I read in a sticky that homeade smoothies are not recommended. Can anyone tell me why? I bought some plain yogurt and frozen berries with a plan to add some unflavored protien powder. Is this a bad idea?

I haven't heard that before. Maybe someone with more experience can answer that. I have actually read lots of great smootie recipes on this site.

I have not heard that either....I have heard that they are good for you and highly recommended during post-op dieting...they couldn't be healthier!!

I would imagine its only becuase of the liquid calories thing - in which case protein shakes are not recommended either. And they're NOT by a lot of doctors.

Smoothies were recommended to me. My particular favourite is frozen smoothie. Blend frozen fruit and a little fruit juice togethor. Yummy and refreshing. Frozen fruit is availiable all year round too, 125g frozen fruit and 75 mls apple juice is about 100 cals.

I had my surgery on march 27th and I make my own protein drink. 1cup orange juice - 1/2 banana - 2 egg whites blended up. Wow what a drink.

Thanks so mush for the responses! I'm so glad to hear homeade smoothies are ok. I am looking forward to my mixed berry with a shot of protien powder smoothie.

People often rely on smoothies and Protein drinks for the period after surgery when on liquids and mushies. Once you are on solid foods, most (actually I think all) of the literature supporting the Lap Band and most of the medical professionals associated with the band do NOT recommend the regular consumption of smoothies and Protein Drinks. This has nothing to do with the merits or healthiness of the drink.

My understanding is that the meals you drink do not stay in your newly banded stomach pouch (they just slide on down), which can be a risk for weight gain as you may not feel full from a shake and may eat other solid food as well. In effect you can be doubling or tripling your calorie intake by drinking your calories, as well as eating, and now you have defeated the purpose of the band, which was to consume fewer calories. All the literature I have seen has recommended that the only "food" of caloric value that you should be drinking is milk.

The other purpose of the band is to "retrain" your eating patterns into eating habits that you can maintain for the rest of your life (portion control). To my mind that means eating real food (including the harder to eat meat and vegetables) that you will always be eating for ever.

Being banded shouldn't be about enduring or tolerating a diet for the time it takes you to lose weight, but a complete readjustment to lifestyle. Do you plan on getting much of your nutrition from shakes and smoothies for the rest of your life? If not, you probably don't want to get into the habit of relying on them.

Think about how Jenny Craig and other diets get you to eat their food. They work great as long as you eat their food, but you haven't actually made changes in your life to accommodate, so many (if not most) people put on the weight again once they start eating "regular" food, because they haven't learned to control portions and fat and calories themselves.

Just my 2 cents :blushing:

I too believe it is important to change for life the way I've been eating for way too long. This dieting and exercise program is working with and without the band but my thought is to ultimately enjoy this whole process. Eating well, exercising and consistency are my longest term goals. I am constantly trying to figure out what I will eat once I do reach my weight goal. I want to continue to eat the right combination of healthy foods that maintain my weight. Currently exercise helps to keep the weight loss rolling even when the dieting is not perfect. I am always seeking a book or formula that will keep the weight monster from getting back into my life. Long time bandsters have any advice for maintaining your goal weight long term?

People often rely on smoothies and Protein drinks for the period after surgery when on liquids and mushies. Once you are on solid foods, most (actually I think all) of the literature supporting the Lap Band and most of the medical professionals associated with the band do NOT recommend the regular consumption of smoothies and protein drinks. This has nothing to do with the merits or healthiness of the drink.

My understanding is that the meals you drink do not stay in your newly banded stomach pouch (they just slide on down), which can be a risk for weight gain as you may not feel full from a shake and may eat other solid food as well. In effect you can be doubling or tripling your calorie intake by drinking your calories, as well as eating, and now you have defeated the purpose of the band, which was to consume fewer calories. All the literature I have seen has recommended that the only "food" of caloric value that you should be drinking is milk.

The other purpose of the band is to "retrain" your eating patterns into eating habits that you can maintain for the rest of your life (portion control). To my mind that means eating real food (including the harder to eat meat and vegetables) that you will always be eating for ever.

Being banded shouldn't be about enduring or tolerating a diet for the time it takes you to lose weight, but a complete readjustment to lifestyle. Do you plan on getting much of your nutrition from shakes and smoothies for the rest of your life? If not, you probably don't want to get into the habit of relying on them.

Think about how Jenny Craig and other diets get you to eat their food. They work great as long as you eat their food, but you haven't actually made changes in your life to accommodate, so many (if not most) people put on the weight again once they start eating "regular" food, because they haven't learned to control portions and fat and calories themselves.

Just my 2 cents :rolleyes2:

Almost word for word what my Dr said on the subject. He's not a fan of drinking your meals (minus the day of / after a fill). I've only just added a Protein Drink to my daily calorie intake (EAS Carb control - 110 calories/17grams protein) before my workouts to get the extra protein. Since burning over 700 calories a workout - this doesn't impact my normal "solid food" meals / I count it as a "snack" in my food dairy.