ObesityHelp

I found this file online somewhere (don't remember where) that shows how a NORMAL digestive system works at absorbing the nutrients we eat.

1. Stomach --- digestion gets a jumpstart here to prepare it for the intestine
2. Duodenum --- this part of the small intestine is 1 foot long
3. Jejunum - this part of the small intestine is 8 feet long

Draw an imaginary line halfway through the Jejunum and everything between the stomach and that line is no longer being used. It's gone, the functions of those body parts no longer work. 

And that, folks, is why we take supplements!

I see a TON of questions from new post-ops or soon-to-be-post-ops about protein.  What kind tastes best, where to buy it, what to get, etc.  I also see a lot of people answer those questions with a reply of what *their* favorite flavor or brand is. 

We all know that what tastes great to one person can taste horrible to the next.  So I really never understood why people just list their favorite and think that's good enough. 

I would suggest PROTEIN SAMPLES for anyone searching for a protein they can love.

 After surgery your tastes will change a bit so something you like now might not work for you after.  And since protein powder is so expensive, samples is the best way to try out a whole bunch of different kinds without breaking the bank.

www.enjoyhealth.com -- I ordered their 21-flavor pack which gave me a chance to try out the Nectar and Champion flavors.  I found a couple that I loved.

www.bariatriceating.com -- They also have samples at reasonable prices.  I ordered about a dozen different flavors from their ale-carte selection. 

www.vitalady.com -- I haven't ordered from her, but I hear that many have had great success with her samples as well.

GNC -- They have a few varieties for sale but also often have samples under the counter that they give away.  I was in my local GNC the other day and mentioned I was having problems finding a vanilla brand that I loved and the sales clerk gave me 5 packages of 2 different brands of powder to try.  For free.

Also, if you're a part of a support group locally, ask the members to all bring you a scoop of their favorite in a ziploc baggie.  This will let you try a variety without cost and they are always more than happy to help a fellow newbie out!

I am 4 weeks out and finally found 1 powder that I LOVE (Champion Cookies -n- Cream) so I've only bought 1 jar of powder (best price at www.allstarthealth.com).  Otherwise I've been living on samples.

Nearly all Whey Protein Powders are very low in carbs.   For instance, Champion has 24g protein, 3g carbs (1.5g of sugar), 130 calories.  When shopping for something be sure to always check the sugar content and also look for "Whey Isolate".

HTH
~Pam

Josully left a comment on my blog and asked what my typical daily menu was like.  Great question!  I'm about 3.5 weeks out from surgery and just started a new section of my eating plan -- I got to add tuna, canned chicken and canned salmon this week.  So far I have not had any problems at all with food - so thankful! 

Here's what I'm eating now:

9:00 am - Breakfast
Usually a veggie fritatta or egg salad.  The Frittata is easy to make and I found the recipe in the WLS cookbook I  mentioned in last week's post.  I chopped up a bunch of veggies (small summer squash, small zucchini, tiny head of broccoli, white button mushrooms chopping small).  Once all those are chopped up  it make about 3 or 4 cups of chopped veggies - I've used a tiny handful in a bunch of different things all week.  So the Frittata.  Add about 1/8c to 1/4c of mixed veggies to a small frypan and sautee with a spray of butter flavored Pam cooking spray until they are soft.  In the meantime, mix 1 egg with a bit of water or milk.  When the veggies are soft, add the egg to the pan and swirl until everything is covered.  Add salt, pepper and dill weed to taste.  Cover and let it cook on medium heat.  When it's just about done, add a sprinkling of cheese (cheddar or whatever).  Then stick the whole pan under the broiler for a minute or two until the cheese is hot and bubbling.  Yum!   this is about 10 grams of protein.

11:30 or so - Snack
8 ounces of protein shake.  I make mine with soy milk.  My Nut suggested using soy milk  because its so common for people to be lactose intolerant after surgery.  I might not be, but I'm to chicken to test it just yet.  I'm using Champion Cookies -n- Cream flavor right now although I have several more sample flavors to try too.  This has 24g of protein.

1:00 or so - Lunch
3 to 4 onces of tuna salad.  I make it with pouch tuna, diced dill pickles and mayo.  Sometimes I add 2 or 3 whole wheat crackers, sometimes I add an extra dill pickle on the side.  Yum! This has about 26g of protein.

3:30 or so - Snack
8 ounces of protein shake.  If ever there's an eating step that I skip it's usually this one.  Or instead of a shake, I might just have something else small like a yogurt or pudding or jello. 

6:30 or so - Dinner
Lately I've been doing more tuna for dinner.  But I just went grocery shopping last night, so I will probably try some chicken salad tonight.  Tuna is another 26g of protein.  Last night I was out and about shopping, so I stopped at Wendy's for some chili  - half of a small is about 10g of protein.

9:00 or so - Snack
I'm suppose to have another shake at this point.  If I skipped it at 3:30, then I'll have one now, but if I had one at 3:30, I'll skip this one. 

At the end of the day I normally reach my goal of 75g of protein.  I'd like to get up to 100g per day but will have to work on that a bit more.

I've also been thinking about what I'll be eating when I got back to work.  Gonna need to figure out a schedule for that major change.  I'll be starting my day at 6:30 and won't be home until 7:00 for dinner.  I've got 10 days left to my time off, I'm going to enjoy every minute of it too!

Enough rambling for today...
Pam