How do I get in enough protein and calories eating 2 oz every couple hours?

I have been drinking shakes all the time to supplement my new ability to eat but find I am having to lean on them pretty hard. I don't seem to be able to fit in time to stop drinking before and after for 45 minutes, eat only 2 oz of food and still get in anywhere near 70 grams of protein a day. I could do it if I could eat more at a time or didn't have to spend an hour and half not drinking protein shakes for each meal.

I have been eating right when I get up, to save that 45 minutes of waiting. Then I have a protein shake for lunch and more protein for dinner and usually a protein shake in the evening too. Even so, I barely get in what I am supposed to. I have been trying to eat 3-5 meals a day but find I have to stay up to drink a shake to get in the calories and protein I am supposed to get.

Right now it feels like a full-time job trying to see when and what to eat to make the protein, water and calorie goals. I need to return to real life in a couple weeks and am just not sure how in the world I am going to keep this all up. Protein shakes seem to be the only way to meet my water goal and protein goals at the same time.

I have been feeling like I am going to pass out quiet often lately too. I am trying my best but I think I must be missing something. I am 4 weeks out.

Any suggestions would be welcome!

Since I learned the body can live MUCH longer without food then it can water, that's what I focused on and just let me 1-2oz every few hours plus a protein shake just be.

You are doing fine...and yes early on my 30g of protein helped me to get my protein "numbers" in an acceptable amount.

Ms Shell

I don't wait 45 mins prior.. I drink up to about 10 mins before, then 30-60 after depending.. 3 meals a day plus a snack if needed. I still need at least one protein supplement a day, sometimes two if I don't get enough meat in me.. At a month, I was doing 2 protein supplements plus meals because I just couldn't fit enough in.

You are just at the solids stage, give it a little time.. but I would not wait 45 mins between drinking and eating. It just isn't needed. Your stomach clears liquids faster than that. Just eat slowly, so you don't miss the mark and become uncomfortable. 

As far as the lightheadedness, I had that too- combo of low calories, fast weight loss, and my body trying to adapt to functioning this new way. Def see your Dr if it becomes anything more than mild. Are you taking your B12 sublinguals and getting your fluids? What are you getting in a day liquids/calorie/carb/protein wise? Make sure you hit your targets if you're not, even if it means drinking another shake. Yep, it does feel like a full time job, but in another month it'll feel like your new normal.. trust me, it falls into place. 

Thanks Jo. As always your leading me through this maze. Ha ha

I haven't been hitting my targets since I started eating real food again. I guess maybe that's why I am getting light headed. I try but it seems like at the end of the day, I am still not there. I have yet to meet my calorie goal, ever. I am usually between 350-500. I even have been drinking grape juice just to up my calories and making my shakes with milk but those seem to be the only way I can get close to my calorie goal. As for water, I have been been close 48oz a day or so. I meet that one about 1/2 the time.

I am so glad to hear you think I will feel more normal in a month. I was wondering what will change between now and then. Will I be able to eat more in a setting or how will this change? I am not doubting that it will, I am just trying to figure out where I should be heading. He He

I am trying to eat solid foods to move forward but it seems impossible eating so little at a time.

I will try your advice about not waiting so long on the not drinking before eating thing too. That's part of what's tripping me up. Every time I think to eat, it's like forget it, I have to wait so long and I need to get more water in, so I just give up and drink a shake. I really would love to eat more often. I will try not waiting so long and see how it goes.

Lastly, I went to Walmart for my vitamins and bought some b-12. I never did see anything sub-lingual. Where do you find that at? Do you think I should ditch my oral stuff and find that stuff?

Thanks again Jo!

Yes, sublinguals are the only way we can get in B12.. the part of the stomach removed produced a protein we need to absorb it (intrinsic factor) so B12 needs to be sublingual. I get mine from Vitalady, but CVS carries them too- look at the label and try to find the methylcobalamin form as it's the best for us. You'll cyanocobalamin more often than not.. that one is ok, just not as well utilized as the methyl form.

Watch the grape juice, it's generally very high in carbs.. under 40 is Dr. A's target.

A month from now you'll likely be able to eat a little more at each meal- but I still can only eat 2oz of meat, as any more than that will make me too full.. so always measure and don't try to eat by fullness alone. My speed of eating was able to increase, so now a meal is about 20 mins. It will just start to feel more normal to you in a while.

Just make sure you are sipping and get at least 64oz a day or more.. as far as foods, just don't pu**** if something bothers you- eat something easier and try again in a few weeks. It takes a little time, but you sound like you are doing fine!

I'm 7.5 weeks out, and I do one shake a day (30 g). I eat the rest of my protein. On the weekends, I drink more fluids so I have to be more conscious of eating/drinking rules, but during the week, its harder for me to carry a water bottle all day, so I usually just grab a mid morning and mid afternoon snack (cottage cheese or cheese stick or yogurt) and I can usually get my protein in through out the day.

 

I guess not being so worried about the not drinking close to eating is the thing to do. I will try that.

I will have to grab some cheese sticks too. I do cottage cheese and yougart but for me, they are meals. Maybe I could eat more of them than I currently do. I just stop even if I am not full since that's what I thought I was supposed to do but maybe I just need to eat until I am full at least unitl I can meet the minimums on this stuff?

Sounds like you give each other such great support, and that is what is needed. I know my daughter Elizabeth just had this surgery, and she loves the site to keep her spirits up. You are all amazing! Keep up the good work!!

You sound just like me about two weeks ago!  I couldn't figure it out!  But now I've hit my stride.  By starting my day with a protein shake, I get in half my water by 10:30 which is when I have my first solid food of the day.  Eat it, wait 30-60 minutes, drink another 8 oz.  Repeat this through lunch, afternoon snack & dinner.  I also struggled to keep my carbs low back then, but now it's a breeze.  It gets better!!  Just keep trying things to see what works.

Thanks everyone!
 
I will go to CVS and look for that sub-lingual B-12 tomorrow. I guess everything will work itself out in time. I was mostly worried because of feeling like I was going to pass out. I guess I will just by sure I get my water and try to work on things from there.

Thanks for all the advice!