I am on a liquid diet for the first three weeks. I am allowed to have liquids, cream of wheat and broth. I was told to get protein shakes and make one a day with 40 grams of protein, but I am supposed to have 60 grams of protein per day. I was looking at my food list yesterday and am not seeing how I will make up the other grams. I figure there is between 5 and 10 grams per day depending of what I eat that will be missing. What did others do during this time to get the protein in?

My doc said not to worry about it the first few weeks, I was on clears for the first 2 weeks. I tried drinking Isopure but couldn't find a flavor I liked, so I just did w/out.

I too have had troiuble getting enough protein. My doc recommended Atkins Advantage shakes. They are not too hard to get down and they have 20 grams in each.

Dawn - here's what I did. I found at a health food store powdered egg whites. Yep, strange I know. But I would blend a scoop into the Protein shake, couldn't taste it and it WAY boosted my protein intake since it's nothing BUT protein. I liked the powdered egg whites because they didn't add a lot in the way of calories and didn't have all the "extras" of other protein powders (flavors, Vitamins, etc).

There is also such a thing as soy bean powder but it's tough to find. I got some at Trader Joes. It has to be soy bean powder not soy isolate or soy flour. I think there is also whey powder out there but it's normally flavored and crammed with extra vitamins.

Other things I tried were adding a spoon of Peanut Butter or almond butter to my Protein shakes. It adds fat which TOTALLY helps you feel full for much longer and it adds protein.

I'm planning to continue the Optifast through the first few weeks, as it's nutritionally pretty complete. That's what the info I was given said to do and to supplement with some fruit juice, some vegetable juice like V8 and some drinking yogurt. Otherwise I'd be worried about getting what I need.

I was on liquids for 3 weeks this is part of a post I put on another thread, I think you'll be amazed at how easy it is to find Protein.

• Cream of chicken Soup made with milk or chicken broth, ran it thru the blender and strained it, I made this up 2-3 cans at a time, strained it and put it in my refrigerator, so I could just pour a cup and microwave.
  
• Slim-Fast High Protein, chocolate was my favorite.
  
• All the Campbells Condensed Soups can be thinned down enough to strain. I did a lot of the bean one (Beans are high in protein).
  
• EGGNOG -- OH MY GOSH, I Love that stuff. But you want to watch its high caloric value.
  
• MILK, lots of milk, chocolate, white, strawberry you name it. (8+g of protein per 8 ounces)
  
• HOT COCOA was my salvation, bought the sugar free mix and made it with Milk to get the protein, I added flavors to that too.
  
• JAMBA juice --- I watched what I choose, tending to stay to the peachy ones, and asked them to "blend the hell out of it". My doctor also suggested Orange Julius drinks. Both of which you can ask to have protein added to.
  

I didn't do many of the mixes, but greatly disliked the Myoplex stuff, YUCK. Carnation instant Breakfast worked too, but it didn't have enough Protein for my liking.

Best Luck, welcome to an awesome journey. :-) ~ Erica

I love my protein shakes now. I blend ice strawberries and protein (in french vanilla flavor powder). It is great!

Thanks for your idea's!!!!! I am going to write a list and go shopping this week so I have everything when I get home.

Right now i am eating yogurt-7g of protein per serving. It is the perfect food-high in protein, calcium, and portable!