What's on the menu today, RNY-ers?

I can't help but notice how many people still have protein shakes a year or two or more out. After being on shakes the whole month of December I am LOVING being able to eat food lol! I can have 22 g of protein in 3 ounces of chicken, or 15 in 3 ounces of tuna-is there a reason you would say to get the protein from a shake as opposed to food? My nutritionist hasn't told me to continue doing shakes but I do know someone who had RNY and told me to have a shake for a meal for as many months as I can. I just enjoy salty/savory things so much more so I default to food over a shake, given a choice. Curious what y'all think!

I tend to have a shake for dinner on nights when I work out.  After a training session, I don't get home until after 7:00.  Given that I go to bed between 10:00 and 10:30, I don't want to get sucked into the kitchen, cooking/cleaning.  Plus, after working out, I find I'm just not that hungry (all those ab exercises, I guess! ).  So a shake is quick, easy, and I get in a nice hit of protein at the end of the day.

There are many of us that have never done shakes or bars.   If you can get your nutrition from good quality fresh food, why would you choose a shake or bar that is full of artificial ingredients cooked up in a lab ?    

I have lived and travelled in many different countries since my RNY and have NEVER had any difficulty finding good food to eat - I don't understand why people worry about protein powder and bars when they are months out of their surgery and have to get on a plane for a couple of hours for work or a vacation    Functional living should be our goal after this surgery.

There are many myths out there that a protein shake is some sort of secret to weigh loss and maintenance success - ummmm, no!  They help some people get their protein if they are unable to eat their daily requirements but serve no other health, diet or nutritional purpose!

ETA:  I realise this may sound like a shake bashing, which is not my intention - if someone wants to drink shakes, they should have at it, I'm just trying to say that they are not necessary to be successful 

Today was a hot mess... lol.

B - Cheese Stick on the way to basketball game.

L - Inside of a chicken philly; so chicken/cheese/onions

S - 1 meatball and 1 "Veggie Sandwich" or "Finger Salad" - while cooking for our neighborhood party

D - 2 meatballs, buffalo chicken slider meat and 1/2 a roll, 2 olives, 1 cracker, 2 bites of cantaloupe, some weird sausage thing, finger salad, one little smokie... now this was over the course of a 4 hour party.  Oh, and one tiny bite of a graham cracker pecan desert thing.

I did NOT track all my calories today... nor did I get all my calcium in. I forgot it when I went to help my friend cook.  I also didn't exercise, like I said -- a hot mess. 

The coolest thing about this party... it was for my new neighborhood and only 1 couple new me pre-op and obese. So I did not have to talk about weight loss or surgery or anything about it.  No one cared about what I was eating, or that I had tiny bites of food - because that's what the skinny people were doing.  It was AWESOME.

I didn't eat anything today. I tried to eat some dinner, my family went out for a small wake gathering this evening but I got two bites in and then promptly had to head to the bathroom to urp it all back up. My mom passed away this morning. Hopefully I can wake up tomorrow and get back on track!

B/L/D- Nothing

Vitamins - not a chance

Exercise - Does crying count?

Liquids - couldn't even keep them down

NEPoppy - I am so sorry to hear about your loss :( what a difficult day.  Good for you for not turning to food in this difficult time. It will be a very hard few days but don't best yourself up over food and exercise. Good luck and sorry again about your terrible loss. 

Sorry for your loss. My mom died 35 years ago and I still miss her every day. She was way too young. Do the best you can during the upcoming days but give yourself the time for your grief. Rely on family friends and the forum for the support you need. Don't be afraid to ask.