Question:
Do you count the protein drinks/bars as meals or snacks in addition to meals?

   — margaret M. (posted on September 24, 2003)

September 24, 2003
I am 7 weeks post op and I use my protein drinks/bars in addition to my three meals a day. If I did not, I would never get in enough protein daily. I can only eat 1 or 2 oz's of food at a time, and that is not enough for protein alone. Hope this helps
   — cindy

September 24, 2003
It depends...if I am doing a Nectar protein shake which has only 92 calories, I may not count it was a meal. However, if I am doing a Detour/One Way/U-Turn bar that is 300 plus calories, I use that as a replacement for a meal...JR
   — John Rushton

September 24, 2003
I, personally, don't count any of my supplements, bars, drinks or those darn Carb Solutions soy chips. Of course, I can 'afford it' being that without them I still average around 500-600 calories a day.
   — eaamc

September 24, 2003
Regardless of whether I count it as a meal or a snack (I do both) I count the calories and carb into my days total. As long as I am within my limits on both then it doesn;t really matter or worry me.
   — Carol S.

September 25, 2003
I agree that it doesn't really matter what you count it as. The important thing is that you get all of your protein. I don't see how anyone could possibly eat only 3 times a day (small quantities and low fat) and get 60-70 grams of protein in without supplementing. If your protein shake is only 100 calories, that's nothing to be concerned about. But some of the protein bars are high in calories so you might have to be a little more conscious, but it depends on how many calories you're taking in each day.
   — aferrendelli