Food Protein vs Protein Shakes

I know I do not eat enough in a day to get the suggested amount of 60g - 70g of protein, that being said, should I make sure to have atleast 2 protein shakes a day giving me like 50g of protein??  I know eating food protein is better, but I just dont eat enough food in 1 day to get half the amount of protein. 

 I thought the cardinal rule of RNY is drinking protein shakes....I don't think there is any other way.

There is no such rule in regards to protein shakes.  Many surgeon and NUTS try to get shakes out of your daily diet starting as early as 8 weeks when you are pretty much green lighted to try most any foods.

IMO There are situations where protein shakes still should play a role.

1) You don't eat breakfast, many adults in todays world simply don't eat breakfast which is one of the most critical meals of the day. So having a shake in it's place helps you get a jump on your daily protein and is a solid way to start the day.

2) Can't get enough calories.  If for some reason your average daily calorie deficit is to great and you need a easy way of bumping up your daily caloric intake.

3) Greater Protein requirements.  Some peoples activity levels and types of exercise require higher amounts of protein, and you need to get this protein in quick.  Activities such as vigerous running, cycling or weight training all use and breakdown muscles. Protein is critical in the repair and addition of lean muscle mass.  Taking in protein quickly within recommended timeframes post exercise pretty much means shakes and bars.

4) Very sensitive pouch.  If you are unable to tolerate any foods that are high in protein then a shake may be a good alternative.

By making wise choices in solid dense foods getting in the recommended 60 grams of protein should be doable.  Things such as Deli sliced meats, fish and lean meats are wise choices for primary sources of protein.

I was told to count protein from food and shakes to hit my 70g minimum, and yes, I need a shake or two to get there some days!

Getting food protein is a good idea, but we will never absorb all the protein from food, thus the need to supplement with good quality protein shakes where the main protein is in the ISOLATE form.  I will be doing this forever.  I've seen too many RNY'ers out a few years who don't think they need to drink shakes anymore and they look like crap - limp hair, dull eyes, etc...

what do you mean by in the Isolate form???

There are different kinds of protein sources.  Isolate is the type we absorb the best.  There are others that are good, that have a mix of concentrates in it.  Syntrax Nectars are an isolate, GNC carries them in chocolate and vanilla, and there are a TON of other sources out there.  Now, I know a lot of people drink other types and do fine by them, so this is what I was told by my NUT and what I have followed, especially early out.  Now I have protein isolate in my coffee in the morning, then later in the afternoon I'll have a different protein (more of a concentrate) as a supplement (mainly because its a different flavor). 

Most isolates advertise it on the front of the jug, some don't though.  Read the nutritional ingredients and if it says protein isolate as the first ingredient, that means the majority of your protein will be in the isolate form.  It will be ok to have other protein sources in it too.

I'm 5 years out and I still have a shake (not always daily but close) and I add protein powder to oodles of foods I eat (baked goods, protein ice cream, etc. recipes in blog link below) some days a protein smoothie (especially in the summer) is a great meal replacement and gotta love no heating up the kitchen! I try never to go below 70 grams of protein a day and as diverse an eating day (variety of protein sources) I can plan the better.

Eventually and sooner than you think... it becomes much easier to get it in... in fact you'll worry you can eat too much ;)

~Michelle "Shelly"

I only do a shake maybe once a week.  On my plan it is strongly urged to get it all from food.  I can get in 70-80 on food a day.  Takes planning.


Sarah

My NUT wants me to get all protein from food. I'm also supposed to only have 3 meals a day. In order to do both of these, I'd only eat meat. So I talked with her and she agreed that I could do a shake as a meal replacement (not in addition to 3 meals). So that's what I do. I have a shake for breakfast with 40-60g of protein in it. Then I have two normal meals with meat and some veggies. So far it's working for me.