Eating Yogurt

Fayard
Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member
I am having the hardest time gaining weight, because I cannot eat the minimum about of calories or proteins.
I saw my nutritionist today, and she told me I needed to eat more protein.

I do not eat any red or white meat, dairy or processed sugar.
So, that includes yogurt.
Does anyone of you eat organic Greek yogurt?

My decision not to eat dairy is based on the hormone in the animals, so I wonder about organic. I am thinking of yogurt, because in some cases a serving could be up to 15 g of protein. This could be good for me.

Any info on organic dairy would be appreciated.

Comments

  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    I eat Greek yogurt daily, on advice from my nutritionist.
    Hi, Fayard. Are your current dietary restrictions based on religious tenant or some deeply held philosophic viewpoint that doesn't allow for any flexibility in diet restrictions? Or have you set the restrictions more to improve your health? Because if it is the latter, as your cancer journey continues, what you need for your health changes too.

    Were you tested as ER+ (estrogen receptor positive)? Most of the rarer and more aggressive cancers tend to NOT be hormone receptive, although you really need a simple assay to know for sure how that is for you personally. If your particular cancer is ER-, the benefits of adding some dairy or meat to your body, at this juncture, may outweigh the risks. From my 1st appointment with a cancer nutritionist in 2008, I was told to eat at least a tablespoon of active yogurt every single day to help restore the good bacteria that chemo could be killing off.

    The 'anti-cancer' diet we've talked about so much here is not a one-size-fits-all best diet for every woman with cancer to stay on throughout her cancer journey, as each of us runs into periods like this where some related health problem (like the weight loss you are trying to address) threatens to weaken your overall system and you need a temporary adjustment in the way you've been eating. I know that after I had pelvic radiation and my bowels just wouldn't settle down, it was very hard for me to make myself follow the recommendations my nutritionist had for me until we could get that under control. Her 'low residue' diet for me consisted of things like WHITE rice, WHITE bread, foods I hadn't eaten in YEARS as I have always been a high-fiber girl. But going on the low-residue diet allowed me to heal inside, and then gradually move back to the type of fresh veggies and whole grains I prefer.

    Now that my cancer has metasticized to my liver, I have to be VERY flexible with my diet, adjusting it based on my Comprehensive Panel after each blood lab to counter any nutritional deficiencies but more importantly not overtax my liver with an excess of anything my poor liver will have trouble metabolizing. I was told by my Interventional Rediologist "Eat, or your cancer will eat you." I guess I'm trying to say, what's best for your body changes, and unless you are bound by religious beliefs or food allergies, you may be well-served to adjust as the changes occur.

    Another thought for you: have you tried Whey Powder? Ask your nutritionist first, but that's an easy way to up your protein. If you need to gain weight, what about carbohydrates? Nothing puts on pounds like pasta and potatoes and homemade bread. I lost 14 pounds this summer from the radioembolism treatments I did, and it wasn't until I added in a big carbohydrate component to my diet that I was able to gain it back. (9 pounds re-gained so far!) It feels strange to eat like I have been, and as soon as I gain that last 5 pounds back I will return to my old 'fresh veggies/high fiber/low calorie' eating habits. But right now I know what is healthier for me in the long term is to get back up to a healthy weight. And that also may be true for you, just temporarily. ((((Fayard))))
  • norma2
    norma2 Member Posts: 479
    Your picture looks
    Your picture looks wonderful!!! I lost a lot of weight (which I have since gained back) during the chemo and radiation. Although I am the world's worst at giving nutritional advice, I just wanted to add that eggs are a good source of protein. I buy the kind that are supposedly organic. My husband thinks it is ridiculous to pay twice as much for eggs. I do it anyway. Makes me feel like I am doing something positive. Bet the marketing people are laughing all the way to the bank.
  • Fayard
    Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member

    I eat Greek yogurt daily, on advice from my nutritionist.
    Hi, Fayard. Are your current dietary restrictions based on religious tenant or some deeply held philosophic viewpoint that doesn't allow for any flexibility in diet restrictions? Or have you set the restrictions more to improve your health? Because if it is the latter, as your cancer journey continues, what you need for your health changes too.

    Were you tested as ER+ (estrogen receptor positive)? Most of the rarer and more aggressive cancers tend to NOT be hormone receptive, although you really need a simple assay to know for sure how that is for you personally. If your particular cancer is ER-, the benefits of adding some dairy or meat to your body, at this juncture, may outweigh the risks. From my 1st appointment with a cancer nutritionist in 2008, I was told to eat at least a tablespoon of active yogurt every single day to help restore the good bacteria that chemo could be killing off.

    The 'anti-cancer' diet we've talked about so much here is not a one-size-fits-all best diet for every woman with cancer to stay on throughout her cancer journey, as each of us runs into periods like this where some related health problem (like the weight loss you are trying to address) threatens to weaken your overall system and you need a temporary adjustment in the way you've been eating. I know that after I had pelvic radiation and my bowels just wouldn't settle down, it was very hard for me to make myself follow the recommendations my nutritionist had for me until we could get that under control. Her 'low residue' diet for me consisted of things like WHITE rice, WHITE bread, foods I hadn't eaten in YEARS as I have always been a high-fiber girl. But going on the low-residue diet allowed me to heal inside, and then gradually move back to the type of fresh veggies and whole grains I prefer.

    Now that my cancer has metasticized to my liver, I have to be VERY flexible with my diet, adjusting it based on my Comprehensive Panel after each blood lab to counter any nutritional deficiencies but more importantly not overtax my liver with an excess of anything my poor liver will have trouble metabolizing. I was told by my Interventional Rediologist "Eat, or your cancer will eat you." I guess I'm trying to say, what's best for your body changes, and unless you are bound by religious beliefs or food allergies, you may be well-served to adjust as the changes occur.

    Another thought for you: have you tried Whey Powder? Ask your nutritionist first, but that's an easy way to up your protein. If you need to gain weight, what about carbohydrates? Nothing puts on pounds like pasta and potatoes and homemade bread. I lost 14 pounds this summer from the radioembolism treatments I did, and it wasn't until I added in a big carbohydrate component to my diet that I was able to gain it back. (9 pounds re-gained so far!) It feels strange to eat like I have been, and as soon as I gain that last 5 pounds back I will return to my old 'fresh veggies/high fiber/low calorie' eating habits. But right now I know what is healthier for me in the long term is to get back up to a healthy weight. And that also may be true for you, just temporarily. ((((Fayard))))

    Linda
    Hola Linda,

    Thank you for your input. My diet is based only on my choice to eat better.
    I guess I can eat yogurt for the time being. I think you have a good point.

    I hope my cancer journey ended with my last chemo treatment.
    My onco told me I was ER + but mildly, whatever that means. I thought ER was either positive or negative, but it does not seem to be the case.

    I was diagnosed with Stage 2, grade 3, clear cell adenocarcinoma. According to my onco/gyno, he removed the cancer with the surgery. No lymph nodes were infected.
    I lost weight because I changed my diet right after I finished chemo, about 10 weeks ago.

    Can you find organic whey? I do not mind the whey, except the fact that comes from lactose and I am concerned about hormones.

    Gracias!
  • Fayard
    Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member
    norma2 said:

    Your picture looks
    Your picture looks wonderful!!! I lost a lot of weight (which I have since gained back) during the chemo and radiation. Although I am the world's worst at giving nutritional advice, I just wanted to add that eggs are a good source of protein. I buy the kind that are supposedly organic. My husband thinks it is ridiculous to pay twice as much for eggs. I do it anyway. Makes me feel like I am doing something positive. Bet the marketing people are laughing all the way to the bank.

    Norma
    You are so sweet!
    I do buy organic eggs also, and my husband thinks like yours. Too bad!

    I am trying to eat eggs 3 times per week now. I hope it helps.

    Gracias!
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    Fayard said:

    Norma
    You are so sweet!
    I do buy organic eggs also, and my husband thinks like yours. Too bad!

    I am trying to eat eggs 3 times per week now. I hope it helps.

    Gracias!

    Whey Protein
    Good friend of mine is nurse in oncology at UCLA. She has been my guide since the start of this crazy journey with cancer. One thing she suggested right away even during treatments WHEY PROTEIN to build ourselves up, as chemo drags us down.

    Today 2 yrs post treatments NED am still on my protein. Just recently I changed to one which is organic and all natural ingredients. Must be careful as many products on the market (prior whey was from Sam's Clubs) have sugar (this one doesn't) and soy isolates...neither we want. This product is wonderful and just have to get used to being more expensive, but I'm well worth the cost...hee hee!

    Listed below is what I purchase and I mix it with organic soy milk and add in flax seed powder with lots of omega 3's and organic chia seeds...twice per day.

    http://www.vitasprings.com/whey-to-health-powder-10oz-source-naturals.html

    I get 20 gram protein with just one serving of this drink and take it twice per day. If in need of additional protein, etc, add another drink for the day. Nutritionist suggested per my weight I should get 50 grams of protein per day....I'm right there most every day.

    Checkout listing of protein in certain foods. You'll see most of them are highest with meat, chicken and dairy. I try to avoid all 3 of these due to hormones ingested in the animals. Add in some beans, salmon, almonds, etc. with higher levels of protein

    http://heartspring.net/list_of_high_protein_foods.html

    Truly a challenge isn't it. Let me know what you think...

    Best to you
    Jan
  • Fayard
    Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member
    jazzy1 said:

    Whey Protein
    Good friend of mine is nurse in oncology at UCLA. She has been my guide since the start of this crazy journey with cancer. One thing she suggested right away even during treatments WHEY PROTEIN to build ourselves up, as chemo drags us down.

    Today 2 yrs post treatments NED am still on my protein. Just recently I changed to one which is organic and all natural ingredients. Must be careful as many products on the market (prior whey was from Sam's Clubs) have sugar (this one doesn't) and soy isolates...neither we want. This product is wonderful and just have to get used to being more expensive, but I'm well worth the cost...hee hee!

    Listed below is what I purchase and I mix it with organic soy milk and add in flax seed powder with lots of omega 3's and organic chia seeds...twice per day.

    http://www.vitasprings.com/whey-to-health-powder-10oz-source-naturals.html

    I get 20 gram protein with just one serving of this drink and take it twice per day. If in need of additional protein, etc, add another drink for the day. Nutritionist suggested per my weight I should get 50 grams of protein per day....I'm right there most every day.

    Checkout listing of protein in certain foods. You'll see most of them are highest with meat, chicken and dairy. I try to avoid all 3 of these due to hormones ingested in the animals. Add in some beans, salmon, almonds, etc. with higher levels of protein

    http://heartspring.net/list_of_high_protein_foods.html

    Truly a challenge isn't it. Let me know what you think...

    Best to you
    Jan

    Jan
    Thank you for your input.
    Can you please email the exact ingredients of the organic whey?
    Under the product's facts, sugar is listed s 1 g per serving
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    Fayard said:

    Jan
    Thank you for your input.
    Can you please email the exact ingredients of the organic whey?
    Under the product's facts, sugar is listed s 1 g per serving

    Fayard
    You know I went to view my label on the product and doesn't have specifics on ingredients...find that strange. Now I'll look further and see what I can find. My very good nutritionist who's a breast cancer survivor is one who suggested this product.

    In my mind the 1 gram of sugar wouldn't upset me, but then again everyone is different. Glad you're on the ball.

    Hugs,
    Jan
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    jazzy1 said:

    Fayard
    You know I went to view my label on the product and doesn't have specifics on ingredients...find that strange. Now I'll look further and see what I can find. My very good nutritionist who's a breast cancer survivor is one who suggested this product.

    In my mind the 1 gram of sugar wouldn't upset me, but then again everyone is different. Glad you're on the ball.

    Hugs,
    Jan

    Fayard
    I just looked at the container. It says 1 gram under "carbohydrate sugars." This is not about an added sugar, it's about the natural sugar of the whey.

    For ingredients, I called the company (800-815-2333) today and left message. Hopefully they can give us the information. If and when I receive the information, happy to post here.

    How are you doing with your protein intake...any changes?

    Hugs,
    Jan
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    jazzy1 said:

    Fayard
    I just looked at the container. It says 1 gram under "carbohydrate sugars." This is not about an added sugar, it's about the natural sugar of the whey.

    For ingredients, I called the company (800-815-2333) today and left message. Hopefully they can give us the information. If and when I receive the information, happy to post here.

    How are you doing with your protein intake...any changes?

    Hugs,
    Jan

    Fayard
    Just received call from the company and told me....

    Only ingredient in this WHEY TO HEALTH PROTEIN is "ORGANIC WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE". If you read the can it explains a special process in manufacturing called "ultra filtration". Think I sent you a link with the label...check it out!!

    Ask more questions....happy to help~
    Jan
  • Fayard
    Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member
    jazzy1 said:

    Fayard
    Just received call from the company and told me....

    Only ingredient in this WHEY TO HEALTH PROTEIN is "ORGANIC WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE". If you read the can it explains a special process in manufacturing called "ultra filtration". Think I sent you a link with the label...check it out!!

    Ask more questions....happy to help~
    Jan

    Jan
    Thank you so much for your input.
    I went to Sprouts and bought something called VEGA, COMPLETE WHOLE FOOD OPTIMIZER.
    It is vegan, and it looks like vegetables and fruits powder.
    It has 1 g of sugar per serving, 2 scoops per serving, and 26 g of protein.

    I think I am on the right track now.

    Gracias!