Question:
Beef Jerky versus Slim Jim
Hello All. I am 16 weeks post op and still having problems with my protein intake. Meats are a big problem for me- no matter what kind, but especially chicken. 99% of the time, I either throwing it back up or feel really uncomfortable for a few hours afterwards. No matter how it is prepared or how slow I eat, I can't seem to get down and keep it there. The only protein I am getting in is about 2 tablespoons of peanut butter and sometimes I get about an ounce of cheese as well as about a half cup of refried beans. I also eat about half of an egg some days and nuts (usually cashews or almons). Thats it! Maybe once a week I will be able to eat something else like I had an entire taco the other night with about two tablespoons of seasoned beef, a tablespoon of refried beans and maybe an ounce of cheese. The next night I tried again, but after two (slow) bites, I felt bad......ANYWAYS! My question is about beef jerky versus Slim Jims. I see that many people eat the jerky for the protein. Is Slim Jims the same thing but in a slightly different form? I don't care for Slim Jims, but I will eat them if I have to. I ate about 3 bites earlier with no problem. I definitely noticed the amount of grease in it so I smashed them in paper towels first. (I purchased them out of a machine so I do not have the box to view the nutritional info.) Is jerky the same or taste about the same? Is it less greasy?.....I have been really worried the past couple of days about my diet. I REALLY want to eat the right things, but can't seem to stomach them. Funny thing is I can eat sugar all day long (I don't though) and never get sick! How is it the bad foods don't bother me but the good ones do? It's like a sick joke...By the way, I am down 98 pounds- from 321 to 223... Thanks for any input! — karmiausnic (posted on January 11, 2003)
January 11, 2003
Karen- you did not mention tuna, salmon, soft whitefish, shrimp, cottage
cheese or yogurt- all really good sources of protein- I could not tolerate
chicken until about 5-6 mo post op and still it is iffy- it is is too dry
fagetaboutit!
Try cooking in a crock pot- or pureeing some canned chicken- it is very
moist- mix it with a tiny bit of mayo -
Good Luck
— ~~Stacie~~
January 11, 2003
I for one LOVE Beef Jerky a lot better than the Slim Jim stuff. I agree
with you that the Slim Jims are very greasy. I have yet to taste a jerky
that was greasy, but I may have just been lucky? LOL Since I'm on the road
a lot I always keep some in my car. If I'm going to be on the road for a
long time before I can get a meal, I eat some. I don't think Slim Jims and
beef jerky taste anything alike, but I am but one opinion. I have tried
many kinds of beef jerky but have recently found the ultimate...No Man's
Land! It's made in OK and has flavors in Mild (my choice) and Hot. You do
have to be careful with the jerky though because it does take awhile to get
it chewed up to a decent consistency. It is a bit high, but well worth the
price. If you are interested they have a web site:
http://www.nmlbeefjerky.com/ BTW, since you're having probs with protein
you may want to try some of the protein drinks from vitalady.com. I admit
I'm not a fan of the powdered kind, but have found a grape flavored one
that literally taste like grape koolaid. I have one serving 1st thing in
the morning and one in the evening. Just with those alone I'm getting 60 g
in addition to whatever protein I can get in. I have never been a huge meat
eater and knew I would need to supplement after surgery. Hope this helps.
Good luck to you and congrats on you loss so far!
— Click
January 11, 2003
Try BASA Fish. (it is not the same as bass) It is very tender and moist and
I love it since surgery. I can eat about a half a filet.
I also found that I can easily tolerate scallops and crab legs. Fish is
very high in protein about 27 grams so it is well worth eating. Basa Fish
can be found in the frozen fish section in our grocery store. These items
go down easy and smooth.
— Darlene P.
January 11, 2003
Whatever you do don't read the ingredients of a Slim Jim if you love 'em.
<p>It's easy to make Jerky. Just get a dehydrator about $30 for a
good one with multiple heat settings and the blower in the lid (easier to
clean than one on the bottom). You can buy top round or london boil for as
low as $1.29 a pound. Cut it thin (freeze it for a couple hours so the
meat firms up - makes for easier slicing). Marinate in: Soy Sauce, brown
sugar, garlic powder. You could also buy extra lean ground beef (or grind
your own) add some "cure" (they sell jerky cure at Wal Mart or
you can buy in some grocery stores or internet) or make your own with some
garlic salt, pepper, and other dry spices and spread it out on the
dehydrator.
<p>Also you can make protein fortified fruit roll ups. Blend up some
fruit, fruit juice, and protein powder. Pour it out on the solid tray
(most dehydrators come with a solid tray e.g., no holes) or cover a tray
with cellophane and pour it on that. If you are cuilinarily inclined you
can make your own yogurt in a dehydrator.
<p> Take Care, Be Well, and Be Happy!
— John T.
January 11, 2003
Original poster here- Just wanted to add that I don't eat seafood (even
pre-op), but I have decided to give crab legs and lobster a try next time
we go out (I live at the beach). I don't like cottage cheese and though I
like yogurt, I ate so much of it the first few months, I can't stomach it
now. I have thought about the protein powders, but man, are they expensive!
I am poor as is trying to pay these medical bills. Anyone know of any that
are on the cheaper side while not tasting like crap? I am just so afraid of
getting sick from not getting in what I need...Thanks for the responses
everyone!!
— karmiausnic
January 11, 2003
In response to the protein drinks, I have found that Atkins shake mix found
at the local grocery store(health food section) isn't too bad here in
Oregon it's 19.99 for a month supply you just mix with water(no sugar). The
Vanilla is great, Strawberry is ok, and Chocolate forget about it that is
some nasty tastin stuff. Make sure it is well chilled before drinking it
makes all the difference.
— L J.
January 11, 2003
Ditto on the chicken! It was at least 9 months before I could begin to
tolerate it. Then the only chicken I could keep down was KFC's!
As far as the Slim Jim's (the one poster said don't look at the
ingrediants)... opps. (I hate to think what is there). Anyway, as you said
it's greasy. If at all possible, go with the jerky. Personally I love
Wal-Marts JACK LINK'S jerky. I like the Smoked, Terreoki and Natural. The
Peppered is good but way, way, way to much pepper for my gut to stand. I
lived on Beef Jerky, steak and cheese for the first year post op and had
high protein levels "without protein drinks". But whatever you
do, MAKE SURE YOU CHEW THINGS FINELY. You don't want any blockages! ;)
— Danmark
January 11, 2003
I might get yelled at for this but heres my two sense worth nobody ever
mentions soy products. I dont know it they have them where you are at but
here at the super walmart in the frozen food section they care a brand name
called garden burgers....they have burgers, chicken and bar b que riblets.
All really high in protein realativly low in carbs and low in fat. they
are moist if not over cooked and have a pretty good taste. I can eat them
even though i still have trouble with some "real" meats. Feel
free to email me if you want to know more :)
— Becky M.
January 11, 2003
Here in kentucky, Slim Jims and beef jerky are two totally different. Slim
Jims are made out of all the parts of meat that you would normally throw
away and are high fat. Beef jerky is made from a good piece of meat that
has been treated and dried. beef Jerky is very good for you. Slim Jims? I
just dont know
— Delores S.
January 12, 2003
Walmart and Trader Joes's both carry Steak and Chicken Nuggets- @ walmart
they are made by Jack Link's (just like the jerky is) but they are tender
chunks of meat ( we call it 'dog dood') in support group- but it is a great
snack to keep in your purse or car-
— ~~Stacie~~
January 13, 2003
Did you try grinding the chicken up before you eat it? I also had this
problem, then I put the chicken in food processer and it went down much
eaiser. Good luck.
— Tammy .
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