the best way to cheat

Ok, so let me start this by saying I am a rule follower and have worked very hard to work my Dr's program to the T even when it didn't make much sense.  I will be 4 weeks out when I leave on Thursday morning to go to the World Equestrain Games in Ky.  I will be working as a volunteer on Sat and Sun.  I am still on pureed food so here is the issue.  My Drs want me to start each meal with protein and then add fruit, veggies or starches.  Everything is suppose to be pureed.  There will be things I can have from resturants like mashed potatoes, refried beans but neither of those are protein according to my list.  I can't have cheese yet.  Even eggs and cottage cheese are suppose to be pureed. I am planning on taking yogurt and all my protein.  So the question is, it is better to add cheese to the beans and potatoes so I will have some protein, or not.  I really don't want to live on yogurt for 4 days.  I have been eating my eggs without pureeing them and have had no problem.  I had Talapia that was soft and not pureed.  So I guess the questions are
1.  get the protein in my shakes and don't worry about the eat protein at every meal
2.  add food that isn't "approved" yet knowing that NOTHING has bothered my pouch yet
3.  eat food that is approved but not pureed.  Soft, yes, small bites, chewed well.  cottage cheese, eggs, fish?
4.  Any other ideas for things to take into the games with me besides yogart and protein? Cheese sticks would be wonderful.
I bought baby food meat but I haven't even brought my self to open them.  The thought turns my stomach.

At that point after my surgery there were days when certain foods worked, and others when they just didn't.  So my advice is to have several options of ways to go (plan b and c).

My plan was completely different.  For the record, I lived off of cheese sticks and fish.  Puree didn't really happen much, I just chewed everything thoroughly.  

On the other hand, that was all according to plan - my NUT is very flexible and like to go with whatever works for our bodies (and maintaining nutritional integrity).  

Not sure if that helps, but do hope that you'll get some helpful advice!

Hi Price,
I can tell you what I think I would do and why. 

I would do #1 get my protein in my shakes and don't worry about the protein at every meal.  Since your surgeon wants you to still be on pureed I would do the mashed potatoes, refried beans and yogurt.  I don't know why you can't have cheese - I could have it from the beginning.

The reason I would not pu**** and try other things is that you don't want to get sick or get something stuck trying it for the first time when you are not at home - I can tell you from experience that it is not a pleasant thing.  My problem was eating too fast and that usually happened when I was with other people and talking while I was eating.

I agree with you on the baby food meat - I don't think I could do that.

Have a good trip and enjoy it.

Linda

We could have cream of cheddar soup in full liquids.  I think I will try a little cheese here before I go and stick with the other things I know I can eat.
Thanks.

I agree with Linda - get your protein from drinks and don't worry about it in food.  But you can also do #3.  Gently... I was supposed to do a pureed stage but did the soft food instead and chewed it into oblivion.

Don't do #2 - you don't want to get sick... that wouldn't be good

I also could have cheese from the beginning.  Just be sure if you have cheese sticks to chew very well.

Heck - I was eating sushi at 3 weeks out - chewed it really really really good. 

I know I can do the eggs scrambled and fish mashed well.  Thanks.

I also would get my protein from the drinks.  Eat what you can when you go out, like the potatoes, refried beans etc.  Don't try anything new.  Getting something stuck is not going to work for you when you are volunteering.  Always try a new food at home when you don't have company.  Have fun on your trip.  Lin

Good advice, thanks.

Price:  I was thinking about you and had an idea.  

Might you be able to call your dr's office and describe the situation and ask these same questions?  Here's why I ask:

One thing that motivates me is that I can keep telling myself (and it's true) that I've never "cheated" on this program.  Granted, what you're trying to do doesn't sound like cheating AT ALL but if you think of it that way, it might have some psychological damage later.  I mean, if you're anything like me, slipping up at some point can be a pretty slippery slope.

On the other hand, let me reiterate that it doesn't sound like you're planning to do anything wrong.  It just might help to know that your plan is blessed by the powers that be.  

Does that make any sense?

Actually I did ask them when I was in for my last diet class and said, this is the diet I will be traveling with, any ideas?  Their only suggestions were yogurt and baby food.