Whatcha eatin'/cookin' Thursday, fave grab 'n go

[Girlrocker]

Hi to all,

So, Anna who mentioned she does community theater, is having some challenge eating because of her busy schedule. Do you experience this too, whether its work, a few kids under foot, traveling?

I use a combo of making my own things and using convenience stores. I like to have things that won't go bad, get soggy, do well room temp if they are in my bag for awhile and aren't messy to eat.

I really like lo-carb, high fiber wraps, or even the wheat sandwich thins would be a good option. Easy to load both with deli meat, cheese, wrap in foil and go. I also make turkey burgers in slider size - and now as a DSers can really load the mixture with extra protein goodness. Roast turkey breast is another favorite. I've also taken a piece of left over steak.

I would rather not eat fast food if I don't have to, usually opt for Subway instead. Can usually find hb eggs, string cheese, deli meat, apples, protein bars at convenience stores (at least doable in a bigger city) or look for a grocery store.

Today - don't have to cook since I have a nice stash in my fridge from my power cooking. I'll be having a couple of protein shakes, crustless bacon-cheese quiche, turkey taco salad with sour cream, cheese, avocado, blue corn tortilla and steak with peanutsauce later :-)

[susan1219]

So far today I have had my protein shake and fixing to warm up some taco soup.
I was wondering about subway (once I get to where I can eat it). I love subway and I know it is a much better option than fast food but I worry about all the carbs from the bread, even wheat bread.

[Girlrocker]

Feb 2, 2012 11:18:14 GMT -5 susan1219 said:

So far today I have had my protein shake and fixing to warm up some taco soup.
I was wondering about subway (once I get to where I can eat it). I love subway and I know it is a much better option than fast food but I worry about all the carbs from the bread, even wheat bread.

When I'm further out, I won't mind eating a 6in on wheat, since there is a good ratio of protein and carb, especially if you request double meat. For now, in my early window, though, if I did go to Subway, I would ditch the bread entirely; other options later are eating ditching half the bread, or asking them to hollow it out.

If I do have to go for fast food, I try to focus on a higher quality chain than McDonalds, Burger King. We have some really good ones here in LA; Wendy's would be my next choice because their chicken is decent and they also have chili.

[aqua19]

hey girlrocker, I really enjoy all of your posts But I do have a question, I'm 3 weeks post-op and I'm feeling really good physically and everything else, but this mushy phase really is giving me a hardtime. I actually have no desire to eat and more over I can't eat. If I eat a small bite of anything thats already pureed and then chew it for 20 times or so it still gives me a wave of nausea. Is this normal and when will all of this pass? I;m going back to work in 2 weeks and I don't want to feel ill. Please lend ur advice! I know that you are still early out, but any advice will help me, thanks

[Gail R]

Feb 2, 2012 11:18:14 GMT -5 susan1219 said:

So far today I have had my protein shake and fixing to warm up some taco soup.
I was wondering about subway (once I get to where I can eat it). I love subway and I know it is a much better option than fast food but I worry about all the carbs from the bread, even wheat bread.

I wouldn't have those carbs in the subway bread until I was nearly finished with my weight loss. Even then it might cause you stomach upset. If you must have it, further out, throw out the top bread and eat it open faced. I consider Subway fast food. There isn't much protein in their sandwiches-mostly fillers.

[Gail R]

For good DS food to go, I like Costco's Premier premade chocolate protein boxes. Some salami, chesse and whole wheat crackers. Individual sized greek yogurt. I love high quality string cheese.

[Deleted]

I aim real simple for my grab & go's.. I have two Ostrim meat sticks in my bag at all times.. two as sometimes I eat one and forget to replace it. If I know I'm going to be out for an extended time, I throw in a cheese stick! Simple, but as a lover of Slim Jim's- the Ostrim Ostrich & Beef Natural Flavor comes darn close with a much better nut profile.

[bldeck]

Shhh....... In my desk drawer I have a 1lb bag of beef jerky, a 1lb bag of almonds, a 1lb bag of pistachios and a 2lb bad of valentines chocolates.

Betty

[bldeck]

Forgot to add. Tonights dinner shall be pork & shrimp fried rice. If the shrimp defrosts.

Betty

[brybry76]

Feb 2, 2012 14:14:51 GMT -5 aqua19 said:

hey girlrocker, I really enjoy all of your posts But I do have a question, I'm 3 weeks post-op and I'm feeling really good physically and everything else, but this mushy phase really is giving me a hardtime. I actually have no desire to eat and more over I can't eat. If I eat a small bite of anything thats already pureed and then chew it for 20 times or so it still gives me a wave of nausea. Is this normal and when will all of this pass? I;m going back to work in 2 weeks and I don't want to feel ill. Please lend ur advice! I know that you are still early out, but any advice will help me, thanks

I can totally relate to where you are at. I pretty much stuck to shakes during this period. I just focused on hydration. I made homemade chicken soup with chicken thighs, baby carrots, spinach, and onions. I couldn't each much of the solids at first, but the broth was really soothing. I also at greek yogurt- i get the Chobani, fruit on bottom kind, but don't eat the fruit on the bottom. The yogurt has a slight flavor, which is so much better than plain. I also bought some really good cheeses and nibbled on those.

I'm 7 weeks out and I still struggle to eat some days-- I think it is just part of the healing process. Just stay hydrated and you will be fine. Good luck and keep us posted!

[Girlrocker]

Feb 2, 2012 14:33:57 GMT -5 Gail R said:

Feb 2, 2012 11:18:14 GMT -5 susan1219 said:

So far today I have had my protein shake and fixing to warm up some taco soup.
I was wondering about subway (once I get to where I can eat it). I love subway and I know it is a much better option than fast food but I worry about all the carbs from the bread, even wheat bread.

I wouldn't have those carbs in the subway bread until I was nearly finished with my weight loss. Even then it might cause you stomach upset. If you must have it, further out, throw out the top bread and eat it open faced. I consider Subway fast food. There isn't much protein in their sandwiches-mostly fillers.

Gail - yep, my point exactly, I wouldn't have the sub bread now/within the first year. I'll eat packaged deli meat, not my favorite, prefer the real thing, but being a single girl, I don't want things to spoil. I actually don't have trouble preparing things for being on the go, but when I find myself in an unexpected situation , I'll look around for healthy purchase options. I agree, Subway is fast food too, but for me personally, I will prefer over burger chains because I don't like the taste of the high fat greasier stuff. For Subway, I am shameless ordering exactly the way I want it :-) I always order double meat/cheese and hold the veggies except a little bit of shredded lettuce, get condiments on the side in packets.

Jo - I like Slim Jims too, and I find the bags of pepperoni are good too. Love cheese sticks.

Betty - Oh, I wish I liked jerky, I tried many times after my first surgery. I am highly amused by the typo pun that says bad Valentine's chocolate instead of bag. My lips are sealed ;-) I am missing rice a little bit, I love brown rice, and can't wait to cook it again protein style, but I'll wait!

Aqua girl - That's sweet (low sugar of course!) thanks. Awww, you're so new still, 3.5 weeks. The first 4 weeks are more about healing from major surgery than working the DS mojo. The anesthesia is what causes a lot of the nausea, besides that your innards are now sufficiently freaked out. Concentrate on keeping yourself hydrated, getting in 64 oz, water is best, but you can also do Crystal Light or Diet Snapple (but try to limit because artificial sweetener might disagree with you too this early) Caffeine does not count as fluid, but if you like tea, hot or iced, you make delicious decaf/herbal tea in any flavor. I'm not a tea drinker but actually liked some of the fruity floral flavors iced.

As for food, I'm not sure what you're eating exactly; but you should ease into more dense, animal proteins. Hold off, even if pureed until you're more healed up. Stick with things that will be easy on your new plumbing, here's some things that worked for me.

Soup, just broth - but cook an egg into it, makes yummy egg drop soup; I also ordered soups from my favorite Thai place, wonton, hot 'n sour, asked them to just give me broth. I tolerated tomato soup and pureed tofu into it, made it 'creamy' without the lactose. Try veggie burgers or chicken patties, just buy one box, to make sure they agree with you, don't buy too much of anything right now. Scrambled egg with melted cheese; cottage or ricotta cheese. Protein shakes are the simplest, and, you can also add scoop of flavored protein to Greek yogurt or sugar free pudding. You might do ok with oatmeal, but get instant in the packets, it's not so dense, and better than cream of wheat. I added tofu or an egg to my oatmeal too for some extra protein, just made it nice and thick, not a big taste change. Hang in there, you should start to feel better, less nausea in a week or so. Going back to work might not be easy, because as there's more adjusting as you ease back into eating solid food; but you'll likely be past the really icky/queasy post-op feeling.

[Joanne]

I'm always on the road with my job. Here are some things I grab:

-Starbucks has premade box lunches. There's one with fruit and cheese, and one even better for us with salamis and cheeses. Each has about 20g protein. Ironically, they have a box labeled "Protein" lunch, which only has about 13g, so reach for the fruit and cheese one instead. Ditch the fruit if you are strictly counting carbs. (I'm in maintenance).

-Supermarkets. Most have hard boiled eggs, string cheese, etc. I also will go to the bulk section and buy a small quantity of mixed nuts. The olive bar for olives and cheese. The deli counter for 1/4 lb sliced cold cuts and roll them up with a pickle. I was just at a Fresh Market yesterday that made sandwiches from rotisserie meats. I had rotisserie pork tenderloin and melted brie - ditched the bun and ate the insides.

-Subway if I must, I just get cheese, mayo, and veggies on the flat bread. Immediately rip away half the bread and double the toppings on one side.

-Panera, will get a salad and half a tuna sandwich. Add cheese and ditch 1/2 the bread.

-Chipotle - 3 tacos with the works, eat the insides.

-Convenience stores - will get a pack of nuts or a protein bar, but make sure to read labels. Some are too many carbs, too little protein.

-Also carry some bars in case of hunger emergency in my purse.

-Starbucks breve latte will also fill me up if I'm hungry and there aren't good choices.

HTH

[Girlrocker]

Joanne, that list kicks booootay!