How do you get your protein?

I saw where you middle tennesseans were planning another protein party and was wondering if maybe we could have a sort of online protein party. Maybe we could all list our tried and true ways of getting our protein in during the day. I know some of you go nuts over the tastes of this stuff but none of these protein drinks are candy good to me. But, I drink them because I have to. Honestly I would drink dirt milkshakes if I knew it was what I had to do to stay healthy. I drink at least one 42 gram protein bullet a day. I am not crazy about the taste at all but 42 grams in three gulps just can't be beat. I also like the Matrix Cookies and Cream and the Elite Chocolate Mint. For breakfast every morning I have 1/2 of a 0% Fage yogurt with Splenda and sugar free strawberry preserves stirred in and I have the other half for a snack later in the day. Sometimes I will stir a tablespoon of protein enriched Bear Naked granola in with it. I keep a bunch of parmesan crusted chicken strips cooked and ready to heat in the refrigerator. Two strips has 22 grams of protein but I can only eat one at a time. I got this recipe at bariatriceating.com. These chicken strips are brined before they are cooked and don't get the least bit dried out. They are also rolled in mayonaise (you can't taste this after their baked) and parmesan cheese and then italian breadcrumbs. I thought this might help because I still (at four months out) still have a lot of nausea and vomiting but I have learned to just suffer through it and keep getting my protein and eating when I can. Some days I have to take 1/2 a phenergan to make it through the day but I do it because even with the nausea I feel better than I have in years. What do you do for protein? Janie

Janie, it sounds like you are doing really well with getting protein in. Don't take this the wrong way, but I am relieved to hear you still have nausea...I am three months out and have nausea every day...I hate that you suffer but I'm glad to know it may be normal adjustment. You named my favorite, Cookies n Cream...I also love the Nectar Cappuccino Latte, either alone or mixed with Cookies n Cream...tastes like caramel. I also like Fage with Cinnamon Bliss and IDS Vanilla Cinnamon (Paula's recipe). I love a hot Matrix Perfect Chocolate at night. As far as food goes, I love chicken and brine it or slow cook it to keep it tender. I also love salmon and the pink salmon in the pouch is divine. I like baked tilapia every now and then and I like grouper. Other than this, my protein comes from cheeses and from cottage cheese especially. Like I mentioned above, I am sick to my stomach every day so I have to time eating exactly right. Oh, I almost forgot the best protein...AchievOne! I start most mornings off with one of these and get 20 grams in right off the bat. The problem I am having most is getting my calcium in...it is so hard when you gag on the calcium and I have literally started gagging on Tropical Oasis. I think I am going to try the mint lozenges...tried one the other day and it is much more tolerable...like a rolaids or tums.

Hi Janie. You are doing great with your protein. Especially when you say you do not like it and you still do it. I wish I could do that. I have such a weak stomach (which I had before surgery) and if I taste something nasty I gag. I tried different varieties of protein powders that came in a sample pack from bariatriceating but could not stand any of them. I also tried protien liquids like ProState and the GNC kind but could not tolerate even getting in those two ounces because I woulg gag. I do not like the slim fasts or the acheiveOnes. I want to try the whey protein bullets that baratriceating are doing now. Not the 40 protein gram one like you do but the 22 or something like that. My surgeon/nutriotionist said not to take more than 25 grams of protein at a time because you only absorb that amount or something. So, I wonder if you taking the 42 gram one makes a difference. So, I might try that. I also want to go to the next protein party to try out what everyone else does and maybe I can find something I can stick with. For now, I just get protein in with my food and since I am not a big proten eater, I am only getting in maybe 30 grams of protein a day. Really bad I know. My hair fell out but that has now slowed down and I am still tired all the time and I know it is the protein. Thanks for posting this so maybe I can also get some ideas. BTW. you should try the cinnamon calcium lozenges from bariatric eating. You take three a day. Those are pretty good. Misty

Misty, I just wanted to let you know that you can get the New Whey bullets locally. The Vitamin Shoppe near Rivergate Mall carries them in the 25 gram and the 42 gram. I prefer the 25 gram tastewise. I also found that I like the 42g in the orange and I only drink 1/2 of one at a time, a couple of swallows and I get 20 grams of protein. I use these when I am really craving vegetables. I'll eat the veggies for my meal and then an hour later have a protein bullet.

Misty, This past weekend I purchased some of the Whey Protien Shooters the 42 gram ones, I am hooked on them. I only drink 1/2 at a time one in the morning and one in the afternoon, this gets a little over half my protein in for the day. This has made a bid difference for me. The Vitamin Shoppe is the only place that I have found them around Nashville, 12 in a case for 29.99 or 2.99 each. They have them in grape, orange, and fruit punch, they are not the best in the world, but what little you have to drink to get so much protein, I can endure that. Also as far as the cinnamon calcium lozenges from bariatric eating, you are absolutly right, I am hooked on those, they are wonderful, I actually cannot wait until it is time to take them!! Strange I know, but the little things do count when you are a little , like me!! Shelia

I bought two fruit punch shooters (25 g each) but have not used them... the protein pros mixed one up in a bullet with ice, added 1 packet of splenda and it was good. I did not like it alone, with no ice... too sweet... but without the one packet of splenda, it was tart... good, but tart. Made my lips pucker! I don't do this a lot, and not sure if its "wrong" but I have an unsweetened oatmeal (which is 19 carbs) and 1/2 scoop of protein delite vanilla very berry. It is wonderful. Looks really weird and gross but don't let that fool ya. (Kroger regular flavor instant oatmeal: 19 carbs, 3 dietary fibers, sugars 0, protein 4 g, 110 calories). I only do this twice a week. Its for days I want a real breakfast instead of a liquid drink. I like to take 1 scoop Nectar latte, add 4 oz mice milk, 4 oz water, ice, a little glug of SF chocolate syrup from davinci, sometimes 1 spoon big train chocolate latte mix and it makes a great frappucino. I also like one scoop of matrix perfect chocolate, add some kahlua flavoring, ice & mice milk & water. the newest is nectar caribbean cooler. Its good with water & ice. But even better w/piece of frozen banana (thanks Paula) just about an inch, and only once in awhile. I am waiting on the malibu rum sf davinci to come. I'm wondering... hmmmmm... will have to find out if there is any pineapple pieces that I could add... maybe not. Just got the cogs turning. I am WAITING on my order of matrix cookies & cream, elite mint choc chip then I can have mint cookies & cream shakes... also have buttercreme toffee coming. will have to wait and see what we can conjure up... Do NOT like IDS cinnamon vanilla all the time... sometimes I like it, others I don't. Don't like coffee much either... sometimes its great, other times its nasty. I don't know why ... taste changes? I dont know