protein confessions

Ok everyone, confess whether you get in your 70 grams every single day. For the first few weeks i did really well and always got in 65 to 70. Then i got sick of my protein drinks and was able to eat real food and tried to get more protein from real food. But just can't eat enough to get it all from real food. So I have slipped some, somedays getting 65 and some days less. The least icky thing seems to be to get as much as i can with real food then chug a half of a protein bullet which tastes terrible but is only a small amount of liquid.

So how about the rest of you? Are you doing it? Any ideas? I really want to be successful. How did the 70 gram rule come about anyway? curious. D

I get in a minimum of 68 every day with an average of 72 to 75...but not without having 2 protein hot chocolates a day.  There isn't anyway I could even get close to the minimum with just food.  Well, I might be able to do it with food if I ate only the high protein meats but that would be way too boring!  Variety is the spice of life.  So, I do my hot chocolates and make it every day.

I must say your stats concern me. You appear to be well over a year post op and  getting less than 80 gms of protein per day and that by supplementing your food intake with 2 protein drinks daily.
That seems like a very small amount of protein from someone that far out from surgery. I am also concerned that you are about 10 lbs LESS than you surgeons goal and less than even your own goal.
I am only 5 ft tall and I know I would not be comfortable weighing less than 100 lbs. Granted I do not have a petite or delicate build despite how short I am.
I am not sure how little you are eating per day, or if you are excercising in addtion to what seems like a less than optimal intake.
My intent is not to "scold" you or slam you but just to express concern.

I sent this before I finished my thoughts
I am 54 yo  female and about 18 mos post op.
I am 5 ft tall with a less than delicate build.
I generally weigh between 120-123 on any given day. I fit comfortably in size 6 clothes.
I get in at least 80-100 gms or protein per day
My fat gms are generally around 50 per day. I do not restrict fats and eat full fat mayo and cheeses and butter when the mood suits me.
My carbs are generally around 90-100 gms per day and more when I do more exercise. I am training to walk half marathon next month and on some days (like today) I walk in excess of 13 miles.
If you are not already working with a nutiritionist please consider doing so.

My doctor recommends 70 g of protein per day and I get that.  My fat grams are between 35 and 40.  I can't fit in a lot of food and have no desire to eat just meat.  In order to be able to eat 3 oz of meat and an ounce or two of a side dish, I have to do the protein drinks.  However, they also help me meet my fluid requirements and I love the hot chocolate so it is a double blessing.  I also at full fat cheese and use butter but I don't think I've had mayo even once since surgery.

I am older than you (58) but with a tiny build.  I wear a size 0 and some 2's depending on who makes the clothing.  My family doctor hasn't expressed any concerns about my weight and all my labwork returned as totally normal.  He is very outspoken so apparently all is well.

Good luck on the marathon!  How wonderful.  I am sure you will do very well if you are walking more than 13 miles at this point. 

You sound like me.

There is nothing wrong with protein drinks. They are a high quality protein that is easily absorbed. I have one every morning for breakfast as it's a great way to get in a lot of protein and a lot of fluid.

Plus, by having a protein shake in the morning and a protein hot chocolate at night, I can have a lot more vegetables during the day. Otherwise, I'd have to eat mostly meat and cheese and that's not particularly healthy.

Thank you, MacMadame!  It is nice to have someone who understands.  It is exactly like me.  If I want some veggies, I have to have the protein drinks or I'd be living only on meat and cheese.  Such limitations are very boring.  I want my veggies even if it is only two bites.  :)

Actually, I weighed 102 pounds most of my life...into my 40s when I gained all the weight.  So, this doesn't look too thin for me.  I have a tiny, petite frame.

I am trying to stabilize my weight.  I was a very slow loser and never thought I'd reach my surgeon's goal, let alone my own so imagine my surprise and delight when I did!  I have stopped all exercise except for walking (which I do a fair amount of).  I increased my calories months ago from 600 to now between 800 - 1000 per day.  I have also increased my carbs from below 30 to currently 88 per day.  I can't get in any more calories as it is pushing it to get close to 1000 so I have been increasing my carbs.

I know you are just concerned and I thank you for that.  I won't worry though unless I slip below a normal BMI....right now, I am normal, just low end.  Meanwhile, I will continue to work on stabilizing.  :)

Hi Ilse.  I so envy you!  I have never been small framed.  But your post, and the response made me wonder about something.

Is there are correlation between a person's optimal weight  as to how many grams of protein they need per day?  I would think that the lower a person's weight, the lower the requirement would be, but I don't think I've ever seen anything about that. 

Do you know?

You have done wonderful! 

Wanda

Hi Wanda!   Yes, normally protein requirements vary according to a person's weight  and activity/exercise level but I've been told that we need a minimum of 70g after WLS.  My recommended requirements without WLS would be around  36 g per day.  You can use this site to help see what yours would be.

http://www.changingshape.com/resources/calculators/dailyprot einrequirements.asp

There are many sites for this and all the ones I checked out had me between 35 and 38 g per day.  I track everything though so I know I am getting at least 70g per day.