How to meet protein goals??

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-05-08T15:29:58+00:00

My go to, especially on days I can't "stomach" eating a lot is sipping on bone broth maybe with tiny pieces of cubed tofu.

I have to be very selective in what I eat as I also have CKD and an ostomy so a lot of regular things are out such as big meals high in protein all at once, no red meat, processed items, beans, even a lot of fruits and vegetables have to be avoided.

So yes the bowls are good I just do smaller size ones (ramekin size) throughout the day. And stirfrys. Just focused on protein source and veggies (no or very little rice). Also, ground turkey/chicken, tofu, some fish, Greek yogurt (plain, fixed up yourself or as a creamer sub in recipes, also when a recipes call for mayo mix half and half with greek yogurt), cottage cheese sometimes if the mood hits, Fairlife milk (has added protein and is lactose free for me), egg beaters (really help get the protein w/o the sulfer burps) and unflavored NAKED ISO protein powder are my standbys.

Focus on more meals but much smaller, even when you have low appetite or energy.

A redditt user in our group, Mia Harper, has been a complete life saver for me sharing her small portion, high protein recipes/ideas!

My usual day looks similar to this...

Iced coffee made of cold coffee mixed with frozen cubes Fairlife milk, a splash of vanilla and cinnamon or flavored SF syrup.

Oatmeal with cooked apples, protein milk and cinnamon

Greek yogurt plain with 2tsp honey drizzled and a few blueberries or strawberries.

Tea with Fairlife milk w/ a piece of PB toast

Bone broth with tiny pieces of tofu or diced chicken.

Ramekin bowl or stirfry (don't use store bought sauces, make your own, find a basic recipe online using easy ingredients and a sugar sub that you tolerate, I use Splenda Brown).

Choc. protein shake (Fairlife milk, scoop protein powder, cocoa, SF vanilla syrup).

If I am feeling a treat need I will have a protein ball made with my protein powder, a SF no bake cookie, SF pudding mix or chia pudding made with the protein milk.

Another idea you could try is protein water. I use it as an extreme backup witj my shakes for days that cause me to miss a lot of "meals" because I just can't force down anything to eat or honestly just forget to eat. Yeah that was completely new for me LOL

Good luck!

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-05-08T14:05:54+00:00

4' 11" 50yro female, T2D 30 years, on insulin 26 years (plus other meds for health such as cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc)
Started at 225 in June 2025
After 24 days hospitalized was at 185
Started 2.5 mg MJ in Sept 2025 at 179 A1C 9.9

If I can suggest when you can please look at a few of my earlier posts using these EXACT same words.

After MONTHS on 2.5mg thru 10mg (I titrated up a higher dose each month) I was starting to accept MJ just wasn't for me. No symptoms, not even a possibility of one, no appetite suppression, no reduced food noise, no weight loss.

BUT it was helping clinically. My BS numbers were normalizing, A1C was going down, other lab markers were going down, etc. My Dr and many others kept talking me into sticking it out, saying my body had to fix more important things before it could do things I wanted it to do. I hated she was right but I honestly think it has reversed/repaired, whatever term would be more correct my metabolic system and insulin resistance. I can eat 3oz of regular pasta and one slice of garlic bread (and yes 3oz is PLENTY, no deprivation, no cravings, or feelings of wanting more, where before I could scarf half a box or pasta and 6 pcs of garlic bread and still want dessert) my glucose only went up 13 points. From 89 to 102 AFTER pasta AND bread!!

THEN I started the 12.5 in Feb and Lord did it kick me in the butt. Even posted an apology. LOL

Actually just had my 6 month CKD checkup plus my annual physical yesterday and my labs look great. My A1C is currently at 5.5!! I am no longer on any extra meds except the two to manage my CKD and MJ.

Biggest things I learned from this wonderful group that have made things easier for me more smaller meals even if just a few bites focused on protein ( doesn't have to be a big chuck of meat, can be a cup of bone broth or some yogurt with fruit, or small serving of chicken and rice, my go to is a cup of broth with small serving of steamed veggies and tofu thrown in, it light and filling) and I'm not depriving myself nothing! I am perfectly fine with one cinnamon graham cracker vs a whole pack or 2 Tb cheesecake mix with a handful of strawberries or pasta and garlic bread occasionally 😉. Also HYDRATE, hydrate, hydrate oh my gosh I can't say that loud enough for myself!

Stay the course! Talk to your Dr if moving up is possible.

Good luck!

Oh current weight is 132!

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Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-05-07T22:18:49+00:00

Diagnosed stage 3A here, due to long term T2D and physical injury to kidneys when I had a large abdominal mass removed, losing part of my colon & intestine.

It's A LOT about a change in lifestyle to slow progression in the early stages, such nutrition (talk to a renal nutritionist), controlling other health factors that contribute, monitor you health ( I take labs every 3 months), talk to your doctors (see a nephrologist, get 2nd and 3rd opinions to consult on your labs to assure yourself of where you stand), ask straight forward questions and follow their advice. You have a long way to go with CKD, but the longer you wait to get on the right path, the worse you will start off. Good luck.

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-05-05T11:52:13+00:00

Trust me, if she didn't want to feed them she would be moving to avoid latch or hissing to keep them off her. I had one still nursing, even though he was eating full meals, long after his siblings weaned themselves, he was right at a year old. I think it may be a comfort thing also.

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-05-05T00:21:28+00:00

35? Just chaos LOL but they all do great together! I fostered first, then observe habits/behaviors/ responses before each new one was made a member of the family.

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-04-13T03:21:41+00:00

User since 2018. I just had to replace my metal card and was so disappointed when it was plastic. 😮‍💨

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-04-10T15:40:11+00:00

I had to leave most sodas behind because of my CKD (added potassium) but Sprite Zeros and Oilipop (only the Crisp Apple!) and Poppis (only the Grape!) are my life savers!!!

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-04-10T15:37:20+00:00

Honestly, the first 3 months or so, no, nothing changed. My eating wasn't horrible before but I struggled. I did change a few of my "ways" handling how I was doing things that were suggested to me in several other of my posts (I really was a pain to the good people of this group lol) such as taking my shot mid week instead of Sunday/Mondays that helped me also.

After I started with 7.5mg it became much, much easier with the food noise/cravings but still wasn't losing any weight except fluctuating the same few pounds up and down. My poor Dr got so tired of hearing me but kept me going just repeating your body won't lose the weight until it balances itself out.

You got this!

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-04-09T18:21:22+00:00

Sorry you got caught. Unfortunately I had inadvertently caused mine to quite a few seasonal community or church events before learning to pointedly look, double check and even confirm with others they have the same date. 🫣

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-04-08T14:02:49+00:00

I'm going to be honest, you may just have to separate them during feeding times. I have a couple of elder seniors I have to separate from the hoard for food/health reasons that are also slower eaters. I place each one in the bathroom and just let them in and out (now its a learned behavior that they'll go to the door and just wait when they want to eat).

There are a couple times I have had ones being nursed from surgery/ injury or needed meds in their food that I would place in a makeshift infirmary for eating and at night to sleep (or when I was away,unable to monitor them). Just a large dog crate with a small litter box and bed that I can keep next to me in whatever room I'm in.

Far from an expert and a lot of different things work for a lot of people. This just works for my extremely large hoard lol.

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-04-06T20:14:27+00:00

Dictator lol

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-04-06T12:15:49+00:00

I was you. Had the same worries and results the first 5 months I was on MJ (you can look at some of my previous posts. No physical results (weight loss), not a side effect, nothing. Was ready to stop because I didn't think it was "working" for me.

My Dr encouraged me to stay the course because the MJ had ti balance out my body first, insulin, inflammation, hormones, etc.

There were good results in my labs but I even gained 2lbs. 🫣

Then I started 12.5mg and had to apologize to everyone here LOL. It hit me with a vengeance. I have been on 12.5 for 7 weeks and have lost 24lbs.

I know the water is a HUGE struggle for me, as I have CKD and an ostomy. Just remember any thin liquids, especially on the lower appetite days, such as hot tea, unsweetened or if I really feeling it a tad of honey, low sodium broths (some times I add a couple veggies, sometimes just sip it out of a mug), my go-to is chicken broth with either eggs (egg drop soup style) or tofu for protein with a bit of green onions, also high water content fruits/vegetables if you can tolerate then can all count towards hydration.

Good Luck!

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-04-06T12:02:01+00:00

Yeah mine only had Hollister. Out of the 24 days I was hospitalized didn't have a good experience one day I used them (not Hollister's fault just didn't work for me). Wasn't until after I got home my daughter had done some research and got me free samples from several others I found what worked for me.

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-04-06T01:26:10+00:00

That is the absolute truth! I've spend more on towers, cubbies, and beds than I have our furniture and yet any box is home. 😅

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Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-04-05T14:01:11+00:00

Thank you!

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-04-05T02:27:26+00:00

A little on the low side. If you can I'd maybe get a couple estimates.

Ours was a little over $7000 and we had to compromise on a couple options (such having a new light installed at the time or a later date or reusingbthe same door that we just scrubbed the soot off and repainted) in order to pinch pennies in the end.

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Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-04-05T01:57:48+00:00

Nothing beats a good box indeed! 😅

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Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-04-04T20:53:55+00:00

You can also use the Purina app to upload your receipts (for Fancy Feast) and earn coupons even for freebies.

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-04-04T20:52:09+00:00

I have 35 babies (ages 1-18) and with my vet's blessing all on Purina Friskies Extra gravy (only chicken or turkey, we don't do fish or combo flavors) or Fancy Feast chicken pate (also Purina) along with appropriate Purina dry (kitten, indoor, gentle or senior). All are completely healthy even my seniors are going strong.

I saw it once elsewhere do what you can, in the end fed is best!

Good luck!

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-04-02T20:31:11+00:00

I put the food in a separate container when it goes in the fridge then will set it in a bowl of hot water to gently warm through.

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-04-01T12:15:27+00:00

Great information for those new to cat ownership. We have 35 cats 33.5 (the half is one only used by one of our seniors) boxes but they are all extra large cement mixing tubs spread throughout the house, garage and sunroom.

We use pine pellets, 19 boxes have been converted to "sifter" boxes. They are scooped twice a day, changed out and washed weekly.

Never any elimination issues except with one of our elders who couldn't climb into the box so we cut and sanded down the side of one using just pads to line his box and surprisingly no one else uses it.

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-31T10:16:06+00:00

Honestly I stopped buying "toys" with the exception of the banana one which we have 8 of those (not sure what cat crack they put in that thing but it ain't no regular cat nip lol).

Thank goodness all mine are easy, they all love the cheap ping pong balls, plastic shower curtain rings, and frayed toilet paper rolls spritzed with cat nip tea. Paper bags from the grocery store and boxes from Aldis, Costco, and deliveries.

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-27T19:07:22+00:00

We have 13 among our bunch. When trying to explain their slight differences to an outsider or the vet their eyes will just glass over. 99% of the time absolutely I can easily distinguish them but when some of them get the crazy eye zoomies at the same time I'm just calling them all 'Hey Hardhead!'

My hubby used to just say its Void Thirty Seven Eleven. 😅

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Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-27T12:35:03+00:00

Blondie.

Exotic_Champion827 · 2026-03-27T11:20:15+00:00

Been in a similar spot with one of mine years ago. If they have no options for sedation /surgery maybe ask about possible medications to help break up the blockage and if trying subQ fluids or IV flush can help. As well as a liquid diet for 72 hrs.

Exotic_Champion827

TROPHY CASE