Protein, calories, carbs

I need some input. I know I need 60 grams of protein. I stay between 600 and 800 calories. I try to get my protein from different sources, and thought beans were good. But today I had beans, a clif bar, and oikos yogurt and pb2, and my carbs are 102 grams. I'm confused about how many carbs I should have. Weekends, my protein is usually fish, weekdays it comes from triple zero Greek yogurt, a protein bar or shake, and then often a bean soup. Should I cut beans? I just find it hard to cook meat on weekdays, and I got tired of packaged tuna.

Yes, and clif bars and most protein bars. Under 30g of total carbs is the general rule.

Replying now from my laptop, as it's easier. So, how far out from surgery are you? I try to keep all meals to under 200 calories total and snacks (no more than 1-2 day) 80 calories or under. Clif Bars are hugely carby and also a LOT of food. My (non-WLS) husband consumes them as a meal.

I don't eat beans as a primary protein, but I know some folks do. I will eat small amounts of them mixed into something (and I've had chili once).

Do you not eat meat or are you too early for it? You need to add in more dense lean proteins.

I will soon be 8 weeks post op. I don't like protein bars and shakes, but without them it's hard to get the protein in on workdays. And I don't like beef, pork, or lamb. So stick to fish, chicken or turkey.

I was a vegetarian for many years, not now, so tend to like beans or tofu or eggs more than any full meat.

Going to rethink protein bars tho. I use one as a meal sometimes. But guess it's not a good idea.

Shakes are fine. I still use them to get my protein (1 per day) at 5 months post op. But they also have 5g of carbs. Most of the bars I've found have 20-30g of carbs and 200+ calories. I eat them very occasionally (on an airplane during meal time, etc). I think I've probably eaten 3-4 of them total, ever.

Fish, chicken, and turkey are great. You didn't mention the chicken or turkey as being staples though? Tofu and eggs are good too, though I always have trouble eating a volume that gets me the protein I'm looking for from them. I eat eggs for dinner quite a bit when I know that I've otherwise satisfied my protein.

At 8 weeks post op I was eating around 400-500 calories per day (all from meats, yogurt, and cheese). I have slowly built my way up to 650-700 calories per day and I'm hoping to be at 800 calories per day in the next month or so (I'm close to maintenance).

My nut has always suggested no more than 20 gr of carbs per meal or snack. Also, remember, like calories, not all carbs are created equal!

Yes if you're doing regular low carb, high protein, 20-30g of carbs per meal should be fine. A lot of people here at OH stick to super low carbs...it's all in what works for you. As long as you keep within your calorie range, you should be fine. And if you're going to eat carbs, beans are a good one because you get good protein with your carbs. They're one of the good guys.

What about cooking meat on the weekend to be ready for your weeknight meals? Then all you have to do it reheat. I'm all about slow cooker stuff on the weekends, and nuking during the week!

Yes, I think cooking for leftovers is a good idea, as I like real food. I also dislike sweet stuff, so bars and shakes were never ideal for me, just expedient.

still looking for the bariatric version of real food, high in protein, and easy to make. Like obesity fast food, but suited to our needs. Thought it would be tuna in a pouch, but so far nor loving that.

So what your looking for is really a "bariatric version of fast food?" I rarely cook during the week since the start of summer because my new job has me so wiped out at the end of the day. I'm also keto, so I eat very low carb, less than 20g a day. Here are some of the things that I eat on a regular basis:

Lunches:

• I buy a 1/4 sliced boneless ham, use it to make roll-ups with Frigo Swirls mozz and cheddar cheese stix
• Pepperoni slices and cheddar cheese
• Turkey sausage sticks and cheese
• Leftovers

Dinner:

• 1.5 lbs smoked pulled pork from the local smokehouse, have it with sour cream and salsa, and veggies, I eat it all week (I'm that kinda person, if I like something I can eat it all the time!)
• Tuna salad w/avocado
• Hardee's low-carb cheeseburger (or bunless burger from just about anywhere)
• Deli rotisserie chicken, eat on it for several days

So, it can be done without cooking, you just have to do a little shopping on your weekends. Good luck!

That's helpful. I do want fast food, healthy and suitable, to eat slowly!