How much protein do I need?

[canadianchick 30]

Can anyone help me with some ideas on getting more Protein in my diet?

I'm not even sure how much I'm supposed to be getting in !! I currently have a Protein Shake for Breakfast (25 grams of protein) usually some chicken with Pasta for lunch, and more chicken at dinner. But I've been stalled for 2 months now...ugh talk about frustrated. I drink about 4 or more cups of Water mixed with crystal lite (cherry pomegranate) and snack on gold fish crackers. I wanted to try to up my protein intake and my water intake but I don't know what else to do... I have a very hard time getting yogurt to stay down, I used to eat it with pumpkin seeds for a nice crunch and a little extra protein... but I can't anymore I tried the "my fitness pal" but I wasn't able to figure out all the info I had to put in for each meal... unless it was a protein shake !!! Please help if you can offer any suggestions, I would appreciate them.

Btw I'm a self pay....

[rickyswife 41]

I may or may not help here..... since I have no idea what YOU are supposed to be gong for post surgery.... but I do know that I am on my pre op diet and that my Protein goals now are btw 90 - 120, looking into my paperwork for post surfery my goal is to shoot for 40-60 the first week and then gradually up my protein counts from there..... I am also self pay, going to TJ.

[iggychic 1,405]

I am assuming you don't have a doctor or nutritionist to call? Your Protein goal is typically specific to you given your current body size and then it's readjusted when you hit goal. Mine is considered fairly low around here at 60gs daily during the weight loss phase and then I go down to 50. Many people are in the 80 plus range.

If you really have no medical support, ask the question again but put in your height and weight now as well as your goal and see if someone with a similar size can tell you what they do. That would be much more valuable to you than to just ask how much we are supposed to do as obviously the last poster and I have vastly different goals...which suggests to me that they're a wee bit taller than this little leprechaun.

[rickyswife 41]

If you really have no medical support, ask the question again but put in your height and weight now as well as your goal and see if someone with a similar size can tell you what they do.

I love this site someone is always using their THINKER.

[rickyswife 41]

So glad Iggy mentioned them going down.... I was wondering but I have not read all of the MASSIVE amount of instructions and support paperwork that I was given.

[newat52 1,612]

Yes, it would be good to know your height, weight, male? Female?

I would offer sincerely off the top. You are barely getting half of your recommended Water intake. You really must get in at least 64 oz per day. You are seriously lacking in Protein and please don't even get me started on the Pasta and the goldfish. I mean that with all due respect.

I will tell you what my NUT say my needs are but they may vary for you depending you your stats. I am female, 52 (newat52) get it? I am also self pay.

I'm told I need 60-70 grams of Protein as a daily target. Now that I am not on any dietary restrictions, most of my protein should be coming from food not shakes. I can't shake my morning shake though. Ha! Pun intended! But I love my morning shake and it gets me off to a good start. but I get half a banana, blueberries and strawberries in mine so it's well rounded.

Also, the non negotiable rules of this surgery are protein first, veggies/fruits second and only carbs if there is room. You need to think of your sleeve as Park Place and Boardwalk. It's the high rent district and you need to only give it the best. There is just not enough real estate to go around. If it the crunch you need, try edamame. (sp?) You can get them roasted and crunchy. Good source of protein and great Fiber that will also keep you full longer.

Perhaps replace your goldfish as a snack for string cheese? Less calories and 8 grams of protein. It will satisfy you much longer than empty carbs. For extra protein, I will make some protein spiked pudding. Take a small box of pudding and a scoop of unflavored, chocolate, or vanilla Protein powder and 1 1/4 skim milk. Blend them together and divide into two bowls. Chill and you have 15 grams of protein. Try that instead of yogurt.

Some people go low to no carbs and that may work for them. For me, I am able to get my protein and good veggies. It seems to work well so far for me.

Hope I have been able to offer a couple suggestions for you.

Best of luck to you. You can do this!

[Sherriews@yahoo.com 56]

At the seminar I attended, we were all given the same info, not based on any other variables...70-100 of Protein per day and 64 oz of fluids per day, but that could also include the fluids used in the shakes.....

[iggychic 1,405]

At the seminar I attended' date=' we were all given the same info, not based on any other variables...70-100 of Protein per day and 64 oz of fluids per day, but that could also include the fluids used in the shakes.....[/quote']

Hopefully your nutritionist gave you actual amounts for your body size though right? I could no sooner get in 70g of Protein a day than swim to france. 100 would be impossible. I struggle with 60 without a shake. There is never a medical case where a 5' tall 100lb woman would need to have the same amount of protein for good health as a 6'4" 200lb male.

Generalities are ok until you get to anyone not in the middle of the pack. Too much protein is no better for you than too little.

[canadianchick 30]

First of all... I have to say Thank you ladies !! I am 40, female, 5' 1 and a 1/2 inches and I currently weigh 235lbs. Starting weight was 265 lbs. I was sleeved Jan 21st, 2013. I went through my paperwork and all it says is that I should aim for 80 grams of Protein, but it doesn't say how long after surgery to aim for this or how to get it all in. I am eating regular foods. Making good choices of course. Those damn goldfish....I'm addicted to them !!! lol I have tried edamame (roasted) there ok...nice and crunchy, I'm not a huge fan but I can snack on them. I am such a snacker...always have been. I would much rather snack all day and not eat a single sit down meal...I'm trying to change my habits but it's tough for sure. I get so busy at work that I don't get alot of time to even leave my desk... convenience of goldfish again... I am drinking as much as I can...I guess because of my snacking I can't be drinking 1/2 before or 1 hour after... hmmm. Thank you so much for taking time to reply...I am grateful as I am going through this all alone here. Don't have any family or friends to confide in.... this site is great but it would be nice to be able to have someone local to support me and visa versa.

Good luck to you rickyswife, all I can say is walk walk walk !!

[TerryBelieves 352]

I was given a Protein goal of 95. I am 5'7" and started out at 287 lbs. and I just turned 52. Now I see my dietitian on Monday and that number may change.

I have a shake for breakfast every day. 33 g Protein

I have 2-3 Snacks and lunch and dinner my 3 snack depend on if I need protein or not. I try to eat something about every 2 1/2-3 hrs. And I sip sip sip.

Hope that helps. I was given detailed list of what I could eat and couldn't eat.

I almost feel like I have more restriction just in the past week.

Good luck

Dry roasted edamame 1/4 c 11 g

1/2 c 2% cottage cheese 14 g

2.5 oz pack of tuna in Water 18 g

1 oz turkey Jerky 11 g

100 cal pack of almond and walnuts 3 g

That's just to name a few

Sent from my iPhone using VST

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

Hi Canadian,

Seems that 60 grams of Protein is a minimum. Some suggestions for protein to replace your goldfish:

cheese strings

tuna

sliced deli meat

cottage cheese

hard boiled egg

any other cheese

Try to find a healthier crunchy snack option. Smartfood has just come out with a potato like chip that is made from hummus(can you imagine) but they are delicious! They come in cheese and a jalapeno flavour both delish. I have also ordered online some protein cracker/chip things and they give you Fiber and protein. Also sometimes if I want crunch and not the calories I go for cucumber slices and dip.

[MomOf2Boys 9]

First of all... I have to say Thank you ladies !! I am 40, female, 5' 1 and a 1/2 inches and I currently weigh 235lbs. Starting weight was 265 lbs. I was sleeved Jan 21st, 2013. I went through my paperwork and all it says is that I should aim for 80 grams of Protein, but it doesn't say how long after surgery to aim for this or how to get it all in. I am eating regular foods. Making good choices of course. Those damn goldfish....I'm addicted to them !!! lol I have tried edamame (roasted) there ok...nice and crunchy, I'm not a huge fan but I can snack on them. I am such a snacker...always have been. I would much rather snack all day and not eat a single sit down meal...I'm trying to change my habits but it's tough for sure. I get so busy at work that I don't get alot of time to even leave my desk... convenience of goldfish again... I am drinking as much as I can...I guess because of my snacking I can't be drinking 1/2 before or 1 hour after... hmmm. Thank you so much for taking time to reply...I am grateful as I am going through this all alone here. Don't have any family or friends to confide in.... this site is great but it would be nice to be able to have someone local to support me and visa versa.

Good luck to you rickyswife, all I can say is walk walk walk !!

Hi CanadianChick, I also had surgery on 1/21/13, I am 5'1.5" (but I always round up to 5'2"). I am currently at 210, started at 276 (243 on day of surgery). My NUT said to strive to get in 60-80g of Protein daily...which is hard for me to do with just food, but easy if I add a Protein Drink some where in my day (usually powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken Soup flavor while at work). I stopped keeping up with all the protein soon after surgery, because I just couldn't stand it anymore. Now that it has been awhile, it is easier to start getting it back in. I don't know about anyone else, but it just came to a point when I could not bring my self to drink another protein drink...hopefully I can do better this time!

[AngelEyesInNJ 186]

I was also selfpay, at a min I do 60 grams but normally at least 80. I actually double my Protein Drink in the morning and after.that the rest of my Protein is from food. I am a little over 5 months out and I wouldn't be able to hit protein just by eating alone at least not without a million carbs added on lol.

[melodymouse 196]

I was told 60-80 at first progressing up to 80-100 1 year out and beyond. Also 400-600 calories to start progressing up to 1000-1200 @ 1 year and beyond. 20-30 good carbs (complex carbs, fruits and veggies-NO simple carbs like bread, Pasta rice or potatoes) per meal. When you stall, change things up. Change your exercise routine, or go on Liquid Protein for 3 days. You can usually break your stall.

[Sherriews@yahoo.com 56]

Hopefully your nutritionist gave you actual amounts for your body size though right? I could no sooner get in 70g of Protein a day than swim to france. 100 would be impossible. I struggle with 60 without a shake. There is never a medical case where a 5' tall 100lb woman would need to have the same amount of Protein for good health as a 6'4" 200lb male.

Generalities are ok until you get to anyone not in the middle of the pack. Too much protein is no better for you than too little.

No we were not given an individualized diet...we all got the same paperwork with the same stages, food examples, etc. I just think it is too "progressive" for me. We had one wk preop of all protein, as much as we could eat. Postoperative, first stage was Clear liquids. Etc, etc. Now 6 wks out, I'm cleared for everything except for steak and pork chops. I sometimes feel I'll when introducing new foods. I just think I moved too fast...I'm at a 2week stall, but losing inches. Idk what to do.....