My surgeon told me NO liquid calories. Eat real food instead and use the shakes to make sure I'm getting 65 grams of Protein a day.

I can eat 65-90 grams of protein a day with no problems so I haven't been doing shakes. Yesterday I went for another fill. This time I got a different nurse and she told me that I should buy some extra Protein drinks and supplements and use them when I'm hungry between meals. She said if I'm hungry between meals instead of snacking on real food I should drink a Protein shake instead to curb my appetite.

So what is your take on the shakes?

Thanks for this!

CheckYes, I actually emailed my nutritionist about two weeks ago b/c I was stalled at 191 for several weeks. I told him I was eating between 500-600 calories a day, and I also work out pretty hard everyday - whether it be running, zumba plus a long walk, strength training, etc. He told me to up my calories to 1000-1200 a day. I tried, but I just couldn't get there, especially because I try to keep my carbs under 40g for the day. So I tried upping it to about 850 instead. It's working. I lost 6.4 pounds last week. I am going to keep trying to stay in that range. There are some days when the thought of the Protein shake makes me sick, but a day barely goes by that I don't have at least one, sometimes two. That's really the only way I can get in the amount of calories and protein I need. Since we don't have a lot of protein room to move because we don't eat meat, I just keep drinking them. I'm getting really, really sick of tuna The one thing I find really helps my shakes is using .75 of a serving of PB2 in addition to the whey mix. It really helps the taste. If I'm having a higher carb day - meaning having a veggie burger (no bun) instead of fish, I won't add it, but if my carbs are really low, I will. It changes the taste dramatically.

I haven't had one since mushies started haha. I think some people have them because they physically can't eat.. for whatever reason, But yea there is no reason have them after healing unless you prefer them to a meal.. but i know i'd rather eat food.

1700-1750 calories per day. Lots of chicken, eggs, fish, turkey, etc. I eat no less than 4oz dense Protein per meal. I also eat overnight oats with greek yogurt and Protein powder mixed in. I aim for no less than 20g protein per meal though I seem to be getting about 30g.

I was told 1100-1200 calories a day. I am a 5'4" woman and I know that caloric intake varies a lot from person to person. It is interesting to hear what other doctors are saying.

1700-1750 calories per day. Lots of chicken, eggs, fish, turkey, etc. I eat no less than 4oz dense Protein per meal. I also eat overnight oats with greek yogurt and protein powder mixed in. I aim for no less than 20g protein per meal though I seem to be getting about 30g.

I was told 1100-1200 calories a day. I am a 5'4" woman and I know that caloric intake varies a lot from person to person. It is interesting to hear what other doctors are saying.

I don't drink my calories with coffee, juice (etc), but I do take two Protein shakes per day. I'm not on a very low-calorie diet. I'm doing about 1000-1100 calories and 130 grams of carbs/day. Also, I have a cheat day once a week, when my caloric intake is about 1600-1800. My weight-loss within the last 4 months has sped up but is still slower than many bandsters (I'm losing about 2 pounds/week). I prefer not being on a strict diet regime. It keeps me from feeling deprived or counting the days until my diet is over.

I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian and I get in about 45 grams of protein through real food. I don't eat eggs or milk that often though. I take a scoop of Optimum Nutrition 100% whey two times a day with milk. This means that I get the extra protein from the powder and I am now consuming milk everyday, which I find beneficial. This usually brings my protein consumption to 95 grams a day. I could probably find ways to increase my protein without the Protein Shakes and without increasing my caloric intake (while being lacto-ovo veg), but I'm pretty lazy and I'm still within my caloric budget, so this works for me. By the way, if anyone's looking for a Protein shake, Opt. Nutrition (double chocolate, mocha cappuchino, or delicious strawberry) tastes pretty good and is low-carb (3 grams/scoop).

I was told 1100-1200 calories a day. I am a 5'4" woman and I know that caloric intake varies a lot from person to person. It is interesting to hear what other doctors are saying.

My doctor didn't tell me to eat 1700 calories. Last time I saw him I was averaging about 1200 per day but I've started becoming more active and 1200 wasn't cutting it. Caloric needs do vary and now that I am within a normal weight range/BMI, I can follow the equations/guidelines for figuring out how many calories I need.

Believe it or not to maintain my weight I'll need to eat about 1900-2000 calories.

My doctor didn't tell me to eat 1700 calories. Last time I saw him I was averaging about 1200 per day but I've started becoming more active and 1200 wasn't cutting it. Caloric needs do vary and now that I am within a normal weight range/BMI, I can follow the equations/guidelines for figuring out how many calories I need.

Believe it or not to maintain my weight I'll need to eat about 1900-2000 calories.

I think you can eat so many calories because of your exercise:) I hope to be exercising as much as you do soon.

I think you can eat so many calories because of your exercise:) I hope to be exercising as much as you do soon.

It plays a big role, yes

I have a premiier brand chocolate protein shake 30 g protein, 160 calories; as a prework out snack. I am at restriction and other than the shake I don't have "snacks". I have lunch at 12:00 and by the time I go to the gym and drive home it is often after 8:00. If I did'nt have the shake I don't know if I could really make it through a work out.

I have a premiier brand chocolate Protein shake 30 g protein, 160 calories; as a prework out snack. I am at restriction and other than the shake I don't have "snacks". I have lunch at 12:00 and by the time I go to the gym and drive home it is often after 8:00. If I did'nt have the shake I don't know if I could really make it through a work out.

The advisement against drinking your calories makes sense. People feel more full on solid foods than liquids, and something like an iced cappuchino can have the calories of a cheeseburger, while only feeling like a light snack. However, for people who mindfully consume protein shakes within their caloric budget and also make sure to meet their nutritional needs, they don't have to feel bad about "breaking" this rule. You're doing what makes sense for your needs and what produces results. So, in general, it's a good rule, but there's nothing wrong with adapting it to fit your regime.

I can't physically eat in the morning, everything gets stuck, even yogurt, and that was when I didn't have a fill. I have a shake in the morning, I combine unflavored protein powder with fruit like an apple, crystal light and yogurt. Sort of like a normal breakfast but blended together.

I've got a crazy work/sleep schedule and getting enough meals in is a challenge some days. I have a chocolate Protein shake every morning on my way to work (4am)... mixed with skim and instant coffee so it's my morning iced mocha and I love it! Breakfast before I leave work (around 9)... and then I go home to sleep from 1-6pm, so often I don't get lunch in. It doesn't matter the time of day, I'm tight when I wake up so it's a couple of hours before I can do dinner. Dinner is usually around 8 or 9pm for me, then a smoothie around 10:30, bed around midnight... up at 3:30am... start over. My surgeon doesn't have a problem with my daily protein shake and is usually glad to hear I'm getting plenty of protein in.

It's my only liquid calories, and even with it I'm under 1100/day.

Plus, I actually really enjoy my shake in the morning...

I forgot to mention... That when I have 1 or maybe 2 shakes a day. That 8 or 10 oz shake contributes to my water intake. So it's a good thing.