i made my first protein shake this morning...first ever, actually. of course i've tried the dreaded protein supplements with water in the weeks leading up to the surgery when i was on all liquids, but i quickly got wise and switched to the ready to drink pure protein shakes which are reasonably priced (they're cheapest at trader joe's, of course), reasonably good and totally easy.
since i've incorporated food back in (after about a month post-op) i've often not quite understood why so many post-op patients still use the protein shakes. it's kind of made me worry at times why everyone but me seems to feel the need, while i was perfectly happy (and have little trouble) eating my protein in the form of lean meats and fish. everyone would always say it's a great way to get your protein in, and that highlighted my own insecurities about the process - should i not be able to eat 80-100 grams of protein a day (some docs say 60-80, mine says 80-100 especially if you're working out)...is it weird that i can eat, and that i still like to? well, that's a topic for a whole other post, and i'll get to that...BUT i am finally starting to understand why protein shakes make sense at certain times. here's why:
even though i physically can eat dense protein (chicken, turkey, fish) with every meal and mostly do, sometimes i'm not in the mood. sometimes i want a salad without chicken in it for lunch, or just a pickle or some sliced cucumbers for a snack, but i haven't allowed myself to choose things like that because in order to get to my protein goals, i need to eat it with every bite i take. by incorporating a large dose of protein in another way (shake), i can have a salad for lunch, and any protein i have with it is a bonus. this is also really good because it means that i can have a very low calorie lunch or snack, which helps in my overall pursuit to stay around 1,000 calories a day. that's also a topic for a whole other post, because with the right (read: wrong) food choices, i could easily still be eating close to 2,000 calories a day. it's all a choice and the surgery is just a tool. okay, adding that to my list of topics to write about soon.
so back to the protein shake (longest protein shake story ever)....i want feedback and advice if you want to share it! here's what i made this morning:
1 cup skim plus
1 scoop pure protein powder
1/2 cup frozen peach slices
3 ice cubes
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 packet sweet & low
it was pretty good! not amazing, but totally drinkable and kind of delicious on some sips. i definitely like the almond extract and might add some vanilla as well, and perhaps some cinnamon. i think that would go well with the peaches, because i remember this recipe from a few summers ago.
i'm a little upset about the half packet of sweet and low...i'm trying to get off all artificial sweeteners (sweet and low in coffee is the one i can't kick) but it really needed it. i have to find some way around that and since i can't use sugar or honey, my options are limited. i am thinking of trying both agave and stevia...any suggestions?
i think i also might try this coconut milk "beverage" in place of the skim plus ... why? well, because with the help of this coupon site, i'm getting 2 cartons for free! also because a cup of it is less than half the calories of skim and because it's generally nutritious. it's also non-dairy, organic, non-GMO, etc. OKAY? but then, it does have less protein than skim plus...hmmm...well that's something to think about i guess.
i'm also, next time, going to add an additional scoop of protein so that i'll be starting the day with 24 grams of protein already in the can.
any good smoothie pointers for me?
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