Going Vegetarian

After another night of vomiting, I've decided that I think I'm going to adopt a version of a vegetarian diet where I can incorporate eggs and dairy. I've finally accepted that I just cannot eat meat or fish at all. I don't know if this will be a forever thing but I realize I must be proactive in meeting my nutritional needs and this seems to be the way to go. At least it should be less painful. I'd be interested in hearing from others who have gone this route either permanently or on a short term basis and learning how they managed. 

Hope everyone is enjoying a good Memorial Day weekend!

Rebecca

I am 11 weeks post op and I have been having a terrible time with meat.  This is going to sound weird but the two types of meat I can eat is summer sausage and these little frozed chicken breast tenders.  I cannot eat chicken any other way. The chicken is Tyson honey breast tenders. They are super moist.

I have been eating a lot of cheese such as cottage cheese, string cheese, laughing cow cheese... and in the past week i have finally been able to drink protein shakes again which I make with lactose free milk. I do not like them but they no longer make me vomit. 

hopefully you will be able to adapt your diet to work for you. I am slowly getting able to add new things in...so hopefully you will be able to soon.

Fortunately for me, I had no issues with anything I tried food wise.  Check out greek yogurt (plain) and add some sf jam (yummy).  Good luck in getting your daily protein needs.

Judy

Don't give  up meat just yet. Give it some more time than try again. Have you tried pork chops? I eat that a lot. I also eat Hillshire Farm Grilled Chicken Breast-Italian Style. It is real moist.  It comes in a box with two in it. Here in Iowa I get it at Hy Vee. Also have you tried deli meat? I eat turkey. It comes in thin slices. That is pretty much all the meat I can eat now.

Just reminder you are pretty early out so give it some time. I'm almost three years out and still having some problems (I had 5 strictures and was on a full liquid diel for months) but most people adjust just fine.  Some days I do fine with eggs and other days they make my pouch uncomfortable.

Thanks Julie

I could not eat meat for probably the first year.  The only time I vomited, with one exception, was when I ate meat.  I slowly moved towards the diet you described except I could not eat eggs either until year 2.  They made me sick to my stomach for some reason.  I ate lots of beans, cheese, yogurt, my shakes, nuts and veggies.  I was able to eat moist meatloaf made with Whole Foods ground turkey or pork.  I don't eat beef - if I do maybe 3 times per ear.  I mostly eat small servings of chicken, on occasion, and I love fish.

You will be able to eat meat again, but at this time listen to your body.  I would read about others who at 6 weeks ate whatever they wanted with no problems.  We are all different, and it takes trail and error to find what works for you.

As a result of my issues with meat, I learned to love vegetables for the first time in my life.  I had surgery when I was 54, and it took surgery and my food limitations to learn what I had been missing all these years. 

If meat causes you problems, leave it alone and try it at a later time. 

I don't have issues eating meat, but for a variety of reasons I have chosen to go vegetarian (and slowly working on vegan).

It hasn't been that tough. I eat greek yogurt, cottage cheese, beans, tofu, tempeh, etc. I try to keep things as whole and unprocessed as possible. Although I do eat boca burgers sometimes.

I hate greek yogurt, but it tastes good when i mix one of the little containers (plain), with half a tube of drink mix and a packet of truvia. I have that and some fruit almost every day for a snack.

I am 5 months out and still do a protein shake every day to help meet my goal.

good luck! I'm thinking of starting a blog about vegan/vegetarian bariatric recipes

Early on I used a crock pot for my meat! It was delish and may work for you too!

I used to be a Vegetarian many years ago and I went back to being a Vegetarian 5 months after RNY. I never ate much beef prior to RNY and none after. I tried unsuccesfully to eat chicken and fish. I am a Lacto Ovo Vegetarian meaning I eat dairy and eggs as well as plant based food. Please see my profile page for ideas if you are interested.

I've been a vegetarian for about 26 years now.  I do eat dairy and occasionally eggs.  What do you want to know?

I am still pre-op. But I have been trying to eliminate meat from my diet as well. And even now my belly does not like eggs. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods have awesome recipe ideas online. You can actually choose to look at recipes that are vegan, sugar free, gluten free, etc. There is alot of good products out there.
Kelly...do you mind posting some of your favorite recipes??