Doc says to increase my calories

[Shanny 70]

So today I went for my 1 month post op appointment. My doctor says I'm doing great. I'm pissed because I haven't lost any weight this week. I haven't gained any either, so that's a good sign. He's concerned because I'm only averaging about 450-500 calories a day. I just can't eat that much. I've been scared to try food too much, still holding strong to puree because I'm afraid to stretch my sleeve. He wants me to get at least 750-800 calories and to start trying to eat real food.

Do you have any suggestions of what I can eat? Right now my diet is all Protein, except my 1 yogurt a day. I have 1 Protein shake in the morning, 1 yogurt as a mid morning snack, some sort of meat or fish for lunch (chicken in a can or tuna), 1/2 Protein Bar in the afternoon, and Soup for dinner. I still can only eat about 3.5-4 oz at a time, so I don't see where I can fit more calories in. He said I could increase my carbs, but I know myself and that's not a good idea. Knowing me that'll be an excuse to eat Pasta and everything else I'm not supposed to have.

Don't see how I'm supposed to do it with what I'm eating and all the drinking of Water. There aren't enough hours in the day.

Just looking for suggestions.

[snowfie9 6]

If you need the calories, you need the calories. You don't want your body to think it's starving or it'll hold onto every last ounce.

Maybe try some mashed potatoes? Or oatmeal? eggs? (I'm going to make deviled eggs when I get to that point. I make GREAT Deviled eggs) or maybe add a little fat. Try 2% milk instead of skim? Brown rice? maybe find a way to incorporate cheese into your diet?

Good luck.

[NanaNanner 7]

Are you tracking your calories? It seems that what you posted would add up to more.

[AutumnLily 77]

How about a Tbsp of Peanut Butter? oatmeal is another good idea. Oh and cheese mmmm I love cheese. Ok sorry back to you. I am just approching mushies so I am not sure. Hope you find something that works for you.

[kate_medison 0]

Nutrition consulting is the process of knowing thoroughly about the diet which one will follow pertaining to one’s lifestyle.

[Shanny 70]

Are you tracking your calories? It seems that what you posted would add up to more.

Yes, I track them on My Fitness Pal. When I do eat "food" I can't finish it. I have to force down 3.5 ounces. Plus, when I exercise I'm burning off the little bit of calories I did consume.

[kgremmy 36]

I find that if I am in a stall, that if I increase my eating or change up my eating that I lose better. I usually average anywhere between 600-800 calories a day (most days) though if I increase it slightly, I notice that the scale is going down. Like you I worry about streaching out my sleeve so, I do not want to eat too much. How are you with exercise?

[Shanny 70]

I can exercise a little. Usually about 15-20 minutes of cardio. Mainly because I run out of energy. I usually burn about 225-275 calories.

[Shanny 70]

So I managed to eat 3 oz of a Lean Cuisine chicken Carbonara for lunch. It was hard to get it in, but I did it! At least I got more calories in. For dinner, I think I'm going to try some Hamburger Helper made with ground turkey. No noodles, just the sauce and meat. Hopefully that'll give me more calories to where I'm at least near the 700 mark. It seems wrong to not be eating "diet" food right now. But, I don't want to be eating too few calories, either and feeling like crap because I'm so tired because my body thinks it's starving!

[Susanne 32]

Peanut Butter is always a thing to add calories, maybe add a banana to your Protein shake.

If you have Soup, you can probably add some cheese or Greek yogurt, or some hummus

And yes, follow your instinct, try to avoid diet food - eat real cheese instead of low-fat rubber. Much tastier and better for you in moderation, but moderation seems to be fairly easy for you since you are trying to "un-moderate"

Your exercise calories seem very high too, 15-20 minutes of cardio are only 225-275 calories if you go for VERY high intensity. I am running at 4.5 mph and burn 200 in 20 minutes. I find that elliptical is often very exaggerated in calorie burn. 800 to 900 calories per hour is a hell of a cardio workout!

[Shanny 70]

Peanut Butter is always a thing to add calories, maybe add a banana to your Protein shake.

If you have Soup, you can probably add some cheese or Greek yogurt, or some hummus

And yes, follow your instinct, try to avoid diet food - eat real cheese instead of low-fat rubber. Much tastier and better for you in moderation, but moderation seems to be fairly easy for you since you are trying to "un-moderate"

Your exercise calories seem very high too, 15-20 minutes of cardio are only 225-275 calories if you go for VERY high intensity. I am running at 4.5 mph and burn 200 in 20 minutes. I find that elliptical is often very exaggerated in calorie burn. 800 to 900 calories per hour is a hell of a cardio workout!

That was a typo. It should be 125-175.

[aaa 3]

I'm around the same time out as you, and I find that I can just about hit around 600 to 700 calories every day. I usually get most of this from a Protein shake made with half soy milk half Water, and then adding either a tablespoon of Peanut Butter or half a banana. It usually gets around 250 calories out of the way! The World According To Eggface blog has been my saviour for helping jazz up my shakes.

I'm also finding things like string cheese and Laughing Cow (light) cream cheese triangles go down really easily and help boost up the calories and are great for Protein. The Laughing Cow also goes great spread onto a small piece of cold cut like ham or turkey and then rolled up like a little wrap.

A glass of milk is also a good calorie and protein booster and is generally easier for me to get down as it feels less like an eating chore . I get around 125 calories from 250ml of semi skimmed milk.

Good luck! I'm always struggling to up mine too and seem to be forever eating tiny bits!

[Used2b575lbs 29]

milk is my go to it adds some calories and some protien, nuts would be another good idea for this purpose provided you can tolerate them.

[FitatFifty 11]

HI Shanny-

Are you eating on a schedule? Breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, late afternoon snack, and dinner? It helped me to schedule my eating and plan small meals/snacks. To get the food I need, I find I need to eat every 3-4 hours. I am six months out and I eat between 1,200 to 1,500 calories a day and am still losing. I am also 5/10'', so you will need to find the right zone for you a few months from now.

When adding foods, go slowly, your sleeve will be honest with you and you can try again in a week or so. Are you eating eggs? Scrambled eggs were the first thing I ate...they tasted so good, I then added cheese and small amounts of veggies to my scrambles (always trying to increase the Fiber if you know what I mean). Canned chili also worked well in the beginning.

About carbs, it's the refined ones you need to avoid, you know white sugar, flour, rice, and Pasta. But the complex ones, my favorite is Beans (fiber plus Protein a real bonus!!), your body needs for fuel. There are fabulous bean Soups that allow you to have a complete meal of Protein, carbs, and fibers. One of my favorites is White bean with escarole and Italian sausage (I use turkey Italian sausage) So eat some fruit, oatmeal. brown rice, whole wheat or brown rice Pasta and try some quinoa. You'll be much more satisfied and you'll be providing better fuel for your precious body.

If you feel full, it's good practice to stop eating. Hang in there, with time you'll be able to eat more quantity and most importantly improve the quality of the foods you are eating. And you will feel GREAT!!

Good luck and to our good health

Fit

[swizzly 901]

May sound gross, but I put chopped-up hard-cooked egg into lots of things, for the extra Protein and calories. (Chopped up very small or even grated.)