Why No More Protein Shakes?!

[MandiMand 17]

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...

[SageTracey 608]

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.

[jillybean76 2]

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.

[B-52 7,113]

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.

[TracieR 88]

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.

[Toddy 758]

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.

[honk 780]

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.

[hedder14 59]

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..

[kll724 3,055]

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

[marfar7 1,528]

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

[Kiskis 56]

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.

[Jachut 487]

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

[MandiMand 17]

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.