Any of you long-time bandsters still drink Protein drinks or mix in protein to milk or juice? Could you tell me what you do and why?

I heard it's not necessary, but it probably helps, right?

I have a protein shake made with milk on most mornings. My band tends to be tighter in the mornings ,it takes so long to eat and I'm usually in a hurry to get to work. I try to eat something on the weeknds so I won't get tired of the shakes.

Thanks for asking this question. I hope there will be more responses. I would have said no until recently. My hair has started falling out. I know many people take biotin for that and I probably will get some but in the meantime, my family helped me to realize that I am not eating that much and may just need extra protein. I have started using the liquid protein and it keeps me from snacking as well.

I dont, unless I'm going to have it as a meal - like mentioned above, Breakfast I'm always eating on the run. I loathe Protein shakes, but I do like vanilla Optifast, which is the pretty much the same thing. I dont do it to "supplement" though, just as a convenient meal and its a GREAT way to get fruit it, blending berries and a banana in with it.

But I definitely dont add scoops of Protein powder into Soups, juice etc, number one, I believe I eat enough protein and number two, its just calories that I really dont need. If I'm eating enough protein why add calories with protein powders, they still end up on your hips.

Sorry to hear that! What is Biotin? What form does it come in?

My surgeon forbids them, unless I've just had a fill or am sick. Other than that, they are off limits. I am to eat real sources of protein, that is dense etc. I am to learn to keep myself full from that, not shakes. they go right through the band. I'm also not allowed protein bars. He says they are to much like candy, and a bad habit to get into. I shouldn't depend on them. So I do what he says. I do add unflavored protein powder to things like a bowl of High Protein oatmeal, soup, gravey if my meat is dry, etc. I just beef it up a little. But no.... I'm not allowed shakes.

Any of you long-time bandsters still drink Protein drinks or mix in protein to milk or juice? Could you tell me what you do and why?

I heard it's not necessary, but it probably helps, right?

it's not necessary - but i will have a Protein Drink a couple times a wk.

i hated them in the beginning and only recently found 2 that i like (make home made) & will add when i meet w/my trainer. i really don't treat them as a meal; more like a "snack" & at an avg 150calories - it's "not a meal"....least for me.

usually in the morning I have my protein shake.

I have been banded 11 months today and I just ordered some more chocolate Unjury. I usually only drink it for breakfast. I like it and it is convenient.

I've been banded almost 2 years and have ~never~ had a Protein drink (including pre- and immediately post-op).... The clinic I went to, my band surgeon, and my PCP all say that if we eat a healthy, balanced diet there's no need for them.

I want to chew and enjoy the calories I put into my body...not drink 'em !!!

Patricia

The thing is, its a fine line. At least Protein shakes by and large are healthy - low fat and usually *good* fat and a low calorie way to get your Protein whereas eating lots of animal products, cheese, meat, deli meatn(even the low fat versions), whilst part of a balanced diet, the whole proportion of your diet gets way off track with such low calories as bandsters typically eat. People think coz its protein, its great but forget they're often taking in 40% of their calories as fat, mainly saturated fat, and completely and utterly ruining their Omega3/Omega6 ratio too.

A high protein diet doesnt have to be a deadly, cholesterol raising one, but the way many people do it, it is. At least shakes kind of help prevent that. If you eat legumes, pulses and tons of fish its a different story.

uh... I do the protein shots. I'm 9 months out, with 3 fills.. Right now I'm really tight in the morning til around 2pm.. then I can eat.. I do the protein in tea, or make a shake.. it takes me a while to get it down.. I use the biotin, vitamin for hair,skin.etc.. I get it at wal mart.. pretty cheap..

Rarely do I use protein supplements or have a protein shake. I eat a healthy diet including (but not exclusively based on) protein, and 8 months into the banded life, I haven't encountered problems.

I haven't touched a protein shake in probably 4 months and I am 8 months out. I do still occasionally eat the South Beach Diet protein bars but I get my protein from real food, I refuse to put myself on a diet for the rest of my life.

I love my shakes and have one every day, usually at lunch. I feel like I am having a milk shake and it stops my craving for sweets. My doctor has no problem with it because it adds 27 grams of protein.

I rarely have a protein shake. I usually eat a bowl of Quakers Weight Control Oatmeal in the morning with a half of scoop of protein powder added to help boost my protein intake though.