Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

I'm 4 months post op and struggling with meals. While I eat chicken/fish/pork/beef/turkey it doesn't sit very well and I can only get down a few small bites. I've started a bad habit of supplementing with crackers because they go down so easy......even though I know they offer no Protein, not much in the way of nourishment are a bad substitute for Protein.

Anyone have any suggestions for little mini-meals that are high in protein? I'm really drawn towards the "creamy things" like Soups and casserole type dishes but know they are high in calories and typically low in protein.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Use fair life milk as a snack. 13g in 8oz. Cottage cheese and Greek yogurt is good. I make chicken salad with Greek yogurt for the extra Protein. You could also add egg to chicken salad for a boost.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm a lap band to sleeve revision. With my lap band, I struggled with solid Proteins. They would get stuck and be uncomfortable to the point of vomiting. I learned to rely on crackers, chips, creamy things. All the way up to 378 lbs. I ate around the band. I suspect you can eat around the sleeve too. I'd go see my nutritionist asap and find solutions that will help you not hinder your progress. I'd even rely on Protein drinks before crackers and such. Treat those things like poison. That's my experience anyway.

Dee Dee

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

yup....stay away from those crackers. They are a slider food and as you said add zero nutritional value, cause you to crave more carbs.

Depending on the type of meat, i still (28 months out) can only eat a couple of ounces and I am full. That dense Protein however keeps me fuller longer than anything else I eat.

I like variety in my meals and have always been given advice by my nut to eat a well balanced meal. 2 bites of Protein for every one bite of good carbs like veggies and fruit.< /p>

It does not mean that I always do it but I am telling you from personal experience it really is the best advice. I like you, tend to want to go for those mixed dishes and of course like you love crackers. They will ultimately stall you and honestly you will have issues with your nutrition in the long run.

I have been in maintenance since March. Since Thanksgiving when i allowed myself some of those foods that I shouldn't I have gained 7lbs in just about 8 weeks. It will catch up with you and it is a lot harder to get back on track once you let them in because they call to you.

Suggestions for other things besides dense protein is cottage cheese, ricotta, greek yogurt, cheese, refried Beans (yuck).

Try making some homemade beef stew or Stoup as Rachel Ray calls it. The heartier the better and minimize the potato or leave it out completely. That sort of meal fills me up, keeps me full longer and meets the protein and veggie criteria. I also make a beef barley Soup.

Hope you are able to make the transition. In the end it is worth it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had Soup tonight for dinner. I added 30g of unflavored Protein Powder to a 12oz batch and froze what I didn't eat for later. I can't taste the powder whatsoever.

Just whisk it in and you'll never know it's there.

Edited by White Sale

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you for all the suggestions. The Fair Life Milk has been so helpful! I had never heard of it and feel excited about the 13 grams of Protein per cup with minimal sugar..........yippee!

It's so amazing how supportive and helpful everyone has been throughout this process. It's nice to have a forum where we can share ideas, information and solutions. Heartfelt thanks to everyone.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

How about some fat free refried Beans (I like the refried black beans) with some plain Greek yogurt (tastes like sour cream and has protein), salsa, some lean ground beef and a bit of cheese. Keep it lean with ingredients, but Beans have protein! Maybe with a few "juicier" ingredients the bit of ground beef will sit better?

I created a high Protein, low sugar custard-like dessert that tastes like coconut cream pie, if you are interested in sweet. Easily 10-15g Protein in 1/4c. (I'm in soft solids stage so I'm working on recipes!)

SW:327 CW:239 GW:155

Heather in Texas

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had Soup tonight for dinner. I added 30g of unflavored Protein powder to a 12oz batch and froze what I didn't eat for later. I can't taste the powder whatsoever.

Just whisk it in and you'll never know it's there.

I'd love to know what protein powder you use. I tried putting hot Water in my regular shake it the protein changed into rubbery clumps. I tried adding a couple unflavoured protein powders to Soups and found that they tasted sweet or nutty. Definitely looking to find a solid protein powder for soups!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Try non-spicey Butter chicken (it's not high in fat like it sounds), it's SOO good. I make it by hand but there are some fair grocery store versions. I'm in CA though so it's easier for me to get indian food.

Really, if I were you I would start looking at vegetarian recipes. before the surgery I purchased a number of these books and most of them have vegetarian sections. All of them are high Protein low carb centric obviously. Stay AWAY from the crackers!! lol! They will sabotage you so fast your head will spin.

These have some great vegitarian recipies:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=bariatric+cookbooks&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Abariatric+cookbooks

My favorite is:

https://www.amazon.com/Eating-Well-After-Weight-Surgery/dp/1569244537/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484957153&sr=8-1&keywords=bariatric+cookbooks

You can probably find them cheaper elsewhere, this was just a good way of finding all of them for you to see.

Edited by LittleLizzieLilliput

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had Soup tonight for dinner. I added 30g of unflavored Protein powder to a 12oz batch and froze what I didn't eat for later. I can't taste the powder whatsoever.

Just whisk it in and you'll never know it's there.

I'd love to know what Protein powder you use. I tried putting hot Water in my regular shake it the Protein changed into rubbery clumps. I tried adding a couple unflavoured protein powders to Soups and found that they tasted sweet or nutty. Definitely looking to find a solid protein powder for soups!

I use Isopure Unflavored or Syntrax Medical Unflavored. I add just enough room temp Water to dissolve it, then add it to the Soup. That way it won't be clumpy, unless you reheat it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • vsg.with.sharon

      Hey everyone!
      I’m new here! Looking for some friends! 🥰
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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. 💜

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×