Are there vegetarians in this group?

[JustMe]

I've been a vegetarian for 33 years and plan to stay one for the rest of my life. My bariatric surgeon said that's totally okay. I already struggle to get 100 grams of protein each day with consuming too many calories, fats, or carbohydrates. I just bought protein water. I've never had it before. As I prepare for this sleeve bariatric surgery, does anyone have any ideas how to get that protein (and more, if needed post-op) each day? Thank you.

 

[dianeseattle]

I've been a vegetarian for 33 years and plan to stay one for the rest of my life. My bariatric surgeon said that's totally okay. I already struggle to get 100 grams of protein each day with consuming too many calories, fats, or carbohydrates. I just bought protein water. I've never had it before. As I prepare for this sleeve bariatric surgery, does anyone have any ideas how to get that protein (and more, if needed post-op) each day? Thank you.

I was a vegetarian (ovo-lacto) for 4 years, which included the time during which I was pregnant and lactating. So my baby was a vegetarian and continued to be so until he was in kindergarten. My saving grace was soybeans. I'd cook up a pot of beans with onions and garlic and then turn that into various other dishes. One of my favorites was soyburgers. I mashed the beans up, then added hummus and tahini, some soy sauce maybe, and a grain like oats with an egg for a binder. Portion out into balls, smash them, and fry or broil them until browned. You can put them on buns or on the side of brown rice, etc., or any other way you might eat a meat patty.

Search the group here for Magic Milk. It's regular milk mixed with Milkman powder. I included the recipe in my posts. No water is added, just milk and powder, then blended. I used it as a base for canned soup, chowder, protein shakes with Trader Joe's Protein Powder, some soft fruit if you want a smoothie, or whatever appeals to you. Milkman might be hard to find. After I couldn't find it in my grocery store, I wrote to the company that makes it and complained, and got a letter back. Next thing I knew, it was on the market again. I just found it in several places in a web search. If you make Magic Milk, you can't believe how liberating it is in our limited daily diets.

But why 100 grams? I seem to remember the requirements for women was something like 72 and for men, 90. I should check before I ask, but I am interested in your answer and your source. It has been 20 years since RYGB for me, but I'm so stinkin' healthy it should be a crime. And it is REALLY difficult to match that number to a healthy number of calories. I am also mystified by the combination of the words "protein" and "water." Talk about your oxymoron.

Here's my kid and me hiking in the North Cascades:

We are literally surrounded by wild blueberries. This hike never would have happened if I hadn't had RYGB surgery.

 

[JustMe]

I love that photo! The Cascade Mountains are gorgeous from afar. What a wonderful, memorable experience to be right there! Thank you so much, Diane, for the advice and information. It's very helpful. BTW, my big sister's name is Diane.

 

[JustMe]

I have not tasted the protein water yet. I'm a bit apprehensive, but I'm going to give it a try.

 

[JustMe]

The protein water tastes okay. I'll keep drinking it, since I have to work hard each day to get enough protein.

 

[JustMe]

Here are some of my staple foods that I currently eat, pre-op. I hope that I'll be able to continue eating them eventually post-op, even if it's just once in awhile or in much smaller amounts.

1. Unsalted almonds
2. Unsalted cashews
3. Unsalted walnuts
4. Unsalted pecans
5. Unsalted hazelnuts
6. Unsalted sunflower seeds
7. Unsalted pumpkin seeds
8. Chia seeds
9. Hemp seeds
10. Organic non-gmo tofu
11. Organic non-gmo frozen and fresh strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, pineapple, and mango
12. Organic non-gmo fresh nectarines, bananas, apples, pears, avocados, tomatoes, and canned pumpkin
13. Organic non-gmo frozen and fresh broccoli, cauliflower, peas, green beans, carrots, asparagus, kale, spinach, and brussel sprouts
14. Pea protein powder
15. Peanut butter powder
16. Orgain Vegan Protein powder
17. Flaxseed powder
18. Cocoa powder
19. Tempeh
20. Organic non-gmo fresh jalapenos, garlic, onions, bok choy, chard, lemons, limes, chives, potatoes, yams, squash, sweet potatoes, parsnips, rutabagas, turnips, lettuces, cabbages, bell peppers, other peppers, zucchinis, and beets
21. Westsoy Unsweetened Plain Soy Milk
22. Ezekiel Bread
23. Aloha protein bar (peanut butter cup)
24. Unfortified nutritional yeast
25. Unsalted beans and legumes (all kinds)
26. Quinoa, wild rice, a little protein pasta sometimes
27. Extra virgin olive oil
28. Eggs
29. Oats
30. Canned peas, canned carrots, canned green beans (unsalted)

Will any of these end up on my Do Not Eat or Drink list?

 

[dianeseattle]

Your list sounds fine to me. I noticed you mentioned legumes and peanut butter, but not actually peanuts, whole, roasted, etc. I remember my dad had some kind of procedure or test related to his rectum or anus, and he was not allowed any food except peanuts, which apparently have different digestive qualities. I also was warned against nuts in general which pack high calories and fat for relatively little nutritional value. It's just a tradeoff, but if you're vegetarian, that wouldn't be an issue.

 

[JustMe]

I love peanuts. I just figure I don't really need to buy them because I have the peanut butter powder for the smoothies, regular peanut butter for sandwiches, and my peanut butter cup protein bars. I do love peanut butter!