My doc told me no liquid calories after I get back on a regular diet. Then yesterday he said no liquid calories EXCEPT that he still wants me drinking 1 to 2 Protein shakes every day. He said the people who eat the most protein are the ones who lose the most weight.

He said I need 65 grams of protein a day and even if I get that from my meals it still won't hurt to add more in the form of shakes.

What were told?

My doc had no restrictions (and wouldn't have mattered if he did) on Protein drinks. His view is that we all have to find a healthy way of eating we can live with. I drink Protein shakes as a mini-meal between my main meals and I drink one in the evening. I also drink one for Breakfast because I'm not a breakfast person but know I need something in my system.

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65g of protein a day is what I was told. I can tell when I didn't get enough protein in that day now. The protein is extremely important. I do still drink a shake now and again, but I'm pretty good about eating my protein. It took me a long time to get there though!

He wants me to get 65 g protein/day, and prefers that I use only 1 shake toward that goal.

I've found that I lose and feel better when I get 80-100 g/day. I have two Protein shakes a day. (I have them warm, and they are critical for me---the warm liquid dissolves my supplement capsules so they don't get stuck.)

I am one of his most successful band patients. His stance is that those who do the best learn how to tailor the rules to their needs.

He wants me to get 65 g protein/day, and prefers that I use only 1 shake toward that goal.

I've found that I lose and feel better when I get 80-100 g/day. I have two Protein shakes a day. (I have them warm, and they are critical for me---the warm liquid dissolves my supplement capsules so they don't get stuck.)

I am one of his most successful band patients. His stance is that those who do the best learn how to tailor the rules to their needs.

BetsyB....I am just wondering about heating up protein shakes. Sometimes drinking the cold shakes is fine but at other times I think I would enjoy something warm. Do you enjoy drinking them warm or do you do it only because of the supplements. I currently am drinking the EAS pre mixed carb control shakes which I actually like...could I warm that up or do I need to use a mix. ANy info you can give would be awesome. Thanks so much!

My doctor prefers that I didn't use them, or in his words "become dependent" on them. If I need to use them I do it very sparingly.

He is one of the Dr's that wants his pt to eat as normal/healthy as possible. He allows breads, Pasta, steaks, anything as long as they can tolerate it. I know I can't eat the same junk I used to. I am constantly losing (lbs and inches) and I am nearly 4wks out. :rolleyes2:

My doctor is ok with 1 meal being my protein shake. I cant hardly eat breakfast so I drink a shake. By lunch time I am ok to eat. Majority of the time I mix my protien with milk, somethimes I will use coffee but I have found out that when I mix the protein with coffee I tend to get hungry sooner.

My doctor does not want you to use protein shakes once you are on solids. Since they are liquid they will slip right through and you'll be hungry. I do use Premier Ready to Drink Shakes from Costco; when I am on the go (usually at breakfast).

How do you warm them without the protein curdling up?

BetsyB....I am just wondering about heating up Protein shakes. Sometimes drinking the cold shakes is fine but at other times I think I would enjoy something warm. Do you enjoy drinking them warm or do you do it only because of the supplements. I currently am drinking the EAS pre mixed carb control shakes which I actually like...could I warm that up or do I need to use a mix. ANy info you can give would be awesome. Thanks so much!

You have to be careful about heating, because heat denatures the protein, and can cause terrible clumping. So, just like when you make custards or other smooth things involving protein, you have to temper the protein gradually.

I use a protein powder--Inspire (flavored) or PURE (unflavored) from Bariatric Eating. I put the powder into a clean, dry (this part is important) mug, then add a slosh of the liquid I'll be using (cold) and give it a stir.

I set the protein aside, and heat the remainder of the liquid (almond milk if I'm using flavored protein, broth or Soup or whatever if I'm using unflavored protein) in the microwave. I heat for just about a minute--until it's warm, but not hot.

Stirring constantly, I add about a quarter of the liquid to the protein in my mug. The idea is to gradually warm the protein so it doesn't denature (clump up or "scramble").

Then I heat the rest of the liquid for about a minute longer--until it's hot.

Again, stirring constantly, I slowly add it to the protein mixture.

The gradual addition of heat keeps the protein smooth. (If it does clump, it still has the same nutritional benefit, but it's not very appealing, and since we don't eat all that much these days, I think it's pretty important that the things we do eat are appealing!)

You really have to do this on a serving-by-serving basis---you can't add protein to, say, a pot of soup, then reheat it as leftovers, or you'll end up with clumps of protein separated from the soup.