How long is a protein supplement needed

[LindsayT 551]

How long were you on supplemental Protein after surgery? I'm tired of it. It's expensive. And I'm at a loss on how to get extra protein in. Currently, I'm having two Protein Shots a day, each of which are 25 g. Fifty grams of protein is a lot to make up in food, plus make your fluid goals. How do you do it?

[Jeanniebug 472]

Once you're able to get all your Protein from solid food, you really need to stop with the supplements. It might be a few months before you're able to eat that much.

As we lose weight, our protein requirements - like our calorie requirements - drop as well. My protein goal is 60 grams per day.

[The Greater Fool 1,952]

I never did Protein Drinks. 3 meals with 3oz Protein is about 60g protein. This was my plan from day 1, though the first 6 weeks were pureed and I rarely managed the whole thing.

Good luck,

Tek

[SuziDavis 544]

I am almost a year out and I still have a Protein Shake in the morning. I can't hit my goals without it.

[LindsayT 551]

27 minutes ago, The Greater Fool said:

I never did Protein Drinks. 3 meals with 3oz Protein is about 60g Protein. This was my plan from day 1, though the first 6 weeks were pureed and I rarely managed the whole thing.

Good luck,

Tek

Right now, I can MAYBE get in 2oz of protein per meal. I'm required 70+g per day.

[LindsayT 551]

19 minutes ago, SuziDavis said:

I am almost a year out and I still have a Protein Shake in the morning. I can't hit my goals without it.

I definitely do a Protein supplement in the morning. I've tried eating a few time in the AM, but it upsets my stomach.

[LindsayT 551]

32 minutes ago, Jeanniebug said:

Once you're able to get all your Protein from solid food, you really need to stop with the supplements. It might be a few months before you're able to eat that much.

As we lose weight, our Protein requirements - like our calorie requirements - drop as well. My protein goal is 60 grams per day.

I definitely don't make it with regular food. Yesterday, I even ate 2 Snacks and I would have never made my protein goal without supplementing it.

[pintsizedmallrat 470]

I still have to in order to meet my Protein goals and I'm 21 months out. My capacity is quite a bit lower than most people at the stage I'm at. I also quite frankly don't really like meat all that much, so I supplement in order to be able to eat more salads/veggies. I do usually have a bar/shake/some other protein infused item (I really like the Legendary pastries, 180 calories and 20g of protein!).

Edited June 22, 2023 by pintsizedmallrat

[ms.sss 14,679]

month 1-2 post op: aimed for 2 Protein Shakes a day (rarely made it, esp in month 1)

months 3-7: 1 shake a day

months 7+: none

i probably had a diff experience than u cuz i actually LIKED drinking my Protein shakes (dutch chocolate low-carb Isopure w/ Water, 2 tsps benefibre, 1 tsp Decaf instant coffee crystals, and LOTS of ice. #yum)

note that even when i was on them i still didn't reach my protein goals 100% of the time. even now, at 4.5+ yrs post op, there are still days that i don't.

[DaisyAndSunshine 301]

18+ months and I still opt for Protein Bars or Protein Shakes at times. Though majority of the time, I get enough Protein through the consumption of milk, cheese (string cheese, ricotta cheese) and yogurt (skyr). These are my go to maintain my protein requirements. And I get more than 60+ grams of protein which I think is enough when I am not indulging in heavy duty work out!

[Lipman 46]

2 hours ago, LindsayT said:

Right now, I can MAYBE get in 2oz of Protein per meal. I'm required 70+g per day.

Im in the same boat Lindsay, and having very similar thoughts. I think I am starting to get a little more room for solid foods, so I was hoping to drop to 1 shake a day soon. Although I have also been ignoring veggies at meals, just because I was barely able to eat anything (so focused on protein). I will probably add more veggies in, so that my protein says around the same for the next few weeks and shoot for dropping to 1 @ 3 months. ms.sss's timeline looked pretty doable to me.

[LindsayT 551]

Just now, Lipman said:

Im in the same boat Lindsay, and having very similar thoughts. I think I am starting to get a little more room for solid foods, so I was hoping to drop to 1 shake a day soon. Although I have also been ignoring veggies at meals, just because I was barely able to eat anything (so focused on protein). I will probably add more veggies in, so that my Protein says around the same for the next few weeks and shoot for dropping to 1 @ 3 months. ms.sss's timeline looked pretty doable to me.

It's hard because I want to get my fiber/fruits and veggies in too. I think those are also important. Being only 2 months out, it seems impossible to get in all the nutrients. I'm thinking I'll give it a couple more months and start phasing out 1 of the protein supplements.

[SuziDavis 544]

4 hours ago, LindsayT said:

I definitely do a Protein supplement in the morning. I've tried eating a few time in the AM, but it upsets my stomach.

Same, I have my morning Iced coffee mixed with Protein Powder.

[summerseeker 1,851]

I always have a high Protein yogurt for Breakfast, it gives me a instant 25 grams of protein. One milky latte containing 300grams of skim milk, contains 11 grams of protein

I can eat a 175 gram packet of small prawns and thats another 30 grams of protein. Anything after that is a bonus

You will get used to finding foods for the new you. Its easier than it looks

[Nepenthe44 184]

Weightlifters with full-sized stomachs usually take Protein supplements, so I don't expect I'll ever be totally through with them.

Maybe I'll go on vacations without bringing powders or shakes, but long-term, it's supplements or spending hours of every day slowly digesting chicken.

I do envy the guys who can choke down the nasty flavors in a few gulps though. I miss that.