Question:
Do the calories in protein drinks count?

I read in a recent response to a question that the calories in protein drinks (if made with non-calorie liquid) shouldn't count in the total of our daily calories--is that true? I am an extremely slow looser and I am counting calories just to be sure I'm not getting in too many.    — Laura R. (posted on August 20, 2001)

August 20, 2001
Calories are calories whether we eat them or drink them. ;)
   — Danmark

August 20, 2001
Barb is CORRECT... Not all Protein drinks or bars are created equal.. really become a label reader.. Just because it's 15 grams or better in protein it may be loaded with carbs and fat and calories... Strive for less than 2 grams of carbs... When you're mixing powder protein use water or any other sugar free drink..Don't use milk or you're again calorie and fat loading and defeating the purpose..
   — Victoria B.

August 20, 2001
YES! Every calorie counts.....
   — Cathy J.

August 20, 2001
I've never counted the calories in my protein drinks. Since I do 6 of the 30g drinks a day, and mine are about 160 each, that'd be almost 1000 in protein alone. Predigested protein has a job. It goes to the muscles & organs (and so on), so there is no waste product with it. That's why body builders use it this way. They also do not want fatty tissue, just like us. In the past, I have gained wt on less than 500 cal/day of "good food", so I keep an eye on the TYPE of foods I get, not the total numbers. I judge a calories based on whether it is malabsorbed in the intestine, lost in the bypassed portion of the stomach or applied directly to my hips (sugar). A physiology book can help you find where in the gut things are "processed". Did I confuse you more?
   — vitalady

August 20, 2001
Our WLS-expert nutritionist said the calories in protein drinks DEFINITELY count ! She says after the first few weeks postop, we should be WEANING ourselves OFF all protein drinks/shakes. Sure they are easier to get down than chewing up SOLID protein (fish, chicken, meat, eggs), but that is the PROBLEM ! The protein drinks will pass right through you quickly and you will be hungry again in 1-2 hours. With SOLID protein, you feel FULL for hours, and often are not hungry for many hours afterward. She told our group that you can toss down 2000 calories a day by just doing protein drinks, as opposed to maybe 400 a day by eating solid proteins. She preaches to us to get 60 mg of SOLID protein in a day and 64 oz of water a day - anything beyond that is a bonus. ALL CALORIES COUNT. The nutritionist told us that 1/3 of WLS patients will re-gain all their weight within 10 years. They are the ones who graze, instead of eating just 2-3 solid meals a day with no snacking in-between, eat junk, and don't exercise. She can tell within a few months after surgery which ones will make the lifestyle changes needed and which ones will try to cut corners and ultimately end up failing. You didn't put your poor body through this to fail, did you ? Of course not! Good luck to you -
   — Lisa D.

August 22, 2001
Lisa: I don't want to be negative, but I'd like to know what foods your nutritionist recommends that give us 60 grams of protein a day, when we can only eat 3 cups of food a day. If I wasn't drinking 30 grams of protein in my morning protein shake, I don't know how I would get in the 60 grams. And some distal patients have to have up towards 120 grams of protein a day! I know I have to eat other foods to get the vitamins and nutrition I need, so what do you (or will you) eat to get in your 60 grams of protein a day, if you're not taking protein supplements? Just curious!
   — Kristy J.