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The Protein Shake
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When and Why to Drink A Protein Shake
If you're considering weight loss surgery, or have already had it, getting enough protein becomes an important part of your life.
Why is that, you ask?
Weight loss surgery causes trauma to the body. After bariatric surgery, you have to eat sufficient protein every day to speed wound healing and to preserve your lean body mass.
Protein is also very filling. It fills you up and curbs your hunger between meals. Hey, when you can only eat 1/2 cup or 1 cup of food at a time, you need to feel full from it!
Protein is so important in fact, it's recommended to eat it first at meals. That way, if you get too full, at least you got your protein!
(Read more about the pre-weight loss surgery diet and what to eat after weight loss surgery.)
However, a lot of people have trouble eating protein foods such as poultry, meat, fish, eggs, cheese, milk, beans, soy, and nuts, or they find it time consuming to prepare them (not everyone has the luxury of having time in the morning to prepare eggs!).
I've also heard that it's somewhat difficult to carry these types of food around with you to have as snacks. ("Is that a hot dog in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me!")
That's why drinking a protein shake as a meal replacement just makes sense!
The use of a protein powder/shake makes life a little easier because it
- takes all the guesswork out of mealtime
- helps you meet your protein requirements
Protein Shake Use Before Weight Loss Surgery
Drink shakes to help you lose weight before your surgical weight loss procedure!
Many doctors insist you lose weight before surgery in order to "prove" your commitment to weight loss.
Research supports using meal replacement shakes as a good method to lose weight. It works. That's because the use of shakes at mealtime limits your choices and provides a set (and known) number of calories.
If you're trying to lose weight before bariatric surgery, you might
- opt to follow a pre surgery protein shake diet that simply involves replacing a couple of your usual meals with shakes, or
- you can follow an "official" pre surgery diet.
The latter makes life easy, taking all the guesswork out of what and how much to eat and assures you get all the high quality protein you require.
An official program such as this will provide you with everything you need to lose weight before bariatric surgery, including all of your high protein meals and shakes, grocery lists, and telephone and email support. You can start 1, 2, 4, 8, or 12 weeks before surgery.
Of course, consult your doctor before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program.
Drinking 2 shakes/day and eating a sensible dinner is another good approach. By using shakes in place of meals, you take all the guesswork out of what and how much to eat and wind up taking in fewer calories than you would have if you'd eaten a full meal. Translation...weight loss.
If you opt for this route, you'll need to know how to pick out a protein powder/shake and how to make a delicious protein shake.
You can also use ready-to-drink bariatric protein shakes if you don't want to mess with a blender and making your own shakes.
Many doctors believe that increasing the intake of good quality protein and limiting the amount of carbohydrates and calories during the period just before bariatric surgery improves your likelihood of success.
Substituting two high protein shakes/day in place of regular meals is an easy way to do this!
Drinking Shakes After Weight Loss Surgery
The first week or so after weight loss surgery you'll only be drinking nutritious liquids, and shakes will be one of them. You might even find yourself on a full protein shake diet, consuming little else.
In the weeks and months after your surgical weight loss procedure, you can continue drinking protein shakes to help you meet your protein requirement. That's because they're easy, take the guesswork out of mealtime and can provide you a lot of protein for not a lot of calories.
I even suggest making double batches at one time ("cook once, eat twice") so the pitcher is in the refrigerator and can easily be grabbed at a time when you don't feel like preparing a meal.
Note: If you've had the lap band procedure, you'll have to revert back to following a liquid diet for a couple of days every time you have a "fill," and shakes will come in quite handy.
I'll share something personal with you. I start my day every day with a protein shake and have for years and years. My blender is my most prized possession!
Protein shakes are here to stay! Enjoy them!!
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