Protein Question
I've been avoiding my food journal for the past few weeks because I was using the information in it against myself by getting frustrated at how little I was eating and trying to figure out why my weight loss was stalling - anyway, I digress. I estimate that I am eating between 40-60g of protein each day.
Please remember, through my surgery center, on my diet plan I cannot use protein supplements and I cannot DRINK anything bu****er. The Dr. says that eventually I will build up to enough protein that I'll be fine and in the meantime not to be concerned about it. But I can't keep feeling this way...
I have my next appointment on 8/7 and I plan to discuss with the Dr. - but, in the meantime, what are some of the best food based proteins that I can eat that will give me the most bang for my buck - if the protein source is real dense (like chicken) I can eat maybe 2oz. If it is less dense (like fish or cottage cheese) I can eat 1/2 cup maybe slightly more. Oh, I can eat anything (no restrictions on my diet at this point - and I haven't found any foods that disagree with me, but I have the most difficult time with chicken).
Thanks for any information.
If you can't get TJs-- your large local grocer should carry Fage 0% yogurt. A 5.3 oz container has 80 calories, 0 fat, 6 carbs, and 13g protein.
Laughing Cow cheese wedges make a nice snack with a little protein-- all cheeses do but these are spreadable and portable.
Lowfat Ricotta mixed with a little spaghetti sauce makes a good lasagne stand-in-- especially sprinkled with mozzerella.
You can pump up the protein in instant ff/sf pudding by simply adding an 8 oz brick of ff cream cheese and 2 cups skim milk before pouring it into cups.
Meatwise-- the most dense protein packed meat is bison or buffalo. Beef'd be a close second, followed by chicken and turkey-- and fish is great too.
Turkey Jerky (again, I like Trader Joe's) makes a good protein packed snack. A couple pieces (one ounce) has 11g or protein for 60 calories.
Here's an example of my day so you can get an idea how I pack in protein:
8am: The dreaded Hannah Montana Protein Bar (I hate that I love these things)
10am: 1/2 cup 2% (instead of nonfat-- will I die? ;) Greek Yogurt with cinnamon and Splenda
2pm: Salad at Wegmans with asian chicken and bleu cheese
4pm: 1/2 whole wheat mini pita with 1/2 tbsp cinnamon peanut butter
6pm: Salad with 4 oz asian chicken and 2 tbsp parmigiana reggiano
8pm: Tuna salad (made with yogurt) on an AkMak cracker with 1 oz cheddar
10pm: Blueberry cream cheese protein ice cream
901 calories 25 fat 55 carbs 109 g protein
"Oh sweet and sour Jesus, that is GOOD!" - Stephen Colbert Lap RNY 7/07-- Lap Gallbladder 5/08--
Emergency Bowel Repair 6/08 -Dr. Meilahn, Temple U. Upper and Lower Bleph/Lower Face Lift 12/08
Fraxel Repair 2/09-- Lower Bleph Re-Do 5/09 -Dr. Pontell, Media PA Mastopexy/Massive
Brachioplasty/ Extended Abdominoplasty (plus Mons Lift and Upper Leg lift) / Hernia Repair
6/24/09 ---Butt Lift and Lateral Thighplasty Scheduled 7/6/10 - Dr. Ivor Kaplan VA Beach
Total Cost: $33,500 Start wt: 368 RNY wt: 300 Goal wt: 150 Current wt: 148.2 BMI: 24.7
STANDARD CREAM CHEESE PROTEIN ICE CREAM RECIPE
3/4 cup fruit (keep 1/4 out until 5 minutes before ice cream is done, then add it)
1/3 cup Splenda
2 oz fat free cream cheese
2 tablespoons SF syrup (your choice)
2 scoops protein powder (I used unjury)
1 cup nonfat soy milk
1/4 package of SF FF cheesecake pudding instant mix
Yields about 4 1/2 cup servings, sometimes less.
Per half cup: About 100 cals, 0 fat, 8 carbs, 12.5g protein
"Oh sweet and sour Jesus, that is GOOD!" - Stephen Colbert Lap RNY 7/07-- Lap Gallbladder 5/08--
Emergency Bowel Repair 6/08 -Dr. Meilahn, Temple U. Upper and Lower Bleph/Lower Face Lift 12/08
Fraxel Repair 2/09-- Lower Bleph Re-Do 5/09 -Dr. Pontell, Media PA Mastopexy/Massive
Brachioplasty/ Extended Abdominoplasty (plus Mons Lift and Upper Leg lift) / Hernia Repair
6/24/09 ---Butt Lift and Lateral Thighplasty Scheduled 7/6/10 - Dr. Ivor Kaplan VA Beach
Total Cost: $33,500 Start wt: 368 RNY wt: 300 Goal wt: 150 Current wt: 148.2 BMI: 24.7
"Oh sweet and sour Jesus, that is GOOD!" - Stephen Colbert Lap RNY 7/07-- Lap Gallbladder 5/08--
Emergency Bowel Repair 6/08 -Dr. Meilahn, Temple U. Upper and Lower Bleph/Lower Face Lift 12/08
Fraxel Repair 2/09-- Lower Bleph Re-Do 5/09 -Dr. Pontell, Media PA Mastopexy/Massive
Brachioplasty/ Extended Abdominoplasty (plus Mons Lift and Upper Leg lift) / Hernia Repair
6/24/09 ---Butt Lift and Lateral Thighplasty Scheduled 7/6/10 - Dr. Ivor Kaplan VA Beach
Total Cost: $33,500 Start wt: 368 RNY wt: 300 Goal wt: 150 Current wt: 148.2 BMI: 24.7
on 7/30/08 1:57 pm - San Antonio, TX
Other notes, you may feel tired for other reasons - dehydration, anemia, low blood sugar, and low-B12 just off the top of my head. What is your vitamin regimen? Are you getting enough water?
I also bruise MUCH more since surgery. I understand that it goes away eventually though, once your nutritional status improves.
You can also make your own version of protein pudding using SF instant pudding and adding one scoop of protein powder to the mixture before you put it in the fridge. I don't consider this a protein supplement, either, because you are using the protein to make food.
Another item I ate as an early post-op was Cream O'Wheat with shredded cheddar cheese mixed in. Gave me the illusion that I was eating grits, yum!
My surgeon didn't restrict protein supplements because he felt getting in enough protein was the goal. One of my WLS surgery mates had a heck of a time with dense proteins and used the flavored protein bullets because she could manage 3oz of liquid at a time.
Kix
