What is the best protein shake for starting liquid diet months before surgery?

I am about half way through my 6 month prep process before RnY. I have actually gained weight over the last 3 months :( and although I have now stayed steady the last month or so, I am still 15 lbs more than I was at my initial consultation with my surgeon. My midway appointment is on Friday and I am struggling and afraid my surgeon will be unhappy with me for gaining. My nutritionist recommended starting a half liquid diet (so maybe replacing breakfast and lunch with shakes) now. What are the best, most filling shakes? I am ALWAYS starving.

Liquids aren't going to do much to lessen your hunger, and there's no real virtue in a liquid diet. What you should try is journaling your food, eating protein first, and keeping your carbs as low as possible. This is also the way you'll need to eat after your RNY, so it's a good idea to get adjusted now.

I am at that point now too. I bought Pure Protein from Walmart.It's about $20  for a big container of it. Each scoop is only 140 calories, 3 grams of carbs and 25 grams of protein. They have Chocolate and Vanilla flavors. The best way I have found to fix it is to put 8 oz of super skim milk in a blender, put in 1 scoop of the powder. Mix that up for about 30 second then put a couple of hands full of ice in and blend it up till all the ice is crushed up. It makes a 22 or 24 oz cup of shake that is really thick, filling and it's got a slightly sweet taste too that helps with sugar cravings.  

Hi,

Be careful about the protein that you are drinking.  Not all proteins are created equal.  Many are no more that boiled cow hides.  I highly recommend Premier Protein Drink.  I get mine at Costco.  I understand they have this also at Sam's Club. I am including some information about protein drinks.

Protein shakes

As interest in health and nutrition grows, more and more people are trying protein shakes as a way to lose weight or enhance their sports performance. What do protein shakes consist of, and what are their true benefits? Here's some information to guide you.

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What are protein shakes?

Protein is one of the body's main building blocks for muscle, bone, skin, and other tissues. Used often by athletes, protein shakes come in many combinations of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. They can range from 100% protein to mostly carbohydrates with a little added protein and fat. Protein shakes come in a variety of flavors in powder form or in ready-to-drink packages, such as cans or foil packs.

What are the benefits of protein shakes?

Safe for people who are healthy and fit, protein shakes are used mainly by athletes who need nourishment right after their workouts, says Jose Antonio, chief executive officer and co-founder of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN). 'Most people can't make a meal immediately post-workout', he says. 'So these ready-to-drink shakes are really your best alternative'.

According to the ISSN, protein shakes are a safe way to ensure enough protein, when used as part of a balanced, nutrient-rich diet. This counters the view that protein shakes can be harmful to kidneys or bones.

• Although research hasn't proven their role in sports performance and muscle strength, protein shakes may offer certain benefits.
• An endurance athlete may find it easier to train with the help of protein shakes, says Antonio. That's because they help the body recover from intense exercise. Protein shakes do this mainly by restoring muscle glycogen, a fuel source for exercise, which gets used up during workouts.
• For the strength athlete, protein shakes can also help repair damage to muscles that can occur with serious bodybuilding.
• The general fitness enthusiast who works out hard but doesn't want to be a marathon runner or bodybuilder may also benefit, says Antonio. This is the kind of person who might run twice a week and lift weights twice a week.

Some research shows other benefits as well. For example, a study of 130 U.S. Marines looked at intense exercisers who supplemented their diet with 10 g of protein, 8 g of carbohydrates, and 3 g of fat. They had fewer infections, less heat exhaustion, and less muscle soreness. Some protein shakes may help with weight management, as well. But more research is needed to confirm this.

How much protein do you need?

Almost all people can get the protein they need from whole foods and drinks in their diet. The recommended daily intake of protein for healthy adults is 0.75 g of protein per kilogram of body weight, or about 45 to 56 g of protein a day.

How much protein do you need? continued...

In most cases, only those who are active and restrict calories or are strict vegetarians are at risk for low protein.

People who exercise regularly do need more energy. They may also need a little more protein than people who are less active. Adding protein doesn't add muscle mass, though, as many people believe.

The ISSN recommends that exercisers get 1.4 to 2 g of protein per kilogram of body weight daily. Endurance athletes should be at the lower end of this range and strength athletes at the higher end. How much you need depends on the type and intensity of your exercise, the quality of the protein you eat, and your energy level and carbohydrate intake.

This is what the ISSN recommends:

• For endurance athletes: 1 to 1.6 g of protein per kilogram of body weight daily, depending on intensity and duration of exercise and the training status of the athlete
• For strength or power athletes: 1.6 to 2 g of protein per kilogram of body weight daily

What is the protein content of protein shakes?

Everyone, including athletes, can meet their protein needs without supplements or shakes. When choosing protein shakes, read the label to select the one with the composition that meets your needs.

Protein shakes vary in protein content. 'If you're a body builder, you're going to shift to the drinks that have a bit more protein'. like Worldwide Sport Nutrition says Antonio. Endurance athletes are likely to favor drinks with more carbohydrates, he says, but the most important thing is simply to drink something after your workout.

If your goal is to lose body fat, change to a protein shake that's mainly protein, has fewer carbohydrates, and only a little bit of fat, such as Slim-Fast. 'Make sure the product is more than 50% protein if your goal is body fat loss', Antonio says.

For those in the middle range -- someone who works out regularly but isn't at the competitive level -- a popular protein shake is Muscle Milk. It fits somewhere between high-protein and high-carbohydrate shakes, says Antonio. Muscle Milk contains milk protein, combined with carbs and fats. It contains more fat than the average protein shake, he says, but it's a type that does not increase cardiovascular risk.

What are the different types of protein in protein shakes?

Protein shakes contain many different types of protein in varying amounts. They may include:

• Milk
• Whey
• Casein
• Egg
• Soy

The source of the protein and how it's purified during manufacturing may affect how well your body can digest and absorb its amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Although it's best to obtain protein through your diet, supplementing it with a combination of whey and casein is a good choice.

Further Reading:

What are the different types of protein in protein shakes? continued...

Whey protein is:

• A protein found in milk
• Fast-absorbing
• In your body for a shorter time
• A good supplement after intense workouts

Casein protein is:

• The main protein in milk
• Slow-absorbing
• In your body for a longer time
• A good supplement for meal replacements or to take before bed

Soy protein is as effective as most animal sources of protein, although many male athletes think of it as a 'girl's protein', Antonio says. 'But this is where public perception and scientific reality clash'. Research doesn't support the fears that soy protein lowers blood levels of testosterone or reduces lean body mass.

Some women may take soy protein shakes in the hopes of curbing menopausal symptoms. But research results have been mixed.

Soy protein is:

• A plant-based source of protein
• As digestible as other sources of protein
• Known for its antioxidant capabilities
• A good supplement for meal replacements

Suzanne

I also enjoy the Premier Protein shakes.  In Canada, the chocolate flavour is the only one available.  In the US, chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.  They are ready-to-drink and I generally have one for breakfast every day.  I sometimes add it to a decaf coffee for a cafe mocha flavour.  I will also blend it with a frozen banana and ice to another delicious cold drink.

Good luck with your eating pre-surgery.

Judy

Many Costco stores have started carrying vanilla - they are lovely :)

Protein shakes are for getting in some nutrition when you are not able to eat solid food.  They are the last thing you want to do before surgery.   Start filling up on lots of protein foods like eggs, chicken, turkey, pork and beef.  Cut out anything white, including milk.  Eat a lot of salads and vegetables.  Make mashed cauliflower "potatoes", and zucchini lasagna.  Drink large glasses of water.

Picture your stomach as a 2 liter bottle of soda.  Pouring eight ounces of protein drink into that bottle is not going to fill it up.  You need lots of solid food to stay satisfied.  After surgery it will be very different.  Then you will be filling up a stomach the size of an egg or a sleeve the size of a banana.  It will take a lot less food to do that.

Stop starving, fill up on protein, and your will lose the weight.  Get some Atkins diet books and learn the secret of losing weight without ever being hungry.  You will still need surgery, but you will be so much healthier for the operation and your recovery will be so much faster if you get on a high protein, low carb program now.

Will this still shrink your liver if you eat this way 2 weeks before surgery??

Yes. I was on a high protein, no carb, low fat diet for 10 days prior to surgery - my liver was perfect.