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How do I manage to get enough protein daily!?



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Besides shakes, I eat lots of tuna, chicken or turkey. Lean pork is a good choice too. eggs are great, and now that I am on solid food, I will eat one or two Quest Protein bars a day.

I also like ground beef, but there is a calorie penalty not everyone is willing to pay. I just made some killer chili that has 25 grams of Protein in a half cup serving, but it also has 275 calories. The good news is, virtually all of the carbs are from Beans, which means I am getting some good Fiber too.

I should still be upping my calories. I'm getting about 7-800 calories per day and I would prefer to be closer to 1000. I eat chili from Wendy's 3-4 times per week and the fiber keeps me regular. That Wendy's chili is actually quite healthy other than the salt.

My nutritionist actually told me to eat more salt. My blood pressure has been running low since surgery. The stuff I made has kidney Beans, black beans, garbanzo beans, a little bit of corn, and lots of spice along with onions, Tomato sauce and beef.

I've never been a fan of garbage - I mean garbanzo beans. I surgeon doesn't recommend corn because it doesn't digest well. Otherwise I'm in! I'm pretty happy with my blood pressure, it has been running 110/80 with a heart rate in the mid to upper 60's. Back to the chili a second, if you like spice grab up a habanero and just a bit of honey. Chop up the habanero and caramelize the onions with just a touch of honey. Add that to your chili and you'll never do it without again.

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Isopure zero carb drinks. 40g Protein & 20 oz of Fluid. Not too bad tasting but the smell has been bothering me a little lately. Not bad enough to stop drinking them. With zero carbs and zero fat 40g of protein and 160 cals it's a good way to start my day off in the right foot.

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I was sleeved on the 14.11. Very happy about it. But struggling with Protein too. I usually manage 55-65g a day. But I need to up it eventually to 150. Which seems impossible at the moment. I don't want to force myself, I'm afraid to stretch my stomach and it also makes me sick.

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I've never been a fan of garbage - I mean garbanzo Beans. I surgeon doesn't recommend corn because it doesn't digest well. Otherwise I'm in! I'm pretty happy with my blood pressure, it has been running 110/80 with a heart rate in the mid to upper 60's. Back to the chili a second, if you like spice grab up a habanero and just a bit of honey. Chop up the habanero and caramelize the onions with just a touch of honey. Add that to your chili and you'll never do it without again.

Okay, now I'M the one who is wondering if we can still be friends! :blink: No garbanzos!?! My oldest daughter busts my chops on them too. She says it is not the natural order of things. My doc isn't wild about corn because it is starchy, but the little bit I have had has gone down without a problem, and it is mainly an accent.

I like the habanero in honey idea. I will have to give it a try. We used to grow our own - several varieties - but recently I have just been putting habanero powder in my hot stuff. In my chili I will add just a touch of brown sugar. It takes the acid bite out of the Tomato sauce, and accentuates the first impression of the habs. It has sort of snuck up on people who take a bite, say, "This isn't hot!", and then wolf down a few mouthfuls. It is always fun to watch, especially since I warn people ahead of time. :lol:

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My dad used to put brown sugar in his chili! I loved his chili.

I will post up my recipe later on today. You may feel free to adulterate it by leaving out the garbanzos. I am off to the vet to get the dog his shots.

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Shrimp, tuna, hardboiled eggs, cheese, and fairlife milk (I feel like I'm the damn company spokesperson, but it was the only way to get me to my Protein goals every day).

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I add unflavored Protein powder into Jello, broth, pudding, bariatric hot chocolate. There are actually days I have gone over significantly! It doesn't disturb the flavor too much, through when using a blender to mix it in, it can get quite frothy which is sometimes good -- other times, not so much.

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I eat 8 times per day spaced about 90 minutes apart. Across the entire day, I have 4 oz of salmon, 2 oz of ground beef, 1 scrambled egg, 2 pieces of bacon, 1 piece of American cheese, 8 oz of cottage cheese, 2 T of sugar-free strawberry preserves, 2 string cheeses, and 3 oz of green Beans. That comes out to 900-950 calories, 19 grams of carbs, and 90ish grams of Protein each day, along with 120 oz of Water.

I stay on it all day, and it takes me 12-14 hours to get it all in (accounting for drinking in between and allowing the appropriate times before and after drinking as instructed). It is worth all of the monitoring and effort to not have to ingest any Protein shakes of any kind anymore!!!

Good luck!

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I can't tolerate the shakes after surgery..hoping I can in a few months..right now my favorites are Proti Diet Soups..tomato basil and beef vegetable, powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken Soup, Proti diet concentrated drinks and nectar fuzzy navel..the key for me is variety.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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Thank you everyone for all the great ideas! I have shared all this valuable information with my wife so she can keep me on track and get my Protein up! What is a good unflavored Protein Powder that you guys have tried and liked? Thanx again! Even though the eating and drinking is tough I wouldn't have changed a thing about having my sleeve done! I am down 180 pounds since I started this journey in April!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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try unflavored Protein powder in any liquid except Water. I didn't get the Protein and I blame my hair loss on the protein insult after surgery.

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tuna and salmon come in 3 1/2 oz packages made many diff ways checkout at super market

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    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
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    • Doughgurl

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      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

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      2. Selina333

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      3. Doughgurl

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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
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      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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