I am a week post-op and after a rough three days of nausea and vomiting, I'm finally able to keep food down. However, I'm having major problems with getting in my daily alottment of protein. After a few sips of anything, I am full. There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to get it all in.

Could some of you share what you eat during a typical day, and any helpful tips on how I can get more protein? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

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I'm hardly perfect with my protein, but my general rules for myself are:

1. other than veg to keep me from getting constipated I try not to put anything in my mouth in these early stages that doesn't have at least SOME protein. the more protein-less food I eat, the less room I have for the protein. I also follow the "protein first" rule at meals. I try to look at labels BEFORE I eat because sometimes I eat something thinking it'll definitely pack a punch of protein and it turns out to be not that great.

2. I added unflavoured protein powder to my yogurt and pudding snacks. Not super yummy, but it does help get those numbers up.

3. Instead of water, I made a point of drinking at least one cup of high protein skim milk a day. (Fairlife makes one in the US, here in Canada we have Natrel Lactose Free).

4. Supplement with protein shakes or protein drinks (like Nectar or Protein Water brands). My clinic doesn't want us depending on protein shakes for our nutrition, but in the early stages they're indispensable for getting the protein in.

5. Breakfast smoothies with protein powder, yogurt, AND milk. Starting my day off with one of those (sipped slowly throughout the morning and counted as both breakfast and my morning snack) really sets me up for success for the day. I did chocolate protein powder with plain yogurt and frozen cherries or strawberries or peanut butter, or vanilla protein powder with plain yogurt and whatever frozen fruit sounded good.

This is so helpful! Thank you!!

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1 minute ago, mochamommy727 said:

This is so helpful! Thank you!!

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I hope you're able to get your protein up! It fills me with a great sense of satisfaction to hit my goals LOL.

27 minutes ago, teacupnosaucer said:

I'm hardly perfect with my Protein, but my general rules for myself are:

1. other than veg to keep me from getting constipated I try not to put anything in my mouth in these early stages that doesn't have at least SOME protein. the more protein-less food I eat, the less room I have for the protein. I also follow the "protein first" rule at meals. I try to look at labels BEFORE I eat because sometimes I eat something thinking it'll definitely pack a punch of protein and it turns out to be not that great.

2. I added unflavoured Protein Powder to my yogurt and pudding Snacks. Not super yummy, but it does help get those numbers up.

3. Instead of Water, I made a point of drinking at least one cup of high protein skim milk a day. (Fairlife makes one in the US, here in Canada we have Natrel Lactose Free).

4. Supplement with Protein Shakes or Protein Drinks (like nectar or Protein Water brands). My clinic doesn't want us depending on protein shakes for our nutrition, but in the early stages they're indispensable for getting the protein in.

5. Breakfast smoothies with protein powder, yogurt, AND milk. Starting my day off with one of those (sipped slowly throughout the morning and counted as both breakfast and my morning snack) really sets me up for success for the day. I did chocolate protein powder with plain yogurt and frozen cherries or strawberries or Peanut Butter, or vanilla protein powder with plain yogurt and whatever frozen fruit sounded good.

Stop posting so much you're making me use up all my likes.

Easy-to-digest protein sources for the early days include:

1. Greek yogurt; add a packet of Carnation Instant Breakfast low-sugar for additional protein

2. Canned refried beans; top them with melted cheese for additional protein

3. Protein shakes (my favorites include Premier Protein, Muscle Milk, and Slim Fast high protein)

4. Add unflavored protein powder to foods

5. Syntrax Nectar (if you dislike milky tasting products and prefer fruity tasting stuff instead)

6. Ricotta topped with pasta sauce, melted mozzarella and parmesan

7. Sugar-free pudding with a scoop of powdered milk (powdered milk is the cheapest protein source)

You are only a week out and were just vomiting for three days. Don't put anything in that's thicker than plain milk. Can you tolerate milk? If so, spend the next two days just drinking that and water. (Personally I don't mind the fat in 2%.. Personal choice). Drink a couple quarts if you want. This early out, it's all about healing.

Easy-to-digest protein sources for the early days include:
1. Greek yogurt; add a packet of Carnation Instant Breakfast low-sugar for additional protein
2. Canned refried beans; top them with melted cheese for additional protein
3. Protein shakes (my favorites include Premier Protein, Muscle Milk, and Slim Fast high protein)
4. Add unflavored protein powder to foods
5. Syntrax Nectar (if you dislike milky tasting products and prefer fruity tasting stuff instead)
6. Ricotta topped with pasta sauce, melted mozzarella and parmesan
7. Sugar-free pudding with a scoop of powdered milk (powdered milk is the cheapest protein source)

Thank you so much for these suggestions & ideas! I'm soaking up all this info - being sleeved on Tuesday 5/9. I've just added refried beans, ricotta & pasta sauce to my grocery list. I can't wait to eat again! I've been on the liquid pre-op diet for 2 weeks now & I miss savory, I miss food. I've been completely compliant with the liquid diet- only clear broths, 3 premier protein drinks & lots of water. I won't lie, every day is challenging. Dropped 16 lbs pre-surgery tho. Yayy! Really looking forward to when I can eat those refried beans!