Question:
Milk vs. Water
I'm reading up on protein shakes and have found a few sites that claim that mixing the protein powder with milk (even skim milk) actually helps put weight ON. It was my understanding that as bypass patients, mixing them with milk was a good way to add calcium. Have I been doing it wrong all this time? Dawn LAP RNY 04/11/03 — momstah (posted on September 2, 2005)
September 2, 2005
Only if you go way over your calorie allotment for a day. You have to
ingest 3500 calories in order to gain a pound. I do not think most PO's
take in that many calories in a day. I have been mixing mine with skim milk
for 2+ years and have not gained. I think the web sites might be gearing
what they are saying as it applies to people with normal sized tummies,
maybe they would gain weight.
— ChristineB
September 2, 2005
Since there is not a lot of calcium in milk (WHAT?!?!) and people whose
stomach/duodenum is bypassed have little ability to break milk down, it
simply becomes sugar. That's why we give it to children and the elderly.
There is more sugar than protein in milk, for example. The amount of fat
doesn't really matter since at least some fats are malabsorbed along with
the calcium and such. Not everyone who uses milk will gain weight, some
will. It's always a chance you take. I will be 11 years out shortly and
I'm afraid of milk. I used it to fatten up my kids and my elderly father.
I watch my children use it to fatten up their children, so it is something
I avoid and make my shakes with only the calories/sugars in the protein
itself.
— vitalady
September 2, 2005
You have been out from surgery for over 2 years now. Are you having
problems with maintaining or losing to your goal? What's your calorie
intake if either of these is a problem? If you're not having a problem
with either of these, continue using your milk. It does add calcium and
does add some protein as well. Continue to take your calcium supplement
tho!!
There is nothing wrong with using milk in your protein shakes. Some people
have problems with the sugar in milk causing them to dump. Others have
become lactose intolerant and can't use the milk. I know this isn't
popular with some of the shake afficionados who swear ONLY water will work,
but milk isn't going to hurt you any. My surgeon actually does not
recommend shakes at all and recommends 2 servings of milk or cheese daily.
There is protein in milk and calcium. Both of which we CAN absorb and use
to some extent keeping in mind our malabsorbtion issues. All protein is
broken down into a sugar form for our bodies to use...whether it be from
shakes or food. I personally find that if I use water for my shakes, it
does not fill me up and will not stick with me for very long. It's more or
less like drinking a glass of water. Since part of the reason I use shakes
is to help stop the munchies along with getting in extra protein, water
seems to defeat the purpose. I know a lot of long term successful post ops
who use milk and milk products. There is also a LOT of research out there
that shows milk can actually HELP you lose weight. The bottom line is
calorie intake. If you take in more calories than you use, you will gain
weight. Good luck!! Carmen
— kccjer
September 2, 2005
I'm two years out, have dropped 202 pounds, and continue to do 60 grams of
protein each day mixed with skim or 1% milk. I'm one of the less fortunate
ones after surgery who has had a lot of issues with typical foods such as
meat, poultry, fish, etc. So I depend on the shakes to get the protein I
need. Every blood work-up I've had done since surgery has shown excellent
levels of everything I'm supposed to have. Thank godness, milk still works
for me, and makes the shakes taste that much better. Since my weight has
been stable for months now, I'm not worrying about the milk aspect of it.
While I'm at it, I'll add that I used to use GNC's 100% Whey all the time.
But some of their stores now carry Amplify made by Release. The taste is
GREAT, and has more nutrients going for it than the 100% Whey.
Unfortunately, along with the much better taste, also comes a higher price
tag.
— Robert Neff
September 2, 2005
I am 10 months out now and have always mixed my protein with Soy milk for
additional protein and calcium, etc.
I use Soy because I can not tolerate regular skim milk.
I have lost a total of 115 lbs and only now has my weight loss started to
slow. But I do take in consideration all the calories in everything I eat
or drink. As I continue on this journey I feel that is very important.
— GPepper50
September 3, 2005
I never heard that before, but milk does have a lot of sugar. it should
onlly matter if you are diabetic or overdo it, though. I AM diabetic, and
I mix my protein with Hood Carb Countdown Dairy Beverage. I think you
could use any dairy beverage, though, just check the label. 6 oz of the
carb countdown gives me twelve grams of protein, which, added to the fifty
grams of protein I mix with it, makes a whopping 65 grams of protein!
I tried to mix my protein with water, but it made me gag. I ust cannot get
it down.
If you are losing weight, then you are probably okay. If you are worried,
check with your doctor.
— Novashannon
September 3, 2005
Either way is good. But for me, my surgery has left me lactose intollerant.
I can no longer drink milk. I take my calcium citrate daily for my calcium.
I have found the ones that mix with water are more convenient. I keep a
scoop in a zip lock bag and when I find myself away from home and need to
have a meal, I mix it with a bottle of water (I always have my water with
me) and I am good to go. Unjury has a new one that mixes with water that is
pretty good. You may also want to try the Nectar brand that mixes with
water. The Nectar brand has 23 grams of whey protien, Unjury has 20.
— Patricia C.
September 5, 2005
Hi- I am 3 weeks postop- have been fortunate to keep all foods down- like
turkey- steak- chicken etc- and have been trying out different
shakes.Before surgery I was lactose intolerant (I forgot) and mixed a shake
with reg milk- it bloated me & gave me MORE gas. I have since mixed
milk with Lactaid milk - or Carb Countdown milk- and its been fine. I've
also lost 24lbs in 3 weeks!
I have tried these brands: Nectar, Isopure, Designer Whey.
They all mix instantly- no blender required- and they taste great. The
Nectar I have tried the iced tea/carribbean cooler /fuzzy navel;
isopure:dutch chocolate; Designer Whey-
choc.Peanut caramel and vanilla praline. They are all about 25gms each
scoop- so 2 shakes daily = 50gms. The carribbean cooler tastes most like a
pina colada! You can buy samples at briatriceating.com - but I have been
buying mine at the
Vitaminne Shoppe. The Designer Whey is on sale at 19.99 this month!
Good Luck- let me know how you are doing!
Donna
— nybabe
September 8, 2005
For the amount of sugar you are getting in a serving of milk its not worth
the little bit of calcium you MAY absorb. JMOH
— SJP
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