Question about protein

I would really like to get away from protein shakes as I'm 3 months out now, but I have a hard time eating enough. Any suggestions? Fish isn't an option unfortunately as my pouch doesn't seem to like it very well.

VSGer here, but my NUT gave me the impression I may be on protein shakes for a long time (upwards of a year, more if I chose). I honestly would rather do them than increase my calories or capacity before I really need to. I am comfortable with a 2oz portion of meat and no more.

Edited to add: I'm not eating veggies or anything yet. I'm 13 weeks out.

surgeons seem to have different opinions about this. Ours said most of his patients are on them the first 6-12 months. I'm still on them at almost two years out, but that's because 1) I malabsorb protein so I need a lot more of it than most patients and 2) I like them! If the issue is that you don't like them, well, that's another story.... Some surgeons do want people weaned off them pretty quickly, so it's probably fine if you go off if you're able to replace the protein.

I didn't mind them before surgery, hated them directly after and now one of the few things I crave is my nightly premier protein and decaf coffee while reading a book!

I can relate to that - I often save 1/2 of mine to drink at night!

you mix your protein drink with your coffee? the drink doesn't curdle in the hot coffee?

No, the pre-mixed drinks don't have that issue.

I found for me, using unflavored protein in chicken broth and in my morning coffee gave a needed boost to the protein totals. I used the broth as an afternoon snack, a time when I was feeling hungry. Kept me from trying to graze before dinner. Just make sure the liquid isn't too hot or the protein will clump, not appetizing!

I use 1/2 bouillon cubes and 1/2 homemade chicken broth for MY broth, less salt, more real flavor.

Is it taste or just the idea I should be eating real food? I drank a protein shake a day for the first two years.

Higher protein levels I do believe helps with weight loss.

They were just as much a meal as food because you can't eat a lot in the early days... Now they are definitely more a 'snack' as they don't hold me as long but they are easy and really I thing a better choice than protein bars. I don't feel the need to have then daily...but often do because even though I eat 100+ grams of protein a day, Is till struggle with low protein blood work results...

Ounce for ounce most protein dense protein sources- beef, chicken, pork... have approximately 7g per ounce. An egg or 1/4c cottage cheese 7g. Greek yogurts about 10-12 per 1/2 cup. I like Siggi's it has 14 for 1/2 cup. If 70 were your goal. Then eating 5 meals that had at least 14g of protein would get you there. That doesn't sound hard...but at 2 months I remember 2 eggs for 14 would have been impossible. I like to break it down in smaller bites like that mentally.

Or if I have 3 meals with at least 20g and 3 'snacks' with at least 10g that gets me to 90g....

Things like cottage cheese and yogurt are more 'slider' foods and easier to get in...

I had grand plans to eat tons of eggs post op, and yeah no. I can't get in one still at 13 weeks out out. Which means it's not much bang for my buck when it comes to protein. Sad, because I really like them!