At my last appt (and fill) my dr told me to try and just eat, and avoid protein shakes. I usually have one in the morning before work, since I have to wake up so early (4:30am), and don't have much of an appetite, if at all. Then when I have my first break of the day, around 8;15-ish, I have some scrambled egg whites. He said even if it is something small like a cheese stick, I should be eating, not drinking my breakfast. Has anyone else been told this? I've been a little slow to lose, although some of that may be to not feeling the restriction, and not being on "manual restriction" until I feel it automatically, so I'm hesitant to blame the shakes...

It's too easy to drink your calories and end up consuming more calories than you realise or plan to. That is most likely why your dr wants you to eat.

No, mine wants me to eat at least half my protein, but wants me to do protein shakes or bullets too. Its hard to eat 80-120 g of protein in a day (depening on your weight).He says you will lose faster if you keep your proteins up because your muscles are burning calories almost like running a track.... Though you don't get the cardio bennefits. I drink and eat protein daily and I am losing more rapidly than my mom and sister... Just make sure it's high protein and low in far, sugar, and calories.

I cannot eat anything solid in the morning. Before being banded, I used to skip breakfast altogether. Bad Habit.

NOW, I make a homemade high Protein smoothie in the blender, 40-45 gm of protein, every morning. I have been doing this everyday for the last 14 months. I get 1/2 my daily protein, I get much energy to get me through the day, and I believe, working with the band, that it contributes to my lack of hunger/cravings during the day.

As far as I'm concerned, I'm doing something that is very good for me, better than I can get from eggs, and a lot less calories, fat, sugar, etc.

It is one of the best, healthiest things I can do.

What my Dr. does not know won't hurt him.

I have a protein shake every morning either right when I wake up or after the gym at about 6:30. It has been working for me. My band is super tight in the morning so this way is the only way I am going to get any protein down first thing. I then have a snack (cheese stick, 100 calorie pack almonds) once I get to work.

According to my doctor, "the band works with solids, not liquids," so I would imagine that is why your doctor wants you to eat your calories rather than drink them.

There are some mornings that I just don't care to have anything to eat and I will have a Protein shake then. I think it's better to have a Protein Shake than nothing at all.

Doctors are afraid you will drink way more calories than you realize. Though my Nurse Practictioner says once you are at restriction you may need to be have a shake in the morning. Since I usually have a long time between lunch and dinner (since I go to the gym after work) I have a premier protein shake 30 g protein for 160 calories.

Mine told me, that they want me to end up just having 1 protein shake a day... Since it is hard to stay low on calories and try and get 80 to 90 grams of proteiin, so the 1 shake is fine.. I average between 600 to 700 calories now and that's with 2 protein shakes, so for now it's fine, but once I get to my green zone then I will be going down to 1 shake a day..

I usually have a fruit smoothy with protein,too! I am in my 1 1/2 of maintianance and its doing oaky. I, sometimes, add fiber to it to make sure that I have enough fiber in my diet(bathroom problems at times!). I think homemade smoothies are probably better, as you can add fruits and stuff to it. Some people like the green shakes, but I can't get myself to have one! They are made by adding spinach, collard, or other greens to your smoothy. Just watch your ounces when making them! Karen

MMine actually tells me to drink more Protein shakes even 2 1/2 yrs out. I haven't drinken one since I was off the liquid diet at 4the wks tho. Couldn't even swallow them anymore. I gave my father in lkaw 2 big jugs of Protein powder. I eat enuf real food to get my protein in. I don't count calories, protein,fat, or carb. I just eat what I want until im full. And that worked for almost 1002 lbs.

I can imagine tho ur dr advising u to eat rather than drink ur calories. Good luck to u

Marci

I always choose solid protein like eggs if i can. But sometimes i cant in the morning so i have a shake for breakfast. Right now i am so tight and close to goal so i have shakes in the monring and by the afternoon i am n solid protein. I never go over 1200 cals.

It depends. For me, if I have something like a shake, I want to eat again in half an hour. They work for me if I beef them up with a banana and a big spoonfull of Peanut Butter but then its a gazillion calories. Whereas 1/4 cup of rolled oats, one or two chopped dates and a few walnuts comes in at around 200, has way more fibre, better nutrients than a Protein shake, other than protein of course.

But then, ive never subscribed to the 80 plus grams of protein a day theory, nor do most docs here, and i have had bowel cancer, so I rate wholegrains, fruit and veg as more important foods. I also eat my protein later in the day the way nature intended, packaged up with Iron, b Vitamins, zinc all in bioavailable form and sans sugar or artificial sweetener and god knows what else. A Protein Shake is apoor substitute for lean meat, eggs and fish.

However, it is NOT going to hurt you or your weightloss if it works for you

I figured it was probably due to concerns I would be getting in more calories than I needed to, but quite honestly, I think I am eating more when I don't have one, then when I do. My upcoming appt is next week, and its with the NP, so maybe I'll bring that up to her again as well. I am also not having much restriction unless I eat too fast or don't chew enough (have 6 cc's in my 11cc band), so I may need another fill as well.