Question:
I need help I don't want to eat!!!

It will be on month on Sunday since my surgery. I'm having a big issue with eating. I know there is no way I'm getting 65grams of protien that i was told to eat. I'm lucky if i eat 2 to 3 oz at a time. I'm sick of chicken, tuna, cottage cheese. I have tried shakes and they make me gag and the bars are even worse. I could go all day a not eat and it would not bother me. But i get nausea a lot and that is prob due to not eating right. I need some kind of suggestions. Anything but the nasty protien shakes and bars, chicken, tuna, cottage cheese.Thanks    — sarah C. (posted on May 10, 2002)

May 10, 2002
What about chili, or refried beans or even soy meat? I would have a boca burger dipped in mustard and some season salt. In the beginning I had a very hard time getting in all of my protein but I am much better now. My Dr. does not suggest protein supplements so we are left to find it in food. Many times I did not get near the amount I needed that is a lot of food in the beginning. Just concentrate on quality of protein and not the quantaity it will come later! Good luck!
   — Tawny F.

May 10, 2002
Hi! I had the same thing happen at exactly the same point and it put me also on a plateau. I was nauseous all the time and not taking the supplements because of it and not drinking enough fluids which I now think may have been part of the nausea. I also can't stomach the drinks. This is what I did. For about 3 days I went back to basics: liquid diet, broth, jello, cereal or oatmeal, soups. At that same time I began keeping a 20 oz mug (like the big travel ones from Dunkin Donuts) at my hip at all times with hot peppermint tea (w/ splenda) or sf hot chocolate, camomile tea, cranberry apple, etc (no caffein). When one emptied, I refilled to get my 64 oz in a day. Then I began a routine: oatmeal w/ milk for breakfast with tea or hc 30-60 min before or after; cheese and wheat crackers for lunch or chicken salad w/ crackers; regular dinner of about 2 oz of chicken/turkey/fish, chili, etc. rice or potato occasionally, vege, and some fruit. Snacks might be a sf klondike bar or pretzels or maybe 2 crackers w/ cheese. Since then I dropped 9 more lb and am down 29 in 5 wks with no nausea, extra energy. I also established a routine on my supplements: In evening with the warm tea I take the multi vit, iron, calcium chew (which is my choc or caramel treat) and do the sublingual B12. Any other meds I'm taking I do about 2 hrs later same way. I am not deviating from this and its working. You can substitute foods if you go out to eat but find a plan that works for you. Above all, get those fluids in. Good luck to you!
   — AJC750

May 10, 2002
Try the Atkins bars...I had one (fudge graham) yesterday and the choc. mint today and they are fabulous!!!! I am kind of in the same boat...after week 2, food just started to repell me. Oh well, I know it HAS to get better. Huggs...
   — rebeccamayhew

May 10, 2002
What saved the day for me at this stage was thinly sliced deli meat and cheese. I ate a lot of wrap sandwiches. Just be careful with the bread. Also eggs with cheese are good or egg salad on a couple of crackers. Hummus with crackers or pita? Have you tried no sugar added carnation instant breakfast? I can't stomach most protein drinks but this tastes like chocolate milk. Don't beat yourself up about not hitting your mark on protein. You just have to get in as much as you can until your food tolerances are built up. Also, you might try finding an unflavored protein powder that you can mix in anything: soups, cream of wheat, spaghetti sauce, etc. I have used MLO milk and egg protein powder and also Spirutein simply natural. Mix a scoop of that with 8 oz of milk and a scoop of instant sugar free latee mix and you will NOT know it is good for you! =)
   — ctyst

May 10, 2002
Andrea, Hi, you gave some good advice, but one thing I need to point out! Calcium chews are calcium carbonate, if you have had RNY, you dont absorb calcium carbonate. (Michelle Curran, help me out here!) You need calcium citrate with vitamin D! Very important, so as not to get a calcium deficiency! Those chews are a good treat and yummy, but they are of no help as a calcium supplement. Best Wishes, Donna
   — donnalawbabe

May 10, 2002
Yes, about the only thing that comes out of calcium carbonate is kidney stones. So if you want stones and brittle bones, keep chewing tums and viactiv. If you want strong healthy bones, find calcium citrate. And remember to never take your iron with any dairy products. Take with a Vit. C product. And you need Vit D and magnesium with your citrate for maximum absorbtion.
   — Cheri M.

May 10, 2002
Oops, Cheri. You get TWO things with calcium carbonate: kidney stones AND osteoporosis! I was just at the bone doc for my shoulder yesterday and he asked if I took Viactiv (with a straight face) and I said, NO WAY and he burst into laughter. He thought they were a joke! Well, not a joke if it's already too late, I think. Anyway, iron (not ferrous sulfate) + C, all alone for one hour. Calcium citrate, 2000mg a day in 500mg increments. B12 is not swallowed. It's injected or under the tongue. And labs are done OFTEN so you see where you are & don't guess. I have no faith in protein foods or bars. I'd suggest you keep trying some of the better protein products, in water, til you find a good match for YOU. Then you can relax a little about food. Getting in plenty of water & your vites?
   — vitalady