Question:
Help.I can't seem to get all my protein in.

I am 2 wks post op and I can't seem to get my protein in. I just can't bring myself to eat anymore pureed meat and I hate cottage cheese. My doc in not in favor of protein drinks either. Anyone have any food ideas for protein?    — Peggy D. (posted on April 22, 2002)


April 22, 2002
Ham salad, egg salad, canned chicken, canned tuna, tuna salad, sardines, anchovies (Yeah, yeah. Get over it.), soft, white cheeses, any cheese, for that matter, beans, Taco Bell's beans and cheese is easily digestible and cheap, too. Beef jerky. I know, that sounds wierd, but I found it really easy to eat and keep down. Also, until you can handle the above--even when they're chopped fine--there's breakfast drinks. As for your MD, liquid protein drinks are better than no protein at all. Hang in there.
   — Chuck O.

April 22, 2002
My protein staple food is string cheese. It's a good snack with low fat and high protein. It also has calcium. I also eat lunch meat, PB and crackers, nuts and sometimes I make pudding with double milk (I add 1/3 cup of dry milk to the milk, then add the regular amount of liquid to the pudding). I did that mostly when I was a newbie and had a very sensitive stomach. My doc doesn't recommend protein shakes, they want you to learn to eat "normal". I do get most of my protein from my food but a protein shake sometimes helps too. I think they worry about people adding too much stuff to them, making them less than desirable. I add a few frozen strawberries and some protein powder to water for mine. Good luck! Meredith
   — Meredith P.

April 22, 2002
I haven't had the surgery yet but I have a problem eating meat and eggs. I make sugar free pudding with 1% milk and I add 2 scoops vanilla or chocolate protein to the pudding. It just depends on which pudding you make. For chocolate I of course use chocolate protein mix. But for vanilla or butterscotch (they even have pistachio if you like it)I use vanilla powder. They also have like mocha, and strawberry. I used to put a scoop of mocha in my coffee but I no longer do that. Hope this helps.
   — Eileen D.

April 22, 2002
I guess I didn't explain that I am in the pureed food phase so I cannot eat those foods you mentioned. I would love to have some PB and crackers but that's a big no no on pureed diet. My dietician said I can't even have tuna salad. I am at a complete lost here with protein.
   — Peggy D.

April 22, 2002
HI! I am five months post op and still have that problem. I HATE the taste of protein drinks so I needed a safe alternative. I take a liquid protein called Proteinex and I swear by it. It is available from the manufacturer or you can get Wal-Greens or Walmart to special order it for you. It is kind of expensive, about 30.00 per bottle, but for me my health is worth it! Two tablespoons are 15 grams of protein. It really doesn't taste all that awful either. It would fit well in your current diet. I go through a bottle a week. Since starting it, my weight loss has really improved. If you try it let me know what you think. If you need to, please get in touch with me!
   — purdue_1993

April 22, 2002
I'm assuming that you are a new post-op, having to eat pureed food...I stuck with Fat-free, Sugar-free yogurt for the first 4 weeks, I added in two tablespoons of non-fat dry milk to each container. Bluebunny makes the best yogurt, I get mine from SuperWalmart-I hate cottage cheese too! I might have to go back to doing that-I'm 3 months out and my blood work came back with a 6.2 protein count and you're supposed to have a level of 6.3-8.6. Good luck!
   — Tris H.

April 23, 2002
I know it's still a protein drink, but Nature's Best Zero carb isopure in the glass bottles is great. It's 40g protein in a 20 oz. bottle. I drink only half at a time. It's a clear liquid similar to Crystal Light, just not as sweet. You can get it at GNC, pretty pricy, about $3 for a 20 oz. bottle.
   — GGinMA

April 23, 2002
The nutritionist I saw before surgery recommended MetRx Plus protein bars, they are 270 calories and have 32 grams of protein. They make different flavors but my favoriteis Choc. Fudge. Eat 1/3 a bar at a time 3 x a day and you have met 32 grams of your protein requirement. I also eat string cheese, egg omlets with cheese but since you are a little early out so be careful. Try ProtoPlex lite from Vitamin World, mix with water and 25 grams of protein, not to bad . I now mix strawberries and banana'sin the vanilla and the chocalate is fine just by itself. Tastes good. But you can't drink a whole shake at once since you mix 16 oz of water. I tried mixing with skim milk but made me go potty. So water works best for me. Good luck and be patient, things will get much better. At first I wasn't really concerned with protein but the nutritionst wanted me to be sure and get calories- so gatorade, grape juice, apple juice worked well.
   — janicediana




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