Question:
Life without protein shakes?
Hi all, it seems like the majority of people on the boards depend on protein shakes but my surgeon and nutritionist are dead-set against them. They feel that "drinking your protein doesn't fill you up." They also want me to stop snacking in a couple months. (I has RNY 4 weeks ago.) I'm determined to follow their guidelines, but is anyone else out there in the same spot? If so, what do you do on days when you just don't seem to eat enough protein? — snickersblk (posted on November 18, 2008)
November 18, 2008
Nik,
I drink protein shakes as do a lot of other folks. I am still in the liquid
stages though. I am only 2 weeks out. I think those of who do the protein
shakes are still early in our recovery from surgery and that is the only
way we can get enough.
I was told that when I get to the point of eating solid food again, I
should eat my protein first. Things such as chicken, fish, cheese, and
eggs.
Hope this helps.
Good luck
Denise
— deejacobs
November 18, 2008
before I left the hospital I had gastric bypass 6 days ago they told me the
shakes does not fill you up and depending on the kind you get they are for
people trying to bulk up. Told me to eat a boiled egg instead
— ms.angie
November 18, 2008
Hi Nik
It doesn't sound like your surgeon (and one of the others referenced in
another post here) are in touch with the ASMBS (American Society for
Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) recommendations.
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The ASMBS states that whey is one of the highest quality proteins.
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None of the research I have seen says that liquid protein is any less
satisfying than a protein from, say, meat. Your stomach doesn't
"know" that a certain peptide (a piece of a protein molecule)
came from a liquid or a solid). And that runs counter to reports from our
customers that they find our product very satisfying.
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You might wish to discuss the challenges of getting that much protein from
solid foods. For example, let's take chicken (or any other kind of meat).
It would take over 11 ounces of chicken (that is the cooked weight, after
shrinkage) to give you the same protein that our product in milk gives you,
3 times per day.
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The comment about protein products being for bodybuilders might be based on
the fact that many products are targeted to body builders. You can pretty
much identify these by the labels...the ones with bodies that look
impossible. But other products clearly are not targeted for, nor designed
for body builders... So that doctor is not completely informed.
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Jerome --
UNJURY (R) Protein --
— UNJURY
November 18, 2008
Correction: I meant to say NOT in touch with the ASMBS recommendations.
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Jerome
UNJURY (R) Protein
— UNJURY
November 18, 2008
If you attend support meetings, protein supplementation is a common topic.
There IS A NEED for increased protein as an early post op, as you can't get
enough protein from the limited amounts of food you can consume. I attend 3
support meetings a month for information. Once you are a year post op, you
may be able to supply enough protein daily without protein supplementation.
At 30 months post op, I still use protein shakes as a "fail safe"
method to assure that I get enough protein. BUT, I do depend on food items
for the majority of my protein. I just "don't count" the amounts
of protein in my head or on paper, and take the protein supplements as
"cheap insurance" agains protein shortage for my body. Take the
protein supplement. Sustained periods of inadequate protein intake combined
with rapid wt loss leads to a large amount of muscle mass, and you'll be
weak. DAVE
— Dave Chambers
November 18, 2008
I am 4 1/2 months out from RNY and I have lost 70 pounds to date. I drink
a protein shake for breakfast, eat lunch and dinner. I also have three
small snacks a day. I have never felt hunger, as a matter of fact I have
to force myself to eat. Good luck with your surgeon and nutritionist.
Lisa
— ldillabough
November 18, 2008
They are right. Liquids go straight through and don't sit in the pouch to
make us fill full. This leaves us a bit unsatisfied and then leads to
unnecessary snacking. Besides, actually serving food on a plate helps us
to visualize just how much we can and cannot eat. Measuring spoons are a
real help in the beginning food stages. This gives us a picture on a plate
and then we we are not able to measure, we get a picture of what our plates
should look like. Use small plates and small spoons and forks, this helps
too.
— bariatricdivalatina
November 18, 2008
i don't do the shakes. i use isopure and it does not take the place of a
meal. it is alittle expensive, however the shakes made me sick. i don't get
filled by them. my last visit to the dr, i was told i would be coming off
of them and working my way to protein bars. so that may be a different
story. i'm sure they would take place of a snack. i do however, try to eat
some kind of meat at each meal. the dietian like that i was doing that and
wasn't realy worried about my protien at that point. said if i would keep
that up i would be fine. nothing has been said about snakes, but i don't
really want anything else. i had my surgery 10 weeks ago. i feel great! i'm
close to 60 lbs gone
— peggy R.
November 18, 2008
as a 4.5 yr post op, and a retired M.D, and the daughter of a nutritionist
(60 yrs worth ) i have a different take on the answer. I have visited over
25 nutritionists-in doing my own follow up- not as a patient, but as a doc
who wants to give good and accurate answers. Like surgeons, there are no 5
of either who want their post ops to do the same things. frustrating to
say the least. Pouch rules are the same no matter the surgeon. Those rules
are written in blood and have to be followes regardless. Eating, amounts
etc are individual surgeon/nut requirements. some say eat till you are
full- those are in the minority. we are to eat only the amounts allowed
per meal- not till we are full, but are "satiated". getting full
is what got us in trouble in the first place.
Protein- i still have at least one preotein drink a day - why? because, my
body and my goal weight dictates i need between 110-125 grams a day. That
amount is not sometimes, thats every day. Try getting that much protein
intake when you are allowes 3 meals a day, one half cup of food each meal.
you cant do it. i use isopure dutch chocolate protein powder, 2 scoops,
mixed with 12 oz of Hood carb countdown chocolate drink. its thick like a
mickey d's milkshake. my bottom line is 2 things- learn what your true
perotein intake should be to reach goal, and use protein shakes to help you
get there if you cannot get in that amount a day on your allowed food
amount protocol. This is when you need to become pro active. I am not
telling you to discount your doc/nut, but do the research, talk with them
them decide what is best for your sustained weight loss, or maintenance.
good luck all. cindi 3.24.04 -230# and maintaining the loss
— DollyDoodles
November 18, 2008
My surgeon and staff are in complete agreement with yours. I had my
surgery on August 22, 2008 and I don't drink any shakes. I just had all my
blood work done and got the tests today the my protein and all other test
were perfect. I am supposed to eat my protein first and follow it with
veggies, healthy carbs and fruit. My Doc and staff believe drinking your
protein allows it to pass through your system much quicker than chewed
protein. I had RNY. Good luck~
— katiecakes
November 18, 2008
I used to be a die-hard protein drinker. I had such a hard time getting
interested in food that it seemed impossible to eat enough to get the
nutrition that I was supposed to.
Rigth around my 2nd year I got stuck at my in-laws with no protein and no
money, so I had to learn the hard way how to eat.
At 18 months out I got pregnant. I had to begin supplementing with shakes
again (this time my nut was on board because I needed the added boost for
the baby!).
My son was born allergic to caseins (dairy and whey proteins). LOL. I am
very allergic to soy proteins. Had to learn how to eat all over again
because caseins are in almost everything.
A long story sorta short, my son is still intolerant to caseins (but not to
the life threatening level anymore) and I am weaning myself off the protein
shakes. I confess that I love my Labrada Nut rolls though!!!
If you sub your protein for food once in awhile you're ok- but don't make
it an everyday thing. Save it for the days when you just can't seem to
wrap your head around food.
HTH!!!
Raven
— Ravenwulf
November 18, 2008
6 1/2 yrs post op over here and ill have a couple protein shakes a DAY.NO
BIGGY
— deb44m
November 18, 2008
They are sort of right. You are not "full" but you need protein
to keep your hairloss from happening. In the first stages of the weight
loss it's hard to get meats into the pouch that will meet your recommended
daily of protein grams, but even though you are not feeling full, it will
help you meet your protein numbers......and keep your hair!! Darlene
— dadebrito
November 18, 2008
our surgeon and nut told us that we will get ALL our protein from food and
not to depend on shakes or suppliments -- start reading labels on food and
you will be amazed at how much protein you are actually getting :) chicken,
tuna, eggs, yogurt, milk, all have protein in them -- you will be fine :)
good luck
— RCassety
November 19, 2008
I eat chicken, eggs, and cottage cheese. Then, as long as my protien
levels have been met, I have some veggie.
— cydthekid50
November 19, 2008
You have to be your own health care advocate...We all go in MO to have WLS,
but we are all individuals with different metabolisms and sizes, heights,
medical problems, absorption of vits...etc! One size diet fits all is
RIDICULOUS! The pouch rules like Doodles says, works! THey are the only
diet guidelines you will ever need...BUT, some of us need more vits and or
protein supplements than others. Only YOU truly know your body and how it
is supposed to feel...and if you think you are not getting in enough
protein in your day...take a protein supplement...It's not poison or
anything! It's going to help you if you are not eating right! You have to
build up to eating enough protein over time. After the first year, you
should be able to eat your protein. I personally require a lot of protein
and I do very well on 100 g's a day regardless of my Nut saying I need
50-60 a day. I did have to use a protein supp my first 3-4 months post
op...then after that I didn't supp for 3 more years...Then at 4 years I had
a weight gain and vit deficiencies...so when cutting carbs was important I
replaced the carbs and calories with lean protein...So instead of drinking
coffee with flavored sugar creams and eating a warm cereal for breakfast I
decided to mix a vanilla protein powder in my coffee and skip
breakfast...It cut some 300 calories from my day! And cut my carbs waaaaay
down. I lost a few pounds and love my protein coffee breakfast! On days I
can't get a meal or I am very busy, I will have a lower carb protein
bar...But I eat my protein the majority of the time and do not rely on
supplements as my surgeon and Nut "suggested". Trust your
instincts...If you are not eating enough...don't be afraid to do what you
have to do to stay healthy, as it's your life and you and you alone have to
live it and manage it and keep it healthy. Your surgeon just wants you to
make good choices and live as normal as possible...I do too...but if being
normal involves some of my non-wls and even skinny friends who think
Starbucks fru fru coffee is a good breakfast choice over two scoops of
protein powder...Or a swwetened Ice tea from McDonalds for a whopping 200+
calories of nothing but sugar is a normal way of life...I'm sorry...I'm
gonna choose the protein supplement! LOL
— .Anita R.
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