I need some advice

I made it through surgery and the last 5 1/2 weeks with the normal struggles with water and protein.  Now my dilemma is that I am scared to eat.  I've been given the ok to start to include more food in my diet and move into my new "normal" eating but I'm scared.  Don't get me wrong I've had  a little bit of fish and I did have some chicken and a teeny bit of steak but I can't wrap my head around what to do next.  I've been sticking to a soft food diet and I'm not sure what to do next, I'm so overwhelmed by the thought of eating.  Any advice would be much appreciated. 

Thanks for listening!

Lourdes

A wise friend, yes you Patrece, once told me to include 2 bites of protein for every bite of nonprotein food.  Take this as it goes, try to not stress about the foods.  Last night at support group, the dietician said to go with what works for you. 

Continue to add different proteins as you are able, just remember to chew, chew, chew.  I have had a few things get stuck part way down, I do not recommend this, the ache until it passes is misery.  Use sauces to keep the proteins moist.  Keep trying the fish, chicken, even tender steak.  Think about ground turkey, ie meatballs, even mix the turkey with your beef for meatloaf.  I find that having types of proteins that I am used to having gives me comfort.  Slowly add in cooked veggies, low starch ones if possible.

The other day, I just craved pancakes.  I had a box of carbquik that I bought online.  I was pleasantly surprised that they were very close to my usual recipe for taste.

What types of meals are you preparing for the fine man in your pic?  Are you eating similar types of foods? 

When I was pretty early out from surgery, and just working the solids into my diet, I really found that a very lean and thin sliced deli turkey and chicken was a wonderfully easy source of protein. Heck a thin slice of protein, a tablespoon of cottage cheese and a dab of spinach made a great meal, and I usually couldn't even fit it all in way back then.

As you begin to add your solids, try to keep them the most tender and lean cuts available. I enjoyed turkey bacon as well. One thing that helped me alot when trying to eat lean beef  was to cook it in a pressure cooker or slow cooker. until they were falling apart tender. I cut it (or pulled it apart) into pieces barely bigger than a pea, and chewed my jaws off to be sure it wouldn't get stuck. It also helped to put a dab of the "broth" from cooking it over it after i cut it up, to help with moistness. Kathy's idea on a combo of turkey and VERY lean ground beef mixed together to create a meat loaf or meat balls is an excellent idea. Try using half ground turkey, half 93/ 7 or leaner ground beef then add in a touch of tomato sauce or V-8 juice, whatever seasonings you like, then some crushed fat free whole grain cracker crumbs.. just a little... mix it up and form into several very small meatloafs. I call em mini meatloaf and then you can freeze some for future use as well.You do not need to add the egg if you use the tomato sauce or v-8.  If you do not like tomato taste, use egg instead, but it won't be nearly as tasty. Sometimes I even put a touch of salsa in it.
Do not eat real fibrous veggies yet, such as celery. It is too early for that. Also avoid veggies with skin for right now.
Remember to add your new foods gradually, so if something does not sit well with you, you have a better chance of identifying what it was. After a few more weeks, your pouch will deal with the solids more easily. just always remember to chew well, avoid gravy, its all fat and carbs, and focus on that protein. Slices of reduced fat or fat free cheese can be added in now too.

Well, I hope this gave you a decent starting point. Relax, and enjoy the journey!

I found that early on and for a long time, the only things that worked for me were boiled eggs and soft cheese. I still fall back on these when I'm not sure what to have or when my stomach is not feeling "adventurous".

Thank you for the advice and the ideas,  I'm going to try the meatloaf and deli meat.  It's tough cooking for one and I think I'm adding pressure to myself because I don't want to fail.  I'll be off to the grocery store soon.  

By the way Kathy, the fine man in my pic is my dad, I think he's kinda fine myself :)  

Thanks again for your responses, I'm feeling less stress now

 

huba, huba.  It is nice to have a "fine" dad. 

I understand the cooking for one.  With the opposite shifts with my hubby and I, I often cook for one.  Or have a dab of this or that from leftovers.  I like to make things that are easy to reheat and portion out part of the 'meal' into containers even before I start.