Low- Carb, High Protein Soft Diet Suggestions?

[HAlys]

Hi Fitbitters,

Hope you can help!

In 3 weeks time, I am going to have orthognathic jaw surgery where both of my jaws will be broken, and secured in place with a plastic splint for a several week period while initial healing takes place.

During this time, I will be able to get nutrition through a feeding syringe/ tube combo through a straw sized gap in my teeth.

Usually meal replacement shakes like Ensure are recommended, but as I will need to basically have 5 small meals a day, I can see this getting old, super quick.

Has anyone had this surgery before, or know anyone who did, and/ or can recommend something protein packed but not loaded up with carbs so I don't undo my weight loss over the 6 weeks needed off work?

Thanks!

Edit: Additionally, any suggestions for when I can "gum" things like super-cooked pasta or potatoes, but again not all carbs much appreciated

[ThérèseMonet]

A great way to get in healthy protein is through plant based shaked like Garden of Life products which are nongmo and quite tasty (https://www.gardenoflife.com/content/product/why-choose-raw-protein/ ). I would also recommend drink Avocado soup to rev up on micronutrients, especially potassium. Also considering drink a lot of high quality Bone Broths, Turmeric Teas and even Chai

Hope this is helpful and best of luck. 

Therese

[Baltoscott]

Hi @HAlys  -- Buy a good blender to make your own smoothies. 

As part of my breakfast, I usually add unflavored grass fed protein powder to whole milk plain yogurt with frozen berries or other fruit and maybe some walnuts and or flax.  It would be real easy to get that through a straw if I added a bit more yogurt than normal or other liquid and threw the whole thing in my Vitamix   And if that was the only way I could eat, I'd be throwing in spinach, kale, apples, maybe some coco, or coffee for different flavors ....  

[MechEMom]

Look for baby food recipes online! Also look up things like "recipes for dysphagia" which will direct you towards recipes for people with swallowing difficulties (generally soft, not too liquid foods).

My kids' favorites when they were tiny:

Mashed sweet potatoes

Mashed black beans (could add some hot sauce or other flavorings)

Avocado

Plain greek yogurt flavored with a little jam

Very soft-cooked broccoli, carrots, etc. (easy to mash on the roof of a mouth)

Cream of <whatever> soups (use homemade cashew milk in place of heavy cream - see below): could be mushroom, chicken, corn, wild rice, etc. Leave a little bit of the main parts whole, blend the rest, then remix so you have some textural interest but don't have to chew/mash much.

Blended soups - tomato, tortilla, pea soup, etc.

If you mix some of these options into the rotation of things like Premier Protein shakes (which I personally think taste a LOT better than Ensure Max!), you should get your protein, fiber, and other macronutrients without getting too bored or breaking the calorie bank.

Homemade cashew milk: Soak 1/2 c. cashews in water over night, then drain and rinse. Place soaked cashews in a 2-cup liquid measuring cup and top with water. Blend until smooth. Use like heavy cream in cream soups, adding extra water as necessary, as the milk will thicken when cooked.

[DMFan]

If i were in your shoes, I'd look into Keto Chow. It's a nutritionally complete meal replacement powder (not just protein) that you can mix according to your caloric needs. I've tried all of the flavors at this point and there are only a couple that I wouldn't be happy to drink on a regular basis. 

Edit: It is a bit pricey, but there's at least 1 flavor on sale at any time and just do some googling for coupon codes.