I have TMJ (kindof like arthritis in your jaw, but more painful) I've had it for over 10 years, but in the last month it has gotten unbearable. I went to the dentist yesterday for a consult (surgery vs. braces, ugh that's a whole other post)
So he tell's me in the meantime to "STOP CHEWING!"
"Well then what am I supposed to do?" I ask.

Basically I'm on a mashed potato and pasta diet for the next 4 weeks! Which my old self would be thrilled with, but not really very weightloss friendly.

I'm ok with breakfast food (oatmeal, etc) and lunch (soup soup and more soup) Any ideas for supper other than throwing a whopper in the blender, I already thought of that.

Can you do some yogurts or soft cheeses? What about things like apple sauce or other fruit sauces? Scrambled eggs? (They're pretty soft.)

I'm sorry, I don't know your plan specifically or I'd try to suggest more!

Since it seems like the rest of your diet is high-carb, you could try something like Muscle Milk protein shakes. They have Lite now! Yay! That is really the only brand I will drink. It's awesome. Everything else just tastes like you put chalk and milk in the blender. That is just the first thing I thought of. If you drink it at night, it keeps your body from going into "fasting mode"

I also have TMJ, and because of that avoid things like bagels, etc since they take way too long to chew! Faerie has the right idea. Applesauce, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, smoothies (yogurt, milk, and some berries or fruit), etc are all great ideas. Unfortunately, most meat is out I hope everything works out for you!

I would NOT eat nothing but mashed potatoes and pasta for a month. If you think you are suffering now with the TMJ, which I have also had a previous diagnosis with, then you really will with all that extra spikes in blood sugar you will experience. You will feel like crashing a couple of hours after each meal, you will awake tired and cranky and you probably won't poop well either. So, in other words, you will feel cranky, bloated and fatigued. Ugh!

I think the ideas here are really good. I think the protein shake is a great idea. My DH had to have one of those supplements for almost 15 years when he was having a health crisis. He even lugged his protein supplements in the big cans (he had a medical prescription for them), which weighed an extra 20 lbs besides all the other stuff you take when you travel, when he went to Ireland for two weeks! Think of that when you are feeling bummed out, which I am sure you are ! You need to still eat balanced meals even though you have this medical problem.

Think outside the box, niclyn! Get your protein from one of those shakes, this is also a way of adding in fruit in a blender so you get the Vitamin C you also need. Add in other "soft foods", as suggested here, and make sure you take a multi-vitamin for women during this time period.

You'll get through this. Be creative and you would be surprised what you can have besides mashed potatoes, pasta and soup. Besides, after the second or third day, you would become very creative... trust me!

Chicken Salad and Fish is usually fairly easy to gum...???

******** nutritional shakes are pricey but really great quality. High fiber, high protein, tons of vitamins and minerals. They taste pretty good, too. You can only buy them online...if you're interested, google ********. They have been life-changing for me. (No, I don't work for them!)

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this problem. I had a friend with TMJ and it was awful. I wish you a lot of luck and please hang in there.

I second Faerie: eggs, applesauces, SOUP) (but I love soup, so I would have no trouble with that).

As for fruits and veggies... I make green smoothies. My fiance does protein shakes, but he adds spinach to his (which you can't taste). I put a TON in mine.

There are some really good suggestions here, but I will add more if I think of any!

Thanks guys, I might have over reacted, you all have some really good suggestions.

I'm just really disappointed because I leave to go to Florida next week for vacation, and was really looking forward to vacation eating, but this will probably force me to be much better behaved.

Junebug41- how do you make those green smoothies?

I make a basic fruit smoothie with orange juice, flavored seltzer (I like "light" smoothies as opposed to super thick ones), and frozen fruit (right now it's blueberries, sometimes mango and half a frozen banana which makes it taste like you added ice cream, etc...) an then lots of spinach leaves and psyllium husks (fiber). M fiance does chocolate soymilk with frozen blueberries and his protein powder and spinach (I guess it's delicious, or so he says).

Nelie (a mod here) has a couple "green" recipes. I will try to dig up the posts.

But yeah, you can add yogurt or peanut butter or frozen bananas to bulk it up a bit. Greens, when blended with fruit, are generally tasteless so it's a GREAT way to get veggies.

That's too bad about your vacation. However, it could prompt you to try something completely new and you may be surprised at what you CAN have (margs, anyone)

hummus is also a good high protein food.

junebug: Mmm those smoothies sound awesome! I'm going to have to try one this week. Do you use fresh spinach? mature or baby?

You could have some beans...they have protein, right? and they aren't too hard.

Niclyn - from one TMJ sufferer to another, I hope it feels better soon!

As for food, I love mashed butternut squash, and it's a great alternative to mashed sweet potatoes. But really, you can mash all sorts of things:
cauliflower, lima beans, eggplant, turnips, pumpkin, broccoli, etc.

Good luck!

Lisa

ok i just had my wisdom teeth out i have TONS of suggestions

first soups. I made a scallop bisque (mmm) but they have premade tomato, squash, zuchinni etc.

eggs. you dont really have to chew them (any more than pasta)

i made chicken liver pate (i love it) and ate it as a "lollypop" ie put a bunch on a spoon and licked away. this will surely gross some people out but oh so good.

jello (especially sugar free)

drink low sodium broth for a little protien

apple sauce and yogurt

sugar free pudding

etc etc etc

good luck!