Re: Can't eat

[Guest guest]

I've been copying suggestions from various lists. Here's what I've

compiled so far as lists of possible foot to eat after surgery:

What to eat postop:

 WATER – is your fluid of choice! Adding a small amount of lemon

juice may make plain water more palatable. Other sources of fluid

Diet Snapple, Crystal Lite or Gatorade. (Beware of high sugar

content beverages, but also know that artificial sweeteners may cause

sugar cravings.)

 Crushed ice from a snow cone maker

 Frozen juice bars

 1 egg = 6 to 8 grams protein

 Cottage cheese = 13 grams protein/half cup serving

 Soups and broths – avoid pasta or large chunks of meat (Bean or

legume based soups have the best protein content.)

 Tofu, tofu pate, and tofu rella (a cheese alternative) = 15 grams =

protein/serving

 Yogurt regular or frozen = 5 grams/half cup (Light, no fruit or

fruit at bottom are often preferred.)

 Protein powder = 24 or more grams protein/serving (Protein

drink " smoothies " can be made in a blender by mixing protein powder

and ice with water, juice or milk. Another easy blend is with

Hansen's Lite brand fruit drink and ice.)

 Protein smoothies can also be made with yogurt or soy milk or tofu=

blended with fruit (with or without extra protein powder added).

 Oatmeal, cream of wheat, cream of rice, grits = 5 grams

protein/serving

 Mashed potatoes with yogurt added instead of butter or sour cream.=

(Yogurt is a higher protein and lower fat choice.)

 juice (unsweetened apple/grape/pear etc.)

 Gatorade (for electolyte imbalance)

 sugar free Popsicles/fruit juice freezer bars

 beef and chicken soup and/or bullion cubes or powder

 cream soups (Cream of Chicken/Mushroom/Celery/Potato/Tomato)

 unsweetened applesauce

 canned lite pears/peaches/fruit cocktail

 canned veg (green beans/peas/mixed veg.)

 refried beans (get lowest fat possible)

 mashed potatoes (KFC has them already prepared with gravy which is=

handy)

 sugar free jello and pudding

 skim milk

 eggs

 lite yogurt

 low fat cottage cheese

 fat free cream cheese

 low salt saltine crackers

 baby food (the ones high in proteinmeats etc.)

 grilled chicken that is pureed and poured into ice cube trays; thi=

s

provides handy, 1 oz. per cube portions that are easy to microwave

and keep track of serving size

 and protein content



 If you cannot keep anything down and are having difficulty staying=

hydrated, try lemon ice flavor Gatorade. Gatorade has electrolytes

(potassium, sodium) that are necessary for cellular functions. The

lemonice flavor is without artificial colors and is usually palatable

to most postop patients. Note, however, that since Gatorade has a

relatively high sugar content, you should switch back to water and

other lower calorie beverages once you are able to stay well hydrated

 Aim to eat 3 small meals with 2 to 3 snacks per day. Include a

protein source at each meal and snack. Protein rich foods include

eggs, dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese; meat products

such as lean chicken, fish and beef; and plant products such as beans

and tofu. Eggs and vegetarian sources of protein may be easier to

digest at first than animal proteins. Milk may be difficult for some

due to lactose intolerance.

 Gradually add one new food item at a time to see if it agrees with=

you. Tastes and odors may change after surgery – sour or tart may

taste particularly good while salty or sweet may not!

 Meat may be difficult to eat for several months, but keep trying

since animal sources have high protein content. Select lean cuts and

do NOT overcook. Anything " dry " may cause discomfort – chicken or

turkey may need sauce with it.

 Bake, broil, grill or steam your food. Do not fry.

 Substitute soy or rice milk if you find you cannot tolerate regula=

r

or lactose free milk. If you are having trouble with dairy, try

Lactaid, Dairy Care, Dairy Ease or other similar over the counter

products.

 Tuna, white fish and imitation crab as well as thinly sliced deli =

meats such as low-fat ham, chicken or turkey are generally well

tolerated.

 Keep a suitable snack available with you at all times since your

appetite may be surprisingly variable.

 Beef or turkey jerky sticks flavored with Teriyaki, low fat

mozzarella " string " cheese, and nuts such as pistachios are all very

popular, well tolerated protein snacks that most postop patients seem

to enjoy.

 Avoid high fat " empty calorie " snacks like chips, candy and most

desserts.

 Ways to add protein to my diet:

 Add nonfat dry milk to soups, casseroles, mashed potatoes, other

recipes

 Try beans in casseroles, burritos, soups

 Use eggs in salads, sandwiches, omelets

 Have low fat or nonfat cottage cheese, yogurt, ice cream or puddin=

g

as a snack

 Try tofu in stir fry, soups and sauces

 Sprinkle wheat germ over a variety of foods such as salads and

cereals

 Drink a protein " smoothie " once or twice a day

> In a message dated 06/29/2001 4:55:12 PM Central Daylight Time,

> Happy2knowU2@a... writes:

>

> << Hi

> to all you post ops help ...i am not able to eat i am weak and

cant take in

> tuna, i am sick of eggs and cottege cheese and protein

drinks...any

> suggestions, nothing taste good even chocolate pudding..i already

was in the

> hospital for an emergency hernia and am afraid to end up back

there

> again...any suggestions greatly welcomed

>

> post op

>

> karen

> >>

> ,

>

> What I believe you are involved in is a vicious cyle. You may have

to force

> yourself to eat for a few days in order to get back to eating. My

friend was

> having this problems and I made her a list of foods and told her

she HAD to

> eat at least 5 servings of food from the list each day. This may

mean that

> she would have to pick at it or take a bite every 10 to 15 minutes

until it

> was gone and then begin the process all over again. You know

what. She did

> it and now she is doing great eating. She force fed herself at

least 5 of

> these items a day for about 4 days and has been doing great eating

ever

> since. I am no nutritionist, but this is what worked for her.

This list of

> foods is as follows:

>

> Remember begin by forcing yourself to eat 5 of these a day (slowly

and just

> picking at till gone is you need to)