Its been a while...

and im struggling. I am just shy of 3 months out and I am craving carbs, badly. I know I need to up my protein...like in a bad way as well as my water intake. Teaching is a hard job to pee whenever you have to go!

I would love any protein tips. I cannot do any drinks or shakes without getting sick. I am struggling, badly!

I was the same way until just last week. I couldn't tolerate any of the protein drinks that I had tried. The chalky, "proteiny" taste of the powdered stuff turned my stomach. The whey protein gave me serious tummy trouble before I found out that I've become lactose intolerant since surgery. You said that shakes make you sick? Is it a gag reflex thing or a physical sickness? I think that's important to distinguish. If it's a physical sickness, check the ingredients and rule out what'****ting you wrong. If it's a gag reflex, taste thing, I was in the same boat there, too.

THEN I found Syntrax Nectar's Vanilla Bean Torte. Alone (i.e. just with milk - or milk substitute) it still gave me the willies, but I add it to soy milk and put in some ice cubes that I made from chai tea that I brewed, added some International Delight Cold Stone Creamery "Sweet Cream" creamer. Blend all of the non protein ingredients to a milkshake, then add the protein powder last, pulse a few times to incorporate, then WHAMMO. Amazing protein milkshake that 1) doesn't taste "proteiny" or chalky, 2) isn't foamy like powders can get, and 3) tastes like a starbucks chai late!

 

My point here is that it's a matter of finding one that works for you. I tried a lot of samples from GNC and The Vitamin Shoppe before landing on this one. It took me 10 weeks to find it. I think if you keep looking, you'll find one that works for you. Good luck, hon. I hope you can find one that works for you. It's the ONLY way I'm getting my protein in. Also, the higher protein curbed the carb cravings pretty instantly.

A great source of protein for me was/is low fat moz. cheese sticks - they are about 7 g. of protein each.  You can eat them during the school day (much better option than carbs!) and the protein adds up.  Think - 2 for breakfast, 2 for snack, then 2 for an afternoon snack and you have had 42 g of protein - and only 300 calories!  And you still have lunch and dinner...

I suggest you sip water or flavored water during the day as much as you can - then at the end of the school day increase you fluids - drink more in the evening when you have bathroom access.

Good luck!

I hardly ever drink shakes. In fact, my doctor doesn't want us relying on then once your're past of the liquid phase.

I get my protein mainly by eating 4 small meals daily that contain 2-3oz of fish in three of the them. The other one is eggs for breakfast. This always gets me my protein. I suppose you could get the same using chicken, but in my opinion fish has less fat than chicken so you come out better with it.

Mostly it's salmon or tilapia, but tuna, shrimp, lobster tails and other white fishes work also. They are all high in proteins and have many ways of preparing them. I refuse to eat out of a puch or can after the mushy phase. That phase destroyed my like for tuna fish out of a can so I always eat filets.

I love the way you eat!!!  Make sure that you are eating all different kinds of fish (mercury issues) and add in some fatty fishes like sardines and trout.  My doctor would love you like crazy for eating fish.  This reminds me.... my neighbor just came back from a fishing trip with tons of tuna and is offering it to me.  I need some good tuna recipes.