Question:
What can I do to get in my water and protein requirements for the day?

I am 16 days post-op. It takes forever to get water in since I can only have 4oz of something an hour. I get in about 20 oz if I start early in the day.I am only getting in about 30 gms of protein per day. I am basically on Boost because that has 15 gms per can.I keep my calories to under 1,ooo per day. I have only been on pureeed foods for a week. I eat things like soup, crackers, bean spread, hummos, braunsweiger, rondele cheese spread, lemon italian ices, soy milk, rice pudding, tapioca, jello,grits,eggs and soft herring. I am really afraid of becoming vitamin deficient. I take a multivitamin, plus calcium citrate everyday. I dont seem to get full and am afraid of eating too much. Sometimes I catch myself and I will take a spoonful of something here and of something else in between the next hour I am supposed to eat or drink. I don't want to defeat myself.Could I possibly start eating protein bars this early to help(and will they count towards my protein for the day?)I am really terrified of eating. Sorry this is so long and rambling. I am just afraid.    — Celeste D. (posted on August 5, 2001)

August 5, 2001
You might want to consider a protein that doesn't fatten you up or make you feel sleepy. Boost is a high sugar drink with very little protein. There are plenty of protein drinks that can deliver 30g of protein and 2g of sugar in a 4 oz serving, so it wont' make you full or sleepy. Also, unless there is something not right about your stoma, at this point, you should be able to easily get 1 oz per 5 min or so. I suspect the reason you are not full is that you are just grazing, rather than eating 1 to 1.5 oz of food, then wait 2 hours, eat food. Drink right up to the first bite, start sipping 30 min after. It's very possible to do this. It's just a matter of timing. And using a good protein dirnk, rather than one that is defeating your purpose.
   — vitalady

August 5, 2001
Celeste......there are other protein drinks out there that have "more bang for the buck" , that is more protein for the calories. Please go to a General Nutrition Center Store (GNC) which can be found in almost any mall, and look for the low carb muscle builders. Also, the previous poster, Michelle, has a website www.vitalady.com where you can order these products on line. I agree that boost is probably not the best protein supp; too many carbs and sugar. Good luck.
   — MarilynT

August 6, 2001
Celeste, you are like a baby. You are just starting. 64 oz or water and 60 oz of protein is your target. Right now in the early stages of healing it is difficult to get everything in. If you haven't been a big water drinker before, it takes time to work your way up. Try to gradually increase your water each day. You are getting 20 grams a day today.....try for 30 oz by the end of the week. As for the protein, that will also come along. I usually supplement for 30 grams and try to get 30 grams by regular food. I use a supplement that I purchase through Michelle Curran which is lower calorie and has less sugar than Boost.
   — Nanette T.

September 18, 2001
Shaklee has a new soy protein drink it is tastless and you can bake with it sprinkle it on cereal and everything. I love it and it has 16 g soy protein per serving. You mix it with crystal light and you dont even know its there!!!!!!!!
   — Danielle W.

September 24, 2001
I'm 17 days post-OP and have been on regular foods for the last week, I'm not so sure that part of your problem isn't WHAT you ARE eating! Things like crackers, bean spread, cheese spread, italian ice, rice pudding, jello and grits don't appear to me to be "good" sources of protein, nor are they good for your body, overall. Why not try whole or mashed up kidney beans instead of the spread and ditch the empty calories in the jello, crackers, etc.? Makes sense to me that you/we should be eating healthy things like fish, chicken, lean meat, beans, etc. After all, didn't junk foods get us in trouble to begin with? I think if you concentrate on good sources of protein, you should be getting in the proper amount you need daily and need not worry. This is just my opinion.
   — Joe C.

June 1, 2002
Everyone seems to be interested in the VERY High protein supplements 30 gms and higher...but beware...you may be getting in a large volume of protein at one time but our bodies cannot absorb much of that at one time. It is best to get in frequent smaller amounts of protein thus allowing you to absorb more of it throughout the day. herbalife has an absolutely wonderful tasting protein line and any of you can email me at anytime and I would be glad to share information with you about the line! Best of luck to you all on your journey.
   — BrendaSinger

September 6, 2005
Try your health food store for a cherry flavored liquid whey protein made by Twinlab. It's called Cher-Amino predigested Collagen Protein. Recommended dose is two tablespoons (15 grams of protein) but take one tablespoon slowly and wait a couple hours for the other tablespoon. It is sweetened with small amounts of pure crystalline fructose which tastes too sweet. Take the tablespoon in three small sips and you shouldn't have any adverse affects. I like to take it because it is quick easy and you don't have to fill up on a lot of liquid to get an extra boost of protein. If I am getting ready for my 30 min. countdown before dinner of no liquids, I'll take a spoonful if my meals have been overdue.
   — Linda M.

December 2, 2009
You can get PROTEIN AND WATER AT THE SAME TIME with many newer thirst-quenching protein supplement mixes. They are sugar-free and taste like kool-aid. Mix easily just by shaking alone! They can go with you anywhere and "feel" only a little more filling than water alone. Do you have a Popeye's supplement shop? I can't stand the miky-type protein supplements, and when I discovered these, I was sure happy. My faves are Iced tea with lemon flavor and pineapple sunshine, both "Breezer" products from Interactive Nutrition. I have an old powerade bottle (the one with the valve in the spout) that I keep refilled constantly. Doesn't need the lid, and won't spill if you take it on the elliptical trainer with you.
   — Anna W.