Many Post Op Concerns

[sheclarke]

My name is Shawana & I had my surgery in March, still haven't found that total support shoulder that I'm looking for. Foods that I think will work...DON'T! Foods that I need..I can't afford! I'm with 4 children & my husband is out of work. I already incuded starch into my diet,although I have not reached my goal yet! I do excercise & I don't eat enough to dump,so I can STOP the starch...but what do I eat?

 

[Dana]

Hi Shawana,
I eat yogurt (100 cals.), low fat or reduced cheese sticks, eggs, applesauce, tuna, turkey breast, veggies and the list goes on. I do mostly protein foods, after the protein I am usually to full to eat more.

 

[TwoMas]

Hi Shawana, Welcome tro the forum. I agree with Dana, eggs, tuna, cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt are all foods that the whole family can eat. Please try and stay away from pasta's and breads if you can, it is good filler food for the family so they need it but it will not provide you the nutrition (protien) that you need to stay healthy. It sounds like times are difficult for you right now so coupon clipping may help you out to reduce your food bills. It is very important that you are able to take you vitamins and get about 60 grams of protien a day, without that you your blood counts could get off kilter creating health problems and the lack of protien will also slow your healing prosses from the surgery and slow your matabalism, so please try and do your best on what little budget you have. My thoughts and prayers are with you, hang in there things will get better. Please come back amd let us know how you are doing. Tom

 

hi sheclarke (Shawana)
i understand about kids and food budget, have 3 myself and when I've priced the protein drink most run from 5 to 6 dollars a day. I bought a huge container of whey protein which I think body builders use it was 14.00 at walmart my dr said she wouldn't recommend it but because of money she understood why I bought it, I too must find protein in cheaper form, the less money i can spend on protein for me the more I have for my kids.
Do you have any food pantry's in your area that can help out with food situation? I know we've always used pasta's and beans rice etc anything that made meals go farther, so once we start this new journey of our's and protein everything that streches the budget is off our list.
how are you feeling since your surgery? you've done good on weight lost already. did your dr make you loose any before your surgery?
I will be praying for you and your family, for your husband to find employment and that help is sent your way, nothing is impossible with GOD.
I love to talk and meet others on here this is the best support group avaible that i have found.
praying for you
Donna

 

[Pat99]

My name is Shawana & I had my surgery in March, still haven't found that total support shoulder that I'm looking for. Foods that I think will work...DON'T! Foods that I need..I can't afford! I'm with 4 children & my husband is out of work. I already incuded starch into my diet,although I have not reached my goal yet! I do excercise & I don't eat enough to dump,so I can STOP the starch...but what do I eat?

Shawana-Welcome to the forum and congratulations on starting your journey to a healthier you! Like Tom explained, it's imperative that you eat protein rich foods otherwise you run the risk of becoming deficient. Without enough protein you will not heal as fast as you should, your weight loss will not be as fast as it could be and you will feel run down. My grocery budget is tight also because I am on permanent disability and just don't have the income I once did. On the plus side we don't eat as much as we did before surgery. Eggs are an excellent source of lean protein. Yogurt is another good source but can be expensive for an entire family. I have a recipe for homemade yogurt so if you are interested send me a private message and I will send it to you. Once you make your own you will never go back to store bought. It not only tastes better than store bought it costs a lot less. Another low cost source of protein are beans. Dried beans cost next to nothing and can be used for soups, stews, in salads, meatless chili, etc. Canned fat free refried beans are also excellent and very versatile. Fresh fish and canned tuna are very high in protein so you don't need to eat too much to get your protein in. Watch your circulars for sales on meat, fish and canned goods then stock up for later use. If you have an Aldi's in your area try shopping there. They have canned beans and refried beans for almost half of what you might pay at WalMart. They also carry frozen turkeys anytime of the year for less than $1.00 per pound!!! With the size of your family a turkey every couple of weeks would add a lot of good protein to your table for a small price. Their frozen fish is inexpensive and tastes excellent!

I hope this helps you out.

 

hi everybody
I was reading pat's post about turkey and I remembered Paula Deen has a good receipe for turkey & frozen spinach meatballs, at first I thought yuck, but my sister made some and baked them in oven and they are wonderful. you get a veg, and meat all in one bite, and not an expensive dish to make.just go to Paula's site and type in turkey&spinach meatballs. I have found if ground turkey is seasoned just right it's as good as hamburger and alot cheaper. when kids aren't watching me cook I use turkey & taco seasoning taste good. spices make the world of food taste alot better. not sure what the body can tolerate after surgery but I quess I will learn from trial and error and I learn alot by reading other's post's and there advice. hope everyone is having a good weekend.
Donna