Question:
Is carnation instant breakfast ok to drink?
I drink one Carnation Instant Breakfast everyday to add some protein. (I get 65 grams a day & drink 90oz water a day) But I hear conflicting things, is it ok to drink? I get the no sugar added kind, but ofcourse i know it still has sugar, and so does milk. It's the only thing that actually tastes good. I just feel like I am not doing things right. I've lost 47 pounds so far,(10 weeks post-op) but am on a 2 week plateau<p>And if it is okay, should I not drink it all at once? Because I heard something about that our stomachs cannot process milk the same way it could before. — Lezlie Y. (posted on August 10, 2002)
August 9, 2002
There are lots of different opinions about "No Sugar Added CIB"
from surgeons/nutritionists/other post-op patients. Our bariatric surgeon
lists it as one of his "acceptable options", and the four of us
in our family who have had RNY surgery used it. One of us became lactose
intolerant at 3 weeks, and had to subsequently change to a different
supplement. We drank the CIB all at once....I don't think that that makes
any difference at all...you're either going to be lactose-intolerant or
you're not. For the rest of us, it tasted better than any other product,
was fast and convenient to prepare, and was more cost-effective. Our
surgeon only prescribes protein supplementation for the first six weeks
post-op....other surgeons recommend in for extended or indefinite periods
of time. We are all 17-32 months post-op, and our serum protein levels
have remained in the high normal range throughout this period. This
product worked for us, but remember that different WLS procedures require
different levels of supplementation. Talk with your surgeon/nutritionist
and follow their guidelines for your particular procedure. As for the
plateaus....they are hateful, but completely normal events. Your body
needs periodic times to "re-group" and rest during these first
months of rapid weight loss. Just practice some patience, and know that
even when the pounds aren't moving, the inches are! Best wishes!
— Diana T.
August 9, 2002
I'm having surgery next week and my surgeon had me order a case of CIB
no-sugar-added about a month ago. I got a case of French Vanilla. He
wants all his patients on it for the first two weeks. I've tried added
some Davinci Sugar Free syrups to it and it's yummy. His nurse
practitioner says that after that time, then you can branch out to some of
the other protien supplements.
— Cathy S.
August 9, 2002
FYI . . . anyone with lactose intolerance can mix it with the lactose free
milk . . .I like it better than regular milk.
— donice N.
August 9, 2002
Sugar free CIB is the the main staple of my diet for the next 4 weeks (I
had an open RNY on 8/5) It tastes good and I'm not having any trouble with
the milk so far. I was told only to drink as much as you can (up to 8oz)
within an hour or so. After that put it down and drink other fluids. Good
luck!
— Jean T.
August 10, 2002
Donice - I have to correct you on your statement. I am 5-1/2 weeks post op
and lactose intolerant, unfortunately. I drink Dean's "Easy"
milk, which is lactose free, cheaper and better tasting than Lactaid.
HOWEVER, I still cannot tolerate CIB, even with the lactose free milk. CIB
has nonfat dry milk powder and causes the same painful symptoms as regular
milk. I do fine with yogurt and cheese but not the milk or nonfat dry milk.
Big bummer - I have 3 boxes of No Sugar Added CIB to use up :( I like it so
much more than any protein shakes - haven't found one of those I could
choke down! If you can tolerate CIB, I say go for it! Best Wishes - Anna
LAP RNY 7/3/02 -45lbs.
— Anna L.
August 10, 2002
I'm sorta anti-CIB. I hate to see us waste calories (and the potential for
incomplete wt loss--it's not the first 20 you dont' lose, but the last 20)
for a tiny dab of questoinable protein vs a big gob of sugar. I used the
stuff years ago (pre-op) & I was starving in an hour or so. I still
associate it with being hungry! You might shop around until you find a good
protein drink that mixed with water, but tastes like it. Then you can get
high protein, little drop of sugar, which would give you more energy, more
wt loss. And more head satisfaction.
— vitalady
August 10, 2002
Lezlie, I drink it all at one time with no problems. That is up to you
and your body. As for the plateau, I doubt if it is even remotely related
to the CIB. Your loss is great, and you are probably "due" for
the plateau. I just broke a 4 week one! Good luck, and keep up the good
work.
— Tina B.
August 10, 2002
It's me again. I just read through all of the posts, and I want to ask you
to speak to your doctor before eliminating any food completely from your
diet, especially milk. Milk provides natural calcium and other nutrients
vital to our bodies. As a nursing student, this concerns me when someone
swears off a food entirely. My doctor and nutritionist tell me that milk
is something I should be getting in especially during child-bearing years
and before menopause. ie:osteoporosis prevention, heart conduction system
protection, etc...
— Tina B.
August 10, 2002
Thanks for all of your responses! Even if I were to not drink the CIB, I
know my nutritionist, surgeon and head RN all recommended to drink a glass
of milk everyday. I am 22yrs old and plan on having children later on.
Thanks again! Oh, and my plateau finally broke!! I lost 2 pounds!! :-)
— Lezlie Y.
August 10, 2002
You know that every surgeon is different. Mine says that CIB no sugar added
is a must until you can handle other high protein drinks. He has us on CIB
for 6 months. I read that someother people say it is a waste....Here is
what I do with mine: 8 oz skim milk, 1 pack of CIB, 3 tbs of powered skim
milk (just for added protien, and ice in a blender. I am 3 months on
08/13/02 and down 60 pounds. I don't think it is hurting my weight
loss...LOL
— Sharon H.
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