Talk to me about protein - food vs. shakes

My surgeon doesn't give really clear cut guidelines on what you should do when in regards to protein.  I like guidelines.  Rules provide me with a sense of control, even if it's just perceived control  :)

So, I'm wondering because I've read it a couple of times on here, what is the bonus of actual dense protein vs protein shakes?  I'm 3.5 months out, and while grilled chicken and eggs don't really sit well, most other forms of dense protein are just fine.  Because I try to stick to three meals & one snack (protein shake), my protein ends up being 70-85 grams.  I usually eat Greek yogurt or cottage cheese in the morning, lean dense protein for lunch & dinner.  Is this an issue?  Should I try eating more dense protein as a snack?  At least 25 grams of my daily protein comes from a shake.  Just wondering what the benefits are other than dense protein keeping you fuller longer (this isn't a problem for me right now, but I can see how it can/will become one further out).  I think my weight loss is pretty good.  I'm around 60% EWL for my first "goal, " but I'm always looking for ways to maximize weight loss

Thanks in advance!

If this is working for you, I don't see any problem with this plan.  If you like the protein shake, continue with it.  Dense protein is always more desirable because it is real food, keeps you full longer and provides more variety.

Protein shakes did absolutely nothing for me.  They didn't satisfy my hunger, keep me full and made me nauseous. 

You are doing great with your weight loss.  As you get further out, you might want to branch out and snack on something that is healthy and satisfying to you. 

Go get a funnel out of your kitchen and pour a protein shake through it. Imagine that is your stomach. Now, shove a couple pieces of chewed steak into the funnel. Hum. Just sort of sits there. Still imaging that this is your tiny tummy, try to envision the advantages of having a full tummy that STAYS full. Dense protein and some veggies, close the pyloric valve that acts as a funnel into your intestines. Most carb-based foods don't. Liquids don't. Oh, you may feel restriction for a few minutes, but it will be gone.

Staying full longer is something you are going to want when you get further out from surgery. When your tummy is all healed and happy and can handle any food again, you are going to wish for the restriction that eating dense protein/veggies gives you.

That said, I still drink a protein shake in the mornings. It works for me. If you like the shakes, keep using them. If you don't replace them.  

Good luck.

Love the funnel analogy! I am one that doesn't use shakes. I do have a hard time keeping my protein up, but this is the plan that has been working for me. I agree that if you find adding a shake a day works, then stick to it.

Exactly this.  If this is working for you, don't change a thing, but if you start getting hungry, re-think it and add more dense protein.

I'm having a REAL hard time getting my protein above 40g a day without protein shakes but I, too, hate protein shakes.  I also am a picky eater which is terrible but is true.  I can't stand yogurt, cottage cheese or fish.  I'm trying to come up with some other ways to get protein in but it is a real *****!

You seriously need to go to wonderful Elina's profile and take a look at her soups. Low calorie, high protein, massive infusion of veggies.

If chicken is a struggle for you only being a few months post op, try them with ground beef. I haven't done her recipes with ground beef yet because I love them with the chicken, but I bet they would be fabulous.

They are so yummy.

I was the same way and couldn't stand a shake...even the smell. Once I added pb2 to my shake and mixed with almond milk it made all the difference in the world. I also was craving something sweet at night. I worked this shake in to my calorie goal (under 700) and now drink it at night. It does fill me up so I have to drink half and wait a bit to fini**** It has helped me fix 2 major problems (low protein intake and snacking at night).

Do you like lentils, chick peas or quinoa.  All of those contain a lot of protein and gives you a break from meats.  I pinned a quinoa dish that resembles macaroni & cheese using quinoa instead of macaroni.  I also add greek yogurt to different dishes and it acts like sour cream or a thickener and also adds protein.

Yes, I do enjoy those things.  I have to experiment more with quinoa but I do like it!  Didn't know it was high in protein though!  Thanks!