Thoughts on Shakes?

Oooh sounds tasty and practice! Thanks for the info.

I haven't had a protein shake since about 3.5 months post-op. My surgeon is not a fan. He discourages all processed foods. He sees the value of them immediately post-op as it's the only way to realistically get meet your protein meals. He just asks that you wean yourself off of them as soon as is realistically possible.

I did continue to make homemade protein drinks for most of the first year (banana, peanut powder and cocoa powder), but got off the processed drinks/powders.

Eventually those didn't fill me up so I moved on from them. I will occasionally still make one if I'm not very hungry and haven't hit my protein goal, but it's rare.

I's say it's all about your plan and what you're comfortable with. If your doctor recommends them and you're ok with processed food, then there is certainly nothing wrong with it in my opinion.

Dr. Weiner was actually someone I was thinking of that discourages their use. I like the idea of being off them, but I definitely don't reach anywhere near my protein goal without them right now. Plus they still fill me up for a while, so that's a bonus.

Yep, but he's a realist and knows they are necessary. And he is completely fine with "natural" protein shakes, like I mentioned. So as his patient, he would just ask that you move to a protein shake based on nut butter or peanut powder ASAP. That's why after a few months I went to a banana, cocoa powder, peanut powder smoothie (I didn't use PB2, instead I used a peanut powder that had a single ingredient - peanuts). The side benefit of that is that my homemade shake was AMAZING, while the RTD protein shake, or protein powder shakes are gross. At least in my opinion!

I think they are crucial in the early stages. Your pouch is tiny and getting in enough dense protein early on is so hard with so little space. Protein is incredibly important to your healing, so I find it impossible to believe that a surgeon wouldn't recognize this need for supplementing protein early out.

As time goes on and your pouch can fit more, there is less of a need for this. I still add mocha flavored protein to my cup of hot coffee almost every morning. It adds 60 calories and 10 grams of protein. Sometimes it keeps me satiated for a few hours before I eat solid food and sometimes it doesn't. I am not sure how long I will keep up with this supplement, but for now the protein boost is worth the calorie exchange.

That's similar what I do with my coffee in the morning.

So far I'm happy with my shakes, I know I wouldn't get nearly enough protein without them.

Im just not sure if I'll keep them around long long term. Maybe! I workout pretty heavy, so I know I feel better when I have them.

thanks for your insights.

For many of us and even for lots of normies, a protein shake can be a great substitute for a meal. Morning meal, when the new configuration really does not want solid food, a meal on a run, drinking a shake in a car, or during a meeting or a long conference calls. Or late in evening, when solid food may sit like a rock, but you need or want extra proteins or calories. Rtd, like premier, or others are great for that. Keep it in a fridge, shake before drinking, drink it. Easy and convenient "fast food" option.

I had days that I really did not want to eat dense proteins, but I knew I needed the proteins and calories.

There is a problem when people add protein shakes in addition to what they eat. They may eat junk food (too many carbs) and then drink a shake thing to "fix the numbers".. that will not work to lose weight. Or long term in maintenance.

When I travel - I take a few individually packed protein shakes. In case of emergency- I can mix it with water and have my meal. That saved me a few times, when the plane was late, and the only thing I could get once I got to my hotel was candies from a vending machine. Even vacation time - like a cruise- I pack some shakes and jerky in case there is a disaster. Better be prepared than sorry.

I've never had one and I've always been hale and hearty. Sounds like I should have been sick all those years ago but nope, never happened.

Protein shakes and bars are not a magic weight loss food as they're often portrayed.

Sorry if I made it sound like Shakes are what keep a person healthy, definitely didn't mean that.

Hopefully one day I won't need them either!

Hi! I use shakes for sure, because to meet the 60+ grams a day that is recommended for protein intake, I'd have to eat a lot more food. When I need to lose weight (like I am working on now) I have several shakes a day and one meal at night. I'm 11 years out from gastric bypass, and it really helps me with the feeling of restriction when I do eat.

I like Inspire shakes most of all, and my second choice is Designer Whey or Click.