Question:
Protein Drinks as Supps or Meal Replacements??

I've been using protein shakes for awhile now and have been using them as more of a meal replacement program. I was wondering if that's a good thing or not? Should I be continuing to drink my shakes while STILL eating my 3 or 4 meals a day? Currently, I'm drinking 2 protein shakes and having 1 or 2 small meals. What do you do? And would using these as a meal replacement be good for the long run? Thanks a bunch! (oh! i'm 5 months post op open RNY)    — Christie N. (posted on January 31, 2003)

January 30, 2003
I take half a Real Meals shake in the morning and half of one before bed. This is in addition to 3 meals and snacks. I have been doing this since I was about three or four weeks post op. At eight months post op I am down 120 pounds. Which is 20 pounds below goal. My doctor says that I am off the charts in the speed in which I lost. I went from a 24 to a 4 in the first 6 months.
   — Linda A.

January 30, 2003
Like when does one have time to fit in the 'extra' protein shakes if eating three meals a day and drinking all that water at designated times????? Annnnnnd taking all those vitamins? I CANNOT eat between meals. I am barely hungry from meal to meal. Oh 'hurt me', huh? LOL Not really complaining, but definitely in need of more protein and struggling to get it all in. I am 3 months post op (anniversary date 10/30/02 and down 85 lbs) open RNY. Still not liking a lot of the old favorites...like meat and chicken. Salads and veggies taste good, but they are not protein. Oh...and here's a good one. I post questions on here and go off to work. When I get home I check for answers to my questions and my post is come and gone. I've tried everything to find it. It's almost not worth posting. Too bad. Why can't I find my Question after several hours?
   — Ginger M.

January 30, 2003
I vary mine depending on how busy I am during the day. Breakfast is usually a protein shake (Isopure)made w/ water and if I know I am going to be 'out and about' I will make up protein powder in little tupperware containers and make a shake during the day (especially if I go and work out)I eat normally the rest of the day and may have one more small shake at nite if I am craving carbs (tends to satisfy the urge for chocolate). One thing I do w/ my protein drinks is add half a packet of the 'no sugar added' carnation instant breakfast or the sugar free hot chocolate mix to give the taste a bit more 'ommph'. And....everytime I read Linda's results and weightloss (AMAZING)in six months...I think, "Oh man!!! I want that toooooooooo!!" lol
   — TanaMom2JAM

January 31, 2003
I think if the protein shakes are working for you, you should stick with them. At eight months out, I'm still doing two protein shakes a day, plus three meals and a snack or two (total calories: 1200 a day, as I near goal). I've learned to snack on protein foods a lot, but frankly I'm just not fond enough of protein to manage to get THAT much in without the shakes. And if you're using a whey protein shake, you're doing even better it's the most bioavailable (translation: you'll absorb more protein from it than other forms of protein, be they from food or protein shakes). Having said that, I think that just about ANY protein shake you like, and that works for YOU, is a good thing. I don't intend to ever stop using the shakes, because they remind me to keep on top of my food control issues, and they're good for me. :)<P>And can we *please* stop with the incessant advertising of a certain protein shake here by a certain relentless poster? This lady didn't ask for a recommendation on shakes -- she's already got one she likes. Heavy sigh.
   — Suzy C.

January 31, 2003
Christie, there is also some question on how much protein we actually absorb from our food. Because of the malabsorption, not every gram of protein we eat is absorbed. How much is absorbed? Good question. One person told me that her doc said about 30 percent. While I do not believe the figures are that low, protein shakes as supplements and/or meal replacements are a good idea. I would use them to boost the amount of protein you take in a day to ensure that you are getting enough in your system. Because some of the protein shakes come pre-digested (or whatever the proper term is), they are more easily absorbed into the system than food. I think your doing well with 2 shakes and 2 meals. I have 3 meals and 1 shake a day.
   — Cindy R.

January 31, 2003
Yes, it's ok to use protein drinks as your main source of protein. I still do! As for a previous poster asking for others to stop listing products by name, I'm not sure why you feel that you have the authority to ask other people to modify their replies to these posts. If you don't like the person or the product, then ignore them. Best of luck on your journey!!!
   — Anna L.

February 1, 2003
I take 4-6 proteins a day (sometimes more if I'm mega stressed). AND I do 4 smallish meals, too. The proteins are more like a beverage, as far as pouch space. I'm 8 yrs out, will continue to it this way as long as I can heft the glass to my lips!
   — vitalady