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....

I stalled at around 2 wks and it lasted at least 2 wks. I finally upped my Protein and it helped a lot. Although I will admit that when I was stalled on the scale my body was down sizing.

Momof2boys I know what you mean about the protein after surgery...I couldn't drink anymore of powdered stuff !! I am however now drinking a premade protein drink from GNC. Not the most tasty but I know I need it. I am going to try to get in 2 or 3 of them a day to see if I can break this stall. Each one has 25 grams of protein so I am so hopefull that is helps. I have a case of Ensure High Protein drinks to try too.

P/S LOL @ "I always round it up to 2". I feel ya girl

Amazon13 I really appreciate all the suggestions and I promise I will give some of them a try. I do not like eggs, wish I did but I really can't stand them after my surgery. Cheese strings are really rubbery but I can force them down. I don't like fish or jerky I tried to eat tuna...but it wouldn't stay down... I am limited with what I can eat....I was hoping my tastes would change a little after surgery but no such luck. I don't like yogurt but I can tolerate the activia kind sometimes...I find I feel really nauseous if it's too cold, but then I can't eat it if it's room temp...yuck !! I tried the drinkable kind but it's really acidic. I sound like such a complainer !! LOL none the less I appreciate your suggestions.

I was thinking I may make my own granola to snack on throughout the day...I can load it up with nuts and dried fruit

Canadianchick, I think the general advice from the responders of more Protein and Water, fewer simple carbs. That said I struggle too with my job and the whole no eating and drinking rules. I find that I have to pre pack high protein Snacks in my purse, car, and desk to make it all work. Making my snacks ahead of time helps me with my portions and making fewer bad choices. Here's my 'schedule' most days, maybe it will help you:

Wake up- 8 oz flavored water

In car on way to work- breakfast- Protein shake

At work- a cup of herbal tea

Mid morning snack- 1/4 c wasabi soy nuts, mini Babybel cheese, or 1 oz mixed nuts

Lunch- 3 chicken meatballs

1 hour later- 16 oz Crystal light

Mid afternoon snack- protein bar( e.g. Quest bar) no sugar added apple sauce and cottage cheese or 1 serving cheez its and Greek yogurt

In car on way home 16 oz flavored water

Dinner- 2 slices low salt deli meat with 1 slice of cheese in the middle cooked until melted plus a few spoonfuls of steamed veggies, and a few bites of potato

After dinner/ before bed 8-16 oz water

With this routine, I average about 70 grams or more protein, 50 grams or less of carbs and 50 oz or more of water. Planning is everything for example, I make my crystal light when I heat up my lunch otherwise who knows when I'll get a break or remember to get some later.

Amazon13 I really appreciate all the suggestions and I promise I will give some of them a try. I do not like eggs, wish I did but I really can't stand them after my surgery. Cheese strings are really rubbery but I can force them down. I don't like fish or jerky I tried to eat tuna...but it wouldn't stay down... I am limited with what I can eat....I was hoping my tastes would change a little after surgery but no such luck. I don't like yogurt but I can tolerate the activia kind sometimes...I find I feel really nauseous if it's too cold, but then I can't eat it if it's room temp...yuck !! I tried the drinkable kind but it's really acidic. I sound like such a complainer !! LOL none the less I appreciate your suggestions.

I was thinking I may make my own granola to snack on throughout the day...I can load it up with nuts and dried fruit

I don't remember how far out you are but be very careful with nuts(some docs say wait 6 months for nuts) and dried fruit is extremely high in sugar and calories. Stick with chicken, turkey, deli meats; pureed or soften them up if you have too. This would be way better than eating goldfish or granola, you need to break that snack habit or it will get out of control as the months go by; trust me I love crunchy snacks!!

To get your MINIMUM Protein requirement you multiply your current body weight by .3

Example 170 x .3 = 53

This person would eat a minimum of 55 gr. of protein a day.

This is a basic formula my surgical team uses.

What are you doing to move your body?

Dense Proteins really help with hunger and snacking. If you're full of chicken you will not be as inclined to snack. Try trading snacking for sipping. Do it gradually so you don't trigger feeling deprived but let that be "the thing" you are working on. You metabolism needs to know you've made a change. Snacking doesn't force the issue

Thank you CBT what a cool little trick !! So according to my calculation then I should be aiming for a minimum of 60 grams of protein.

I am currently walking for exercise. I wish I could do yoga or something but I have arthritis so right now it's too difficult to get down on the floor. I will start swimming once the weather heats up some. I also do the WiFit. Hoola hooping and step mostly.

Thank you CBT what a cool little trick !! So according to my calculation then I should be aiming for a minimum of 60 grams of Protein.

I am currently walking for exercise. I wish I could do yoga or something but I have arthritis so right now it's too difficult to get down on the floor. I will start swimming once the weather heats up some. I also do the WiFit. Hoola hooping and step mostly.

Its my pleasure!

walking is great for weight loss. It helps preserve lean muscle mass and promotes fat loss instead of muscle loss is WLS patients. Lean muscle is in all your organs as well as muscle. I believe that why some people age with rapid weight loss; They are losing too much lean muscle. People think they need to sweat and train cardiovascular and for WLS patients this is not tire and can in fact cause you to burn muscle as your body tries to hold onto fat.

Light resistance training is a must! I hear you on the arthritis; still, some form of weight training is really important. You'll get to the pool before you know it. As you lose that arthritis will improve. The overall cellular inflammation is so improved!!!

Just keep movin! You'll get it sorted.