I’m going to ask this question to my surgeon as well, but I’m wondering if anyone here knows:

Is there a reason that protein snacks (e.g. Kay’s Protein Snacks or Quest Protein Chips) aren’t listed as permitted foods on most pre-op diets but protein drinks (and sometimes protein bars) are allowed? The nutrition facts on some of these protein snacks are only negligibly different from the protein drinks I’m drinking, and sometimes they even have less carbs and fat. So it doesn’t make sense to me why I can’t have them. They are sometimes just a bit higher in sodium, but I haven’t been advised to limit sodium.

Most protein bars and shakes I’ve seen are fortified with things like calcium, potassium, magnesium and even vitamin A. On the other hand, most protein snacks I’ve seen, aren’t. I think that might be where the difference lies and why they aren’t on the approved pre-op diet lists.

Protein snacks, particularly the chips and puffs, also tend to have higher sodium content than bars and shakes. After finding several protein snacks I enjoyed, I asked my nutritionist about them and she said that they would meet my protein goals, but that I needed to be careful about the sodium so she recommended them once or twice a week at most pre-op which worked for me. It was mostly about food consistency differences for me. I wanted to enjoy something crunchy once in a while. Post-op, I've largely avoided them for now just to not have to worry about the sodium.

The sensory experience of food (particularly texture) is important for me. That’s why I feel like I’m losing my mind living on liquids with only one solid meal a day.