Ale_z

So I went to get an orthodontic appliance yesterday (it's called Herbst, here's a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3jBKjQiX8I) and I found that I can't really eat, for a variety of reasons. First, my molars don't touch, so I'm not able to chew. Second, it's kind of difficult for me to open and close my mouth constantly. And third, and I believe it's the most critical part, it hurts like all ******** hell.

Now, the point of my post: do you have any advice on meal replacing shakes (protein shakes and the likes) so I don't lose weight? I'm on 133 lbs., and I'm 5'10", so I can't really afford to lose any. In fact, I'd appreciate some weight gaining shake recipes, if you guys have any.

Oh, by the way, I'm more of a swimmer/runner than cyclist, so my caloric needs are kind of high. I swim every day from Monday through Saturday, and I run 3-4 times a week, plus gym routine 3 times a week. I bike 2-3 times per week.

So, any advice?

Amoxicillin

ouch.. why not blend your food... how about a nice thick soup of potatoes, tomatoes, aubergines, zucchini, carrots, onions, ... ?! tastes way better than the factory-made powder stuff. you can still add some maltodextrine powder for the carbs.

tadawdy

Tasty and simple recipes can easily be concocted with frozen fruits, yogurt, orange juice, and some whey protein if you wish.

My favorite is something along the lines of peanut butter, banana, a little chocolate syrup, and milk and yogurt for fluid. In fact, I think I'll make one now that I mentioned it.

In your case, a little whey protein may not be such a bad idea, but the calories are easily bulked up with fat (e.g. peanut butter).

Ale_z

Hey, thanks for the replies. I've kind of taken a bit of the advice. I've been having soups, pastes, and all kinds of soft stuff, as well as protein shakes with yogurt and peanut butter and stuff. I hope it helps me with my weight issue, since I'm really borderline underweight (as I've been all of my life).

Please, keep the advice/recipes/whatever coming, anything is helpful!

ericm979

Between teenage orthodontia and adult crash damage resulting in another bout of orthodontia, I have had a lot of experience not being able to eat solid food.

It sucks. I ate a lot of soup. Home made is far better than canned. You can also get creative with soft food- pudding, sandwiches on bread with crust removed, rice, etc. Anything that you can bite into small enough chunks to safely swallow will work. In the summer you can make smoothies but they are not very filling.

I'm 6' and 142 lbs right now. I often go to 140 or below for 'A' races. You don't sound underweight to me, you sound normal.

tadawdy

It seems normal to cyclists, but it's really pretty small in terms of the distribution. Depends how you look at it. I'm about 6'1" and wouldn't want to be much below 160 again. I can definitely feel my functional strength slipping when I get below 165. Since I constantly move heavy things at work, that makes my life harder and hurts my joints. I also lose power on the bike.

late

Got a blender?

Throw in a cup of lowfat milk, some fruit (banana and something else), a couple tbsp of peanut butter or sunflower butter
and a scoop of protein powder.


There are tons of smoothie recipes, just google 'em.

Ale_z

Yeah, I'm pretty light... to put it blandly. So, about the smoothies/protein shakes and stuff, how many times a day would I have to drink them? Like, one for breakfast, one for while at school, one for dinner or something? Or should I just calculate the calories depending on the ingredients? I'm still going to eat some for lunch, and at around 11:30 at school.

ericm979

If you are hungry, eat. If you are not, don't.

CbadRider

If you need to increase your calorie intake, drink a shake/smoothie with your lunch. It's pretty easy to increase the calories in those: use whole milk, full-fat yogurt or ice cream instead of low or non-fat stuff.

fordmanvt

Use 10% milk fat greek style yogurt, add fresh/frozen fruit. That stuff will thicken you right up.

Lawrence08648

I like hummus. Look up the recipe for it. Essentially you soak chickpeas overnight and then process it in a food processor with garlic, onions, tahini, spices, olive oil.

Consider a pressure cooker. It softens the food a lot.