Protien Shake Over-use

During our first 9 months post WLS we all have a hard time getting in enough protein, that is why our Doctors and NUTs suggest we use protein supplements. 

When I was fat all I wanted out of this was to be normal.  Normal sized, be able to do normal activities for my age and to eat normally.  That is what I have done and I have done it all without protein shakes.  I'm not saying that no one should use them but I think that after 1 year post WLS protein shakes should only be used as a supplement when doing excessive exercise.

Many of you guys have incorporated them in to your daily diet.  They have way too many calories to be normal, and you need to do way too much work to offset the caloric intake.  I think we should be trying to get as much of our nutrition as possible from food rather than supplements.

What do you think?

Robert

I concur....Although it's rough during the first few months.  I'm almost 4 years out and it's so easy to get all my protein through food rather than a shake.

Depends on the type of protein shake. 1 scoop of isopure vanilla and 8oz diet v8 splash is only 120 cals and 25 grams of protein. no fat and 2g sugar. I find it hard to get that much protein in anything else with only 120 cals.

I don't use them that much, but I disagree about them having too many calories.  If you are using low carb shakes, you get a lot of protein for the amount of calories.  When I keep track of my food intake, I find that most meats have about twice as many calories to get the same grams of protein.

I disagree strongly, and I bet I can eat far more food then you do. When you have the VSG, the RNY, or the DS, you lose/limit part of your digestive process. Unlike women, men need far more protein to maintain and gain muscle mass. Even if you do not do "extreme" workouts, you need enough protein to maintain your muscle mass you currently have.

Low carb protein shakes have about 100 calories for a serving. Whey protein has a higher bioavailabilty then beef, fish, chicken, or veg. proteins.

SO in my opinion they are necessary for the rest of your post op life. I drink 1 to 2 a day, plus I normally eat a protein bar, in addition to what I normally eat.

Scott

 It's a two edged sword. The extra calories in 40g of protein per day is negligible, but protein is said to curb the appetite. If it's the sweet liquid that sets off cravings or gets you in the habit of taking in sweets, then you'll need flavorless stuff.

Ya, I'm definitely on the disagree side of this coin. The calorie issues and the protein intake issues have been addressed. Here's a new idea.

I eat what I like. It's what got me to 300+ pounds. Now, I like certain healthy alternatives. One of them is a protein supplement. My go-to snack is to mix Unjury with Crystal light and fiber for 80 calories, 32 oz water, ~10g fiber and 20g protein. A far cry from the Tacos al Pastor burritos that used to call my name.

You wanna compare snacks? That sounded a bit confrontational, but was only meant as a true observation. You could eat a large apple for about 65 calories. It's healthy too. It has about the same caloric amount, but my shake is gonna curb those cravings until dinner.

I am curious which protein shakes you use.

While I do occasionally drink a shake for a meal or for a snack, I try to eat the majority of my protein from more natural food sources. I just find that I tire of shakes if I have them too often. I do make sugar free pudding with shake mix as a high protein snack and freeze them to eat instead of ice cream.

I have 6 meals per day. 3 of them are protein shakes...

I have been lifting weights for a long time and I lift weights 4 times per week like a maniac.

They work for me. I just ordered a 10 lb bag of Gold Standard Whey Protein. Looks like a bag of dog food sitting on the counter...