not getting enough calories because my jaw is broken

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CarrieAnnH14
CarrieAnnH14 Posts: 85 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I just need some assurance here. My jaw has been wired shut for the past two weeks due to a broken jaw. I will have the wires removed in 2 weeks - but still have limited jaw movement and an inability to open my mouth very far. This is because they will be putting rubberbands on for an additional 2 weeks. So I am looking at another 4 weeks of a purely liquid diet. And then I will be on a no chew diet for awhile. I am really trying to drink as many calories as I can - but it is so hard. Most days I end up with negative calories - because I am continuing to take my walks everyday. I can't just drink unlimited shakes and smoothies because I am diabetic so have to limit my carb intake. Many things I try to blend just don't get thin and smooth enough for me to drink them. If something is too thick it swells the inside of my cheeks up. Although I did just make a crab soup with veggies and it worked great! But it is only 75 calories per cup. I had 1 1/2 cups of it for lunch and am currently full. All soups are so low calorie - but it is what works best for me.

I am so worried about going into starvation mode. Please someone tell me it will all be ok. I have lost about 8 pounds in the last 2 weeks. Am so close to my goal weight and don't want to mess things up. Also good food suggestions would be awesome. Thanks!
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Replies

  • z_bra
    z_bra Posts: 79 Member
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    Starvation mode does not exist
  • sparklefrogz
    sparklefrogz Posts: 281 Member
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    What about creamy soups? With full fat dairy, or full fat coconut milk? (Extra points if you can get full fat cheese into the mix.)

    Also, good quality protein shakes may help? I don't use protein powder personally but I'm given to understand that as long as you watch the ingredients, you can find one that's not overly carby. Mix that up with the full fat dairy mentioned above and you should have a higher calorie drink. <-- n/m, had a peek at your diary and I see you've already caught on to this.

    Do you like marrow bones?
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
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    You aren't going to starve but have you tried protein shakes?
  • NoMoreBlameGame
    NoMoreBlameGame Posts: 236 Member
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    I'm sorry you're going through this (the broken jaw) that sounds painful.

    Unfortunately i'm not "advanced" enough to give you suggestions.

    BUT....I would love that crab and veggie soup recipe you said you made for 75 cal/cup? *requests it unashamedly*

    =)
  • mad14vic
    mad14vic Posts: 20 Member
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    Maybe try the Atkins Advantage shakes. They're about 160 calories and I believe they're alright for diabetics, plus they're delicious and pretty decent in protein.
  • mxmkenney
    mxmkenney Posts: 486 Member
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    Ha! I had a friend who GAINED weight while his jaw was wired shut! His mom made him Snicker's milkshakes, smoothies and cream based soups. You should have not problem finding food to eat (drink) that will provide enough calories. A milkshake alone could pack 500-1200 calories easy!!
  • itsbasschick
    itsbasschick Posts: 1,584 Member
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    pure protein shakes are very tasty, high in protein and i believe they have only 1 or 2 carbs.
  • CarrieAnnH14
    CarrieAnnH14 Posts: 85 Member
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    Yes - I drink protein shakes a few times a day. Honestly - they are starting to make me sick to my stomach because I am so tired of them. Some days I do manage to get about 300 calories net. And the other night I was able to blend KFC chicken, mashed potatoes gravy and baked beans. But it had to have a lot of water added to it. So you can imagine it tasted kind of gross.

    My diary is open if anyone wants to see what I have been blending up.
  • mxmkenney
    mxmkenney Posts: 486 Member
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    Sorry, I missed the diabetic part - look for sugar free ice cream (which still have fat) and add some protein powder. Maybe get some of those meal replacement drinks for diabetics (Glucerna?) and have 5-6 a day.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,372 Member
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    Diabetes makes it much harder... But my only advice is to stop exercising. You need to rest so your body can heal...
  • CarrieAnnH14
    CarrieAnnH14 Posts: 85 Member
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    Crab and veggie soup recipe.....warning it is full of highly processed ingredients - but canned stuff blends the best for me - so for now that is what I am doing.

    1 4.25 oz can chicken of the sea fancy crab meat
    1 can of peas and carrots
    1 can of Campbells mushroom with roasted garlic soup
    2 1/2 cups water

    Just put it all in the blender and puree until smooth. I have to strain mine though.

    Makes 6 1 cup servings
  • keeponkickin
    keeponkickin Posts: 1,520 Member
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    My son had his jaw wired shut for nearly two months. He didn't lose. Get a top grade blender and make some amazing smoothies, shakes, etc. We put everything into a blender. It was crazy. He got so hungry at one point that he put a meatball sub into a blender, extra sauce and there it was. LOL. It looked gross but he said it was good. His doc gave us a recipe book for meals in a blender.

    http://www.oralfacialsurgeons.com/surgical-instructions/jaw-surgery.asp
  • CarrieAnnH14
    CarrieAnnH14 Posts: 85 Member
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    I do make shakes with sugar free ice cream.
  • NoMoreBlameGame
    NoMoreBlameGame Posts: 236 Member
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    Crab and veggie soup recipe.....warning it is full of highly processed ingredients - but canned stuff blends the best for me - so for now that is what I am doing.

    1 4.25 oz can chicken of the sea fancy crab meat
    1 can of peas and carrots
    1 can of Campbells mushroom with roasted garlic soup
    2 1/2 cups water

    Just put it all in the blender and puree until smooth. I have to strain mine though.

    Makes 6 1 cup servings

    Okay...umm...that looks AMAZING. Thank you so much!! I had no idea crab came in cans (I've never had crab in my life...but I love soups, so I am totally gonna try this)


    I hope you get useful tips from everyone else...looks like it so far. I just don't know enough yet to add to it.
  • MrGonzo05
    MrGonzo05 Posts: 1,120 Member
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    Consider whey protein shakes, and nutritional shakes intended for diabetics. Perhaps some whole milk also, for the calories and dietary fat.
  • Sharon_C
    Sharon_C Posts: 2,132 Member
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    Oh, that's got to be awful. First of all I wouldn't worry about starvation mode. You need to set that aside and heal first then you can jump back on the wagon. But I agree with what someone else said. Whatever you can do that is high fat--full fat cheese, cream, etc.

    Good luck and I wish you speedy recovery! :flowerforyou:
  • litsy3
    litsy3 Posts: 783 Member
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    Some higher calorie soups I can think of would be: cauliflower & almond (more fat from the nuts) or broccoli & blue cheese. And make sure you make them with rich meat stock rather than veggie stock or water. And sweat the veggies in butter.
  • FitFroglet
    FitFroglet Posts: 219 Member
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    Crab and veggie soup recipe.....warning it is full of highly processed ingredients - but canned stuff blends the best for me - so for now that is what I am doing.

    1 4.25 oz can chicken of the sea fancy crab meat
    1 can of peas and carrots
    1 can of Campbells mushroom with roasted garlic soup
    2 1/2 cups water

    Just put it all in the blender and puree until smooth. I have to strain mine though.

    Makes 6 1 cup servings

    Sorry about the broken jaw - hope everything is healing quickly.
    In the above recipe I'd swap the water for full-fat milk, cream or coconut milk for some extra calories with no extra effort.

    Unless there's a medical reason for avoiding sugar I'd go for full fat, full sugar ice cream in your milkshakes too.

    I found this pdf which seems to be the sort of thing you're looking for:
    https://uvahealth.com/services/cancer-center/images-and-docs/liquid-diets.pdf

    Good luck!

    ETA: Also, unless you have alergies, nut butter in the milkshakes would add to the calorie count (and help you get more protein)
  • EllieB_5
    EllieB_5 Posts: 247 Member
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    Cream. In everything you can think of. Make sugar-free chai teas or shakes flavoured with real fruits or lattes or frappes or soups or whatever your heart desires. Full fat, as in whipping cream at least, to boost your calorie intake.
  • 3laine75
    3laine75 Posts: 3,070 Member
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    You aren't going to starve but have you tried protein shakes?

    This. I'd even try mixing a meal replacement shake and a scoop of protein to get more cals.

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