To Protein Drink or Not To Protein Drink

[mngreeneyes 674]

I just had my three month followup yesterday. The one big change besides starting to balance my diet was that my NUT really wants me to save my Protein drink for my snack in the afternoon and only on days I workout. I eat three meals a day and a snack if I workout. I had been drinking my Protein as Breakfast, but my NUT really wants me to eat regular food with some amount of Fiber now. It will be an interesting change.

pam

[VDLT 244]

@@JamieLogical which bars do you eat? I am 4.5 months out and still have a Protein shake a day because I like them and it is an easy Breakfast for me but would like to check out some bars. Thanks!

[JamieLogical 8,684]

@@JamieLogical which bars do you eat? I am 4.5 months out and still have a Protein shake a day because I like them and it is an easy breakfast for me but would like to check out some bars. Thanks!

I was using Quest Bars during my weight loss phase, but they changed their pre-biotic Fiber from isomalto-oligosaccharide to soluble corn fiber. The soluble corn fiber made me SUPER gassy.... I couldn't even be in the same room with myself it was so bad. So I searched around for other bars using isomalto-oligosaccharide and eventually settled on Combat Crunch. They are great for me in maintenance, but I don't know that I would recommend them during the weight loss phase, because they are higher in net carbs than Quest Bars. You could try Quest Bars yourself and see how you fare with them. Many people have no problem with them at all after the ingredient change. I was just unlucky. Another poster recently posted some info about Oh Yeah! ONE bars and the nutrition on those looks similar to Quest, but I haven't tried one yet. They allegedly carry them at Vitamin Shoppe.

[Ronjohn 84]

I bought some Quest bars a couple months ago and they have gone down hill. I used to eat them a few years back and they aren't nearly as good.

[Chrystee 838]

I personally prefer Protein Shakes. I still drink at least one a day to help get my Protein requirements in.

[Indieflickers 298]

@@Chrystee do you make your own shakes or do the pre-made? I'm sort of obsessed with my morning shake.

[JamieLogical 8,684]

I bought some Quest bars a couple months ago and they have gone down hill. I used to eat them a few years back and they aren't nearly as good.

It's because of the change in their main ingredient. That apparently diminished the flavor for a lot of people. They have since reformulated again, still using soluble corn fiber, but have "improved" the flavor to bring it more back in line with what it used to be. You might want to give them another shot. I still can't handle them because of my body's reaction to the soluble corn fiber, but the taste is supposed to be better after this latest reformulation.

[VDLT 244]

Thank you so much for the information, you are always so helpful. It makes sense to keep with the shakes for now, specially since my weight loss has diminished to a crawl.

I will check into bars in maintenance though, hopefully this year! LOL

@@JamieLogical which bars do you eat? I am 4.5 months out and still have a Protein shake a day because I like them and it is an easy breakfast for me but would like to check out some bars. Thanks!

I was using Quest Bars during my weight loss phase, but they changed their pre-biotic fiber from isomalto-oligosaccharide to soluble corn fiber. The soluble corn fiber made me SUPER gassy.... I couldn't even be in the same room with myself it was so bad. So I searched around for other bars using isomalto-oligosaccharide and eventually settled on Combat Crunch. They are great for me in maintenance, but I don't know that I would recommend them during the weight loss phase, because they are higher in net carbs than Quest Bars. You could try Quest Bars yourself and see how you fare with them. Many people have no problem with them at all after the ingredient change. I was just unlucky. Another poster recently posted some info about Oh Yeah! ONE bars and the nutrition on those looks similar to Quest, but I haven't tried one yet. They allegedly carry them at Vitamin Shoppe.

[AnA92212 577]

I've had some discussions with my NUT, surgeon, and primary care physician about this. What they consider "grazing" is mindless eating. So, having a packet of crackers on your desk and work and eating when not hungry. I have dedicated Snacks and meals. I don't eat outside of these. The times may differ from day to day depending on my schedule, but I could not get enough in without the Snacks.< /p>

Typical day: coffee with stevia on the way into work (I have a 30 minute drive)

9:00 am breakfast (usually greek yogurt and turkey sausage or eggs and a Protein, or SF oatmeal and a Protein, etc)

11:00 am snack (turkey, yogurt, cheese, just something)

1:00 or 2:00 pm lunch (zoodles with turkey meatballs or chicken and veggies--some type of protein and veggies)

4:00 snack (usually a protein before I go work out)

7:00 pm-ish dinner (protein and veggie or Soup or something)

I get about 800 to 1100 calories a day. I run 3-5 miles 3 days a week. Walk 3-5 miles a week 3 days a week. Zumba once a week and weight training 2 times a week.

I get between 60 and 80 g protein a day.

Protein shake is up to you. There is NO way to get that much protein without shakes immediately after surgery. By a year out my doctor wants you to get 90% or more of your protein from food. It is good practice to have one available just in case you are stuck without a healthy food option or sometimes it is just impossible to get your protein in that day.

[Kindle 8,667]

There is no way I could have met Protein goals even in the first year without Protein Shakes. And at 26 months postop I still drink them at least 5 days/week. I also eat a Quest bar every day. It is an easy way to know I'm getting 40-50g protein before I even start eating. It also gives me the freedom to eat more veggies and fruit and not have to eat protein for every single meal/snack. Besides, 100% whey isolate is the number one, best absorbed form of protein available. Why wouldn't I want to give my body the best?

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Several points:

First, grazing is indeed quite different from eating a couple of nutritious Snacks a day. As @@AnA92212 says, grazing is mindless nibbling -- and usually it involves slider foods.

Second, I have never stopped using Protein drinks. Eighteen months post-op, I still have a Protein Drink most mornings for Breakfast (my preferred one is the GNC Lean shake 25 swiss chocolate).

Third, I really don't get this business about Protein Drinks not being "real food." I don't understand how "real protein" has to come with feathers or hooves still attached in order to qualify as Protein or even as nutritious food.

My last comment isn't motivated so much by posts on this thread as those on some other threads: I'm truly amused when I read posts by some who used to eat absolute pure crap and, as a result, were 100 pounds, 200 pounds or more overweight, who go nuts over how "unhealthy" they find protein drinks, Protein Bars, and "chemicals in food."

Today, at or below my weight goal for almost a year, I eat very nutritious foods. I cook more than I used to cook. I work hard to get my "five a day" (veggies and fruits). I track my macronutrients, as well as sodium and Fiber on My Fitness Pal (great tool). And the last thing I worry about is whether 25 grams of my daily protein comes in a bottle or on a plate.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

Fyi - Oh Yeah bars are the closest thing to a candy bar I have found in Protein bars. I LOVE them. So, only time I ate them is when I was having issues like recent recovery from a surgical complication. As much as I'd like to drop 5# that was not the ideal time. Any hoo. ..just saying that oh yeah bars are kind of a gateway drug. ..errrr food for me so proceed with caution.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using the BariatricPal App

[DangerMouse007 105]

From what I've read my bariatric surgeon has a very different outlook on Protein than most that I've heard about. He only approves Protein drinks as a part of the pre-op diet and advises that protein post-op should come from "real food". He also does not recommend the use of any artificial sweeteners. So far, I've been really on board with both of these tactics. I prefer "real food" and cutting out all sweet stuff for months has really helped me not crave sweets at all.

That said, I'm nervous about getting my correct amount of protein in. Another tactic I have been using is to only eat three meals a day, to stop myself from getting into the habit of grazing (also surgeon recommended practice). With what my pouch can handle, there just doesn't seem to be a way to get the needed protein in three sittings without severe food type restrictions. (I have been tracking through MyFitnessPal, and yep... it's pretty hard, if not impossible) I'm very tempted to give Protein shakes a try. I know you should always follow your surgeon's directions, and I do plan to discuss with him, but wanted to talk with people who have been down this road before. Do you think protein drinks helped you? What were the pros and cons of adding or subtracting them from your diet?

My surgeon sounds quite a bit like yours in terms of the protein. Protein drinks were fine immediately after surgery, but from 3 weeks post-op on, he wanted to make sure my protein was from 3 solid meals per day and not "liquid calories". However, I do not have any kind of daily protein or calorie goal that I have to maintain either based on his program. That was something I made sure to ask at my 3-month post-op appointment since most programs you read about on here seem to have them.

I have my 6-month (well actually 7-month) post-op appointment coming up next week, and I plan on asking about having a Protein shake post work out. Something I've noticed as I've increased my cardio and weight training is that I'm absolutely hungry right after my workout and throughout the day. I try to eat some solid protein, but so far it hasn't seemed to satisfy that hunger.

[JamieLogical 8,684]

@@DangerMouse007 I've never heard of a surgeon or nutritionist not at LEAST setting a Protein goal. A lot won't give calorie or carb goals, but no protein goal? How are you supposed to know what to eat?

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

From what I've read my bariatric surgeon has a very different outlook on Protein than most that I've heard about. He only approves Protein drinks as a part of the pre-op diet and advises that protein post-op should come from "real food". He also does not recommend the use of any artificial sweeteners. So far, I've been really on board with both of these tactics. I prefer "real food" and cutting out all sweet stuff for months has really helped me not crave sweets at all.

That said, I'm nervous about getting my correct amount of protein in. Another tactic I have been using is to only eat three meals a day, to stop myself from getting into the habit of grazing (also surgeon recommended practice). With what my pouch can handle, there just doesn't seem to be a way to get the needed protein in three sittings without severe food type restrictions. (I have been tracking through MyFitnessPal, and yep... it's pretty hard, if not impossible) I'm very tempted to give protein shakes a try. I know you should always follow your surgeon's directions, and I do plan to discuss with him, but wanted to talk with people who have been down this road before. Do you think protein drinks helped you? What were the pros and cons of adding or subtracting them from your diet?

My surgeon sounds quite a bit like yours in terms of the protein. Protein drinks were fine immediately after surgery, but from 3 weeks post-op on, he wanted to make sure my protein was from 3 solid meals per day and not "liquid calories". However, I do not have any kind of daily protein or calorie goal that I have to maintain either based on his program. That was something I made sure to ask at my 3-month post-op appointment since most programs you read about on here seem to have them.

I have my 6-month (well actually 7-month) post-op appointment coming up next week, and I plan on asking about having a protein shake post work out. Something I've noticed as I've increased my cardio and weight training is that I'm absolutely hungry right after my workout and throughout the day. I try to eat some solid protein, but so far it hasn't seemed to satisfy that hunger.

Just a guess but if you don't have a protein target and aren't tracking your protein you are probably hungry because you aren't getting enough protein.

Try tracking it to see.