Question:
meal ideas

I am almost 5 weeks out. Can someone please give me some meal ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner that have protein in the meal. How much should I be eating at each meal. I seem to get full really fast. How do you get all your protein, water and meals in one day.    — cuppaloopy (posted on February 4, 2010)

February 4, 2010
I'm not sure what your Dr. wants you to be eating at this point, but as for me I was only able to eat oatmeal, fat free refieds, low fat or fat free cheeses, cottage cheese, yogurts. As for meats, I am 5 months out and still have trouble with meats so I stay away from them. Just make sure that you drink your protien shakes because you wont eat enough to get all your protien with just food. If you don't like your shake then check with your Dr. about a protien bar. One thats good is Pure Protien.
   — pina05

February 4, 2010
That early out I was still eating 4-5 mini meals and using protein shakes. I was able to get in about 2-3 oz of dense protein, or 1/4 to 1/2 cup of mushies. Not at the same time of course. I might have meat at one meal, a tablespoon of veggies at another, a shake on the next one, etc. Anything pure liquid would flow through a little faster of course so there was lots of sipping on water 30 min before/after. You build up to getting everything in so don't fret if it takes a while to reach all the water/protein goals. I planned & measured out my meals and pre-calculated the nutrition stats and then tried to get that day's total consumed by the end of the day. No, it's not easy but it does become routine in time and not so much of a chore. At least I never was hungry. Just ate according to schedule and PLAN. Once I'd compiled a list of foods that were good protein sources, that pouch tolerated, it was then pretty easy to get the meals planned. Maybe a little redundant at times but you get more choices the further out you become because your pouch will tolerate more and hold more so you don't have to eat as frequently because you can eat more protein in each meal. I still measure though and plan. But some people never get off the 4-5 frequent eater meal plan and it works great for them; they keep their amounts appropriate. The main key is the planning and forming a program for yourself that accomodates your lifestyle and adjusting the lifestyle where necessary.
   — Arkin10

February 4, 2010
When I was able to eat dense protien I purchased one of those magic bullets (mini grinder) and ground my meats up, I put gravy on them to make them easier to eat. The gravy I used is called Serve-a-Gravy box of 2 and it comes in all flavors and is fat free you mix with cold water and it never gets lumpy. It has been my saving grace. Also Axelrod has whipped cottage cheese it is a good way to get some protien in also, they sell at Shoprite stores. I have the lap band and only eat 4oz at a meal and if after 1/2 hour still hungry I eat another ounce or 2 Joann
   — Redhead7977

February 4, 2010
Cottage cheese and refriend beans are good anytime. I'm not a great fan of salmon but know it has a lot of protein so I cooked some with some green beans and then pureed the whole thing. It didn't look great but it was tasty and easy on my pouch.
   — Muggs

February 4, 2010
Congrats on your decision to change your life! Good foods for breakfast are: yogurt, cottage cheese and fruit, Eggs as tolerated, protein shakes, oatmeal. It is good that you get full quickly, that's why you had surgery. Low fat cheese cubes and fruit or S.F. pudding are good for snacks. Lunch can be thin sliced deli meat, soup, hamburger patty, any type of fish is always good, Tuna mixed with a little L.F. mayo, soft meats, baked, cooked in broth rather than grilled or fried go down easier. soft cooked veggies. Just remember to get your protein first, veggies next, fruit last. You will have fun testing things and experimenting. Remember that all liquid counts, so add up your ounces. Coffee, tea, cristal lite, shakes, all count toward your fluid for the day. Best wishes!
   — Bonnie H.

February 5, 2010
If you go online there are also some gastric bypass cookbooks. I also agree with evrone else's posts, but I think the cookbooks may have evern more options. I am one who likes to experiment. I have not had surgery yet, but I have quite a few friends who have.
   — Maria V.

February 5, 2010
Hi Barbara: I had surgery one day after you (RNY, 12/29) and two books that have been a complete God-send to the drudgery of everyday protein shakes (at least for me) have been "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" by Marina S. Kurian, Barbara Thompson, and Brian K. Davidson (Paperback - May 27, 2005); as well as Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery: Over 140 Delicious Low-Fat High-Protein Recipes to Enjoy in the Weeks, Months and Years After Surgery. These books both offer a myriad of recipes and simplified food charts that will offer you variety while also making recommendations for all your protein and water too. Also both books are available for a relative low cost at Amazon.com if you don't require buying them "new" and "unused". Additionally, a few websites that I have also found to be helpful in providing support and recommended meal ideas is "www.bariatriceating.com" and one for understanding and support is a "blog": http://pamtremble.blogspot.com/2008/09/understanding-pouch.html. I hope you find this info. helpful. Also, if you ever need to "chat" with someone who is at the same place at the same time as you, please by all means send me a shout. I can always use a "buddy". Best of luck, ~Trish
   — momeego