MEANS, DO NOT TAKE A SPOONFULL OR 2 & THEN DO THE SAME IN 20 - 30 MINUTES ... THAT WILL LEAD TO DISASTER. MAKE YOUR MEALS & SNACKS SPECIFIC, EATING/DRINKING AS MUCH PROTEIN AS IS COMFORTABLE FOR YOUR POUCH AT ONE TIME ... THEN, WAIT A COUPLE HOURS & DO THE SAME THING AGAIN. TO FIND YOUR EXACT AMOUNT OF PROTEIN NEEDED ... USE THIS EQUATION ... Different surgical groups and nutritionists gives us a slightly different numbers of targeted protein grams for our post operative nutrition. However, it is generally agreed upon by medical and health professionals that the body needs about 1.25 grams of protein per kilogram of ideal bodyweight. I know I've lost many of you... kilograms and grams, oh no... but don't worry it's simple. IDEAL BODY WEIGHT is used rather than current weight as fat doesnt need protein. In addition, IDEAL WEIGHT is not necessarily goal weight, as some doctors use a seemingly 'too thin' weight from a table. Let's say you are 5' 4 and your 'IDEAL' weight or maybe a better term would be 'realistic' weight for your medium frame is 145 pounds. Divide your ideal weight by 2.2 to convert pounds to kilos and then multiply this number by 1.25 grams per kilo. So if you should weigh 145... divide by 2.2 which equals 66 kilos then multiply by 1.25 to equal 82 grams per day. Your body needs 82 grams of protein each day to maintain muscle mass if you are even moderately active. Using the same formula, a man who has an ideal weight of 185 would need 105 grams of protein per day. I don't know where people come up with 45-60 protein grams a day as a target, but that's a one scoop shake short! OK, MY IDEAL WEIGHT IS 126 / 2.2 = 57.2727... x 1.25 = 71.59 GRAMS OF PROTEIN A DAY FOR ME PERSONALLY. GOD BLESS YOU DAWN & NICK