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I had gastric bypass 6 years ago and have recently become vegan and have never felt better but I have noticed signs that I am not getting enough protein. After the surgery my doctor insisted that I eat high protein foods so I wouldn't have to rely on shakes and other supplements and I would like to continue in this way. So any help I can get on high or extremely high protein recipes would be an amazing help.
I'm still learning so any little bit will be usefull!! Thanks :0)
Start using grains like quinoa which is packed with protein. You can get more protein in a meal with beans and quinoa than from a steak! Amp up on those foods and you'll get plenty of protein!
Hi Jennifer! Some other high protein foods aside from what Dani mentioned include seeds and nuts, peas, and amaranth grain (quinoa's tinier cousin). From what I've read and experienced, there is protein in almost everything so it tends to be hard to not get enough if one is eating a variety of foods. What signs you are experiencing that make you think you need more protein?
Some of the ones I had after the surgery. Hair loss, a gerneral draggy feeling etc. I don't absorb regular vitamins and nutrients like the normal person because gastric is a malabsorbtion surgery and I need to take in extra everything even now.
I had forgotten quinoa and haven't tried amaranth. Any opinions on TVP?
I use tvp a lot...you can use it to make your own meat subs and everything, that way you don't have to buy the packaged processed stuff. You can also use it to thicken soups, gravies, etc.
Gardien is a good source and its yummy in your frozen foods section and sometimes in the tofu section. Love the stuff!!!!
Thank you all! I appreciate the help.
@ Dani A: Can I bother you for your TVP tips? I haven't cooked with it before and bought some for a hot cereal recipe. How do you thicken soups with it?
any kind of bean or lentil is great, also whole grains have protein such as quinoa and barley, etc. Also don't forget about dark leafy greens like spinach and collards, etc. ANd also tofu! I'm not a fan of tofu but i love soy beans, i eat those as a snack. They have a ton of protein and other great vitamins and minerals. Just make sure to eat lots of small meals all day. For instance, have oatmeal and soymilk (or almond milk) for breakfast. then have a snack like the black eyed pea croquetes. then have a spinach salad with beets and add more beans. Make a barley/quinoa/bulgar wheat salad with citrus and veggies. after dinner have soy beans out of the shell. also, on occasion have tofu or tempeh or seitan as a substitute for meat.
I hope this helps! And I use canned beans and already cooked and flash frozen soy beans..I know its cheaper and probably better for you to buy them dry and cook them yourself...but I'm not about to spend a day soaking them and then hours cooking them! Just make sure you rinse them well and buy no salt added.
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