Is Protein Shake Addiction Possible?

If I don't have a protein shake every day, I have withdrawal symptoms. Strong hunger pangs, cravings, constant thinking about food.

Besides the shake I eat 2 oz protein for lunch and dinner, and my total calorie intake is about 650 cals a day, w/ 40 g carbs & 65+ protein. If I don't drink the shakes, my protein always goes down under 45.

My diet plan says I'm supposed to get off the shakes after 2 months out and get all my protein from food. But I love the shakes. They go down easy, and I always get the protein I need for the day. Why would my doc want me to stop drinking them? Are they really addictive, as crazy as that sounds?

As long as you are keeping your protein up and your calories down, I see no reason to stop the shakes.  It is only if you are having increased hunger from not closing your pyloric valve and need more solid protein to close it and reduce the hunger that you need to stop.  Just make sure that you are using the best possible source of protein in your shakes and that they are low in carbs and sugars.  I strongly believe in not changing that which is not broken.  Personally, I couldn't wait to get off the shakes, but in your situation, I don't see the point.

Hi Elina,

Thanks for responding. I suppose the shakes affect people differently. I thought I'd end up hating them after reading vets posts on this board, but I have really grown to like the Premier Protein shakes, and the Isopure protein water as well.

Your advice to not fix what's not broken seems very sound. Why should I get off the shakes if I'm having good weight loss and feeling good? As long as I'm getting my protein, keeping my calories and carbs down I don't really see a problem.

I just don't want to screw this up-- the sleeve has been so great so far, but I'm still a noob (2 months, 2 weeks out from surgery).

 

 

 

You know that I am pretty hard core, if I thought for a moment that you are screwing this up, I would tell you.  :)  I think you are doing great and I really don't believe that my doctor would tell you to get off the shakes as long as your calories were under 800 and carbs under 40 and protein at 70 or more.  I just wouldn't change a thing.  I know plenty of very successful sleevers who never really got their hunger back and prefer the protein shakes to eating.  I see no problem there at all.  Congratulations on a very successful 2.5 months.  It just keeps getting better.

I drink more protein shakes than most new-ops lol. Love love love them. I cant think of a good reason to give them up - even now, the only hunger I get is from acid attacks, so I could live off of protein shakes and never be hungry.

 

Keep up the great work!

This post makes it SO clear how different we all are and the unique paths we walk.

I am convinced that those shakes are the work of Satan himself. Wish I could give mine to you.... ;0)