Shakes and Veggies

For those who have had surgery a while ago, do vegetables fill you up?

One of my worries is with all the protein requirements is that we don't eat enough vegetables for optimal health. Can you drink a protein shake instead of eat your protein and then eat high fiber vegetables instead? What would be the downfall to that?

In the beginning it is more important to get your protein.  As you get farther out you will be able to eat more food and then you can concentrate on a more balanced diet..  Veggies can also be hard to tolerate in the beginning. 

A big salad can fill me up, but protein keeps me feeling full longer.

Due to the malabsorption of vitamins and minerals, it would be pretty much impossible for us to eat enough veggies for optimal health.  That's why we take a lot of vitamins.

If you want, you can drink a protein shake and then eat veggies.  I do that sometimes.  Like if I go out to dinner, sometimes I get a big salad which I enjoy but which has little protein.  I don't eat meat, so I don't get the chicken or whatever meat on an entree salad.  I have a protein shake later to make up for the protein I didn't get at dinner.  I wouldn't want to do that all the time, though.

Oh, I wonder if we juiced vegetables we could get enough? I am just a fan of the vegetable (also a fan of the pasta, which is my problem. ;()

Since you don't eat, can you suggest some good protein sources that are bariatric friendly? I am a meat eater, but don't want it to the the core of my diet.

Beans are a fantastic protein source, I think.  Low in fat, high in fiber (constipation is a common complaint after RNY, I think at least in part because most people eat a high protein, low fiber diet), reasonably high in protein, and containing complex carbs (which we need).  They are also cheap and you can do a million things with them.

Dairy products are a good source of protein, too.

Then there is tofu and veggie burgers and all the fake meat products available these days.

I do this to some extent. Yes, veggies fill me up, just not for as long.  I eat fruits and  veggies all day long, I am not a vegetarian. I have veggies and dip or fruit and cheese for snacks lots of times.  I have salads with chicken, pears, apples, cheese.  I usually have one 30 gram protein shake in the am to make sure I hit my protein.   As long as you get your protein in, shakes work. Also make sure you are getting your vitamins in, we cant eat enough to get them with out supplements.

You didn't say how far out you are, I am over a year.

I am 5 months and a week out, I have had MAYBE 2 cups of vegetables since surgery total. I can eat a bite after I get my protein in and even then, not every day.