Protein shakes, Yay or Nay????

I like protein shakes.  I love the easiness of having them in the morning.  I found one I loved the taste of, and others I can easily deal with the taste of.  I put a splash of SF syrup in them.  I've just purchased 4 from Torani, brown sugar cinnamon, pumpkin, white chocolate and peanut butter.  I am not a fruity person, the too sweetness is cloying to me.

I've read where some surgeons just absolutely do NOT allow their patients protein drinks.  I understand that most of our protein should come from food.  I am one that does well with protein, always getting in at least 90 gms and some days go into the 100's!!  So I wonder, is it a sound practice to engage on protein shake drinking, or is it something that after the initial phases we should wean ourselves from.

I have two friends who have had gastric bypass who have never drank a protein shake at all, and they've both done remarkably well on their journey.

I only drink the shake at one meal, breakfast.  I do admit last night to NOT being hungry at all and drinking a protein shake for "dinner", so I don't rely on them, just find them very convenient.

Anyone want to chime in on this?? thanks!!

Donna

I drink a lot of protein shakes...I prefer the Slim Fast Low Carb Vanilla shakes.  My surgeon never said one way or the other.  I have a hard time getting in protein just through food, so when I am being good and trying to meet 60-80 g. protein a day, using shakes is the only way it is going to happen for me....

Just keep in mind that you have to watch calories as well....And your body can only digest about 30-40 grams of protein at one time...so if you are trying to eat a large amount of protein at one time, it is just going to be stored in the body as extra calories and not used for the intended protein use....

Yay to 1 or 2 per day!

(You see what I did there, with the rhyming?)

Unjury.

While my surgeon would prefer his patients to get their protein from real food, he's also realistic and knows that sometimes life gets busy or we are too tight in the AM.. etc, etc.

Jus****ch the calories, carbs, and protein.   We were told that our bodies can't handle more than 20 to 25 grams of protein at one time.. not 30 to 40.    If you're getting too much protein at one time, you could concievably be stressing your kidneys.  Healthy kidneys can probably handle an insult or two (of too much protein at a time), but if the individual has kidney issues..   'nuff said.

I think as long as you don't make the evening drink a habit, you should be fine.   What does your doc say?

 I knew many that lost quickly drinking protein shakes between meals, also at breakfast when the band is a bit tight, in my opinion protein shakes are great for breakfast, but I would not recommend them for lunch and dinner since they may not feel you up like solid protein.

Here are my feelings --

IF you can drink a protein shake and have it satisfy your hunger for the same amount of time, and the same caloric content as a real meal, I don't see a problem with it.

Personally, the only protein shakes that I really liked were "Syntha 6" made with skim milk.
They had 30 grams of protein, but 300 calories.

I can eat a 'real meal' for 300 calories and be satisfied for far longer than the shake.

So, except for the days of my fills, I stay away from the shakes and eat real food.

If it is working for you -- (no hunger, consistent weight loss, etc) then go for it

My band tends to be a bit tight in the morning, and even though I could just try and eat something around 9 or 10 am, while at work, it just doesn't work out.  I am usually in meetings around that time. 

So, I make a protein shake every morning and bring it to work.  Once I finish my coffee mug, I start drinking my protein shake.  It's delicious and filling.  That is generally the only one I have during the day. 

Although the days my band feels extra tight, I should just drink one of those instead of turning to sliders!  LOL

My surgeon and NUT have both said that protein shakes are fine as long as they don't make up the majority of meals/protein intake.  My NUT specifically said that they are a great alternative for breakfast if I am too tight to have a proper mean then (which I normally am).

Thats funny how so many Dr's are different with this surgery.  My Dr said I will probably have to have some kind of protien drink forever just to make sure I get enough protien a day.

After 1 1/2 years I still do protein shakes and protein bars. I wouldn't be able to get in enough protein if I didn't most of the time. If I have a low protein meal, I try to have a protein shake before or after. If I'm on the go I often take a protein bar with me.

And as far as the sf syrups.........LOVE THEM! I have about 10 flavors. I am going to try the peanutbutter next time, and also the cookie dough!