Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Protein Drinks Vs Meal Replacements Drinks



Recommended Posts

That's good questions I would think both would be helpful Slim fast has a meal placement shake with more Protein in it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've been using whey Protein powder with skim or low-fat milk. Whether mixed alone and in a blender with ice to make a 'smoothie' these seem to hold me for a long time.

Now I am pre-surgery - 2 days to go - but the days I don't have these I do notice I seem to have a lot more hunger pains.

It comes in a chocolate or vanilla 'flavor' but I would recommend a test drive because some people do not like the taste - I enjoy both.

AND as a treat - I sometimes use a popsicle or my allowance of fat free sherbet and make myself a 'desert' at night.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was told meal replacements are fine for pre-op but not during post-op. The actually difference between the two? I have no clue!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Everyone--

So interesting that I come upon this question today. I went to the health food store yesterday and asked for a Meal Replacement shake. The clerk pointed me to a product that he said he sells as meal replacement even though it is clearly marked on the canister that it is NOT to be used for that purpose, but rather as a food supplement. It has 21 grams of Protein and a bunch of amino acids in each scoop. I compared it to another Protein Powder I use almost daily. It, too, says that it's a supplement not a replacement, has 16 grams of protein and a lot of Vitamins, but no amino acids. I'm completely stumped as to which is the better product.

I'm pre-surgery, but wanted to lose some poundage between now and what I hope will be my surgery month. I attend a support group tomorrow at my surgeon's office. It's led by the nutritionist. I'll ask her what the difference is between a Protein Drink and a meal replacement and if I get a good answer I'll check back in.

Best to everyone,

Beautylocs

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I really heartily dislike the Protein shakes on the market here, they all have a distinctive taste.

Meal replacement shakes you have to be careful of. I continue to use Optifast - the vanilla one - because its well balanced and with some fruit blended into it makes a good Breakfast for a bandster - I can eat in the morning, but like most, its not my most hungry time of day. The thing is with a meal replacement rather than a Protein supplement, you've got a host of other important Vitamins and minerals. I'm not a low carber, I defend my carbs, lol, but its nice to have a Breakfast you know is high in protein to get you through the morning, chocful of Vitamins and minerals and has my daily requriement of two pieces of fruit blended into to it to boot. So many things to not have to think about at my other meals.

Not sure if our Slim Fast is the same as your Slim Fast here in Australia - but reading the label, its a pretty worthless food - crappy amount of protein, like 3grams, heaps of carbs all of which are from sugar. I'd avoid that one. Same with most of the other ones available in the supermarket.

We have Tony Ferguson and Celebrity Slim which are both pretty identical going by the labels and very similar to Optifast, and much more tolerable taste wise.

I guess its down to what you prefer taste wise, and then you have to read the labels carefully if you go for a meal replacement shake.

Edited by Jachut

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The typical difference between a Protein supplement and a meal replacement is that the meal replacement includes Vitamins and minerals.

So if you already use a good Vitamin and mineral supplement, you don't need the meal replacement, and in fact it could be harmful for this reason:

More and more research is showing that too much of some Vitamins is bad.

So a Protein supplement, particularly those which don't include vitamins, give you more control over your Vitamin intake, and they don't charge you for vitamins you don't need or want.

Jerome

powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury ® Protein

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If it is a Protein, it is made up of amino acids. But some products try to make it sound like that is a unique feature. What is really important is the MIX of amino acids. Your body needs them in a specific proportion.

Jerome

unjury ® Protein

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

. . . I'm still waiting for my unjury Protein sampler that I ordered last week. . . hint hint!

LOL!

I didn't expect my surgery to come this fast, so I'd really like to try these out while I'm on my liquid diet pre-op phase.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

. . . I'm still waiting for my powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein sampler that I ordered last week. . . hint hint!

LOL!

I didn't expect my surgery to come this fast, so I'd really like to try these out while I'm on my liquid diet pre-op phase.

----------------------------------

I am sorry for the wait!

When did you order? KY is usually 2 to 3 days (not counting Sat/Sun) so if you ordered on, say, Wed., it should arrive today, Monday.

If you don't have it call us on our toll free number between 9 and 6 Eastern and we will reship, OK?

Kind regards

Jerome

Unjury ® Protein

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Jerome!

You are magic!

My husband just pulled in from work and he brought in the door with him my order that the UPS guy just dropped off!

Awesome!

Now all I need is a microwave temperature probe. . . .

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×