Thursday, November 12, 2009

Protein Blues


Well, I seem to be having a problem drinking my three protein shakes.  It’s not that they taste bad, they are actually pretty good – my husband even thinks so.  I use the chocolate flavored Unjury powder.  The problem is that they are thick and I am sick of them.  Right now on the mushies stage I have to drink three a day and I am lucky to finish two a day.  I was under the impression that this would end once I was able to eat “normally”.  However; the sample menu that my surgeon’s office gave me lists out three 4 0z high protein meals – okay, that is fine, it’s the next part that is bumming me out.  They have three protein liquids in between each meal.  Not protein shakes, but things like fortified milk.  I hate milk - absolutely do not like it on it’s own.  I am not allowed snacks in between meals, just fortified milk – yuck.  Um, so I will have to take protein shakes or other liquids forever?!?  


Also, I am a water drinker - have been for at least 12 years.  I want to GULP down a big glass of ice water - actually at work I use a mug - Amy, if you actually read this - my mug does instantly make me look sophisticated and smart ;)  


Sorrty, got off topic there - anyway the point is that I am not allowed to gulp or even drink a full glass of water.  I have to sip, sip, sip - no more than 4 oz every hour.  For the rest of my life?!?!  I guess my questions are - How does everyone in the normal stage get their protein in?  Do you drink more than 4 oz in an hour?  Do you really pay attention to the time?  Writing this blog is very therapeutic; however comments would be fabulous!  I leave you now with a picture of my uber cute work mug...


1 comment:

JenniferX said...

Hi Colleen!

I just started reading your blog, so please bear with me if you've already addressed this in more recent posts. =)

I'm like you in that before being banded I would just GULP water. I miss that! I still don't gulp water anymore, but I've come to accept that. The only times it gets difficult is when I'm either too lazy to sip water or when I get too busy/distracted and end up not getting in enough liquids during the day. I used to be angelic about getting 2 liters a day, but now I'm lucky to get 1.5! One liter is more common lately, unfortunately.

Anyway, the other thing I've noticed is that I don't like water as much when I have to sip it instead of gulping it. Weird! Also, I notice I also prefer room temperature water instead of cold, but I think that mostly has to do with the potential for cramping when drinking cold liquids. So, I end up drinking more things that have flavor in it now. Actually, one of my favorite "drinks" is my sugar free orange Metamucil in water! hahaha, I know, it sounds weird, but think of is as sugar free Tang... but thicker. =) Besides, it's a great way to get more fiber in. I also drink green tea now and then, or I'll drink an herbal tea just to get some flavor. Another option is to put a drop of peppermint oil/extract in a glass of water.

As for getting protein shakes, I TOTally hear ya on that! I like chocolate, sure, but drinking a chocolate shake every day gets old really fast. I have actually become quite addicted to my morning smoothie, however. In a blender, I puree baby spinach, strawberries (frozen this time of year), water, some powder vitamin supplements (C, calcium citrate, and magnesium citrate), Benefiber, some sort of sweetener (I've been using Agave, but you could use Splenda or similar), and *unflavored* whey protein powder. I get so much good stuff in, and it's a great way to start the day. Sometimes I'll add some other fruits, too, like some berries from a bag of mixed frozen berries. I can get 20 g of protein that morning without having to drink some sickly sweet chocolate drink.

Another good option are "protein bullets." It's a very concentrated form of whey protein in a sickly sweet liquid in a plastic container that looks like a bullet. It's so sweet that I quite often dilute it in water, which makes it more like fruit punch. You can find some at GNC and other places.

Time to go read some more!
-Jennifer