Question:
Adding a question to Buffy's question

if after surgery we find we just cannot eat any meat and we live off the cottage cheese,yogurts and other sources besides meats to get our protien,will that be good enough?do we have to have meats in our diets at all?    — carolyn1970 (posted on July 5, 2009)

July 5, 2009
Hi, You do not have to have any meat in your diet to get in all the protein that you have to have. A person who follows a typical vegetarian diet (one who eats, milk, cheese, eggs, yogurt) can do this fairly easily. A person who follows a vegan diet with no dairy products or eggs has to be very careful to include a balance of protein sources so that they get all the essential amino acids.It can be done but very carefully. My only problem with vegetarian diet for bariatric surgery patients especially early on is the volume of vegetarian only food it takes to get in 60-80grams of protein. Also it is difficult if you are trying to keep the carbs and total calorie count very low. I am trying to keep my total calorie count just over 400 calories per day so I am eating mainly fish with some chicken/turkey/eggs/cheese in order to keep my calorie count down while getting in my protein. When I get to goal I plan to eat less meat/fish and more beans/veggies when my total volume and total calorie count can be more. The carbs of beans and veggies may cause dumping but because of the fiber that is mixed with those carbs it releases into the blood stream slower and therefore is less likely to cause the insulin dump. Hope this helps. Kevin
   — hapkidodoc

July 6, 2009
no one HAS to eat meat. We are made to survive as vegetarians. However, as we face new challenges with new stomachs, our needs have changed a bit. Many foods contain prtein. I consume dairy products for protein. I eat navy beans and nuts. Soy products too. I get soy beans that I boil and sprinkle with a lil salt and pop out of the shells..all protein foods. There are many many choices out there for people who do not wish to eat meats. I love my seafoods and eat lots of chicken too. I used to love beef and pork, but cannot tolerate it well since surgery.best of luck to you ! hugs, kim
   — gpcmist