I've got to stay off the RNY board...

I hardly ever even go to the RNY board anymore and only go to the Main forum if I don't have anything.

My NUT is one that does not want us doing protein shakes.  I explained to her that I could control my snacking a lot better with the protein shakes than without them.  She just said they were extra calories that I didn't need.  I disagree with her and have continued to do what I felt like is right for me.  I have had people tell me I look too healthy to have had gastric bypass surgery.  I never lost much hair and I think most of this is from the protein shakes and keeping up with my vitamins.

Vent away.  I don't know how people make this journey on their own with no support from others.  I know that coming on this site has really helped me.

Linda

Jody, I finally got to read through everyone's comments.  Great Post....I think you changed a few peoples minds and helped a few newbies out!!!

I actually had a coworker (RNY) tell me that our NUT (we had the same doctor) told her not to get too much protein, so she doesn't go over 70. I can't imagine how over 70 is too much? I am required to get 80-90 between supplements and food, and this is the same NUT!

Perhaps she mis-interpreted what the NUT told her.  Maybe the NUT said no more than 70g in protein drinks per day?  IDK - just guessing.

It's also possible the nut said to get *at least* 70 g and she misheard. Or that she was told she needed to get around 70 g (because that made sense for her body weight and activity level) and also told not to get too much (the NUT thinking  that "too much" was something like 150-200 g and she put those together and decided that "too much" was anything over 70 g.

When people go on about getting their protein from "real" food, this is my response:

-milk is a real food and protein shakes are made from milk
-protein shakes have calories and nutrition just like chicken. That makes them a real food
-the protein from milk and eggs is the most bioavailable -- more bioavailable than the protein in meat

I understand why people forbid protein shakes even though I don't agree with it. They are following a rule rigidly passed the point of common sense. The rule is "avoid liquid calories". This rule is for two reasons: most liquid calories are either nutritionally empty such as soda or alcohol or aren't the best nutritional choice such as juice.

Secondly, the body has a harder time regulating liquid calories compared to solid ones.

But protein shakes aren't empty calories and, probably because of the protein, most people's bodies do okay with them when it comes to satiety and regulation of calorie intake. It's definitely something to be aware of but I think the benefits of the shakes far outweigh any potential  issues.

If I were running a program, I would encourage people to drink shakes but I would also warn of the potential pitfalls and tell them to do what works for them. :-D