Question:
8 mos-I was never a protein shake person because of the high cals

but I know I am not getting in the correct amount of protein =no were near-I hear people on here say that everytime they have a carb craving to go have a protein shake-should I do that and if so how can I stick to the proper cal intake when they are so high in cals-I don;t wanna use water because I never liked them w/water only w/skim milk are they tolerable-what should I do-I gotta kick this carb craving-BTW how many cals are most eating at 8mos and how much ahve others lost around tis time-I am down 108lbs=Tori    — TotallyTori (posted on November 14, 2003)

November 14, 2003
For one thing, the increased protein will up your weight loss so it will balance it out. Most of the shakes I have used and still use are low calorie and the milk doesn't add that many calories if you use skim milk. i am nine months out and have had two shakes a day, some with milk, some with water since I came home from the hospital. It also helps the hungrys.(sp)
   — Delores S.

November 14, 2003
The one I'm using (mostly for breakfast) is ProScore 100, chocolate flavor. It has only 160 calories for 2 scoops and you get 32g of protein. I don't think 160 is that high in cals. It tastes good made either with skim milk or water. I got mine from vitalady.com. She offers a ton of samples you can order for $1.99 each to see which ones you like. Increasing your protein will be great for you and should help to decrease your carb cravings as well. Good luck.
   — Carlita

November 14, 2003
I am in the don't-count-calories camp; for me, the sole measure is the number of carbs I eat every day (which I keep below 40 on average). All the research has indicated that it is carbs (and not calories per se) that are the real culprit in weight gain and that the Atkins type of diets (low carbs, high protein) are the most effective. Many of have experienced how greatly reduced carb cravings are when you eliminate sugars and most other white carbs from our diets. As a result, I've lost 265 pounds in 13 months not counting calories, limiting carbs and averaging well over 60 grams of protein a day. Just food for thought as you plan the lifetime eating plan that will work for you longterm.
   — SteveColarossi

November 14, 2003
Try more protein samples from VitaLady.com. I love the ProPlete Gold in Pineapple and Berry, Champion Nutrition's Pure Whey Stack, all flavors, but esp. Choc. and Cocoa-Mochaccino. <p> Make 'em with 4-6 oz water, a few ice cubes, and drink with a straw, or sippy sup so you can't *smell* it. They are low-cal, and the protein will aid your weight loss both by fueling fat-burning, and building more muscle (which burns more fat). Now, early on, it may *appear* to stall weight loss, as the scale may not go down as quickly. But that's because the body is building muscle *which weighs more than fat*. But even while the scale is slowing, your body will still be changing - your pants will get larger, the band of your bra will get larger. THis is a *very* good thing! <p> And yes, the protein will help control cravings, will provide a feeling of satiety that food does not, and will help you beat back the sugar/carb demons! <p> And to put a fine point on it, if you're counting calories, protein shakes are a much better deal. A protein shake (the ones I use) is around 130-150 cals for 30 grams of protein, which is *much* more easily absorbed (therefore more *is* absorbed) than meat, or milk, or eggs, etc. A serving of Chicken, light meat, roasted, 3.8 oz=107 g (of meat) provides 185.1 calories, 33.1 grams protein, and 4.8 grams of fat. So, you see, calorie for calorie, protein shakes *are* the best deal! Plus, when you use protein supps, you can spend your meal times eating vegetables, if you like. A luxury you can't afford, if you're trying to eat enough meet to get enough protein. <p>Can you get enough protein from food? I can't . . . In order to get 150 grams of protein in a day, I could start with 30 grams of milk protein. Skim milk contains 8 gm of protein per cup, so that would require 3.75 cups of milk. That would contain 45 gms of sugar (12 gm/cup). 12 grams is twice my limit/meal. I'm supposed to limit my sugars to 6 grams/meal. And anymore than that will usually make me dump, anyway. I could continue my day with meat. Since most meats average 20-30 gm protein/3 oz serving of meat, we'll make it easy and say 30 gm/per 3 oz. serving. So, in order to get in my remaining 120 grams of protein, I'd need a minimum of 4 - 3 oz servings. 12 oz! Which is 12 meals for me. Now, since I'd be dumping ALL DAY long from all that milk, I'd have a REALLY hard time getting in 12 meals! And, remember that number is based on all my meat containing 30 gms protein/3 oz serving, which it really doesn't. And it's based on the (erroneous) assumption that I'd absorb all of the protein from it. Since I'm a distal w/60" common channel, I doubt I absorb 25% of it. So, I'd really need to eat about 48 oz of meat. I couldn't eat 48 oz of meat in a week! So there is *no way* that I can get all my protein from milk/meat/food. A shake takes 2 minutes to prepare, a little longer to drink. No cooking, barely any dishes. And almost no sugar/carbs. Some brands that I use contain *no* sugar or carbs, one contains about 2 grams of sugar per serving. The shakes contain about 130-150 calories per "dose", which I don't worry about anyway. (On my program, we don't count calories, nor fat; we only count sugar grams, and I watch the *effective* carbs.) The nutritional content of foods for this post came from . . . http://teaching.ucdavis.edu/nut10/handouts/content.pdf, except for the chicke cals., etc which came from . . . http://www.caloriesperhour.com/index_food.html
   — RWH G.

November 14, 2003
I like the Carb Solutions brand of protein drinks when I am craving something sweet. They are only 110 calories and have about 20g of protein. I buy the chocolate flavor and drink it over ice or mix it in a blender with ice (I think the watered down flavor is a little better than full strength). I think you might have to get used to the flavor but you should try them. They are also pretty inexpensive, compared to others on the market (a 4pk at Wal-Mart for $5.00). Good luck and God bless you.
   — tntwildlife77

November 14, 2003
I love Carb Solutions....Creamy Vanilla. The cost is $5.82 for a 4 pk at Super Wal-Mart. 21 grams protein 1 gram sugar 2 net carbs 110 calories 11 ozs A Great way to get proteins and liquids..... I don't count calories....I'm still following my healthy eating habits. I'm 9 months post op and down 105 pounds and 76 inches with 10 pounds to goal..... I eat healthy period! No more junk and fatty foods.... I spend lots less eating healthy than I did pre op. Good lUCK......
   — Hazel S.

November 14, 2003
I love the Labrada shakes... It took me a long time to find ones I did not dread drinking. I got a ton of samples from wlssupplies.com. They always have new stuff to try so when I order my regular stuff I get samples of their new drinks and snacks.
   — Melissa P.

November 14, 2003
I just can't stand the protein shakes...just me :>) But I eat a LOT of moz cheese sticks (over 1000 and counting since WLS 15 months ago). At about 8 months I advanced to between 3 and 4 sticks per meal once to twice a day for 7 grams of protein per stick. I also eat a lot of jerky (both homemade and store bought) beef sticks and other cheeses - cottage, ricotta, etc. I found that beef (not burger) agreed with me better than any other food if I eat very tender cuts and don't over-cook them. Anyway, just some food for thought. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]