Daily protein

Seriously, how do you make 60-90g a day without supplementing with shakes as I can't afford to buy them very often. I follow the guidelines they gave me at the bariatric center to a T and yet I don't make it. My plan calls for 1.5oz protein at main meals and 1.0oz at snack. At these portions, the protein grams are usually between 6-13g and after 6 meals, that comes up to about 55g for me. Do I add in an extra glass of milk with powdered milk and does that count as meal seven? Also, I see a lot of people here say not to eat carbs as they slow down the weight loss. My plan calls for them at breakfast and dinner and so far I've been able to tolerated them although I don't finish the recommended serving, I still eat them, a 1/4 slice of English muffin at breakfast and a spoon or two of rice, pasta or couscous at dinner.

I'm still a newbie and I'm starting to get confused over everything, calorie count included. Am I even supposed to be counting calories at this stage anyway (5 weeks), or just measure the food according to the guidelines. I'm starting to get anxious that I'm not going to lose as much weight as I want and after what I've been through, that would be a big disappointment. Any words of advise would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

At 7 weeks out I wouldn't worry too much about counting calories. Your protein is good, but until you can up your portion sizes, it will be difficult to hit the numbers. Don't stress too much at this stage - just remain protein focused everytime you eat.

you need carbohydrates to live,focus on getting them from fruits and vegetables. Nothing wrong with grains, if you can tolerate them. Again focus on whole grains where possible.

it is impossible to not lose weight when you are eating as little as you currently are, so relax, don't stress, the weight loss will come.

Thanks for your reassurance, really appreciate it. I guess I am just in the funky zone and starting to second guess myself, maybe it's the hormones. I will keep to the plan and just enjoy enjoy the ride.

I am only 2 weeks out and I am struggling to get 40g of protein a day with the guide lines given to me... especially since there is no meat or protein shakes in the full liquid diet.  As for counting calories I wouldn't worry so much either but it is easy to with "My fitness pal", have you tried it?  I have it on my phone and on my computer.

Michelle

Thanks. Yes, I am registered with my fitness pal. Although I don't eat enough to get an accurate count but, it gives me a ball park range. I just seem to be losing slow and I'm just a little eager to get going. I've had some set backs since surgery and that kind of threw me off a little and I've managed to lose 25lbs in a month. I was hoping for more but, I can't really complain. Hopefully now that I'm on the mend, I can get into more of a routine.

Do check with your surgeon or your nutritionist. Most full liquid diets,  including mine, have you drinking 3 shakes per day. I was getting about 90 grams during my week 1 which was full liquids. This week (week 2), I'm doing pureed but still doing one shake per day.

Not at Guelph... the first week is clear liquids, then full liquids. They do not want us to use protein shakes or bars... they want us to eat real food.

Michelle

Yeah, just like Michelle stated, Guelph doesn't encourage protein drinks as they want us to get our protein from regular food as long as you can tolerate it. Thanks for the advise though.

Ladies it's all about gradual improvement although the goal is 60-90g it's unrealistic to expect to consume that much protein by week two or even week three, the basic concentration should be to up your liquids so you do not become dehydrated, all while trying to increase protein intake..it comes slowly..it comes in the form of cottage cheese, Babybel, greek yogurt and many of the other items that you are allowed to eat in the first couple of weeks.  Milk actually doesn't have a lot of protein in it actually it's not even in the top 5.

If you purchase a large tub of unflavoured low carb protein whey, it will last you probably close to two months..and that's about $1.00/day~ (the cost of a cup of coffee) and definatly better for you.

http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-highest-in-protein.php

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/whattoeat/a/highproteinfood.htm

I have been involved in (this world) for almost 7 years and I always tell people prior to surgery especially if they have a long waiting period is to READ EVERYTHING they can get their hands on regarding this process, journey and advice and then go with what's best for you.  Be careful of the rice, pasta and bread...those are slippery slope items and especially the first two it;'s not difficult to have "just a little bit more" as time goes on.

At almost 5 years post-op...I can tell you honestly I have never counted calories or carbs (I was never a journal keeper) and while many couldn't do without this method..I could because I basically ate the same thing 5 days a week...(1) slice toast with 1 tsp peanut butter....mid morning snack 1 med banana, I pckg instant oatmeal and on occasion (1) protein bar.

lunch grilled chicken breast and a small side salad (nothing to drink)

supper:  was a small portion of whatever the family was having if they were having tacos...I would have (1) hard shell with a couple of tablespoons of meat, about the same of shredded cheese, then add in the tomato, and lettuce an on occasion some sour cream.  I couldn't tolerate, bread, buns etc for the longest time...even open faced sandwich was torture, so I basically didn't eat much bread.  If I had a hamburger I would have it on a plate with either a small salad or veggies.

Anyway I am ranting...my last piece of advice would be don't weigh yourself more than (once) a week...especially in the first couple of months, your body is adjuting and I have seen MANY people freak out because the scale didn;t move or they gained a pound..BIG DEAL...if you are doing what you are suppose to be and not eating creme donuts or licorice...you will succeed.~!

All the best

Thanks Mary for the sound advise. I was never a big carb eater before surgery so when I eat them, it's because the plan calls for them and my dietician told me to try and eat at least half. I am more of a meat eater and it's that I miss most as I can only eat 1.5 oz at a time now. I guess I'm trying not to fall into bad habits and trying to follow everyone else way of doing things. I think I need to just do what's right for me and trust what I'm doing is right. I have lost weight in the time being as well. I  don't own a scale and don't plan to anytime soon either as I feel, i will end up doing more harm than good by constantly weighing my self and getting disappointed if I don't lose any. I will stick to the doctors weigh in at the clinic for the time being. I'm just lucky I'm able to tolerate most foods so that gives me a variety to lose weight.