Question:
Any advice for getting protein in?
I am almost four weeks post-op, and cannot seem to get my protein in. My doc says get at least 50 grams in each day, but I'm not coming close. I cannot tolerate the taste of the protein drinks, and I've tried a lot, even the 'natural flavor'! I seem to be real sensitive to textures and smell of the protein drinks. I am on pureed foods, which is my only source of protein. Any ideas? — Melissa H. (posted on August 6, 2003)
August 6, 2003
I am pre-op but i found at GNC this protein called 100% whey protein and
its chocolate and it tastes like choclate milk..one 8 oz serving has 20
grams of protein
— Eugenia K.
August 6, 2003
Try the High Protein Vanilla Boost - it is the only one I like. My kids
even like it. Have you tried the soda-looking protein drinks like IsoPur
and some like that? They are at GNC.
— bethybb
August 6, 2003
I ORDER THIS STUFF CALLED JAY ROBBS EGG WHITE VANILLA, I MIX IT IN MY
COFFEE IN THE MORNING AND AT LUNCH I USE A LITTLE LOW Fat FROZEN YOGURT W/
SKIM MILK AND MAKE A SHAKE ITS REALLY HI IN PRO AND IT TASTES REALLY GOOD I
COULDN'T STAND ANY OF THE HEALTH FOOD PROTEIN POWDERS THEY SUCKED! BUT MY
HAIR STARTED FALLING OUT SO I HAD TO FIND SOMETHING AND THIS WORKED, MY
HAIR STOPPED FALLING OUT SO TRY THAT ITS PRETTY GOOD.
— CYNTHIA W.
August 6, 2003
I am pre-op but here is what has worked for me. I agree there are many bad
tasting protein drink powders/bars out there. My newest find has been the
apple protein Nectar. It is green in color but dissolves immediately and
tastes just like apple juice and is the same consistency. I add crushed
ice after mixing. Then I really like MetRx Protein powder (in a tub). I
use water to mix it (use vanilla), add one scoop, and then add in 1/2 cup
of frozen unsweetened frozen berries (strawberries, blackberries,
blueberries, raspberies). Mix in a blender that can handle ice until well
mixed and consistency of a milkshake. Great flavor too. Another must have
for me is the UTurn protein bars. I keep them in the refrigerator as I
like the consistency better when they are cold. Hope this helps.
— [Deactivated Member]
August 6, 2003
I am also very sensitive to the smells, even textures of shakes, but one
that I really like, and actually look forward to for my chocolate fix is
Proscore 100 chocolate, it's got 32g of protein, and mixes into only 4 oz
of water, so you don't have to drink a huge shake....all the rest that I've
tried make me gag....keep looking for one you like...sample sample sample.
Good luck.....Oh, yeah, I've also heard of one that is supposedly
unflavored and you mix it into food....don't know too much about it, but it
could be something to look into.
— Kelly B.
August 6, 2003
— Linda A.
August 6, 2003
Apple Nectar has my vote as well. I CRAVE them! It's so sweet and
refreshing, I look at it as a treat!! My husband has even started drinking
them and he's a skinny minnie! Also, I get the Polly-O Low Fat String
Cheese. I have 2 for breakfast - 2oz., 2.5g of fat, 120 calories and 16g
of PROTEIN! Good luck to you!
— SMG I.
August 6, 2003
I use Amino Infusion 5000, which is a liquid protein I get from
vitalady.com made by Scifit. Tastes like a sweet cough syrup and comes in
grape, raspberry and fruit punch flavors. When I get up in the morning, I
take 30 grams of it (6 tablespoonfuls). It's quick and gets it out of the
way. The rest of the day, I do things like low-fat cheese. At your stage,
I did well with cottage cheese that I sprinkled some herbs into. You're a
little early for this, but my favorite source of protein is beef jerky, but
I didn't try that until I was 6 mos. out. Have you tried something like
egg salad? Another idea might be to get a frozen ice cream freezer and
make your own ice cream. We do it with skim milk, some vanilla flavoring
and a little splenda. Very soothing to the tummy and depending on the milk
you use, 7 grams per cup.
— Cathy S.
August 6, 2003
Since you can't tolerate protein drinks (I guess I'm the only one who
actually understood that part of your question!!), I'd definitely suggest
chicken soup or some kind of fish soup. Make it yourself. It will taste
much better than those nasty canned broths. The chicken broth you make
will be loaded with protein. Also try black bean soup (no ham/pork yet)
pureed in the blender. It's really yummy and won't give you gas. How
about some hummus, peanut butter, tofu (I tried it, it was just okay) or
hot and sour soup with no msg, egg salad, scrambled egg with cheese,
cheese. Even though the cheese isn't pureed, you'll be fine with it if you
chew well. My favorite meal after surgery and still is a great b'fast is a
very soft scrambled egg with a dollop of 4% cottage cheese. Good luck. Go
to the supermarket and look at the labels of any soft items like the hummus
and cream cheese, cottage cheese, etc., you'll figure it out and get all
the protein in that way. You're doing fine. Don't worry!! See my
profile, I had the same problem. I'm only now able to eat meat at 4.5
months out. When you can eat solids, I'd suggest starting with any flat
white fish and very well chewed shrimp. Both excellent sources of protein
and very easily on our pouches!!
— msmaryk
August 6, 2003
Hey! I seen my nutritionist several weeks back and the one thing that she
told me about my protiens is that if you cant do the shakes or drinks, get
the unflavored protien powders. So I went to GNC and looked around. I
wanted to try it all before my surgery so I would know what tasted good and
what tasted awful. They have several brands and I tried the whey protien
powder, unflavored, put it in grits and mashed potatoes and even in cream
of chicken soup. You cant tell its in there and you cant taste it! So you
get all your protien and you never even know! Also if you havent tried it,
GNC makes a grape drink called Nitro and its really good ice cold and each
drink has over 30 grams of protien. Try that too for a change. Good luck
and God Bless!
— Carol K.
August 6, 2003
Getting the 5 grams of protein in the first month IS difficult. What I did
was Gorton's Fish Planks (yes, teh breaded kind that actually have flavor -
try the ones w/o breading first then progress) mashed and well liquified in
your mouth. Enjoy it with your favorite cheese and some creamy peanut
butter. Get creative! Your surgeon will start to advance you at this time
and you will have other options. Protein bars, although not much on taste,
can be added - break them up into small pieces and let the pieces melt in
your mouth. A nutritionist can give you protein electives. Even if you
don't get the 50 grams during the first few months, it will not hinder your
recovery - just make certain to chart your foods for
protein/carb/fat/calories over the next few months. Remember that protein
is integral to your overall health and recovery. The protein drinks are
just awful so I can relate. Best wishes!
Susan
— Susan K.
August 7, 2003
I am a Real Meals girl too! I could tolerate them from one week out and I
still drink them once a day. I have foun one other one that I like too if I
am on the run. It is called Pure Protein by Worldwide Sports Nutrition. I
get them at Trader Joe's for 1.69 a piece and they taste exactly like
Yoohoo to me. My kids actually like both of my shakes and always ask for
sips (they are 9 & 12). They sell the Pure Protein at many places but
Trader's is by far the least expensive. Also don't forget dairy products if
you can handle them. Cottage cheese is still a staple food for me. I have
been getting at least 60g per day since one week out. It is trial and error
and persistence. As soon as you can do it you will feel the difference.
Good Luck. :)
— Carol S.
August 7, 2003
Hi! Read my second profile under sharon m. brittain to find some great
diet tips... now... have you tried adding tasteless, oderless, colorless
protein powder to your foods?? I sell some, and if you are interested in
seeing pricing, etc. just email me. I add it to my mashed potatoes,
puddings, drinks, anything... it doesn't have that vitamin taste, and you
don't even know it is there! :~) I tried about seven differnt kinds before
I found this one, and it is the only one that is actaully tasteless, to me!
:~) That's why I started selling it! LOL!! Anyway... good luck! Hugs
— Sharon m. B.
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