Protein alternatives to meat and shakes???

Not sure what's happened because I used to love meat of all kinds, but I don't anymore. By the time I chew to applesauce consistency, I just want to spit it out rather than gag it down. I don't believe I'd go total vegetarian but I really do not want meat every meal, or even every day. A few issues: too much soy gives me hives, I've become lactose intolerant, and I'm not a fan of sickly-sweet protein shakes. Can anyone steer me in the right direction for getting in quality protein?

I am a Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian. Please see my profile page if interested.

Thank you. I enjoyed reading your blog, and I took some great ideas away from your list of sample meals. I also noted you don't count your carbs and have done well. It seems many great protein alternatives to meat are also high carb, and that was a main concern I had. 

Nuts are fun and a protein snack, but not great for high protein as you'd need to have a lot and there is a lot fat in them too.

What about beans?   I mix refried beans with black beans and enchilada sauce and baked with some cheese on top.  

I also make Kale chips that have a bit of protein in them, and avocado has a little bit too.

Sun dried tomatoes have a lot of protein -- 4g for one ounce I think, but they have a lot of natural sugars too.

Many people who are lactose intolerant can still tolerate cheeses.  Beans of various kinds are a great source of protein and fiber.  When you say "meat" does that include fish?  I am not a huge fan of fish, but tuna, flaky white fish like cod, and crab meat (yum!) chew up very easily. Some people say shrimp chews up nicely for them, but it can be rubbery if overcooked at all.

The problem may largely stem from the TYPE of meat you are eating. I eat only certain kinds of beef and almost no pork because of the exact reason you mentioned.  A piece of filet mignon chews up easily and tastes good, but sirloin steak or most types of ground beef make me want to gag by the time I have chewed it up enough.  Surprisingly, most people find that Wendy's chili chews up very easily.  'M not trying to talk you into eating meat... just trying to give you some ideas for things that might be more workable for times when you DO want it.

Lora

Thank you both for mentioning beans. They were my go-to for a couple of weeks, then I hit a stall. I blamed the carbs in the beans. Perhaps it was just a normal adjustment period and not the beans. I love the fiber and oddly enough, they don't bloat or give gas like they did pre-op. They would be a big staple in my diet if I weren't concerned about carbs. 

I agree on type of meat. I had a couple of bites of filet mignon a few days ago and it was wonderful. I wish I could afford it at every meal! Chili also is good. So far I have no problem with it, but noticed I tend to pick out the beans, onions, and peppers and eat those, leaving the meat.

Thanks for the other ideas as well. I gave seafood a try several weeks ago, and found scallops easily chewed. Then I became repulsed by them and all other fi****ried. Weird how stomach surgery messes with tastes!

I'm that way with eggs now. By the time I chew them up I just about gag on the texture. I just don't care for them anymore. If you want to eat meat, make sure you've tried different ones before you pass on them. Also the further out you get, you don't have to quite chew it up as much.  It may be something you want try later. 

There is some tasteless protein powder you can try. You can mix it in different things to aid in protein. Beans are great too. 

For breakfast I eat Special K Protein (10g) with almond slices. I'm lactose intolerant, too. I use only a tiny amount of lactose-free milk with no problem. I have also learned to like beans and cheese. My number one protein is tuna fish.

I go Greek Yogurt, refried beans, split pea soup, bean soups and carb smart yogurt.  Sometimes if I really want something I chew it up then spit it out.  

I would encourage you to be very cautious about the chewing and spitting.   It can easily become a habit and can lead to a full-blown eating disorder.

Lora