Puree protein vs. Liquid protein

Ok, I am struggling with this one. I went to my NUT a week ago and they placed me on puree's. She told me to try to get in as much dense protein as I could and lay off the shakes. At first I was so excited...almost real food. But I hate it. The only thing I really like and my new tummy is my protein shakes with my milk or diet Splash. I can do eggs good, and ricotta cheese don't hurt. But all that other stuff, chicken, beef(barf), ham and turkey just taste bad to me. What is up with the no sugar? I never was a sweets person per say, but I have converted to a boiling hot black coffee kinda person. And mustard.....on everything instead of mayo. You guys  are the best, and I know you have a ton of wisdom. But I had rather live on my shakes than a piece of meat. Is this so bad? Sherry

Sherry, Im 9 months out and still prefer protein shakes over real food.  I have no issues eating foods.  I think my pouch is made steel because no foods give me problems.  I just prefer shakes. Do you like greek yogurt?   its a good sourse of protein.  Cindy

Getting solid protein is a struggle.  I still have a shake for breakfast.  My pouch just isn't ready for much in the morning.  I will also add a shake in the evenings if I've lost the protein battle for the day.

My local grocery store has low sodium pre-cooked meatballs.  I eat these a lot.  They are easy to fix with 1 minute in the microwave.  I have found that I handle ground beef/chicken/turkey pretty well.  I've added meatloaf and some casseroles to my menu.

I think it is important to try to normalize our eating.  We can't always do it.  I think the shakes are a good support for us when we can't.  I use the Syntrax nectars with water.  They are only 100 calories each.

Kay

Just the idea of pureed meat makes me a bit nauseous.

Personally, I think it's way too early for you to be thinking about ditching the shakes. At this stage, you need to do what works or you won't get in all your liquids and protein.

Sherry,

I think we need to try and follow our surgeon's recommendations, but we also have to find our own way.  This is our way of life and I don't think one plan fits into everyone's life style. My NUT does not want us to do protein shakes, but they really help me not to snack in between meals and give me a little more freedom to eat other things rather than protein if I want to. 

I really liked Wendy's chili pureed. Have you tried anything like that?  How about making some egg salad.  I had that almost every morning for breakfast.  I pureed it and crumbled a little cracker on it so it had a little texture.  Do you have any unflavored protein you might could sprinkle on some of your food to get  the extra protein in? 

Good luck.

Linda

When I was on pureed, my dear sister, bless her soul, made me chicken pureed and chicken soup pureed.  It was wonderful because it had all the veggies and seasoning.  It tasted real.  Other than that, we could do creamed soups.  I did cream of mushroom, cream of brocalli, even shrimp.  Yogurt, cottage cheese.  I even cooked a pot roast in the crockpot and pureed it.  I was so hungry for something that wasn't sweet. Taste buds change after surgery, for whatever reason. 
As far as sugar and fat (mayo), those things can cause you to dump if you are one of the 30% who dump.  I had bacon for breakfast this morning and didn't feel great afterwards.  I'm sure it was the fat.
The important thing now is to get your fluid and protein in.  There is plenty of time to experiment, like the rest of your life.  In our 3-6 month program, we still have 1-2 shakes a day to keep our protein at 80+. 

Stay with what works for you. I couldn't stand the taste of meat or fish while I was in ketosis either. Shakes are super nutritionally sound. You'll be fine.

--gina

I'm on purees too and have been having a hard time getting in my protien.  I've been trying to sip isopure throughout the day instead of/with my water.  Helps add a little here and there.  By the end of the day, I'm pretty close to finishing the 40g of protien in the bottle.  I'm also adding a little splenda to it right now...

It's so funny how different surgeons are.  My NUT is all for the Protein Shakes.  I couldn't drink the shakes at the beginning so I think it's great that you can. It will make it alot easier to get your Protein in. 

At  2 years out I still have trouble with meat.  No matter how much I  chew it I still have trouble getting it down and when I do my pouch just isn't happy.  For about 6 months everything tasted salty, sweet, and sour.  That will eventually go away and things will start to taste nornal again but there still might be some things that you will never like again.  I still can't eat BQ sauce or spicy foods.

I am a believer in Protein Drinks!!!!  All of my friends who try to get their Protein in with food can all eat a lot more than I can at each meal and they are all starting to gain weight. I would have to eat a lot of food to get in as much Protein as I feel I need to be healthy and to maintain my weight.

Whatever you decide it has be what  YOU feel comfortable with.     

i am going on 2 years post op and I still have days where I'd rather drink nothing but protein drinks and no food. I love my protein shakes.

I don't like to cook, I don't like to clean up, so really they are the perfect choice for me.


If they are working for you, ease into food slowly. Do what works for YOU!