Just not getting in enough of....anything.

 I try so hard to get enough water in and protein but I am finding myself not able to do it on a regular basis. I am trying to always sip water but I still only get about 20 oz in a day or so. For protein I get maybe 20 to 30 grams a day. I mostly get protein from my food because just the thought of protein shakes makes me nausiated. But I still continue to try so many and try to think of it like medicine. I end up gagging though and I just can't get them down. I've tried SO many protein shakes. I still can't tolerate a lot of solid food so things like beef jerky doesn't work for me and I get so full when I eat greek yogurt. Eggs also make me sick. I am also trying to get my vitamins all in but sometimes I have a really hard time doing that. 

I am so committed to this journey and want to do well and be healthy. Does anyone have any advice or tips I can use for getting everything in that I need to be healthy?

For me I have to drink something hot to start the day or my pouch has a rough day.  So I have protein powder in a huge cup of coffee.  I use choc, protein for the coffee.  Try and find the most blandest protein you can ( i use eas). I get 25 grams of protein before I even have to eat something for the day.  Eggs can be hit or miss for me and tuna or canned chicken are a no go.  I stayed away from shrimp thinking that if I can't handle the tuna than shrimp would also be a bad thing.  Well, I was wrong.  Shrimp and I have become friends and I saute it with some pepper mix and throw in some shredded cheese and parmasian on it.  Yummy.  

Hang in there with the drinking. It gets better over time. I still am only 6 months post op so I am not an expert at all but sometimes you just need to hear from someone who has walked in your shoes.

This is my life, too... I can't really handle food or normal stuff in the morning so I had to figure out an alternative.  I finally figured out how to make a protein latte that I like a lot and I have two of these before noon... so, about 70 grams of protein are already onboard by the time I eat anything.

You just have to keep trying, keep an open mind and be determined to find what works for you... because, for most people, something EVENTUALLY works.  It's about attitude and determination, truly... because yeah, some things might not sit well and it's hard to try new things when you already feel icky and they could make you feel worse, but the payoff is SO worth it.

As for how I make the latte, here's my personal recipe:

Make a cup of coffee... I use decaf from my Keurig.  Anything should work.

In a blender cup (like a bullet cup, or even one of those protein drink shaker cups), add:

1/4 - 1/2c. milk of your choice
a scoop of protein powder (for this I like Body Fortress Vanilla... heaping scoop!)
a scoop of Upcal-D Calcium powder (not necessary, but by putting a scoop of this into each of my lattes, I'm at least halfway to my calcium for the day!)
a couple dashes of cinnamon
a teaspoon to a tablespoon of General Foods International Coffee powder (SF French Vanilla) {note: can use anything to flavor a bit more... covers all the protein flavor in the drink.  I've also used 1/2 a scoop of Click powder to cover the protein taste.  Can useSF hot cocoa powder... anything!)

Whir all the ingredients together until frothy and pour into the coffee... stir and enjoy.  As you drink it, remember to swirl the glass or stir before each sip as some of the powders settle out.  It ends up being very filling... I usually take 1/2 hour or more to drink one of these.

Eyes on the prize, honey... keep trying and things should eventually come around for you. Good luck... we're all pulling for you!


tori

 A few suggestions:

Protein:

I know summer is coming but you still need your protein! Consider a hot protein drink if the shakes make you ill. Check here for some recipes (skip the Click referenced ones). I am partial to this one. 

Very easy way to get your protein: Combine 2 cups milk + 1 box of sugar free pudding of your liking + 2 scoops protein powder. Blend and pour into popsicle molds. Or you can do a fruity flavored protein with water and Crystal Light and do the popsicles.

Water intake: Shakes count toward your intake, so do popsicles. If a sugar-free popsicle helps, do it. Carry water with you everywhere and sip, sip, sip. If plain water bugs you put something else in it.

Food: slow and steady. You had issues so food might be a bit tricky. Try refried beans (they make them fat free). Try tuna moistened with light mayo. Try cottage cheese. These are all very high protein. 

Vitamins: what kind do you take? If you're not already doing Bariatric Advantage or some chewable type, you should really think about doing that.

Lastly...and I sound like a broken record. ROME WASN'T BUILT IN A DAY!!! This is not a race to total compliance. Work to get there. Baby steps. You'll get there. As long as you are trying to do a bit better each day, I think you're doing well.

Hugs.

Yeah... what SHE said!

(Great reply, Nik... pas for the course!)


tori

 Hard to believe now, but there will be a time when you really miss having no appetite and no desire to eat.  You are recovering from major surgery and it usually takes about six months to have much interest in food again.  Don't worry too much about not getting enough protein and even about vitamins.  

You are doing the right things, but your body has enough fat storage so that you are very unlikely not going to have deficiencies this early out.  Try to do your best with sipping and keep searching for a protein shake that you can get down.  I did the best with Lean Dessert or BSN.  I mixed them with fat-free milk and with sugar-free syrups, then blended in a Magic Bullet for great ice cream smoothie tasting drinks.  Adding a tablespoon of instant pudding mix gives flavor and thickness.

I lived on Crystal Light Lemonade for a long time.  Just do your best now and don't obsess about anything.  Your body will let you know when it is ready for more food.

 Are you putting anythign in your water? Some people have trouble with plain water after surgery, but CL or a little lemon that adjusts the PH of the water makes it so much easier to go down.

Have you tried the Unjury chicken soup protein powder?  There have a been a couple of times when I was queasy or nauseous but it went down just fine.  It is warm and soothing (for me, anyway).

Lora

I still have a big tub of the Unjury broth if you want some! Also, chicken broth helped me get more liquids down. Hot teas too. Just think that every sip keeps you out of the ER!
Lora gave a good suggestion on another post of making your own protein bullets by reducing the liquid you mix your protein with and chugging it back as a 3oz shot.

I agree with the above suggestiions pf protein coffee....I drink this almost every morning or with a low sugar hot chocolate mix....I mix a scoop and a half of protein with a little water and then add the coffee.....easy way to get in 30 grams of protein ALONG with liquid.  SF popsickles are also a HUGE lifesaver.  Also, I make protein pudding......another easy way to get in protein.....2 scoops of protein and 2 cups of milk plus the SF pudding mix.......after surgery protein shakes (made with powders protein) just did not taste the same anymore so this is why I got creative. Also ready to drink shakes have also saved me.  Keep you eye on the prize....fluids and protein!!!!!

Just made protein ice cream for the first time today....YUMMY!