fbpx ;

Liquid Diet, Take Two

My shopping trips are getting pretty predictable. Not pictured: A metric ton of frozen fruits, a huge bag of kale, and pouches of protein and chia seeds.

My shopping trips are getting pretty predictable. Not pictured: A metric ton of frozen fruits, a huge bag of kale, and pouches of protein and chia seeds.

It’s back to smoothies and soups for me.

My TMJ has flared up again in a big way, and so, for the past few days, I’ve been on a liquid diet. Again.

I’m hopeful that this flare won’t last as long as the last one. After all, I’m doing the liquid diet thing solely to get my jaw back to a place where I can chew or talk or smile without pain, not because I’m looking to lose a quick five pounds. I’d really like to be back to the occasional bagel within a week or so. I’d really, really like that.

This time around, I’m in a much more intense training cycle than the last time I dealt with TMJ, and it’s proving to be a challenge. It’s not that I can’t get enough sustenance through my smoothies; in fact, I think I’m probably better nourished in general because, when everything I eat is going into a blender, I’m really conscious of what I’m eating. In fact, I suspect this is going to help me with my goal of getting a better handle on my nutritional needs.

The issue is that, well, I’m hungry. A lot. And while smoothies aren’t exactly rocket science to make, whipping one up does take considerably more time than grabbing, like, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich when I stagger in the door after a 2.5-hour bike ride, you know? Or at least more planning. Which means, I guess, that maybe I need to do more planning on hard workout days and have something pre-made and waiting for me in the fridge. Gah. Meal planning is really not my forte.

Do you have suggestions for liquid (or at least really, really soft) meals that are quick and easy to make and are seriously satisfying (and nutritious, and vegetarian)? Lay ’em on me. Please. —Kristen

 

FTC disclosure: We often receive products from companies to review. All thoughts and opinions are always entirely our own. Unless otherwise stated, we have received no compensation for our review and the content is purely editorial. Affiliate links may be included. If you purchase something through one of those links we may receive a small commission. Thanks for your support!