PROTEIN - Shakes vs Solid Food

[Drasan 23]

Can somebody tell me the advantage of drinking a Protein Shake rather than eating real food that is high in Protein (for those of us on solids)? It seems like a lot of people are doing this. Am I missing something?

I thought that real food will stay in the pouch and help us to feel full, while a shake will just slip right through.

I would love to hear the pros and cons.

Thanks!

[alcc1996 0]

I was just banded on Friday, June 18th...I would love to know the answer to this! ANY additional tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[vlp1968 83]

You are right, a protien shake tends to slip right through the pouch. I have one for Breakfast because I am pretty tight in the morning. Other then that, I eat solids. Good question.

[OldSchool76 0]

I am under the impression that you are correct. Protein from food (like a chicken breast or whatever) also has other constituent parts (like fiber) and takes the digestive system time to break down.

For me, in the morning, my band feels tighter. I also LOVE the regimen and regularity so I have a Protein shake for breakfast and a Protein Bar mid morning. Total calories about 320 and total Protein 50g (combined). That gets my day off to a good start and allows me to find my extra 10-30 g of protein in my other meals.

I imagine folks use it as a way to portion out their intake more than anything else. I have read that certain Proteins are more readily digestible (eggs for example) that others (red meat).

[okiegirl79 1]

I have often wondered the same myself. My doctor is really big on Protein Shakes for breakfast- but most of them are SSSSSOOOO bad!

Banded 10/14/2009

[Cocoabean 430]

My surgeon does not want me drinking any calories, period. Because they go right through the band and don't satisfy you. I keep a few shakes around in case I've had a bad stuck episode and am having trouble getting food down. But they are not part of my normal diet.

As a side note, chicken or other protien foods, don't have Fiber.

[MrsShannonDennis 10]

Cocoa is right. My surgeon and many others I know want you to limit drinking calories. Your more apt to consume for because it doesnt stick as well. My surgeon suggests drinking one in the morning cause I too am super tight. If I dont get to one in the morning, or I eat something else cause Im more loose, then I have one for dinner after a good workout cause the Protein will keep the muscle I just built up. The only thing is that shakes are where you get a LARGE amount of Protein so I rely on at least one a day to get my protein in.

Tip for those who cant find a good shake:

I HATE HATE HATE the taste of shakes. I was even forcing myself to drink them and would throw them up. I have since discovered Matrix Protein powder (I like chocolate). I mix it with 1 cup choco soy milk (or fat free milk), half a banana, and 2 tbsp chunky Peanut Butter (no sugar added all natural). I SWARE TO YOU, it tastes like a milk shake. If a shake tastes anything like Protein Powder to me, I wont drink it and I can drink these allllll day if I had to. I actually look forward to having one daily! Hope this helps!

[okiegirl79 1]

Where do you get Matrix? I do the exact same shake but with Isagenix Isalean shake mix. It is a bit pricey and you have to get it from a distributor so if Matrix is easier to obtain than I would definitley like to check into it. I drink one most days for breakfast..I am too tight to eat anything also. Must be why the surgeon is so big on Protein Shakes for breakfast.

[MrsShannonDennis 10]

I get it at Vitamin Shoppe only $19.99. Used to pay over $40 at my surgeons until I found it here. I see youre in Tulsa, I looked and they dont have one. There might be somewhere else there that carries it, nectar is another good one.

[BetsyB 9]

I use Protein supplements. I don't use them instead of food---I use them to ensure I get enough Protein when I am unable to get enough from solid food.

I just don't have the capacity to get the number of protein grams I need each day in from solid food alone. So I start the day with a protein shake---and if I haven't gotten enough, I end the day with one, too.

You're right, they're not as satisfying as food. But they get the protein in, when the body's already had 3 solid meals and really can't hold any more :smile2:

[Jachut 487]

Hmmmm, manufactured fake food made by humans with lots of additives - either a lot of sugar or a lot of artificial sweetener depending on whether you pick a low carb one or not.

Or..... real food with nutrient balance in way nature intended.

No competition in my humble opinion. I never drink shakes and never have. I've never found I needed to supplement above what I could eat.

[elcee 3,340]

The only time I use a Protein Shake is when I have to do liquids after a fill.Other than that it's REAL food all the way.

[MrsShannonDennis 10]

Those of you who dont do shakes, how many grams of Protein are you getting in a day? I stay between 80-100. Its what my doc and nut recommend. If you are this high, how the heck are yoou getting it all in? One shake has about 45g of protein. I eat a lot of eggs and turkey bacon and lean protein meats and nuts, but I cant physically eat 80-100g of that a day based of quanity alone. Would love to know your secret

[swirl 1]

Hmmmm, manufactured fake food made by humans with lots of additives - either a lot of sugar or a lot of artificial sweetener depending on whether you pick a low carb one or not.

Or..... real food with nutrient balance in way nature intended.

No competition in my humble opinion. I never drink shakes and never have. I've never found I needed to supplement above what I could eat.

What did you do when you first had surgey? I'm only one week out and sick of just liquids.

[elcee 3,340]

I have no idea how much Protein I am getting and I don't really care.I am not focused on Protein I am focused on getting a balanced diet that includes all food groups.

However here is a sample menu from one of Trudy Williams books.(Trudy is a very well respected nutritionist specialising in banded diets and has written lots of books)

Cereal + milk or an egg on toast 9g

crackers with ham and salad 16g

2 pieces of fresh fruit 4g

mince/chicken or salmon 19g with veg 4g

yogurt 10g

muesli bar 3g

milk in tea and coffee 5g

total 70g.

All from a normal diet that includes all food groups and with no extra Protein shakes.