Question:
Yuck..do I have to?
Ok....I cannot stomach any protien drinks. Do I have to drink them to lose this weight succesfully? I do the sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast and I am eating eggs and getting my protien elsewhere, so do I HAVE to drink those yucky shakes? Is there another way other than food to get my required protien in other than the shakes? Thanks for any info. God bless! — dixieb (posted on March 24, 2003)
March 23, 2003
I think I have drank maybe 10 protein shakes in 7 1/2 months. I don't have
the energy that I need, I have lost 115 pounds without them. I do eat a
lot of high protein foods. Do your best is all that I can say. No one
really has a right to tell you how to eat or drink, but the suggestions
should be taken to heart. I can't choke them down either. Open RNY
8/9/02, 295/180/150
— [Deactivated Member]
March 23, 2003
My doctor has never "prescribed" protein shakes, and I have never
had one. His suggestion is to eat protein rich foods, which is what I try
to do. Good luck, and ~~~GOD BLESS~~~
— LoveJones B.
March 23, 2003
I've never used any protien drinks in my 3 years. I use foods to utilize my
pouch the best. I do however, use a product called ProCel, a protein
supplement packet that you put in any cold drink (including water) to up
the protein a bit. It has virtually NO taste and does not alter the drinks
taste in anyway.
— ZZ S.
March 23, 2003
...I should add that it dissolves quick and completely. It is clear, so
water is not thicker or cloudy.
— ZZ S.
March 23, 2003
No you don't... Many surgeons & nutritionists insist that you try to
get all of your protein in through real food instead of supplements
(including mine). I do have a Detour or U-Turn bar as a meal replacement
on occasion, but other than Ensure Light during the first couple of weeks,
that's been it for protein drinks.
<p>
You are a new post-op, so the Detour and U-Turn bars are a bit too much for
you right now. I'd wait until 3 months post-op. But there are plenty of
food choices - even at this early stage - for you to get protein in without
supplementation...JR (open RNY 07/17 -157 pounds)
— John Rushton
March 23, 2003
I'm not going to join the for or against argument. I personally do 3 a day
because I did my own research on how the body processes protein
("Nutrition for Dummies" book). You do what works for you. Get
your bloodworked checked regularly (at least twice a year as a newbie -- I
go quarterly, but I'm anal). Make sure you keep copies of your bloodwork
so you can do your own comparisons of your levels. Make sure the bloodwork
includes tests that measure your protein levels. (Albumin and pre Albumin
among others). Do your own research to find out where these levels should
be for you. If the levels aren't in line with where they should be, then
you may have to look into it. However, your attitude towards the shakes
may need to change. Just like other foods, there are some protein shakes I
absolutely love, some I "can't stomach". If your bloodwork shows
that meat isn't working for you, then you'll have to find a shake you can
tolerate. And you may just find one you actually like. Good luck and God
bless!
— Kimberly L.
March 24, 2003
I use the Atkins protein shakes. They SUCK if you drink them straight, but
I put half of one in a glass and top it off with skim milk. Goes down well,
and boost any plateaus I have had so far!
— Tracy T.
March 24, 2003
What does your doctor advise? I personally have never used any
supplements. I do workout with weights to help reatin my muscles and I've
found that since I dump on sugar, I like the Balance bars because they
taste almost like a candy bar and have just enough sugar that while I don't
dump, I don't have the gastro symtoms that I get with anything with
artficial sweetners. I never even did the Carnation Instant Breakfast.
I'm lactose intolerant...you can get enough protein from foods, but you'll
just have to accept that early on, chicken and fish may be the only food
at some meals. As you move along, you'll be able to eat enough to eat your
protein and still have room for vegetables. I avoid potatoes and bread,
but enjoy fruit and vegetables for snacks when I fill up on meat at a meal.
Also remember, that during the first couple months, you need concentrate
on healing and getting plenty of water in, so don't stress out too much
about protein, just keep adding it in with good choices like chicken, fish,
and cheese if you can tolerate cheese, I can't...boohooo.
— Teri D.
March 24, 2003
I suggest you track your food intake on fitday.com to see where your
protein levels are without shakes. I found that I was having trouble coming
close to the 60 gm of protein a day that my Dr. recommended. I kept trying
different samples from vitalady.com until I found some flavors that I
enjoy. I now drink 2 30gm protein shakes a day and can eat whatever I want
(ususally vegies). My weight loss has been very good, I work out and I have
lots of energy. Don't give up - you have to make sure you are feeding your
body what it needs to be successful - for me that means protein shakes!
— JoAnn B.
March 24, 2003
Tracking your food on fitday.com is a great idea, as suggested by the
previous poster. Then you'll find out if you're getting the minimum amount
of protein you need per day (50-60 grams). If you're not getting it from
food -- or if it's making you sick to death of eating that much fish,
chicken, eggs, cheese, & turkey -- then it's worth trying shakes again.
I also found a couple of good shakes (after weeding out a lot of bad ones)
by ordering samples from vitalady.com. Personally, I'd barely make it to
the minimum 50-60 grams a day in protein even now, at ten months out and at
goal, if I relied solely on food as my protein source. Personally, I'm
hoping protein shakes will be the best tool I have, along with the pouch,
to keep me from regaining.
— Suzy C.
March 24, 2003
I haven't had a protein drink since I went off the liquid diet--when was
that about 2-3 weeks after surgery. My surgeon doesn't like us to use the
protein drinks because he wants us to learn to eat the way we need to.
Drinking also just isn't satisfying or filling for any length of time. I
eat cottage cheese, eggs, tuna, shrimp, chicken, beans. cheese, yogurt, and
beef jerky. Another good source is pork rinds. I thought they would be
very fatty, but they aren't and they are full of protein. You can buy them
in a box like microwave popcorn. There's like 6 bags in a box. And you
microwave it like popcorn. I buy it at Wal-Mart. Good luck.
— jan M.
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