Target calories at two weeks out

Hi, congrats on getting in your protein! That is so important.

When I was as early out as you are, I did my best to get in 2 premier protein shakes per day, plus all of my liquids. Sometimes I was able to add an espresso cup full of Greek yogurt, sometimes not. My calories and carbs were super low, under 400 that early out, and I was OK. The calories will increase when you get to the puree stage.

I pureed everything. It looks gross but the taste is great. I loved pureed chicken mixed with a tablespoon of Greek yogurt and hot sauce as it tasted like chicken wings.

I pureed steak with low cal low carb BBQ sauce, home made beef stew (but I picked out the potatoes first so they weren't added). I also liked pureed egg salad, pureed tuna or chicken salad. Oh, and the famous Ricotta bake, of course (see the wonderful blog, The World According to Eggface for recipes).

If you go the meat route, be sure to add plenty of low carb low cal liquids or sauces to keep it super moist. I tried to make sure everything had the consistency of yogurt, as I was OK with yogurt. I even pureed cottage cheese to get rid of the lumps, lol.

I usually had a premier protein shake for breakfast, some Greek or Skyr yogurt for lunch, and a pureed meal for dinner for the first week of purees. If I needed to, I had more protein shake as a snack to up my protein. By the second week of purees, I was able to tolerate pureed meals for lunch and supper. My situation was a bit different though, as once I moved to soft foods, I had a lot of pain so the surgeon put me back on full liquids for two weeks, followed by another 2 weeks of purees. So I was on purees for 4 weeks total. The second round of purees was much easier and I didn't have to rely on premier protein as much.

It's a learning process; don't be afraid to exepriment.

Thanks for all your tips! I really appreciate it. I have read so many posts saying "blah" to puréed foods but I am so looking forward to having different tastes! And nutrients!!

I'm excited to start experimenting now (eel Monday) but I have to remember to take it slow as well so as not to overwhelm my pouch!

Oh, definitely; you have to treat that pouch like a newborn baby, lol. I did.

Eat slowly, make sure to measure everything and follow your guidelines. If you do even one spoonful more than you can handle, your pouch will let you know.

I actually enjoyed the pureed stage. Everyone is different though, so wishing you all the best.

Thanks Kathy! Listening to your pouch is so important. I found yesterday I was hungry, and could eat... I mean eat is relative! But I had jello, which I normally don't, and an extra yogurt. Today, I had my two shakes, and couldn't finish my morning yogurt or evening cottage cheese.

I'm learning to listen and be satisfied and not test my pouch either!! :)