Real Food vs. Protein Shakes

I try and get 3/4 of my daily protein from real food because I absolutely detest protein shakes.  I have tried different kinds and did not find one that I particularly liked.  Also, the problem is that I am allergic to dairy and soy....so that made it twice as hard.  Therefore I eat a lot of chicken breast and fish and beans, which are my main sources of protein. 

However, I was reading on another board that WLS patients do not absorb the protein from real food well.  Is this true?

Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks.

I get all of my protein from real food. I have never heard that real food is not absorbed as well as protein shakes. It seems it would be the opposite since the shakes are liquid.

Thanks for this topic. It will be interesting to see the replies.

Louise n St. Louis

RNY is naturally malabsorptive...so yes, you won't absorb protein as well. Or anything as well...That's why we take vitamins and minerals for the rest of our lives.

I'm three years out and don't do protein shakes but I do intake about 100 grams of protein a day or more! Because regular protein is dense, it keeps me from intaking too many calories and keeps me honest...no slider foods. I think that's the reason my surgeon told me no more protein shakes. Some people really need the protein shakes but I don't feel I do. I will occasionally have some but not too often. I have a killer iced coffee protein drink that I have in the summer though.

I can't believe that something other than natural, healthy food would ultimately be better for anyone.  Of course, that is just my opinion and I'm not an expert by any means - just a survivor.  I always figured protein drinks were for the recovery period, before your pouch could handle regular foods (could be wrong).

I have also HATED every protein shake I ever tried, and am allergic to milk (and soy is disgusting).  However, I practice protein-forward meals and am luckily able to tolerate a little of just about anything, so I eat a pretty balanced diet.  My lab work is always excellent and I am in good health.  My weight is pretty stable at 143-147 (I am 59 years old and 5'8" tall).

Don't know if this is helpful, but maybe it is just a comparison to your own experience.

Kitty
RNY 12/13/2004
Weight:  268 at highest point, 143-147 nowadays
Size 6/8
 

Kitty,

Certainly 'natural, healthy food'  would be better, however, not everyone can eat enough dense protein to maintain good health.  AND having said that, protein shakes are not just for the 'recovery period'  for alot of us post-ops.   I have been supplementing with protein shakes (with my doctor's approval) for the last 5 years and have had my blood work done every 6 months and my labs too have always been excellent.

I also prefer "Real" food. Although, simply because I can't eat that much (I get feeling too full or forget to eat enough) I also add protien. Nutritonal yeast, a little unflavored protien powder in savory stews, a spoon full of vanilla in my coffee, a spoonful in my juice, a teeny tiny bit mixed in with my crystal lught. It all adds up to equal my total needed intake. I can't stand the consistancy or taste of a full on protien shake, but just a little here or there and it dosn't bother me one bit.

I try to create a balance between real food and protein shakes.  What I have found is that Isopure makes Chocolate and Peanut Butter Protein mix.  I add 1/4 cup fruit juice, a little ice, two Splenda, 1 cup of vanilla yogurt and about 1/2-3/4 cup of frozen fruits (blue- and straw-berries, pineapple, peaches, guava) and then blend it all into a smoothie.  It contains a minimum of 50 gm protein, has fruit to provide you with plenty of fiber, plus the mix actually tastes pretty good.  I think it works out to about 600-1000 calories per smoothie.

What I have found is that most seafood goes down well.  I have tried pasta on several occasions and each time was a disaster -- regurgitation of pasta almost always guaranteed.  I can eat just about anything I want and not put on weight aat all.  I try to scuba dive at least once a week and this activity alones burns close to 1000 calories.  My pouch loves lobster and filer minion, but doesn't tolerate hamburger well.  I was on an 800 cal a day diet to lose the weight following surgery -- now almost 2 3/4 year out.  Now I eat, on average, approximately 2000 to 2500 calories a day, ensuring I get my fix of protein and then I eat whatever else I want.

My diabetes, while still with me, is being managed very well on one oral medication and moderate exercise.  I was taken off insulin nearly two years ago. 

The only problem I have is this:  For years, whenever I looked in the mirror, I saw the FAT version f me.  Now, when I look in the mirror, I see a friendly stranger and it is hard getting used to being skinny after all those years of obesity.  Chicken is hard to digest because it's so fibrous, unless you take a mallet to it and pound it down to pulp, bread it, then fry or bake it.

I find that I still have to experiment with the food I eat, as some of the favorites are inedible while others are appetizing.  No matter, when in the company of gluttons, I feel good when I put down my fork or spoon after four or five bites, satisfied and not overly full.

To make your shakes healthy and tasty, you need to experiement with different protein sources, then add berries and other anti-oxidants, yogurt, sherbert, juice and ice.  Makes a high-protein smoothie.  I have one every day and have still been able to maintain the 150+ pound weight loss, or in other words, my "pouch" has strethed from 1/2 oz to about five ounces in almost three years.  I don't drink alcohol and I think that contributes to the steadiness of my weight control.

            How do your lab tests look ?? are you  deficient anywhere ?   that  is your proof of what works for you. If your numbers look good  you dont have an issue and should keep doing what is already working for you. 

If the  numbers look  less than  favorable  you might want to check into other options.  all of our bodies work differantly. 

you might want to get  copies of your labs and  chart them . I use get a verbal report from my doc and  after 20 min  of excitement  would forget what  he told me ..  Now I  get a copy  and review it  and  discuss  with him what changes I need to make.

Hope this helps .

I've never done a protein shake - my doctor insists we get our protein from food. He doesn't like liquid calories in any form. You can get a little pocket calorie/protein/carb book at the local book store. I kept one in my purse the first year as a post op. It will tell you higher protein count foods you can eat. Turkey jerkey has higher protein than beef jerky. (a staple for post ops), bison burgers have twice the protein and half the fat of hamburgers. Salmon and other fish is high protein. Some yogurts are do-able for lactose intolerant patients. Check out health food stores for high protein low fat foods. Chicken and turkey, fish, beans - all good sources of protein. We absorb protein and other nutrients from "real food" just as well as others. I've been on real food since day one and at 8 yrs out my labs are still good- and have been all along. Find what works for you and make your menus around that.

You guys rock!!!  I really appreciate the replies and all of the support.  Again, I am happy to have found this group!.